Potential Client Email Samples to Save to Your Swipe Folder

Potential clients are busy. The whole reason they want to hire someone is to take work away from them. If you make your emails address this when reaching out to potential clients, you will dominate the competition. In fact, to make it super easy I’ve included 4 sample emails to potential clients below. 

Before we get to the 4 email sample templates I wanted to mention my Web Design and WordPress Leads Newsletters because I often hear that finding high quality potential clients worth emailing is a big problem.

It used to be pain-stakingly difficult to find more potential clients to email all by yourself. But with Folyo’s Web Design and WordPress Leads Newsletters, you can get dozens of qualified potential clients sent directly to your email automatically each week.

You can even get a free sample and use the email templates below to reach out to potential clients over email in minutes.

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Template: Introducing Yourself to a Potential Client Over Email

The introduction email is one of my favorite freelance email templates. You find a company you want to work for, maybe via referral or job post. Now what?

How do you introduce yourself?

The key is to focus on the recipient. Remember: you’re reaching out to them. They don’t know who the hell you are. And they don’t care. That’s the truth. So act like it. Get rid of any sentence that starts with “I.” Make the potential client the focus of every sentence in your email. Here’s an example:

Hi Client,

Your [company, blog post, job post, social post, etc.] is amazing. One of my favorite things about it is [something you actually love about the company or client].

In fact, your [brand, website, blog, app, or whatever you want to work on] reminds a lot of [impressive past client], that needed something similar – and that tells me you probably want [amazing benefit received] as well.

Can I send you some ideas for how we can work on this?

-Your name

Notice how EASY this introduction email is to reply to.

All a client has to do is say ‘sure’ and you will take it from there. That’s what you want.

Compare it to the standard email this client gets that ends with “let me know how I can help!” and you will dominate.

Make no mistake, mastering the cold introduction email is one of the most valuable things you can do in your business. That’s why I wrote a full tutorial on how to customize this one email template.

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Template: Following Up with a Potential Client

After you send an introduction email, or any important email to a potential client really, you should immediately schedule your follow up email.

80%+ of first emails go ignored. That’s life. Instead of crying into a pillow about it, plan for it.

Here’s what I recommend. About one week after your first email to a potential client, send this:

Hi Client,

Excited to hear back from you, but I don’t want to stuff your inbox unnecessarily. 

Are you the right person to be emailing about this?

-Your name

I like this follow up template because it gives you two ways to win. The client might respond ‘yes’ in which case you’re emailing the right person. Sweet.

Or the client might respond ‘no’ in which case they’re likely to also tell you who the right person to contact is.

You can then forward that email to the correct person including the original message attached. This serves as a warm intro, which is even better than emailing them cold. 

By the way, this isn’t the only follow up email I would send if I haven’t heard back. I follow up on every potential client email I send at least 3-5 times.

How do you do that without bugging potential clients?

The key is to make sure you don’t rush the conversation. Focus on the present. Avoid phrases like “I can start tomorrow” when you haven’t even gotten a response yet. Keep your follow ups short. For more on building a strong follow up system that maximize your chances, check out my course Endless Clients (it’s currently closed but you can get an email the next time I open it up here.)

Template: Scheduling a Meeting Email

At some point you’re going to need to schedule a time to chat with a potential client.

This is another great opportunity to shine by taking work away. Don’t do what most freelancers do and send 2-3 emails asking what time the client’s available before scheduling a call.

Instead, cut down the entire process to 1 email. Here’s how:

Hi Client, 

That all sounds great. The best next step forward is to schedule a 15-minute call where we can meet and discuss which of X options is right for you. 

Does next week on Tuesday at 10:00am PST work for you?

If not, please send me a couple times that work for you and I will see if I’m free at that time.

-Your name

By suggesting a time and then giving the client instructions incase that doesn’t work, you’re making it so that they don’t have to think. Try to do this at every step of the client experience and you will have create repeat clients. 

Template: Fully Booked Email

The last email template I want to share with you today is what to say when you’ve booked yourself solid (using the emails above of course).

I include this email because it’s actually a common mistake people make. It may seem like you can stop all sales activity when you’re fully booked but the opposite is true.

When you’re booked, it’s actually the best time to email new potential clients because it means you can take your time, make sure there’s a good fit, and negotiate from a position of power. You can even experiment. 

Still, once a client is interested be upfront with them. Here’s what to tell potential clients when you’re fully booked:

Hi Client,

Thanks for reaching out. I’m currently fully booked through X/X so the next available slot in my calendar is X/X.

I understand if it’s not possible to wait that long, however, if you would like to work with me I do suggest moving fast to make sure you get into my schedule (waiting just means it may take longer).

Only signed contracts with down payments go into my schedule, so I’d be happy to explore a few options for you and have you get the very next slot in my calendar.

Can I send over my proposal and contract?

Thanks,
-Your name

This email indicates how in demand you are (the truth) and makes them sign on quicker to make sure they get into you schedule. Everything you say is true, and even better it’s clear and upfront with the client.

It puts you in a position of power and creates scarcity, separating you from the crowd. All things you want to do when you can. Being fully booked is a great time to do it.

What to do next

Email is the best way to reach potential clients. With just the 4 sample emails above you can email hundreds of clients every month and win thousands of dollars in client work. 

Now all you need is to find high quality potential clients worth emailing each week. That’s exactly what my Web Design and WordPress Leads Newsletters provide for hundreds of freelancers and agencies. You can try it out today by clicking the image below.

The problem with prospecting is it takes hours of pain-staking research to find potential clients to email all by yourself. But with Folyo’s Web Design and WordPress Leads Newsletters, you can get dozens of qualified potential clients sent directly to your email automatically each week.

You can even get a free sample and use the email templates below to reach out to potential clients over email in minutes. Try it today.

Reliable lead generation isn't just difficult. It’s downright nearly impossible to find great leads each month that are both a fit for your agency and looking to hire a team like yours. That's why Folyo exists. We send the 500+ best web design / development RFPs each year. You get instant access to a pool of great hot leads, on autopilot for less than a cup of coffee. Learn more and try Agency Leads PRO today.