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DIGITAL MARKETINGMULTICHANNELCEO & SMEs

Cold email sequence for digital marketing — 21% response rate

7 steps over 30 days. 5 emails, 1 phone call, 1 LinkedIn message. 255 prospects contacted.

Charles Perret, founder of devlo

Charles Perret

Founder of devlo.ch · March 2026

255
Prospects contacted
59%
Open rate
21%
Response rate
10
Interested prospects

The 7 keys in the sequence

5 emails, 1 phone call, 1 LinkedIn message — over 30 days.

LinkedInDay 1LinkedIn login
Version A (characters: 190) - CTA 1 Hello {{firstName}}, We’ve helped {{client_ref}} achieve the top spot in Google’s organic search results in La Louvière. Is this a priority for {{companyName}}? {{salesRep}} Version B (characters: 187) - CTA 2 Hello {{firstName}}, We helped {{client_ref}} achieve the top spot in Google’s organic search results in La Louvière. Is this relevant for {{companyName}}? {{salesRep}} --- Hello and nice to meet you! I just wanted to know if you’d be interested in attracting more clients through a more effective website. In fact, we help several architectural firms every day to reach the top of Google’s search results. Is this relevant to you? --- What did you think of my proposal? 🙂
EmailDay 1Email #2
Subject: Initial contact: {{firstName}} x {{salesRep}}
Examples of {{shortpain}}: no online booking no online ordering 23rd in Google search results Examples of {{pain}}: Furthermore, it appears that you do not have an online booking system on your website. Furthermore, it appears that you do not have an online sales system. Furthermore, you have not posted any content on your Facebook page for 7 months, and have fewer than 500 followers on Facebook. Furthermore, you are currently the 15th firm listed when searching for “architectural firm Wavre”. Examples of {{painproof}}: Industry studies show that over 50% of users expect to be able to book an appointment online. Marketing analyses indicate that over 50% of a website’s traffic comes from organic search. Studies show that companies investing in SEO see significant growth in their revenue. Recent studies show that a significant proportion of the population carries out their business exclusively online. Market data indicates that a majority of consumers shop online. Examples of {{SEO}}: architectural firms Namur, insurance agencies Brussels, veterinary practices Liège Version A Hello {{firstName}}, Have you ever considered improving your architectural firm’s Google ranking? I see that you appear at {{Google_rank}} when searching for {{Google_search}} {{city}}. {{painproof}} [...] (full content available on request)
Email6 days laterEmail #3
Subject: A/ as before
Version A (includes USP stats) Hello {{firstName}}, Like you, our clients such as {{client_ref}} were unsure about the potential of improved Google SEO and an integrated booking system. A year later, they are attracting thousands of new sign-ups every year without spending a single euro on advertising (Google Ads). To achieve this, we implemented a {{productname}} strategy: a website redesign, the implementation of an online booking system and the development of organic SEO on Google. Our clients can also keep a close eye on all their website traffic statistics, allowing them to test new offers in real time to satisfy their customers. Here’s a visual overview of what we can achieve for {{companyName}}: Would you like a bit more context over the phone? Have a lovely day – hopefully a sunny one, {{signature}} Version B (includes packages + monthly payments) Hello {{firstName}}, Like you, our clients such as {{client_ref}} were unsure about the potential of improved Google SEO and an integrated booking system. A year later, they are attracting thousands of new sign-ups every year without spending a single euro on advertising (Google Ads). To achieve this, we implemented a {{productname}} strategy: website redesign, implementation of an online booking system and development of organic SEO on Google. Our flexible packages with monthly payments allow any SME to access the expertise of specialists in the field! Here’s a visual overview of what we can achieve for {{companyName}}: Would you like a bit more context over the phone? Have a lovely day – hopefully a sunny one, {{signature}}
Email5 days laterEmail #4
Subject: discussion with {{colleaguename1}} or {{colleaguename2}}
Hello {{firstName}}, Would it be best to contact your colleagues {{ColleagueName1}} or {{ColleagueName2}} regarding our proposal to help you get more out of your website? I’m sure you have a busy schedule, but I imagine that generating more traffic and revenue via your website remains a priority for {{companyName}}. Wishing the whole team a great day, PS: Our {{productname}} and flexible subscription plans can be tailored to suit any budget! {{signature}}
Call5 days laterPhone call
Call No. 1 – Scheduling an appointment Date sent: 5 days after the last message Caller: {{salesRep}} Content/Script: “Hello {{Gender}} {{LastName}} OR {{FirstName}}, this is {{salesRep}} from {{clientCompanyName}}. I sent you an email last week regarding our marketing expertise for veterinary practices. Does that ring a bell?” OR “I’m contacting you because you’re the manager of {{companyName}} and I’d like to discuss the potential of your website with you to see how you could help more animal patients. Would you have a couple of minutes to spare?” YES “Great! In a nutshell, we’re a company specialising in marketing support and website optimisation for veterinary practices. We implement tools such as online booking and a {{productname}} to sell pet supplies or food online. Are these things you’ve already considered for your practice?” “Our aim is to offer smaller practices a service that’s just as effective and cost-efficient as what larger companies have access to. Our {{productname}} packages and flexible subscriptions are designed to meet the needs of any SME, depending on their goals and budget.” Start of the qualification process. The aim is to gather as much information as possible, then follow up and arrange a meeting if the responses are positive. Qualification: Do you treat large or small animals? Apart from general care, do you have any particular specialisations, such as veterinary dermatology? Do you handle emergencies and on-call duties? Do you sell any additional products? Pet food? Do you perform surgery at the practice?
Email0 days since the last postEmail #6
Version A Hello {{firstName}}, I tried to reach you today on {{phonenumbersequence}}. I wanted to tell you about the summer offer we’re launching this week for all SMEs in {{province}}. Why not make the most of the quiet summer period to revamp your marketing strategy and boost your end-of-year figures? To help you do this, we’d like to arrange a meeting with one of our marketing experts. The aim will be to carry out a health check on your website and social media. The expert will suggest various areas for improvement and rank them for you in order of priority. No contract or proposal from Webforce will be sent following this meeting. The sole aim is to help you gain a clearer understanding of your digital potential. Here is the schedule of one of our experts, if that appeals to you (over 5 years’ experience, after all). Kind regards, PS: Here’s a little virtual coffee to help you get on with your day :)! Version B (different text in bold) Hello {{firstName}}, I tried to reach you today on {{phonenumbersequence}}. The idea was to introduce you to the summer offer we’re launching this week for all SMEs in {{province}}. Why not make the most of the quiet summer period to revamp your marketing strategy and boost your end-of-year figures? To help with this, we’d like to arrange a meeting with one of our marketing experts. The aim will be to carry out a health check on your website and social media. The expert will suggest various areas for improvement and rank them for you in order of priority. No contract or proposal from Webforce will be sent following this meeting. The sole aim is to help you gain a clearer understanding of your digital potential. Here is the schedule of one of our experts, if that appeals to you (they have over five years’ experience, after all). Kind regards, PS: Here’s a little virtual coffee to get you through the rest of your day :)!
Email7 days laterEmail #7
Hello {{firstName}}, So it’s time to say goodbye. At Webforce, we value feedback so we can improve. If you have a few seconds, could you tell me why you don’t wish to proceed? I really don’t need any of what you’re telling me, thank you Not the right time but potentially interested, please ring me back in 3 months It’s interesting, but I’m not sure I’ve understood everything. Shall we have a chat this week? I’m on a desert island and Rio isn’t answering Hope I’ve entertained you 🙂 All the best, {{signature}}

Why this sequence works

255 prospects and a 21% response rate for this 8-step campaign run over 30 days, targeting SMEs and architectural firms in Belgium. The approach is data-driven: the first email includes the prospect’s actual Google ranking, creating an element of surprise.

The strategy of showing a prospect their current ranking on Google (“you appear 23rd when searching for ‘architectural firm Wavre’”) is a powerful emotional trigger. The decision-maker immediately realises the lost revenue and the potential for improvement.

Touch #8 (the breakup email) with its humorous reply options (A/B/C/D, including “I’ve ended up on a desert island and Rio isn’t answering”) takes the sting out of the rejection and elicits one last smile — and often a reply.

What you can learn from this campaign

  • Show the prospect's actual Google ranking. Data-driven personalisation that creates a sense of surprise and urgency.
  • Use before-and-after images. Showing visually what the service can do is more effective than text alone.
  • Offer payment plans with monthly instalments. Makes the service accessible to the smallest SMEs.
  • A humorous break-up email works. The "desert island" question always brings a smile and often a reply.

When to use this sequence

Digital marketing agencies

SEO, Google Ads, website redesign, social media — this series is aimed at local SMEs.

Targeting SME managers and the self-employed

CEOs, managers and founders of companies with between 1 and 20 employees are your ideal audience.

The Belgian and French markets

The French-language version, featuring local references, is tailored to these markets.

Offer with personalised search

If you carry out a preliminary SEO analysis of each prospect, this data-driven approach works.

Who can use this sequence?

Local digital marketing agencies

If you’re targeting SMEs with SEO, social media and website redesign services.

SDRs aimed at SME managers

The data-driven approach (actual Google rankings) can be applied directly.

Freelancers in web marketing

Adapt the sequence to suit your own services and client portfolio.

SaaS platforms for SEO and analytics

If your tool helps SMEs improve their online presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I display a prospect’s Google ranking in an email?

Manually check the prospect’s search ranking for relevant keywords (“architectural firm + city”). Include their exact ranking in the email. This data-driven personalisation takes two minutes per prospect but creates an element of surprise that significantly boosts open and response rates.

Why are humorous break-up emails effective?

Options A/B/C/D, featuring the "desert island" scenario, take the sting out of rejection and turn the final email into a positive experience. The prospect can reply without committing (option B: "call me back in three months") or be persuaded to make a call (option C). This technique generates a response rate twice as high as a standard breakup email.

How can this module be adapted for another SME sector?

Keep the 8-point structure and the light-hearted tone (emojis, humour in the PS). Replace the ‘Google diagnosis’ with an equivalent term from your sector (free audit, diagnosis, benchmark). The summer or seasonal offer (Touch #6) can be adapted to any time of year.

Want a customised sequence for your industry?

devlo designs and executes bespoke B2B cold email campaigns. ICP, buying signals, multi-channel sequences — we take care of everything.

View all 25 sequences

Last updated: March 2026