How to Find Cliches in a Cold Email (Stock Openers, Filler and Buzzwords)
To find the cliches in a cold email, check it against a list of stock phrases and read each match. The cold email cliche finder does this for you. Paste the email and each match appears with its sentence and a note on what tends to read as stock.
The by-hand way
- Read the first line. If you could send it to anyone, it is probably a stock opener.
- Read the follow-ups for filler, which adds nothing new.
- Read the ask. Vague asks leave the reader to guess the size of the favour.
- Scan for adjectives you would not say aloud.
A reader who has seen a hundred emails with the same first line stops at it. That is the cost this check points to.
Step 1: paste the email
Paste the email text. Matching is on the phrase as written, ignoring capitals and curly apostrophes.
Step 2: read each match
Four kinds of phrase are on the list.
| Kind | Examples |
|---|---|
| Stock openers | I hope this email finds you well, my name is, I wanted to reach out, I came across your |
| Filler | just checking in, touching base, circle back, per my last email |
| Vague asks | pick your brain, a few minutes of your time, hop on a quick call |
| Buzzwords | best-in-class, world-class, cutting-edge, game-changer, move the needle, leverage, streamline |
The list is fixed, short and shown on the page. A phrase can be fine in the right email, so a match is a note and not an error.
Step 3: replace with the specific thing
Say the thing the phrase stands in for. In place of I hope this email finds you well, start with why you wrote. In place of just checking in, add something new to a follow-up. The tool will not write the replacement: only you know why you wrote to this person. More on follow-ups is in cold email follow-up sequences.
Is this about spam filters?
No. No mailbox provider publishes a list of these phrases. For wording that filters such as SpamAssassin score, use the spam words checker, which shows the rule behind each flag. For length, grade and links, use the cold email copy checker.
Step 4: paste again
Paste the edited email in until nothing is left that you do not want.
What this check cannot do
- The list is short, fixed and English only.
- It misses reworded versions of a cliche.
- A match is a style note, not an error.
- It does not test which wording gets more replies.
Before you send, verify the list
Before you send, verify the list at the verify page: the first 100 email checks are free with a Google sign-in, no card. Each address comes back valid, risky or invalid with a reason, and nothing is sent to anyone on the list. A well-edited email still bounces if the address is dead. For larger or recurring lists, see bulk email verification, list cleaning and pricing.
Check your email now
Paste it into the cold email cliche finder.
Common questions
How do I find cliches in my cold email?
Check it against a list of stock openers, filler, vague asks and buzzwords. A cliche finder shows each match with its sentence and a note.
Do cliches trigger spam filters?
No. These are style notes from common cold email practice. For wording that filters score, use a spam words checker.
What should replace I hope this email finds you well?
The reason you wrote: the post, the hire or the page you saw.
What should replace just checking in?
Something new in a follow-up, such as a fact, a question or a resource.
Will the tool catch reworded cliches?
No. It matches phrases as written, ignoring capitals and curly apostrophes.
Check your list before you send
Real mailbox checks over SMTP, and nothing is sent to the address. Sign in with Google and your first 100 email checks are free, no card. Plans for bigger lists are on the pricing page.