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Process GuideMarch 12, 20267 min read
How to Measure Cold Outreach Success
Metrics table. Volume-based tracking.
metricsmeasurementreply ratetrackingKey Metrics
| Metric | Rough target | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Open rate | 40-60% | If tracking enabled; subject line matters |
| Reply rate | 2-5% | Varies by industry; see why reply rates vary |
| Meeting booked | 0.5-2% | Of total sent |
| Conversion to client | 1-10% of meetings | Depends on offer and fit |
What to Track by Volume
Under 50/week
Reply rate, meetings. Simple spreadsheet OK.
50-200/week
Add open rate, sequence performance. CRM helps.
200+/week
Full funnel: sent, opened, replied, meeting, close. A/B test.
Track in a spreadsheet: how to track outreach. ROI before buying: estimate lead list ROI.
FAQ
What's a good cold email reply rate?
2-5% is typical for cold B2B. Higher for warm or highly targeted lists. Lower for saturated industries. Compare to your baseline.
Should I track opens?
Yes, if your tool supports it. Opens show subject line and timing success. But don't over-optimize for opens - replies and meetings matter more.
How do I know if my list is the problem?
Test the same copy on a different segment. If reply rates jump, the list or targeting was off. See segmenting lead lists for higher response rates.