@Phil Grabowski Great questions! Here's how I'd look at each area: 1. Volume vs. TAM We don't rely on one massive list. We prefer breaking the TAM into smaller ICP segments based on industry, company size, location, and decision-maker roles. We continuously refresh lead data using new sources, filters, and verified contacts rather than repeatedly targeting the same audience. 2. Inbox placement Infrastructure plays a big role. We generally prefer Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 over generic SMTP setups. Our approach includes proper SPF, DKIM, DMARC, mailbox configuration, gradual sending limits, and regular deliverability monitoring. We also distribute volume across multiple domains and inboxes rather than pushing too much volume through a few mailboxes. Google and Microsoft inboxes should be tested separately because their filtering behavior can differ. 3. Avatar and offer The avatar and offer should be specific to the target market. We focus on identifying a clear pain point and presenting a relevant solution rather than sending generic sales pitches. A positive reply doesn't automatically mean an opportunity. We would count someone as an opportunity when they show genuine interest and meet the campaign's qualification criteria. Regarding follow-ups: Sending only one email per lead can be a deliberate strategy depending on the campaign, but follow-ups often help capture prospects who missed the initial email. I'd test a short, relevant follow-up sequence rather than assuming one email is enough. One thing I'd emphasize: good results come from combining the right targeting, offer, copy, and infrastructure.

@George Williams Thanks! As a cold emailer, I keep the copy short, personalized, and focused on the prospect’s specific pain point. The offer depends on the ICP, but the main goal is to start a relevant conversation rather than push for a sale immediately.

@Jay Feldman list quality was the biggest lever. if the ICP and data are right, the copy and follow-up sequence become much easier to optimize. We focused heavily on targeting first, then refined the messaging based on the responses.

@Gaspard Visseaux Thanks! It usually depends on the offer and ICP, but we typically aim for around a 25–35% meeting booking rate from positive replies and a 20–30% close rate from booked meetings. The key is having a strong sales process after the meeting, not just generating replies.

@Gaspard Visseaux We send a pretty high volume of emails since we manage campaigns for multiple clients. Daily volume varies depending on each client’s project, ICP, and campaign size.

28 OOO replies is higher than I'd normally expect, but I don't think that's the real issue here. What would concern me more is 0 positive replies from ~2,000 sends. That usually points to one (or more) of these: - The ICP isn't a good fit. - The offer isn't compelling enough. - The copy isn't creating enough curiosity or relevance. OOO replies simply tell you the emails are reaching inboxes. I'd spend less time worrying about those and more time reviewing the list quality, segmentation, and messaging. Out of curiosity: - What's your ICP? - What's the offer? - Where did you source the leads from? - How many inboxes are you using, and what's the daily sending volume per inbox?