No cold emailing/calling is not dead. If these are the strategies you are going to take, it takes consistency and patience. When you are cold calling there is a technique that helps to get the prospect into a dialogue. Works like a charm. Hint is never say how are you, introduce yourself and what you do at the beginning of the call. You ask a question first. As far as cold emailing, its the same thing. You and get the conversation started with a problem that they are having.

Keep in mind, you should always be asking a lot of questions when it comes to their problem. Its not about you and your product. Its about them and the problem they have. The more questions you ask about their problems the more they will talk. Works like a charm. When you sell your knowledge and show them how you can solve their problem and whats in it for them you find yourself on the phone with people for a while. People love talking about themselves and their problems.

Of course there is way to do this and there is a way NOT to do this. I have a meeting with a potential client tomorrow off of a cold email. This stuff is not dead. :)

Don't be a salesman at all. Go in with a genuine interest of helping these people. Ask questions and give advice intertwining your product. When you go in with the attitude of really trying to get to know about their issues and giving advice of what they can do, this changes everything and people are willing to open up and talk. Works like a charm.