Tips for Cold Outreach Using Fax Lists That Work
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 6:30 am
Cold fax outreach can still deliver excellent results in 2025—if you approach it strategically. Unlike email or social media, fax messages land directly in front of decision-makers in sectors that still trust and rely on this medium (like healthcare, legal, government, and real estate). But cold faxing comes with challenges, from fax lists legal compliance to capturing attention in a single-page format. Here are the top tips to make your cold fax outreach campaigns actually work:
1. Focus on Compliance First
Before sending a single fax, make sure you're legally covered. Laws like the TCPA (U.S.) and CASL (Canada) require that you either have:
Prior express invitation or permission, or
An existing business relationship.
Include clear opt-out instructions, a valid company name, and a return fax or phone number. Even if you’re legally permitted, respecting these boundaries builds long-term credibility.
2. Craft a Short, Compelling Message
Cold fax recipients didn’t ask to hear from you—so your message must earn attention immediately:
Headline: Use a bold, benefit-driven headline ("Cut Your Medical Supply Costs by 25%")
Body: Keep it concise. Bullet points work better than paragraphs.
Call to Action: Make it clear and simple. ("Fax back this form for a free quote.")
Design: Clean, readable formatting with minimal clutter. Don’t cram the page.
People still glance at faxes even if they don’t read them in depth—make sure yours is skimmable and striking.
3. Target Wisely and Follow Up
Your fax list is your campaign’s foundation. Segment by industry, location, or job role to make the outreach more relevant. Avoid broad generic lists—focus on niches where fax is still normal business practice.
Then, follow up consistently:
If someone faxes back, call them within 24–48 hours.
If there's no response, try a second fax with a stronger offer or testimonial.
Track responses manually or use a fax-capable CRM to streamline lead capture.
Bonus Tip: Test your messages using small batches before scaling up. Even a basic A/B test (like headline variations) can dramatically improve your cold outreach ROI.
Conclusion: Cold fax outreach still works when done right—especially if you're targeting the right industries with a clear, legally compliant message. Need help drafting a high-converting cold fax template or sourcing compliant lists? Just say the word.
1. Focus on Compliance First
Before sending a single fax, make sure you're legally covered. Laws like the TCPA (U.S.) and CASL (Canada) require that you either have:
Prior express invitation or permission, or
An existing business relationship.
Include clear opt-out instructions, a valid company name, and a return fax or phone number. Even if you’re legally permitted, respecting these boundaries builds long-term credibility.
2. Craft a Short, Compelling Message
Cold fax recipients didn’t ask to hear from you—so your message must earn attention immediately:
Headline: Use a bold, benefit-driven headline ("Cut Your Medical Supply Costs by 25%")
Body: Keep it concise. Bullet points work better than paragraphs.
Call to Action: Make it clear and simple. ("Fax back this form for a free quote.")
Design: Clean, readable formatting with minimal clutter. Don’t cram the page.
People still glance at faxes even if they don’t read them in depth—make sure yours is skimmable and striking.
3. Target Wisely and Follow Up
Your fax list is your campaign’s foundation. Segment by industry, location, or job role to make the outreach more relevant. Avoid broad generic lists—focus on niches where fax is still normal business practice.
Then, follow up consistently:
If someone faxes back, call them within 24–48 hours.
If there's no response, try a second fax with a stronger offer or testimonial.
Track responses manually or use a fax-capable CRM to streamline lead capture.
Bonus Tip: Test your messages using small batches before scaling up. Even a basic A/B test (like headline variations) can dramatically improve your cold outreach ROI.
Conclusion: Cold fax outreach still works when done right—especially if you're targeting the right industries with a clear, legally compliant message. Need help drafting a high-converting cold fax template or sourcing compliant lists? Just say the word.