How Many Cold Email Follow-Ups Do You Send to Get Listings Verified?

Our exact 5-email sequence

Here is the simple logic we use. Each step is sent two days after the previous one.

• Step 1: Initial outreach.
• Step 2: Follow-up 2 days later.
• Step 3: Follow-up 2 days later.
• Step 4: Follow-up 2 days later.
• Step 5: Final follow-up 2 days later.

The whole sequence runs for 10 days. We keep the messages short. We use spintax for variations so the subject lines and first lines look different. We do not add fake urgency like “act now” or “limited time” language. Instead we keep the tone helpful and direct.

How the numbers look

We track open rates and response rates closely. Here are two real examples from campaigns we ran.

• Campaign A: 617 contacts. 83% open rate across the sequence. 32 opportunities created. That equals about an 8% response rate on cold email. That is very good for us.
• Campaign B: 147 contacts. Much lower open rate. About a 5% response rate. This campaign is still active and under observation.

These numbers show a few things. First, when a campaign is set up well it can produce very high open rates and solid response rates. Second, results vary by list, by region, and by timing. We had one campaign hit 83% opens and another that underperformed. That does not mean the sequence is bad. It means we need to test list and targeting.

Why some campaigns underperform

There are a few reasons a campaign might not do as well:

• Target list quality. Smaller lists can swing results more wildly. One bad list will drop averages.
• Regions or industries. We saw a lower open rate when targeting certain states. It may be the mix of businesses or local habits.
• Timing and deliverability. Sometimes a sender domain or subject line can reduce opens. We watch deliverability metrics.

We don’t panic when a single campaign underperforms. We compare it to other campaigns and to the baseline. If a pattern appears, we test subject lines, sender details, and targeting.

Do we add urgency?

No. We do not add urgency in the follow-ups. We keep the approach straightforward. We prefer to be helpful and clear rather than pressing the reader with fear of missing out. Adding urgency can work in some sales contexts, but for listing verification it often feels pushy.

Should you add more than five emails?

We usually stick to five. However, some members of our programs have tested longer sequences. One member ran seven emails and still saw good open and response rates on the extra touches. That tells us you can keep testing beyond five as long as the messages remain useful and not spammy.

We would not recommend cutting the number of touches. Reduce is risky. Increase is OK to test, but watch your response and complaint rates. If opens and responses stay healthy, more touches can capture more opportunities.

How we write each email

Keep the emails short. Aim for 2–4 sentences. Use simple subject lines and the business name in the opener. Personalize lightly. Here are the elements we use:

• Clear subject line. No clickbait.
• One to two sentence opener with the business name.
• One short line that explains why we are reaching out (listing verification, free help, or a quick fix).
• One clear call to action like “Can you verify this listing?” or “Is there someone who handles your Google Business profile?”
• Sign off with our name and a simple credential or one-line reason we can help.

Example subject lines:

• “Listing looks unverified for [Business Name]”
• “Quick help with [Business Name] on Google”
• “Can someone verify this listing?”

Spintax and personalization

We use spintax to create variations in subject lines and body copy. That helps the emails bypass filters and not feel copy-pasted. Keep personalization focused on the business name and location. Too much personalization can look automated if it’s wrong.

Deliverability basics we follow

• Warm up the sending domain before big sends.
• Use a consistent sending schedule.
• Monitor bounce and complaint rates.
• Keep lists clean and remove disengaged addresses.

Small rant you might relate to

“We hate popup notifications. They make work harder. Every site seems to pitch something now. Zoom is the worst.”

Okay, that’s just how we feel. Real life interruptions affect how and when people read emails. If a recipient is bombarded by banners and notifications, they may miss your outreach. That’s another reason repeat touches help.

How to set up your first campaign (step-by-step)

1. Pick a target list of businesses in a region or niche. Keep the list size reasonable for your tools (200–1,000).
2. Create five message templates with spintax variations and light personalization.
3. Schedule them every other day for 10 days.
4. Warm up your sending domain if needed.
5. Send a small test batch, watch opens and responses for 48–72 hours.
6. Scale up if metrics look good. If not, tweak subject lines or the list and test again.

Common mistakes we see

• Stopping after one email. Most replies come after a follow-up.
• Using pushy urgency language. This can harm reply quality.
• Over-personalizing with wrong details. Errors are worse than generic copy.
• Not tracking opens and replies. If you don’t measure, you can’t improve.

What to measure and watch

• Open rate per touch. This tells you if subject lines work.
• Response rate per touch. This tells you which messages drive replies.
• Bounces and complaints. These matter for deliverability.
• Opportunities created. Count actual leads and verified listings.

Real-world takeaways

Our five-email, every-other-day sequence gives a strong baseline. It is easy to run and tracks well. We get high open rates and solid responses when lists and targeting are correct. If a campaign underperforms, it usually comes down to list or regional differences, not the sequence itself.

We do not add urgency. We avoid aggressive tactics. We prefer short, clear asks and light personalization. If you want to push the sequence further, test additional emails carefully. Watch how opens and responses change. If they stay healthy, the extra touches can find more opportunities.

FAQ

How many follow-ups should we send?

We send five. They go out every other day for a total of 10 days.

Do you add urgency lines like “act now”?

No. We don’t. For listings verification, urgency often feels pushy. We keep the tone helpful.

Should we test more than five emails?

Yes, you can. Some members saw good results with seven emails. If you do test more, monitor opens, replies, and complaints closely.

How long should each email be?

Short. Two to four sentences. One clear ask. Simple call to action.

What open and response rates should we expect?

We often see open rates between 65% and 85% for good campaigns. Response rates can vary. One campaign returned about 8% response from cold outreach. Others might be around 5% or lower depending on the list.

What if our campaign underperforms?

Check list quality, region, subject lines, and sender settings. Run small tests and adjust. Don’t change everything at once.

Conclusion

We keep cold outreach simple. Five emails, every other day, short copy, light personalization, and no fake urgency. That setup has given us steady results for years. Test your lists, track your metrics, and tweak slowly. If you want to try more touches, do it carefully and follow the data.

We use this approach every day to help businesses verify listings and improve local visibility. If you follow the steps here, you’ll have a reliable way to start getting replies from cold outreach.