Cold Email Operations Desk Card

Version: 1.0 Date: 2026-04-12 Purpose: Single-page operational reference for cold email outreach via solanasishq.com. Scan in 2 seconds. Deep dives in companion docs. Companion docs: Master Playbook | Cheat Sheets | Desk Card


1. Domain Strategy

DomainPurposeVolumeStatus
solanasis.comWarm/relationship emails onlyUnlimitedActive
solanasishq.comALL cold outreach (dedicated)10/day warmup 20-30/day warmWarmup in progress

Rule: When solanasishq.com is fully warm, ALL cold sends use solanasishq.com exclusively. solanasis.com returns to warm/relationship emails only. Never mix domains in the same thread.


2. Pre-Flight Checklist (Run Before Every Session)

secret run shared -- python3 cold_email_preflight.py --check-only
CheckWhat It VerifiesFAIL Action
SPFgoogle._spf includedFix DNS in Cloudflare
DKIMgoogle._domainkey recordRegenerate in Google Admin
DMARC_dmarc record existsRun cf_redirect_dmarc_setup.py
MXPoints to GoogleFix DNS in Cloudflare
301 Redirectsolanasishq.com solanasis.comCheck CF redirect rule
DNSBLNot on blacklistsContact blacklist for delisting
SMTPBrevo connection worksCheck Brevo credentials: secret get BREVO_SMTP_KEY -f shared --plain
Warmupmail-tester >= 8/10Continue warmup, reduce volume

3. Deliverability Rules (Non-Negotiable)

RuleWhy
No tracking pixels7.4% reply with tracking OFF vs 4.4% ON
Plain text only4-9x higher B2B engagement than HTML
0 links in Email 1Every link = spam signal
No attachments in cold emailSpam trigger; mention it, send on reply
50-100 words Email 1, <75 follow-ups, <50 breakupsReply rate drops sharply past 100 words
3rd-5th grade reading level67% more replies (hemingwayapp.com to check)
1 question per email maximum3+ questions = reply rate drops
More “you/your” than “I/we/our”Flip the pronoun ratio
Gaussian jitter: 2-18 min between sendsAutomated by cold-outreach skill
Max 4 emails per sequence per prospectAfter 4 touches, stop; re-engage in 60-90 days

4. Send Volume Ramp

WeekDaily VolumeNotes
Week 1-25-8/dayWarmup phase, manual + TrulyInbox
Week 3-410-15/dayMonitoring deliverability
Week 5-620-30/dayFully warm, automation OK
Week 7+30-50/daySteady state, monitor blacklists

Rule: If mail-tester drops below 8/10, cut volume by 50% immediately.


5. Sending Workflow

  1. Run pre-flight: secret run shared -- python3 cold_email_preflight.py --check-only
  2. Use Claude Code skill: “Send cold email to [prospect]” or trigger via “cold outreach”
  3. Review the AI-drafted email (skill presents for approval)
  4. Approve, edit, or skip
  5. Skill sends via Brevo with jitter and logs to CRM

6. Follow-Up Timing

TouchDayFormat
Email 1Day 1Full 5-Block email
Email 2Day 4Reply in same thread, QVC format
Email 3Day 8New subject line, different angle
Email 4 (breakup)Day 14Reply in Email 1 thread, 3 lines

Rule: Each follow-up MUST add new value. Never “just checking in.”


7. Spam Triggers to Avoid

Instead of…Say…
”Free""complimentary” or don’t
”Guarantee""most clients find…"
"Urgent” / “Act now”describe the actual deadline
”Click here”full URL or nothing
”No obligation""no pressure"
"Risk-free""fixed scope, 10 days"
"Limited time”reference their timeline
”This is not spam”(just don’t)
“Opportunity""Would it make sense to…"
"Dear Sir/Madam”Use their actual name

8. Emergency Procedures

SituationAction
BlacklistedStop all sends. Check mxtoolbox.com/blacklists. Request delisting. Investigate cause.
mail-tester score dropsCut volume 50%. Review recent emails for spam triggers. Wait 48h and retest.
Brevo account suspendedContact Brevo support. Switch to solanasis.com for warm emails only.
Bounce rate >5%Stop sending. Clean prospect list. Verify emails before sending.
Complaint/unsubscribeRemove immediately. Add to “never contact” list in CRM.

  • Master Playbook — all templates and frameworks
  • Cheat Sheets — thought leader frameworks
  • Desk Card — email composition reference
  • Setup Guide — DNS and warmup
  • Pre-flight script: _solanasis/solanasis-scripts/cold_email_preflight.py
  • Brand config: _solanasis/solanasis-scripts/brevo/brand_config.py