Email Framework #9: 4-T

Writing cold emails that get replies doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to be overly clever or write paragraphs of copy.

All you need to do is show your prospect you understand their world and have a solution to their problem.

Besides, you have just a few lines – literally moments – to prove you’re worth a reply. 

That’s where the 4-T email framework comes in.

If your outbound emails are falling flat, 4-T gives you a fast, punchy structure for sparking curiosity, building trust, and getting replies.

What is the 4-T framework?

The 4-T framework is a straightforward but powerful framework for writing cold emails in 4-5 sentences. Each line serves a specific purpose and moves the conversation forward.

As the name suggests, the email is built around four key parts, each starting with ‘T’:

• Trigger (why you’re reaching out to this person specifically)
• Think (a question or insight that highlights a possible challenge)
• Third-party credibility (social proof or a real-world example)
• Talk (a clear but low-pressure call to action)

Not only is the 4-T framework grounded in psychology, it’s short and personalized, ideal for grabbing attention and inviting a reply without pressure.

Core elements of the 4-T framework

Each sentence of the 4-T framework has a specific job to carry out.

The trigger is often the trickiest part, and it’s also the most important. A bad trigger will cause the prospect to stop reading before they get to the social proof.

Personalizing the trigger by referencing the person’s role, company, or a relevant insight shows you’re not just blindly blasting a list.

But for even better reply rates, you can use different intent signals and GTM plays as your trigger, such as:

• Website visits
• Lookalike audiences
• LinkedIn social signals

The stronger the intent signal, the stronger your trigger and the more likely you see a response.

When to use the 4-T framework in sales outreach

The 4-T email framework works best when:

• You’re writing cold emails to outbound leads
• You want to personalize at scale
• You need a simple structure that your team can use consistently
• You’re following up with decision-makers who didn’t reply the first time you reached out

Because it’s short and adaptable, the 4-T framework is great for cutting through inbox noise, especially when you’re reaching out to busy buyers who see dozens of emails a day.

Benefits of the 4-T framework

Using the 4-T approach brings several clear benefits to your GTM strategy:

• Quick and simple to read – One short sentence per element keeps your message clear and easy to digest.
• Fast to write – There’s no overthinking, no fluff, no guesswork. Just follow the structure, and nail the “why” (or trigger) you’re writing.
• High-performing – Every line has a purpose: catch interest, provoke thought, build trust, and invite a reply.
• Psychology-backed – 4-T taps into curiosity, relevance, social proof, and consent.
• Flexible – You can apply the 4-T framework for any industry or use case.

At the end of the day, 4-T emails are short, sharp, and easy to create without sacrificing relevance or results. The straightforward structure also makes it easy to automate.

4-T framework example

Here’s an example of a possible 4-T email you might use. You can also set up AiSDR to run entire campaigns using this framework.

General framework

Like other sales frameworks, 4-T emails are defined by a general structure rather than a strict template.

Here’s an example:

Email example

Here’s an example of a potential 4-T email.

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