Cold email vs DM vs text — what actually works
This is the honest, field-tested answer — what works, why it works, and what to do as a beginner (without frying your nervous system).
Short Answer (Truth First)
Best overall: 👉 Cold email
Fastest replies: 👉 Text (after permission)
Worst starting point: 👉 DMs
Now let’s break it down simply.
1. Cold Email — ⭐️ BEST FOUNDATION
Why it works
- Agents already use email all day
- It’s professional and expected
- Easy to ignore (which lowers resistance)
- Easy to respond to later
Agents don’t feel “cornered” by email.
What email does best
- Introductions
- Being remembered
- Long-term follow-up
- Booking later, not instantly
Reality
- Low response rate (10–20%)
- But very high long-term ROI
Many bookings come weeks or months later when:
“Our photographer is busy — let’s try that person who emailed me.”
✅ This is the safest, least scary method for beginners.
2. Text — ⚠️ HIGH CONVERSION, BUT ONLY AFTER PERMISSION
Text works extremely well when used correctly — and terribly when misused.
Why it works
- Feels personal
- Short
- Fast responses
- Agents live on their phones
BUT
Cold texting without permission can feel intrusive.
When text works best:
- After a call
- After an email reply
- After they say “sure, you can text me”
- After meeting them once
Text is a relationship tool — not a cold intro tool.
Think:
Email = introduction
Text = continuation
3. DMs — ❌ LOW TRUST, LOW ROI (for this industry)
This surprises people, but it’s true.
Why DMs don’t work well
- Agents get spammed constantly
- Messages get buried
- Feels informal for a service provider
- Easy to ignore forever
DMs are:
- Fine for influencers
- Fine for creators
- Not ideal for vendors
If an agent does reply in DMs, they usually say:
“Can you email me?”
That tells you everything.
The Beginner-Friendly Strategy (Do This)
Step 1: Start with email only
- Calm
- Professional
- Low pressure
- Scalable
Send:
- 5–10 emails per day
- Short
- Neutral
- No links unless asked
Step 2: When they reply → ask permission to text
Example:
“Happy to send details — would text or email be easier for you?”
If they say text → you’ve unlocked the highest-ROI channel.
Step 3: Use text for:
- Booking
- Scheduling
- Repeat work
- Relationship building
This is how one agent becomes monthly income.
A Reassuring Truth (Important)
You do not need instant replies for this to be working.
Most outreach works like this:
- No response
- No response
- No response
- Random yes weeks later
That’s normal.
That’s not failure.
If you want more guidance on how to get clients make sure to check out my guide.
THIS GUIDE IS FOR YOU IF :
✔️ You don’t know who to reach out to — or where to even start
✔️ You’re scared of saying the wrong thing and getting ignored
✔️ You don’t want to come off awkward, annoying, or salesy
✔️ You want to know how to stand out
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
The secret method I used to book 28 clients in one month.
Scripts (what to say without sounding salesy and actually gets your bookings)
Five proven ways to get clients — so you’re not relying on just one strategy
Troubleshooting: why you’re not getting clients yet (and how to fix it)
My own results:
My first month in business : 6 new clients
My second month in business : 4 new clients
My third month (when i started my secret method) : 28 new clients