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SDR outbound rules

Use this skill when training SDRs, standardizing outbound email quality, reviewing or rewriting cold emails against word-count and CTA rules, choosing one of the 8 allowed messaging frameworks, or setting tone guidelines by offer type.

SKILL.md

SDR Outbound Writing Rules

Core Writing Rules

Emails: 60-90 words maximum
No bullets in cold emails
One CTA only

CTA Rules:
- Clear and direct
- Respectful of their time
- Scheduling-oriented when possible

Personalization Inputs to Use

  • Name
  • Company
  • Role
  • Industry
  • Challenge (if known)
  • Goal (if known)
  • Source/trigger
  • Familiarity level

8 Allowed Messaging Frameworks

1. Before/After

Show transformation from current state to desired state.

2. Pattern Interrupt

Break expected email patterns to grab attention.

3. Ask Before Pitch

Lead with question, earn right to pitch.

4. Upfront Value

Provide value before asking for anything.

5. Do the Math

Calculate potential impact with numbers.

6. Challenge of Similar Companies

Reference industry-specific patterns.

7. Neutral Insight

Share third-party resource, build trust.

8. Typical Problems by Role

Address role-specific pain points.


Tone by Offer Type

Agency Services

  • Consultative
  • Strategic
  • Calm
  • Position as trusted advisor

Accelerator

  • Slang professional
  • Friendly
  • Curious
  • Approachable expert

Outbound Cold

  • Pattern interrupt
  • Short
  • Clear
  • Direct but not aggressive

Quality Standards

Good Email

  • 60-90 words
  • One clear CTA
  • Specific social proof
  • Relevant trigger
  • Human tone

Bad Email

  • 150+ words
  • Multiple CTAs
  • Vague claims
  • No personalization
  • Corporate tone

Review Checklist

Before sending any outreach:

  • Under 90 words?
  • Single CTA?
  • Trigger or personalization included?
  • Social proof specific (numbers)?
  • Tone matches offer type?
  • No buzzwords?
  • No fake enthusiasm?
  • Would you respond to this?

Combines with

Skill Why
sdr-master-prompts AI prompts following these rules
email-writing-frameworks Approved framework structures
josh-braun-copywriting Quality writing principles
email-metrics-benchmarks Track rule impact on metrics

Example prompts

Review this email against the SDR outbound rules checklist.
Rewrite this 150-word email to be under 90 words.
Which of the 8 frameworks should I use for a cold outbound campaign?

Part of Frontal — free, open GTM skills for your AI agent. Browse the library →

Files

1 file ship with this skill. They are installed beside the SKILL.md.

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SDR outbound rules
Imported from the GTM Skills library by Swan (https://www.gtmskills.com), skills/alex-vacca/sdr-outbound-rules
at https://github.com/swan-gtm/gtm-skills/commit/5d786aad0c7b2ca59b1abf1f601f9407ca261996. Written by Alex Vacca (https://linkedin.com/in/alex-vacca).
The skill is shared under the MIT License below; this notice must stay with any copy.

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