- Sales
- v1.0.0
- outreach
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?
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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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