How to properly authenticate cold emails in 3 simple steps

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It’s a common misconception that when you want to send cold emails and generate leads without, that the first step is to focus on the template or the subject line.

What most companies or founders new to outbound overlook is authentication.

Before worrying about content and subject lines, it’s essential to ensure your emails actually reach the intended inbox and don’t end up lost in spam folders.

Email authentication plays a critical role in this process.

In this post, we’re going to explore why prioritizing email authentication is critical for the success of your cold email campaigns and how it can significantly increase your chances of engaging with your audience effectively.

3 authentication methods

You need to authenticate using all 3 methods to make sure you land inbox.

SPF

Assuming you use Google Workspace (you should), add the following to your DNS settings:

  • Add new TXT record
  • SPF: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all 

DMARC

Go to your DNS settings:

DKIM

This is slightly more complicated, but still relatively easy! Here’s how to do it: Go to your

  • Go to your Google Workspace settings
    • Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > Authenticate > DKIM authentication 
    • Select the right domain where you’re editing DNS
    • Click on GENERATE NEW RECORD

  • Copy the generated record go to your DNS settings > add a text record
    • Name: google._domainkey
    • Value: the key you got from Google
  • Wait anywhere from 20 mins to 48 hours and start authentication

 

Test your authentication

Once all done, test if everything is fine.

Go to:

https://mail-tester.com/

  1. Copy the validation email
  2. Go to your new email address
  3. Send an email to this address
  4. Go back to Mail Tester, hit the blue button to check your score
  5. Check for RED authentication problems

Unless you complete all 3 authentication methods, and your mail tester results don’t come back clean, sending cold emails is risky and will definitely decrease your deliverability!

So completing the above steps is highly recommended if you want to generate more qualified meetings and sales.

Bonus:

If you’ve made it this far and actually finished this authentication guide, here’s a bonus gift for you. Save up to 50% on your Google Workspace bill and have your authentication done for you! Meaning your entire cold email infrastructure spend will be cut in half.

If you’re interested – make sure to sign-up and reply to any of the welcome emails for more info!

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