Writing A Fundraising Email That Gets Results

Founders: 90% of your fundraising cold emails suck. Here’s how to write one that actually gets a response. 👇 I’ve helped 400+ founders raise over $1B in follow-on funding and I still see the same mistake every week...spray-and-pray emails that read like this: "Dear [Investor], we’re building the future of [buzzword]. Let me know if you’d like to connect." No context. No hook. No chance. If you’re reaching out cold, your job is to make it as easy as humanly possible to say yes. Here’s the structure I recommend (and I promise it works): ✉️ Subject: Your Name (Startup Name) <> Their Name (Firm) → The Why Start with why you’re reaching out to them. Did they invest in a similar space? Say so. Did they write something that resonated? Tell them. → The Hook In 1-2 sentences, what are you building and why is it exciting right now? Say it in plain, simple language that even a child could understand. → The Proof Drop 2-3 bullet points that highlight traction, team, or any other credibility or momentum that the company has. The Ask → “We’re kicking off our pre-seed round and would love to set up time for an intro call to share more about what we're building." Bonus Tip: Be personable and human. It gets you A LOT farther than you think. P.S. Want me to review your cold email? Drop it in the comments or DM me a Google Doc. I’ll pick a few to edit live. 💜

The Art of the Fundraising Email: 7 Secrets to Skyrocket Your Open Rates Let's face it: most fundraising emails end up in the digital graveyard known as the spam folder. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right approach, your emails can cut through the noise and inspire action. Here are 7 time-saving tips to craft compelling fundraising emails that actually get opened: 1. Nail Your Subject Line Keep it under 41 characters. Tease content without giving it all away. Use power words like "Exclusive," "Breaking," or "Urgent" (but only when it's true!). 2. Personalize Beyond "[FNAME]" Reference past interactions, donor history, or shared interests. Make them feel like this email was written just for them. 3. Tell a Story Start with a compelling anecdote. Make it visual. Make it emotional. Make it real. 4. Keep it Scannable Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings. Remember, people skim emails before deciding to read in depth. 5. Make Your Ask Clear and Compelling Don't bury the lead. State your ask clearly and explain the specific impact it will have. 6. Use a P.S. Many readers jump to the P.S. first. Use it to reinforce your key message or add urgency. 7. Test, Test, Test A/B test your subject lines, send times, and content. Let the data guide your strategy. Pro Tip: Write your email, then cut it in half. Then cut it in half again. Brevity is your friend. Remember, the goal isn't just to get your email opened—it's to inspire action. Every word should serve that purpose. Now, it's your turn: What's your go-to trick for crafting killer email subject lines? Share your best practices in the comments. Your tip could be the key that unlocks better email performance for fundraisers everywhere!

Founders, if you’re fundraising, here’s the hard truth: Your first real pitch is the email you send. And most of them? Brutal. – No deck – No context – Five paragraphs before you say what you do – Or worse… 17 attachments and no clear ask VCs get 100+ emails a week. If we have to work to figure out what your company does… we won’t. You can call it harsh. I call it reality. The bar is low—here’s how to clear it: ✅ Write 4-5 sentence email max ✅ Attach a PDF deck ✅ Make the deck digestible in 60 seconds ✅ Say what you want (and why us) ✅ Don’t expect a meeting off the first touch Fundraising is sales. And sales is about reducing friction. Make it easy to say yes. Or at least easy to understand. The rest is follow-up and timing. #startups #fundraising #venturecapital #founderadvice #pitchdeck #earlystageVC