Cold Email Copywriting Frameworks 2026: 7 Formulas

January 25, 2026 • 11 min read

Quick Summary

  • 7 proven copywriting frameworks
  • Tested with 100,000+ cold emails
  • Each framework with complete template
  • Reply rates for each formula
  • When to use which framework

Good copywriting = 12% reply rates. Bad copywriting = 2%.

I tested 7 copywriting frameworks with 100K emails. Here's what works.

Framework 1: PAS (Problem-Agitate-Solution)

Reply Rate: 14.2%

Best for: Pain-point driven sales

Structure:

  1. Identify problem
  2. Agitate (make it hurt)
  3. Present solution
Hi {{first_name}}, **PROBLEM**: Most B2B companies burn $8K/month on LinkedIn ads and get maybe 10 meetings. **AGITATE**: That's $800 per meeting. And half don't show up. So really $1,600 per actual conversation. Brutal. **SOLUTION**: We help companies replace LinkedIn ads with cold email. Same meetings, $200/month instead of $8K. Just helped {{company}} cut their CAC from $890 to $127. Worth 15 minutes? Muhammad

Framework 2: AIDA (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action)

Reply Rate: 12.8%

Best for: Building curiosity

Hi {{first_name}}, **ATTENTION**: Saw you're hiring 3 SDRs at {{company}}. **INTEREST**: Before you commit to $19,500/month in salaries, curious if you've explored AI alternatives? **DESIRE**: We help companies book 100+ meetings/month with AI instead of headcount. One client went from 5 SDRs to 0 - still booking 127 meetings/month. **ACTION**: Want to see the comparison? Muhammad

Framework 3: BAB (Before-After-Bridge)

Reply Rate: 13.7%

Best for: Transformation stories

Hi {{first_name}}, **BEFORE**: TechCorp was booking 12 meetings/month, spending $8K on ads. **AFTER**: Now booking 73 meetings/month, spending $890 total. **BRIDGE**: The change? Cold email automation. Takes 2 weeks to set up, runs on autopilot. Relevant for {{company}}? Muhammad

Framework 4: The Question Hook

Reply Rate: 11.4%

Best for: Engagement

Hi {{first_name}}, Quick question: Are you using cold email to book sales meetings at {{company}}? If not - you're leaving 40-100 meetings per month on the table. We help {{industry}} companies automate outbound. Recently helped {{case_study}} go from 8 to 94 meetings/month. Worth exploring? Muhammad

Framework 5: Social Proof First

Reply Rate: 10.9%

Best for: Credibility building

Hi {{first_name}}, 47 SaaS companies now use our cold email system, including: • {{competitor_1}} • {{competitor_2}} • {{competitor_3}} All booking 50-120 meetings/month on autopilot. Should {{company}} be on this list? Muhammad

Framework 6: The Direct Approach

Reply Rate: 9.8%

Best for: Busy executives

Hi {{first_name}}, We help {{industry}} companies book 40-100 meetings/month through cold email automation. Interested? Muhammad

Framework 7: The Case Study Lead

Reply Rate: 13.1%

Best for: Specific results

Hi {{first_name}}, We just helped {{similar_company}} (also in {{industry}}) go from 12 to 73 sales meetings per month. They were spending $8K/month on LinkedIn ads. Now spending $890 on cold email automation. Same revenue, 90% lower cost. Relevant for {{company}}? Muhammad

Which Framework to Use When

Use PAS when: Clear pain point exists

Use AIDA when: Building curiosity

Use BAB when: Have strong case study

Use Question when: Want engagement

Use Social Proof when: Have many customers

Use Direct when: Targeting C-suite

Use Case Study when: Similar company success

For complete cold email strategy, see our 16% reply rate framework.

— Muhammad
AI Agenix