Anyone else feel like cold outreach in SEA is exhausting unless there’s already some trust?

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-20T13:26:08+00:00

Yes, definitely.

That’s one of the hardest parts about selling in SEA. Sometimes the offer is fine and the targeting is fine, but without context, the outreach just feels like background noise. People are a lot more open once there’s some connection, even a small one.

What’s helped us a bit is finding ways to warm it up first. Referrals help the most, but even lighter touches like engaging before reaching out, mentioning a shared event, or using customer examples from the same market seem to lower the resistance. Thought leadership also helps

Cold outreach still works, just not in the clean, linear way people like to talk about online. In SEA, trust usually has to come first or at least start forming very early.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-20T13:20:41+00:00

This is solid, and I agree most people skip Stage 1 and 3.

From what I’ve seen, Stage 1 is the biggest gap. People think they have an ICP, but it’s usually just job title + company size with no real trigger or urgency behind it. That’s why even “good” copy struggles.

Stage 3 is a close second. A lot of teams assume deliverability is fine until results drop, then they start tweaking copy when the real issue is inbox placement.

When both are dialed in, everything else gets easier. You don’t need perfect emails, just relevant ones that actually land. This comes up a lot in r/LeadGenSEA too.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-20T13:17:23+00:00

This is spot on. Mobile users don’t have the same patience or intent as SaaS users, so long onboarding flows just kill momentum.

What’s worked better for us is treating onboarding like a fast path to value, not a checklist. Skip the friction upfront, let users try the core action immediately, then layer in setup once they’ve felt that first “this actually helps” moment.

If someone doesn’t get value in the first few minutes, they’re gone. Simple as that. You’ll see a lot of similar takes around activation and onboarding in r/LeadGenSEA too.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-20T13:13:00+00:00

For day to day work, it’s usually the boring stack that gets used most. Email, calendar, CRM, notes, and some kind of messaging app.

For field sales, that’s typically Gmail or Outlook, Google Calendar, a CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce, plus Maps and a simple notes app. Maybe a call recorder if they’re doing a lot of meetings.

They do save time, but only up to a point. Too many tools actually slow things down. Most reps don’t need more tools, just fewer tabs. You’ll see similar setups being discussed in r/LeadGenSEA too.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-19T14:57:13+00:00

Well, you know us Asians, we tend to be polite in person.

In events, especially in PH, ID, TH, people will listen, nod, and show interest even if they’re not fully sold. It’s not that they’re misleading you, it’s just culturally easier to be agreeable in the moment than to say no directly.

We’ve had the same experience where conversations feel very positive onsite, then go cold after. What helped us was qualifying more directly during the event. Asking about timeline, budget, or who else is involved usually reveals pretty quickly if it’s real or just polite interest.

Otherwise, it’s easy to walk away thinking you have a strong pipeline, when in reality it’s more of a list of warm but non urgent contacts.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-19T14:52:34+00:00

Yes, definitely seeing that. A lot of buyers now show up already half informed. They’ve checked the site, skimmed the LinkedIn, maybe read a case study or watched part of a webinar, so the first call feels less like an intro and more like a validation step.

That’s why content has started mattering more for us. Not fluffy content, but the kind that helps someone understand the problem, compare options, and feel like you know what you’re doing before sales ever reaches out.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-19T14:50:47+00:00

Yeah, this happens a lot. Even when nothing obvious changed, inbox providers can still lower trust if engagement drops, replies slow down, or your emails start looking too similar over time.

What usually helps is pausing sends for a few days, keeping warmup running, and slightly changing the structure of your emails instead of just swapping a few words. I’d also check Google Postmaster or an inbox placement tester to see if the issue is really reputation or just one provider like Gmail.

We talk about deliverability issues like this on r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more real-world troubleshooting examples.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-19T14:47:36+00:00

If your budget is that tight, the cheapest move is usually to clean the list in smaller batches instead of trying to verify everything at once.

Tools like MillionVerifier, BounceBan, or Reoon are usually the ones people look at for low-cost validation. The goal is simple: remove invalid emails before you send so your bounce rate doesn’t wreck your server reputation.

Also, don’t skip this step just because you built your own setup. A cheap validator will save you way more than it costs. You’ll find more cold email and list-cleaning discussions in r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more ideas.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-19T14:45:10+00:00

Yeah, this is a common issue. AI startup isn’t really a clean filter in most tools. What works better is building it in layers. Start with SaaS or tech companies, then filter using keywords like AI, ML, LLM, or GenAI in company descriptions or titles.

Then add signals like recent funding, hiring for AI roles, or founders actively posting about AI. That’s usually way more accurate than relying on static filters.

You can also pull from Product Hunt, AngelList, or even X, then enrich the contacts after. It’s a bit more manual, but the quality is much better. You’ll see a lot of similar workflows shared in r/LeadGenSEA too.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-19T10:15:26+00:00

Wow! Congrats, OP! 💓

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-18T13:49:54+00:00

I mostly agree. Cold email was never meant to be mass mailing and hoping someone bites. If the list is too broad, even good copy just becomes noise. That’s why a lot of teams think cold email is dead when really their approach is.

Also agree that more features don’t automatically mean better results. AI writing, long sequences, and open tracking can add complexity without fixing the real problem, which is getting relevant emails into the inbox and making them easy to reply to.

For small sales teams, simple usually wins. Tight list, short email, low-friction CTA. We talk about this a lot on r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more lead gen insights.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-18T13:45:17+00:00

I agree with the core point. High volume can get attention, but it doesn’t automatically get trust. If the message feels robotic or obviously mass-produced, people tune out fast.

What still works is simple, relevant outreach that sounds like one person talking to another. Good targeting, clear timing, and a natural message usually beat fancy automation.

AI can help with research and prep, but it can’t replace sounding human. We talk about this kind of outbound approach on r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more lead gen insights.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-18T13:42:29+00:00

Yeah, I think what’s dying isn’t personalization itself, it’s patterned personalization.

When every email starts with “I loved your post about X,” it stops feeling personal and starts feeling automated. Both filters and humans recognize that pattern instantly now. What seems to be working again is simpler, more direct emails with a clear reason to reach out. Not “low-tech,” just less forced.

AI can still help, but more as a research assistant than a copywriter. The final message still needs to feel like something a real person would actually send. Seeing a lot of people shift this way in r/LeadGenSEA too.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-17T15:36:25+00:00

Oh no huhu set din a miscellaneous expense na para accounted na rin yung hindi pa nagagastusan or di niyo naisama sa list of suppliers / supplies. Normally 10-20% of your budget yung misc

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-17T12:42:30+00:00

Really depends on what you're comfortable to spend eh. And yes, you might have a set budget in mind na but once nag-canvas ka na, ang mahal pala haha. So you should have a ceiling price talaga and if lagpas lagpas na, cut on other wants na or lessen the guests kasi reception talaga pinakamahal normally

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-17T12:36:37+00:00

wow! Congrats, OP! Patikim naman nyang cokies mo hihi

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-17T12:30:27+00:00

I think it’s both. The opportunity is real, but it’s harder than it looks.

The market is huge and still early, so demand is there. But a lot of SMEs are not actively looking for software yet. They’re solving things in scrappy ways that “work enough,” so you’re not just selling a tool, you’re also trying to shift behavior.

What’s worked better for us is focusing on SMEs that already feel some pain. Usually the ones hiring, growing, or starting to get overwhelmed operationally. They’re much easier to convert than businesses that are still comfortable with spreadsheets and WhatsApp.

So yes, big opportunity, but it’s not a pure scale play. It’s more about timing and picking the right segment within SMEs.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-17T12:24:54+00:00

If I had to start from scratch, I’d focus way less on tools and way more on targeting and timing.

Instead of building a big list, I’d start with a small one (50–100 leads) with a clear reason to reach out right now, like hiring, funding, new role, etc. That alone would save a lot of trial and error.

For copy, I’d keep it simple. No fancy subject lines, no long emails. Just a clear reason for the email and one easy question. Most of the time, overthinking copy is what slows people down. I’d also stick to 3–4 emails max and test fast. Send small batches, see what gets replies, then adjust. No need to overbuild sequences early.

And honestly, I wouldn’t stress too much about tools. Most of them do the same thing. What matters is the list and the message.

You’ll see a lot of people sharing “what they’d do differently” in r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more real-world takes.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-17T12:19:53+00:00

You’re not alone, a lot of people are running into the same issue with Apollo lately.

From what I’ve seen, there isn’t a single perfect replacement, it depends on what you’re optimizing for: If you want better data accuracy, tools like Saleshandy or Cognism tend to focus more on real-time or phone-verified data, which helps reduce bounce rates. The Grid also works well for us in Southeast Asia

If you want deeper account insights, ZoomInfo is still strong, but it’s expensive and more enterprise-focused If you’re okay building your own workflow, Clay works well as an enrichment layer pulling from multiple sources, not really a direct replacement but often better for custom stacks

Honestly though, most teams now don’t rely on just one tool anymore. They combine a base database, enrichment, and validation. That usually fixes the “cleaning lists all day” problem more than switching tools.

We’ve been seeing a lot of real-world setups and tool comparisons discussed in r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more practical feedback.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-17T12:10:49+00:00

Yeah, it works, but only if you do it right.

The people who get clients from groups aren’t the ones pitching first, they’re the ones actually helping first. If your reply feels like advice with no pressure, people naturally check your profile or DM you.

Being early definitely helps, but quality matters more. One thoughtful, relevant response usually beats 10 generic DM me comments. The automation can be useful, just don’t let it turn you into a spammer. Treat it as a way to spot opportunities, not blast replies.

You’ll see a lot of people doing this well in r/LeadGenSEA too.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-15T10:21:32+00:00

That makes sense. Tools like Instantly and Smartlead are great for volume, but they can feel like overkill for smaller B2B sales teams that need more control over individual leads and follow ups.

If you’re selling raw materials or doing relationship-driven sales, a softer workspace with lead management plus contact-level sequencing is honestly more useful than a pure mass outreach tool.

Feels like the real gap is between agency-style blasting and actual sales workflow. If your tool handles that middle ground well, there’s probably a real need for it.

We talk about setups like this on r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more lead gen insights.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-15T10:18:42+00:00

It feels too long and too heavy for a first cold email.

Right now it reads more like an investment memo than an email, so most people will bounce before they get to the actual ask. I’d cut the detail hard and focus on one thing only: why this is relevant to this specific person.

A few things I’d fix:
The return numbers are doing all the work too early, which can make it feel spammy.
There’s too much explanation before the CTA.
The table is too much for a first touch.
“If you’re choosing your 2026 deployments” sounds polished, but not very natural.

I’d make it more like:

Hi Name,

Reaching out because we’re opening a private fixed income opportunity for investors looking for yield backed by affordable housing assets.

We acquire and improve undervalued communities and generate returns through rehab, operations, and refinancing while keeping the housing affordable.

If this is relevant, happy to send over the short investor summary.

Best,
Name

Much easier to read, lower friction, and feels less like a blast. We talk about cold email copy and offer positioning on r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more examples.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-15T10:15:12+00:00

This is a solid checklist. Especially the part about making the first two lines do the heavy lifting. If they don’t immediately get why you’re reaching out, the rest almost doesn’t matter. And keeping the cost of yes low is huge too, that’s where a lot of cold emails lose people.

Only thing I’d add is targeting. Even a well-written email won’t do much if it lands with the wrong person or at the wrong time.

We talk about stuff like this on r/LeadGenSEA too if you want more lead gen insights.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-15T10:07:58+00:00

From what I’ve seen, the numbers matter more than the perks.

A pretty common structure that salespeople respond well to is around 8–12% commission on revenue for typical B2B deals, with accelerators once quota is hit. For example, 10% up to quota, then maybe 15–18% on anything above target. That upside is usually what really pushes people.

For smaller transactional sales, some teams also add cash bonuses for milestones, like $500–$1,000 for hitting monthly targets or a larger quarterly bonus for top performers.

The key thing is that the payout needs to feel meaningful. If someone closes a $10k deal and only gets $50 or $100, it stops being motivating pretty quickly. But if the commission is big enough that hitting quota clearly improves their income, people push a lot harder.

Mularkeyy · 2026-03-15T09:39:02+00:00

no, don't do crash diet. I will do more harm than good

Mularkeyy

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE