Photo Documentation Before Shipment Saves Claims

The follow-up rhythm is critical. If the first email gets no reply, wait 3 days and follow up from a different angle. Wait 5 more days for a third with new value. After 3 to 5 well-crafted follow-ups, about half of your leads will respond. Offer something new each time.

Cold emailing is the foundation skill for every export professional. Most beginners make the same mistake: they write about themselves. Buyers don't care about you. They care about their own problems. Your first sentence must address a pain point, not introduce your company.

The subject line determines whether your email gets opened or deleted. I've tested several approaches. Straightforward subjects like 'LED lighting manufacturer from China' got a 3% open rate. Question-type subjects like 'Having trouble with supplier quality?' reached 8%. Data-driven subjects hit 12%. Lead with value, not with yourself.