# Cold email explained | Propel

Source: https://runpropel.com/glossary/cold-email

Glossary

# What is cold email?

Cold email is a first email to someone who has never heard from you, sent because you have good reason to think they have the problem you solve. Done well it is short, personal and easy to say no to. Done badly it is spam.

## What makes it work?

- A real reason to write to this person, not a list bought by the thousand.
- One specific line about them or their company, checked, not guessed.
- One small ask, such as a reply or a short call.
- An easy way to say no, and respect for it.

## What gets it marked as spam?

Sending too much from a new address, writing to addresses that bounce, and ignoring people who asked you to stop. Mail providers watch all three, and once they distrust a sender, even the good emails land in junk.

## How does Propel send it?

From your own mailbox, with a daily limit and the sends spaced out. Each email waits for your yes until cold email has earned more freedom, and it never goes past "It posts unless you stop it". Addresses that bounced, unsubscribed or asked not to be contacted are skipped for good. See [Get customers](https://runpropel.com/get-customers) and the guide [Connect a mailbox and send safely](https://runpropel.com/guides/mailbox).

Where Propel does this

[Get customers →](https://runpropel.com/get-customers)

Related terms

- [Cold-email warm-up](https://runpropel.com/glossary/cold-email-warm-up)
- [Do-not-contact list](https://runpropel.com/glossary/do-not-contact-list)
- [Email sequence](https://runpropel.com/glossary/email-sequence)
- [All terms](https://runpropel.com/glossary)