# Cold email deliverability for beginners

> A great email in the spam folder does nothing. Start with these basics to keep your messages in the inbox.

## Use a separate sending domain

Don't risk your main company domain. Many senders use a similar domain (for instance getbrand.com alongside brand.com) for cold outreach, so any reputation problem stays away from your everyday email.

## Authenticate: SPF, DKIM and DMARC

These DNS records prove you are allowed to send from your domain:

- **SPF** lists the servers allowed to send for you.
- **DKIM** signs your emails so they can't be altered.
- **DMARC** tells inbox providers what to do if checks fail.

Major inbox providers expect them, and bulk-sender rules require them. See [SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained](https://getclient.pro/learn/spf-dkim-dmarc).

## Warm up new inboxes

New inboxes have no reputation. Begin with a small number of emails a day and increase slowly over a few weeks. Most email tools include warm-up.

## Keep volume modest per inbox

Spread sends across several inboxes rather than pushing hundreds from one. Spread them through the day.

## Clean your list

Bounces hurt reputation fast. Remove invalid and risky addresses, deduplicate, and drop leads you can't help. See [cleaning a lead list](https://getclient.pro/blog/clean-lead-list-before-outreach).

## Write like a person

- plain text or very light formatting
- few links (one is plenty), no attachments in the first email
- no image-only emails
- avoid aggressive spammy wording

## Make opting out easy

A straightforward "reply 'no' and I won't email again" line reduces spam complaints, which matter far more than unsubscribes.

## Watch your numbers

- **Bounce rate:** keep it low; investigate anything rising.
- **Spam complaints:** keep them very low.
- **Replies:** the best signal of all.

If numbers slip, pause, check your list and content, and slow down.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a separate domain for cold email?

It is strongly recommended. It protects your main domain's reputation if outreach causes problems.

### How long should I warm up a new inbox?

A few weeks of gradually increasing volume is common before running full campaigns.

### What bounce rate is too high?

Keep bounces as low as you can — a few percent is already a warning sign. Verify emails and clean lists before large sends.

### Should I use plain text emails?

For cold outreach, plain text or very light formatting normally performs best and looks like a personal email.

Source: https://getclient.pro/blog/cold-email-deliverability-basics