AI-generated drafts are starting points, not finished products. Here is how to edit them effectively.
The three things to check
1. Factual accuracy
Read every specific claim in the email — paper titles, research descriptions, dates — and verify each one. The AI may paraphrase a paper title slightly incorrectly or attribute a finding to the wrong project. Any inaccuracy that the professor notices will immediately undermine your credibility.
2. Your voice
The draft will be serviceable but generic in tone. Read it aloud. Rewrite any sentence that you wouldn't actually say. The most effective cold emails sound like they came from a specific person, not a template.
3. The hook
The opening sentence is the most important part. The AI generates a reasonable hook, but it often lacks the kind of specificity that signals deep engagement. If you've actually read the paper referenced, replace the generated hook with something more specific — a finding that surprised you, a methodological choice you'd like to discuss, a connection to a problem you're facing in your own work.
Length
Generated emails are calibrated to 150–200 words. Resist the urge to add more. If the draft is shorter than expected, that's usually a sign that your profile needs more detail — add it to the profile and regenerate rather than padding the email.