Cold Emailing Bankers: Exact Scripts, Subject Lines, and Follow-Up Strategies

Networking in investment banking is a numbers game, but it's a game with specific rules. If you break them, your email gets deleted instantly. If you follow them, you get the 15-minute call that leads to the Superday.

The 5 Golden Rules of Cold Emailing

1. 5 Sentences Maximum: No one reads paragraphs on a phone. If they have to scroll, they delete.
2. No "Pick Your Brain": This phrase signals "I want to waste your time." Ask for "advice on your experience in [specific group]."
3. Specific Availability: Never ask "When are you free?" Offer 3 specific time slots.
4. Use Your .edu Email: Gmail addresses often get filtered to spam.
5. One Thread Rule: Always reply to your own email when following up.

Subject Lines That Get Opened

For Alumni (High Response Rate):

• Student from [University] - Networking
• [University] Sophomore / Investment Banking Advice
• Introduction - [University] [Year] - [Name]

For Non-Alumni:

• Question on [Specific Deal] / [Your University] Student
• Referral from [Mutual Contact Name]

Avoid: "Hello", "Coffee Chat", "Inquiry"

The "Plug-and-Play" Scripts

Scenario A: The "Warm" Alumnus Email

Subject: [School] Student / Investment Banking Advice - [Name]

Dear [Name],

I hope you're having a good week.

My name is [Name] and I'm a [Year] at [University] majoring in [Major]. I see that you previously were involved with [Student Club/Sport] on campus and are now working in [Group] at [Bank].

I would appreciate the opportunity to briefly speak with you about your experience moving from [School] to [City/Bank]. I am free next Tuesday or Thursday after 2pm ET, but can work around whatever is convenient for you.

Best, [Name]

Scenario B: The "Cold" Non-Alumnus Email

Subject: Investment Banking Advice - [Name] ([Internship Experience])

Dear [Name],

I hope you are well.

My name is [Name] and I am a [Year] at [University] with recent internship experience at [Previous Firm]. I noticed you recently worked on the [Deal Name] transaction and wanted to ask for your perspective on [Specific Detail].

I know you are incredibly busy, but I would appreciate 10 minutes of your time. I am available [Time Option 1] or [Time Option 2] if either works.

Best, [Name]

Finding Email Addresses

Most banks follow standard formats:

• Goldman Sachs: first.last@gs.com
• Morgan Stanley: first.last@morganstanley.com
• JP Morgan: first.last@jpmorgan.com
• Evercore: first.last@evercore.com
• Lazard: first.last@lazard.com
• Centerview: flast@centerview.com (Note the difference!)

Timing and Follow-Up Strategy

When to Send:

• Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Best Times: 10am-2pm or 7:30pm-9pm
• Avoid: Monday mornings, Friday afternoons, 2am

The Follow-Up Cadence:

Send 1: Initial email. Wait: 5-7 business days. Send 2 (The Bump): Reply to original thread.

"Hi [Name], just wanted to bump this in case it got buried. Would still love 10 minutes if you have a moment next week."

Wait: 5-7 business days. Send 3 (The Hail Mary): Reply one last time.

"Hi [Name], I'll try one last time—if you aren't the right person, is there someone else in your group you'd recommend?"

Result: If no reply after 3 attempts, move on. Don't email again for 6 months.

Tracking Your Efforts

Create an Excel tracker with: Bank, Name, Role, Email, Date Sent, Date Followed Up, Status, Notes.

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