Cold email campaigns often fail not due to a weak offer, but because the emails never reach or engage recipients. Deliverability is the deciding factor; issues like damaged domains, spam-triggering content, flagged tracking links, poor personalization, weak targeting, missing follow-ups, and incomplete technical setup can all prevent results.
Q: Could my domain reputation be affecting deliverability?
A: Yes. Internet service providers use domain reputation to decide whether emails reach inboxes, go to spam, or get blocked. If your domain has a negative score (e.g., -2 or 3), most of your emails will never be seen. Always check your reputation before sending, and pause campaigns from domains with poor scores until they are warmed up again.
Q: Can my email content trigger spam filters?
A: Absolutely. Spammy subject lines like “Quick question” or “Heads up,” emojis, and excessive links can all cause emails to be flagged. Even odd formatting (such as including “subject:” in the body) may raise red flags. To avoid this, keep first emails short, text-only, and natural-sounding, and only introduce links in later follow-ups.
Q: Do tracking links reduce my chances of success?
A: They can. If your tracking domain is flagged or has a poor reputation, every email containing it is at risk. Even when tracking is “off,” some platforms may still insert hidden traces. Replace risky tracking domains with clean, verified ones, or use branded tracking links.
Q: Is sending just one email enough?
A: Not usually. Many prospects miss or overlook the first email. Without structured follow-ups, your chances of engagement drop. Plan 2–4 follow-ups spaced a few days apart, and vary the messaging to add new context or value.
Q: Could the technical setup be an issue?
A: Yes. Missing or misconfigured records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) weaken trust and hurt deliverability. Regularly audit your DNS and email setup to ensure these records are correctly implemented.