Google just rolled out their most aggressive spam filter yet.

Their new AI assistant doesn't just read subject lines anymore. It understands the full context of your emails, analyzes the sender, and automatically filters sales and AI-generated messages out of primary inboxes.

If you're relying on "personalized at scale" email campaigns, you're now essentially paying to send messages straight to a folder nobody checks.

The Problem With Digital-Only Outreach

Every sales team is doing the same thing:

• Scraping LinkedIn
• Running emails through AI personalization
• Blasting thousands of "custom" messages
• Hoping 2-3% get a response

Google's AI can spot this a mile away. So can your prospects.

What's Actually Working: Physical + Digital

When we target high-value ABM accounts, we don't lead with email anymore.

We use a completely different sequence:

LinkedIn message → Physical mail → Email follow-up

Or sometimes:

Physical mail → LinkedIn message sequence

The physical touchpoint cuts through the noise. It's impossible to filter. It sits on their desk. And when they see your LinkedIn message afterward, you're not a stranger anymore.

Real Examples That Got Replies

The Magazine cover play We sent target accounts a custom magazine cover with their face on it and the headline about their company's success. The LinkedIn follow-up? "Saw your magazine came in, curious what you thought?"

Reply rates were absurd.

Cookie Connect Sent a box of premium cookies with a note: "Sweet companies deserve sweet clients. Let's connect." Followed up on LinkedIn 3 days later. The warm intro was already done.

Why This Works

1. Physical can't be filtered - No AI is throwing away mail before it reaches the desk
2. Pattern interrupt - When everyone zigs with email, you zag with tangible
3. Memorable - They might ignore your 10th email, but they remember the cookie box
4. Warmer follow-ups - Your LinkedIn messages aren't cold anymore, they're references to something real

The Math

Email open rates: 20-30% (if you're lucky) Email reply rates: 2-3%

Our physical + digital sequences: 90% open rates & 50%+ reply rates

The cost per reply is higher upfront, but the quality of conversation is 10x better. These aren't "just checking in" responses. They're actual conversations and unforgettable impressions with decision-makers.

The Reality Check

This doesn't scale to 10,000 leads. It's not supposed to.

This is for the accounts that actually matter. The Fortune 500 prospects. The $50K+ deal sizes. The customers you'd fly across the country to meet.

For those accounts? Stop competing in Gmail's AI-filtered wasteland.

Send something they can actually hold.

Want us to build you a custom playbook?

Book a time to chat with us here