In early 2025, Julian launched a B2B SaaS tool from his tiny apartment in Austin. His product solved a real problem—manual reporting for marketing teams. He was sure people would love it. But there was one issue: no one knew it existed.
So, Julian tried everything: cold emails, LinkedIn DMs, paid ads. He even joined Slack communities. Some methods worked. Others flopped hard.
If you’re in sales, marketing, or a founder like Julian, you’ve likely wondered: Is cold outreach still worth it? Or should I double down on warm leads?
Let’s break it down: simple, straight, and based on what actually works in 2025.
What is cold outreach?
Cold outreach means contacting someone who’s never heard of you.
Think cold emails, cold calls, DMs to strangers. You’re reaching out first, with no prior relationship or context. It’s fast, scalable, and often automated.
But here’s the catch: you’re an unknown in their inbox.
Imagine a stranger knocking on your door during dinner. That’s cold outreach.
What are warm leads?
Warm leads already know you, or at least recognize your brand.
Maybe they downloaded a free guide, followed your LinkedIn posts, or attended your webinar. When you reach out, they’re not surprised.
It’s like walking into a coffee shop where the barista already knows your name.
The case for cold outreach in 2025
Despite all the noise online, cold outreach still works. Especially if you do it well.
Julian, from earlier, sent 1,000 cold emails in January 2025. Most were ignored. But 14 turned into demos. Three became paying clients.
Why did those three say yes?
Because he did cold outreach right. That means:
- Personalizing each message
- Targeting the right people
- Solving a clear problem
But here’s where people go wrong: blasting generic emails.
You don’t need to message 10,000 people. You need to message 100 of the right people, the right way.
Here’s what makes cold outreach effective in 2025:
🔹 1. Hyper-personalization
No more “Hi {{First Name}}.” That’s not personal. That’s lazy.
Instead, mention a recent project they posted about. Or a challenge they discussed on LinkedIn.
Show you actually paid attention.
🔹 2. Clear value in the first sentence
Don’t say, “I’d love to introduce myself.”
Instead: “I noticed your team launched three campaigns last month. Mmy tool helps automate post-campaign reporting.”
That gets read. That gets replies.
🔹 3. Right platform, right time
Not everyone checks LinkedIn DMs. Not everyone replies to emails.
Test. Track. Double down on what works.
Why warm leads are often better
Now let’s flip the script.
What if someone already knows who you are? Maybe they read your case study or saw your face in a webinar.
That’s a warm lead. And yes, they convert better.
According to HubSpot’s 2025 report, warm leads convert 3.4x more often than cold ones.
Why?
Because trust is already there. You don’t need to prove your worth. You just need to show how you can help them specifically.
Warm leads come from consistent presence
You don’t need to go viral. You need to show up consistently where your audience hangs out.
LinkedIn. Podcasts. Newsletters. Slack groups.
One of the most underused tools in 2025 is smart LinkedIn post formatting. Not just “engagement bait”, but thoughtful, helpful content that makes your audience think: “Wow, I need more of this.”
Here’s what that can look like:
Ways to turn strangers into warm leads
Let’s look at five practical strategies that help you create warm leads without being pushy.
1. Post useful content on LinkedIn weekly
Use storytelling, client wins, and data-backed insights. Speak to one problem at a time.
2. Host short, valuable webinars
15-minute sessions solve small problems and build authority. No pitch. Just help.
3. Offer a free tool or audit
Give them a taste of your expertise. Make it quick and specific.
4. Ask smart questions in communities
Instead of promoting yourself, show your brain. People will click your profile out of curiosity.
5. Create a short email sequence for new followers
Say thanks, share a helpful article, and offer to chat. Simple. Human. Effective.
So, which one is better in 2025?
Here’s the truth: You need both.
Think of it like this:
- Cold outreach is a match.
- Warm leads are dry wood.
- Together, they start a fire.
Use cold outreach to start conversations. Use warm lead tactics to nurture trust before the ask.
Here’s a simple framework Julian now uses:
Cold-to-warm conversion funnel
Let’s break it into a practical system:
- Create helpful content once per week (LinkedIn, blog, or podcast).
- Invite engagement = ask questions, reply to comments, start conversations.
- Reach out cold, but reference their engagement or content.
- Offer value immediately = a mini audit, tip, or relevant resource.
- Book calls without pitching. Just learn. Help. Listen.
This hybrid method works in 2025. Why? Because people are tired of being sold to. But they still need help. If you meet them with value before the ask, you stand out.
Mistakes to avoid
Now, let’s look at what not to do. These mistakes kill your chances, whether you’re going cold or warm.
1. Sending mass generic messages
People smell automation from a mile away. You’ll burn your list and your reputation.
2. Waiting too long to follow up
If someone likes your post or downloads your lead magnet, reach out within 24 hours. Attention fades fast.
3. Talking about yourself too much
Instead of saying “Here’s what we do,” say “Here’s what you can get.”
4. Giving away value with no direction
A free tip is great. But always point to a next step, like booking a chat or reading more.
5. Not using email lookup free Gmail tools to find decision-makers
You’re not targeting roles, you’re targeting people. And you need the right contact info to do that fast and free.
In summary
Cold outreach isn’t dead. Warm leads aren’t magic. Both work, but only when done right.
In 2025, people crave realness. They want solutions, not sales pitches. Whether you’re messaging someone cold or following up with a warm lead, make it about them, not you.
If you’re just starting, pick one platform and one tactic. Nail it before expanding.
Julian did exactly that. He focused on writing one solid post per week. He reached out to people who liked or commented, offering value without asking for anything.
Six months later, he had 40 paying customers.
It didn’t happen overnight. But it did happen.
So start where you are. Stay consistent. And remember: cold opens the door, warm invites them in.
