# Email 1 Variations 7

> Use this skill when crafting the first email in a sequence, testing different opening structures, or building complete email cadences. Seven Email 1 variations from the Frontal core framework — observation, question, poke-the-bear, trigger, stat, and role-pain openers — plus Email 2 and Email 3 templates.

- Skill: `swan-gtm/email-1-variations-7` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add swan-gtm/email-1-variations-7`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/swan-gtm/email-1-variations-7/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: swan-gtm (https://skillmd.com/u/swan-gtm)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/swan-gtm/email-1-variations-7

---


# 7 Email 1 Variations (Frontal Core Framework)

## Variation 1: Observation → Solution → Proof → CTA

```
[Observation question about their situation?]

[Solution statement.] [Social proof with specific number.]

[Soft CTA question?]
```

---

## Variation 2: Question → Problem → Solution + Proof → CTA + PS

```
[Observation question?]

[Problem statement they likely face.]

[Solution + social proof combined.]

[CTA]

PS - [Additional social proof]
```

---

## Variation 3: First Line → Poke Bear → Value Prop → CTA

```
[Relevant personalized first line]

[Poke the bear question about their pain?]

We help companies like {{similar_company}} achieve {{result}} without {{obstacle}}.

[CTA]
```

---

## Variation 4: Trigger → Problem → Solution → Calculation → CTA

```
[Personalized trigger reference]

[Problem statement]

[Solution]

[Specific calculation showing impact]

[CTA]
```

---

## Variation 5: Stat → Question → Value CTA

```
[Industry statistic]

[Question linking stat to their specific problem?]

[Value-based CTA offering resource/insight]
```

---

## Variation 6: Trigger → Achievement → CTA

```
[Relevant trigger observation]

[Social proof achievement we delivered for similar company]

[Direct CTA]
```

---

## Variation 7: Role Pain → Solution → Answer Objection → Soft CTA

```
What {{title}}s hate about their job: [common pain]

[How we solve it]

[Pre-answer their likely question]

[Very soft CTA]
```

---

## Email 2 Template (Send 3 Days Later)

```
Subject: RE: (same thread)

[Lead magnet offer]

[Social proof]

[Value prop restated differently]

[CTA]
```

---

## Email 3 Template (Send 14 Days Later - New Subject)

```
Subject: [New subject line]

[New Email 1 variation - different angle]

[Very soft CTA asking for right person]
"If this isn't you, who should I be talking to about {{topic}}?"
```

---

## Combines with

| Skill | Why |
|-------|-----|
| `cold-email-4-sequence` | Slot variations into Email 1 position |
| `email-writing-frameworks` | Each variation uses different framework |
| `personalization-hooks` | Add hooks to first line of each variation |
| `atl-btl-messaging` | Adjust variation for seniority |

## Example prompts

```
Write Email 1 using Variation 4 (Trigger → Problem → Solution → Calculation) for a hiring signal.
```

```
Give me 3 variations of Email 1 for targeting CFOs at mid-market companies.
```

```
Which variation should I use when I have strong social proof numbers?
```


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_Part of [Frontal](https://frontal.so) — free, open GTM skills for your AI agent. [Browse the library →](https://frontal.so/resources/skills)_

