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The Cold Email Formula That Made Over $1,000,000 with Sam Parr | Horizons Pod
Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.
—
Sam Parr is the founder of multiple 8-figure businesses including The Hustle (acquired by HubSpot for $27M+) and host of My First Million podcast, who pioneered the newsletter business model and built a media company to millions of daily readers.
Here’s some of my takeaways from this week’s episode…
1/ 📝 Master Copy Work Before Original Writing: Start by copying successful content word-for-word (ads, blog posts, books) to internalize patterns and rhythms. This was historically taught in schools and remains highly effective. Focus on pieces that have stood the test of time.
2/ 🎵 Use Sentence Rhythm for Impact: Structure content with varying sentence lengths - start short, build slightly longer, then deliver a powerful long sentence punch. This creates natural flow and maintains reader attention.
3/ 🎯 Deploy the AIDA Framework: Structure cold emails and sales copy using Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. Example: Blank subject line (attention) → Relevant local connection (interest) → Social proof/FOMO (desire) → Clear next step (action).
4/ 📧 The 50-Email Rule: You're just 50 emails away from reaching anyone (1 initial + 49 follow-ups). Focus on consistent updates and new information in follow-ups. Most will respond by email #3, but persistence can pay off even after 30+ attempts.
5/ 📚 Simplify Your Writing: Aim for 4th-grade reading level, like Hemingway. Drop adverbs, use periods instead of commas, and explain concepts like you're talking to a friend at a bar.
6/ 🔥 Strategic Controversy Drives Growth: Make some people love you while intentionally making others angry. This creates passionate supporters and generates viral attention. Example: The Hustle's Amazon Kindle exposé.
7/ 🎨 Story > Stats: Use concrete examples and vivid imagery instead of abstract numbers. Example: Showing a baseball-sized lump of fat is more impactful than stating grams of fat in movie popcorn.
8/ 🎯 Project Selection is Everything: Choose markets where the TAM supports your 10-year vision. Set clear outcome goals and verify the math works before committing significant time.
—
Where to find Sam Parr:
* Join Hampton: https://joinhampton.com/
* My First Million Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MyFirstMillionPod
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parrsam/
* X: https://x.com/thesamparr
* IG: https://www.instagram.com/thesamparr/
—
In this episode, we cover:
00:00 Introduction and Copywriting Fundamentals 03:23 The Power of Writing Rhythm and Style 05:14 Writing's Impact on Business Strategy 07:03 Building Sam's List and Business Stories 09:11 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing 11:52 Growing The Hustle Newsletter 14:04 Managing Multiple Ventures 16:04 Hiring Strategy and Talent Assessment 18:36 Pioneering Newsletter Business Model 22:25 Early Days and Craigslist Strategy 24:49 Cold Email Techniques and Follow-up 28:34 Pre-selling Products Through Copywriting 29:47 Career Reflections and Technical Skills 31:24 Lightning Round Questions
—
Obligatory disclaimer: I've worked at YouTube and Google for about a decade in various marketing teams. Nothing I say in my personal spaces is necessarily endorsed by them.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit horizonspod.substack.com
View all episodes
By Marketing insights from the cutting edge of growthListen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.
—
Sam Parr is the founder of multiple 8-figure businesses including The Hustle (acquired by HubSpot for $27M+) and host of My First Million podcast, who pioneered the newsletter business model and built a media company to millions of daily readers.
Here’s some of my takeaways from this week’s episode…
1/ 📝 Master Copy Work Before Original Writing: Start by copying successful content word-for-word (ads, blog posts, books) to internalize patterns and rhythms. This was historically taught in schools and remains highly effective. Focus on pieces that have stood the test of time.
2/ 🎵 Use Sentence Rhythm for Impact: Structure content with varying sentence lengths - start short, build slightly longer, then deliver a powerful long sentence punch. This creates natural flow and maintains reader attention.
3/ 🎯 Deploy the AIDA Framework: Structure cold emails and sales copy using Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. Example: Blank subject line (attention) → Relevant local connection (interest) → Social proof/FOMO (desire) → Clear next step (action).
4/ 📧 The 50-Email Rule: You're just 50 emails away from reaching anyone (1 initial + 49 follow-ups). Focus on consistent updates and new information in follow-ups. Most will respond by email #3, but persistence can pay off even after 30+ attempts.
5/ 📚 Simplify Your Writing: Aim for 4th-grade reading level, like Hemingway. Drop adverbs, use periods instead of commas, and explain concepts like you're talking to a friend at a bar.
6/ 🔥 Strategic Controversy Drives Growth: Make some people love you while intentionally making others angry. This creates passionate supporters and generates viral attention. Example: The Hustle's Amazon Kindle exposé.
7/ 🎨 Story > Stats: Use concrete examples and vivid imagery instead of abstract numbers. Example: Showing a baseball-sized lump of fat is more impactful than stating grams of fat in movie popcorn.
8/ 🎯 Project Selection is Everything: Choose markets where the TAM supports your 10-year vision. Set clear outcome goals and verify the math works before committing significant time.
—
Where to find Sam Parr:
* Join Hampton: https://joinhampton.com/
* My First Million Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MyFirstMillionPod
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parrsam/
* X: https://x.com/thesamparr
* IG: https://www.instagram.com/thesamparr/
—
In this episode, we cover:
00:00 Introduction and Copywriting Fundamentals 03:23 The Power of Writing Rhythm and Style 05:14 Writing's Impact on Business Strategy 07:03 Building Sam's List and Business Stories 09:11 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing 11:52 Growing The Hustle Newsletter 14:04 Managing Multiple Ventures 16:04 Hiring Strategy and Talent Assessment 18:36 Pioneering Newsletter Business Model 22:25 Early Days and Craigslist Strategy 24:49 Cold Email Techniques and Follow-up 28:34 Pre-selling Products Through Copywriting 29:47 Career Reflections and Technical Skills 31:24 Lightning Round Questions
—
Obligatory disclaimer: I've worked at YouTube and Google for about a decade in various marketing teams. Nothing I say in my personal spaces is necessarily endorsed by them.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit horizonspod.substack.com