5 Great Freelance Cold Email Templates To Copy & Paste

Cold emailing is a powerful way for freelancers to connect directly with potential clients and get their work in front of the right people.

Knowing what to say is often the biggest hurdle. Referring to a template provides a reliable framework, taking the guesswork out of your outreach and letting you focus on personalizing your message.

Tips for Writing Freelance Cold Emails

• Personalize beyond the name. Find a recent project, a blog post they wrote, or a company milestone. Mentioning it in your first sentence shows you’ve done your homework and aren't just spamming a list. It proves you're genuinely interested in their business.
• Focus on their need, not your resume. Instead of listing all your skills, pinpoint a specific problem you can solve for them. For example, "I noticed your website's loading speed is a bit slow; I can help improve that to reduce bounce rates." This shifts the conversation from what you want to what they gain.
• Show your work immediately. Don't make them hunt for your portfolio. Include a link to one or two of your best projects that are directly relevant to their business. This provides instant proof of your capabilities and respects their time.
• End with a simple question. The goal of the first email isn't to land the job; it's to start a conversation. End with a low-pressure call to action, like "Would you be open to a brief chat next week to discuss this further?" or "Is this something you're currently focused on?" It makes replying easy.

Types of Freelance Cold Email Templates We Will Cover

1. Introduction Email Template
2. Service Offer Email Template
3. Follow-Up Email Template
4. Testimonial Request Email Template
5. Collaboration Proposal Email Template

5 Freelance Cold Email Templates

1) Introduction Email Template

<template>

Subject: Introduction from [*Your Name*]

Hi [*Client Name*],

I came across your work on [*mention a specific project or achievement*] and wanted to reach out. I was particularly drawn to [*mention something specific you admire about their work*].

My name is [*Your Name*], and as a [*Your Profession*], I help companies like yours [*mention a key benefit or outcome you provide*]. I noticed [*Company Name*] is focused on [*mention a company goal or initiative you observed*], and it aligns closely with the work I find most meaningful.

I thought it would be great to connect in case our paths cross in the future. Would you be open to a brief introductory call sometime next week?

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Your Title/Profession*]

[*Link to your portfolio or website*]

</template>

2) Service Offer Email Template

<template>

Subject: A thought on [*mention a specific area, e.g., your website's UX*]

Hi [*Client Name*],

I was exploring your website and noticed [*mention a specific, actionable opportunity you identified*]. Based on my experience, addressing this could significantly [*mention a positive business outcome, e.g., improve user engagement or boost conversions*].

My name is [*Your Name*], and I’m a [*Your Profession*] who helps businesses like yours by [*clearly state the service you offer*]. I believe I could help [*Company Name*] achieve [*mention a specific goal*] with a similar approach I used for [*mention a past client or project*], where we [*share a brief, quantifiable result*].

You can see a relevant example of my work here: [*Link to a specific, relevant portfolio piece*].

Would you be open to a brief call next week to discuss this idea further?

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Your Title/Profession*]

[*Link to your portfolio or website*]

</template>

3) Follow-Up Email Template

<template>

Subject: Following up on [*mention original topic*]

Hi [*Client Name*],

I'm following up on the email I sent last week regarding [*reiterate the opportunity you identified*]. I know you're busy, so I wanted to bring this back to the top of your inbox.

As a quick reminder, I believe my experience in [*Your Profession*] could help [*Company Name*] achieve [*mention the key benefit again*]. I'm confident we could see a meaningful improvement.

Would you have a few minutes to connect this week?

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Your Title/Profession*]

[*Link to your portfolio or website*]

</template>

4) Testimonial Request Email Template

<template>

Subject: A quick question about our work on [*Project Name*]

Hi [*Client Name*],

I hope you're doing well. I wanted to say again how much I enjoyed collaborating on the [*Project Name*] project. I'm really happy with the outcome and the results we were able to achieve together.

Testimonials are an important part of my business, as they help potential clients understand the impact of my work. Since we had such a positive collaboration, I was hoping you might be willing to share a few words about your experience.

If you're open to it, you could focus on what you found most valuable or the specific results you've seen. To make it even simpler, I'd be happy to draft a short testimonial for your review and approval if you're short on time.

Thank you for considering this. Let me know what works best for you.

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Your Title/Profession*]

[*Link to your portfolio or website*]

</template>

5) Collaboration Proposal Email Template

<template>

Subject: Collaboration Idea: [*Your Name*] + [*Recipient's Name/Brand*]

Hi [*Recipient's Name*],

I've been following your work at [*Recipient's Brand/Platform*] and have a great appreciation for your approach to [*mention a specific area, e.g., content strategy, brand design*].

My name is [*Your Name*], and my audience at [*Your Brand/Platform*] shares a similar interest in [*mention a shared audience value or topic*]. I see a clear opportunity for us to collaborate on [*describe the proposed collaboration, e.g., a joint webinar, a co-authored guide, an Instagram Live session*].

I believe that by combining our insights, we could create something uniquely valuable for both of our communities. This could be a great way to [*mention a specific mutual benefit, e.g., offer fresh perspectives and expand our reach*].

If this idea resonates with you, I'd be happy to discuss it further. Are you open to a brief chat next week?

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Your Title/Brand*]

[*Link to your website or platform*]

</template>

What About Using Flodesk?

While these five freelance cold email templates provide a strong foundation, the right tool can make sending and managing your outreach simple. Flodesk offers intuitive email marketing tools designed for small businesses, helping you grow your list and connect with clients. You can create, send, and automate your emails without needing any coding or design experience, which allows you to engage your audience and build your business.

Our platform includes a straightforward email builder, effective automations, and well-designed forms to capture leads. Flodesk gives you all the necessary components for your email marketing, removing the usual complexity. We focus on helping you send emails that look good and get results, in a way that feels effortless.

Wrapping Up

Cold emailing is a direct path to growing your freelance business, and these templates provide a clear starting point. Having the right framework allows you to focus on what matters: making a genuine connection.

When you're ready to put these templates into action, Flodesk provides the tools to send emails that reflect the quality of your work. Sign up to start building your business with emails your clients will want to open.