The Signal: May 3, 2026
6 articles
Cold email shop fixes deliverability from 1% to 5% reply rates in 8 weeks
- Overloaded inboxes sending 50/day crashed deliverability to 1% replies - Fixed by capping sends at 25/day across 3 time windows - Restarted perpetual warmup cycles on all 30 inboxes
AI Hype Meets Hidden Costs: The Risky Reality of Build vs. Buy in GTM
- AI startups pitch $10B outcomes, even for niche markets, creating unrealistic expectations. - Building internal AI tools carries hidden costs: maintenance, security, and compliance risks. - M&A shifts focus to acquiring AI talent, not just customer bases or ARR. - Founders must balance grit and technical team-building with AI's potential pitfalls.
AI Makes the First 10% of Every Project Free: Notion's Max Schoening on Agency and Malleable Software
- AI democratizes technical skills, making the first 10% of any project effortless. - Malleable software empowers users to adapt their digital environments. - Notion integrates AI to enable designers and PMs to 'think in code'. - SaaS will evolve with general-purpose tools, but specialized craft remains critical.
AI Apps Are Failing Customers With Broken Support Models
- Recall AI app broke after a new release, leaving users with no support options - Most AI apps offer no real support, relying on abandoned bots or forms that go unanswered - Enterprise-focused AI companies are the exception, providing actual customer support
Tech Knowledge in Sales: Edge or Overrated?
- Technical background can build trust fast with tech-savvy clients - Some top sellers thrive without deep tech knowledge - Diminishing returns exist where being too technical may hurt sales
AE juggles 105 accounts, seeks volume-friendly outreach hacks
- AE manages 105 accounts with tiered prioritization - Struggles to personalize outreach at scale - Seeks scripts and tactics for high-volume prospecting