How to Write Winning Sales Emails

In today’s digital landscape, the art of crafting compelling and effective sales emails is paramount. With overflowing inboxes and dwindling attention spans, the challenge is to make your sales emails stand out and resonate with your prospects. This guide delves deep into the intricacies of sales emails, offering insights, best practices, and actionable strategies to elevate your email game.

With a plethora of sales emails daily, your sales email has a mere three-second window to make an impression.

So, how can your sales team enhance open and click-through and response rates further? Dive into this blog post to discover proven sales email strategies to captivate prospects with your subject lines, entice them to open your sales emails, and most importantly, prompt a response.

Learn some tried-and-true methods of grabbing prospect’s attention with your subject line, strategies on how to persuade them to open cold sales emails, and, most importantly, make them eager to respond.

If you apply this blueprint for writing amazing hooks in your subject line and follow our method for effective sales copy, I guarantee that you will boost your reply rate.

Types of Sales Emails

Understanding the different types of sales emails is crucial in determining the best approach for your target audience. From brand story emails that narrate the unique journey of your business to prospecting emails that initiate conversations with potential buyers, the landscape of sales emails is vast and varied.

Before we jump into the basics of creating content, let’s quickly discuss email types and the sales process. Should you bombard your subscribers with daily news clips and blog links? Or would a dedicated send with one offer better suit your sales funnel? How about a brand story email?

There’s a myriad of sales emails you can dispatch. Making an informed choice on the type is pivotal.

Brand Story Emails

Does your business have a compelling narrative? Maybe you’ve been in the industry for decades or recently bagged an award. Harness this to forge an emotional bond with prospects. Share your journey, your mission, and how you can assist them.

Email Newsletters

Although usually created by marketing and not sales reps, email newsletters are a great way to create a foundation for your sales outreach strategy. Content can include current projects or employee profiles. These newsletters enable you to remain top of mind with your prospects.

By the way, if you are not subscribed to Vengreso’s newsletter yet, just click here. We’ll send you a weekly email with amazing content to help you prospect better and sell more.

Prospecting Emails

The prospecting sales email is the bread and butter for any sales rep. Essentially, you’re reaching out to potential buyers, aiming to initiate an online sales conversation that culminates in an offline transaction.

If you want to write a better sales prospecting cold email, I highly recommend that you listen to this interview with Shawn Finder, a former semi-pro tennis player and the founder of Autoklose (acquired by VanillaSoft), an email automation tool. We discussed the best tactics for cold emailing and tricks for making your emails convert.

Dedicated Blasts

Also known as dedicated emails or promotional emails, these sales emails contain information about one solitary offer.

Perhaps you’re hosting a webinar? This dedicated sales email is often dispatched to your entire database and acts as a landing page to introduce a call to action.

Video Emails

Did you know that including a video in your email can improve click rates by 65%? According to Campaign Monitor, including a video in your initial email campaign can boost click rates by 96%.

Sending personalized emails with a gif image or a video (where people can click to watch it off the web) is an effective way to stand out from the crowd. Video for sales is a powerful tool that you, as a salesperson, should learn to use.

Sponsorship Emails  

Aiming to tap into an audience beyond your database? Consider paying to feature your content in another vendor’s newsletter or blog post. This is a potent lead generation strategy.

How to Write Sales Emails

Crafting the perfect sales pitch via email is a blend of art and science. It requires a deep understanding of your audience, a clear value proposition, and the ability to convey your message concisely.

The perfect sales email includes a strong subject line, a strong opening line and body copy that is relevant (personalized) and helpful (adds a value proposition) to the customer. It should close with a clear call to action.

The Best Email Subject Lines for Sales

Your subject line is the gateway to your email. It should be enticing, relevant, and free from spammy words. Personalization, invoking curiosity, and highlighting benefits are strategies that can boost open rates.

The subject line is the hook that lures readers in. You’ve got three seconds to entice the reader, so keep the subject line short, and avoid spammy words like ‘sale’, ‘specials’, ‘free’, and ‘tempting’. Your subject line should be personalized and relevant.

Engaging Sales Email Opening Lines

Your sales email isn’t about you or your company. It’s about the prospect. Kickstart with a reason for reaching out and how you can be of service.

Examples:

Five examples of a good sales email subject lines:

• A question about [their goal.]
• [Mutual connection] said we should get in touch.
• Did you find what you were looking for?
• A [benefit] for [their company.]
• 5 ideas for [a topic the prospect cares about.]

Body Opening Line

The best sales email is not about you or even your company. Instead, focus immediately on why you are emailing and how you can help your prospect.

Go for a personalized intro that is relevant to your prospect. For example, imagine there is a market shift in a particular field. You’d want to let your potential customer know that you’ve picked it up and expound on how it can be dealt with (along with your help).

In this case, you might say, “Are you in a position to leverage this new opportunity? Why not try and. . . [insert solution]?”

Or imagine that one of their competitors did something unexpected. This may create a pain point you can exploit. Ask them about their reaction, and offer advice on solutions that could benefit them.

You might write: “We notice that XYZ is using this new [insert product]. Are you planning to keep up with them?

Body Copy

Keep it conversational. Simple language is a powerful language, so avoid silly adjectives and industry jargon.

Don’t confuse your prospect by offering them too many things in your cold email copy. Aim for one very clear goal and write your story around it.

The body copy should be short and the same as your elevator sales pitch because who has time to read a novel?

Call To Action

There’s no point in sending your letter without a solid call to action to up your open rate. This where you pave the way to a close by inserting a question that prompts a response and improves your reply rate.

Examples:

• Do you have five minutes to catch up tomorrow?
• Can you let me know how we can take this forward?
• Is [business goal] something we can explore now, or perhaps in the future?

The steps above are easily summarized in our PVC Sales Methodology . PVC stands for Personalization, Value, and Call to Action.

Check out this video to learn more about the PVC method for writing sales emails (or any type of sales messaging).

Follow Up Sales Emails

Even if you create a sales email that tantalizes your prospects, you still need to follow up with them. In reality, most sales require up to five follow-up emails before a customer commits.

What you want to do is measure your prospects’ engagement. Perhaps they’ve clicked on a link, and you know that they’ve been toying with the idea of responding. Your sales software should flag this activity and allow you to tailor a well-timed email to reach out with a follow-up email.

Best Time to Send Sales Emails

Is there an ideal day when to send sales emails? Turns out there is.

Studies show that Tuesday is the best day to send emails, with 20% more ‘opens’ than average. Monday and Wednesday follow closely with an 18% higher open rate. Thursday comes in at 15%, and don’t even bother sending emails on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

What about the time of day? The ideal time to send is from 10 am to 12 pm, with 11 am as the sweet spot with the most ‘opens’.

We recently conducted a survey among sellers about the time of the day they do most of their prospecting and below are the results. Although the poll does not specify their prospecting channel, we can see that 65% of sellers are prospecting outside the best times to prospect according to the research. No wonder many sellers do not meet their quota!

Best Practices for Sales Emails

A/B Testing

It’s worth A/B testing your subject line with 100 cold emails to see what works. Create two subject lines (but with the same content in the body) and measure the results. Ideally, you should achieve a minimum open rate of 30%.

Customize email

Adjust the body of your email for a more personalized campaign. Perhaps you have a special connection with one of your prospects? Or maybe you read one of their LinkedIn posts?

Irregular sending frequency

Set your marketing automation software to send out emails at irregular time intervals. This prevents them from being marked as spam emails and ending up in the spam folders.

Sales Email Template

Templates offer a foundation. They can be tailored to fit specific needs, ensuring consistency while allowing for personalization. Whether it’s a cold email template or a follow-up, having a set structure can streamline the process and ensure all essential elements are included.

The following template follows the PVC methodology, and it is personalized to a specific person. In our social selling training program, we teach sales professionals how to do some quick research of your prospects from their LinkedIn profile to personalize your messages.

Using FlyMSG Auto Text Expander and Sales Templates

FlyMSG is the sales reps ultimate tool to revolutionize the way you interact with customers and prospects.

Our text expander tool not only supercharges your communication skills but also ensures you close deals faster.

Save frequently-used messages, from compelling subject lines to personalized body copy, as shortcodes or FlyCuts. Store them in the cloud for quick access, ensuring you’re always ready to engage with your audience.

Customize your FlyCuts using our powerful rich-text editor. Add personal touches, such as emoticons or references to recent interactions, to create engaging and relevant messages. Whether you’re sending a brand story email, a prospecting email, or a dedicated blast, FlyMSG ensures your message is tailored to resonate.

Assign a shortcut FlyCut of your choosing to any message or text snippet. This ensures you can quickly access your most effective sales pitches, from the initial outreach to the follow-up. With research indicating that most sales require consistent, relevant follow-ups, having your best pitches at your fingertips can be a game-changer.

Organize your saved content efficiently by creating Categories & Subcategories for all your “greatest hits.” Whether it’s a cold email template, a follow-up, or a newsletter, FlyMSG ensures you have the right message for every occasion.

With FlyMSG, you can automate the writing process, generate high-quality messages, and close deals with ease. By leveraging the best sales practices, from A/B testing and personalization to segmentation and responsive design, you can ensure your emails remain effective and relevant.

Join the FlyMSG community today and elevate your sales game to the next level. Streamline your workflow, maintain brand consistency, and win over clients with impactful messages. Experience the convenience of autopopulating your saved content in any text-based field online.

Sales Email Examples

Harnessing the power of Vengreso’s PVC methodology can truly elevate your cold sales emails. This approach emphasizes the importance of Personalization, adding Value, and incorporating a clear Call to Action.

Start by tailoring your message to resonate directly with the recipient, ensuring it addresses their unique needs or interests. Then, infuse your content with genuine value, offering insights or solutions that can help them overcome challenges or achieve goals. Finally, guide them towards the next step with a compelling call to action.

But the true magic happens when you transform these crafted emails into reusable templates.

Once you’ve created a powerful, PVC-optimized email, why limit its use to just one recipient? By converting these emails into templates, you can ensure that the same level of quality and effectiveness is consistently applied across multiple outreach efforts. This not only saves time but also maintains a high standard of communication.

Check out some examples of templates (FlyPlates) we have created below.

FlyMSG Sales Email: Cold Outreach Referencing Specific Company Content

FlyCut: -pvccold1

Hey PROSPECT’S FIRSTNAME!

I recently saw your LinkedIn post (DESCRIBE POST HERE. EXAMPLE: ) Where your company and your CTO were acknowledged for fostering a culture of innovation! It must feel great to be part of the team that has received such recognition*) (REPLACE WITH CUSTOMIZED RESEARCH OF YOUR SPECIFIC BUYER).

I’m reaching out because as a INSERT TITLE OF BUYER, I know you are trying to generate more leads, improve the quality of those leads, and decrease the time it takes to create MQL’s (REPLACE BUSINESS PAIN/GOAL OF YOUR BUYER PERSONA).

That’s exactly how we helped Mastercard (REPLACE CLIENT NAME). In fact, they were able to increase MQL’s by over 300% and create a 200% increase in sales appointments within a 6-month period (REPLACE ACHIEVEMENT).

In this video, INSERT NAME AND TITLE OF BUYER tells you how they did it – INSERT HYPERLINK.

I’d like to help you solve a similar set of problems. I am available to host a 30-minute discussion on:

Two Weeks Out @ 9 am or

Three Weeks Out @ 1 pm or

Four Weeks Out @ 4 pm

Which date and time work best for you? I look forward to chatting.

YOURFIRSTNAME

FlyMSG Sales Email: Cold Outreach Specific to a Buyer Persona

FlyCut: -pvccoldbp

The second sales email template example can be used when you don’t have a lot of details about the recipient and you want to personalize to the buyer persona.

Hi PROSPECTFIRSTNAME!

The majority of INSERT YOUR BUYER’S FUNCTION (i.e. Sales) leaders we speak to have X common problems they are trying to solve:

INSERT PROBLEM 1

AND

PROBLEM 2

Attached are two items that have helped other INSERT YOUR BUYER’S FUNCTION (i.e. Sales) leaders address these problems.

The first is a BLOG article that answers the question: INSERT QUESTION

The second is an X min VIDEO/WEBINAR which addresses INSERT BUSINESS BUYER’S CHALLENGE.

May I suggest a 30-minute meeting, where I can share additional insights on how we’re helping other companies solve these problems?

I am available on:

. List a Date Two Weeks Out @ 9 am or

. List a Date Three Weeks Out @ 1 pm or

. List a Date Four Weeks Out @ 4 pm

Alternatively, if none of those dates work and to avoid email scheduling volleyball, just click here (INSERT LINK) and feel free to find a time that matches your calendar.

Does that work for you? I look forward to speaking with you.

YOURFIRSTNAME

You could also read this blog post from Hunter.io for more cold sales email templates.

Interested in more sales emails templates? Then install our FREE Chrome Extension, FlyMSG, a text expander tool that gives you access to a library of presaved, industry-standard sales messaging templates (FlyPlates) that you can customize and curate for your prospects’ needs.

Conclusion on Sales Email Practices

In the digital age, sales emails are more important than ever. With the right strategies, tools, and mindset, you can craft emails that not only stand out but also drive results. Whether it’s leveraging the latest technologies, staying updated with industry trends, or simply refining your approach based on feedback, the path to sales mastery is a continuous journey of learning and growth.

Frequently asked Questions:

When to send sales emails (for maximum effectiveness?)

For maximum effectiveness, send sales emails during mid-week, specifically on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when open rates are at their peak. The ideal window is between 10 am and 12 pm, ensuring your subject line catches the attention of prospects during their most active hours.

However, it’s essential to personalize your sales email template based on the recipient’s timezone and habits. Monitoring response rates and utilizing automation tools can further optimize delivery times.

Remember, the goal is to ensure your cold sales email stands out in their inbox, prompting them to engage with your CTA and ultimately boosting the reply rate.

How to personalize your outreach at scale?

Personalizing your outreach at scale begins with crafting the perfect sales email. The subject line is your first impression, so ensure it speaks directly to the prospect’s needs or highlights a mutual connection. Utilize sales email templates to maintain consistency, but always tweak the opening line to address the recipient’s unique pain point or recent social media activity.

Cold emails can be effective, but they need to be more than just a generic message. Incorporate email examples from successful campaigns and always have a clear CTA. Remember, every sales rep in your sales team should understand the value proposition of what they’re offering, ensuring that every cold sales email resonates with the recipient.

Best sales email practices suggest that the body of your email should be concise yet compelling. Use sales emails templates to ensure that the core message remains consistent, but always personalize specific details. For instance, if you know the prospect recently wrote a post or had a significant business achievement, mention it. This shows you’ve done your research.

Automation tools can help in sending out these personalized emails at the best time to send, ensuring a higher open rate. However, always monitor the reply rate and response rates. If they’re lower than expected, it might be time to tweak your approach or sales pitch.

Follow-ups are crucial. If a prospect doesn’t respond, send a gentle reminder. Maybe share a relevant case study or an informative video that adds value to your initial proposition. And always, always end with a CTA that’s clear and compelling.

Incorporate email campaign strategies like A/B testing to find out which subject lines or sales pitches work best. And don’t forget the power of personalized emails. Even in b2b sales, people want to feel like they’re more than just a number.

Lastly, always be ready to get in touch. Whether it’s a call, a video chat, or an in-person meeting, be prepared to take the conversation to the next level. After all, personalizing your outreach is all about building genuine, meaningful connections at scale.

This answer incorporates a significant number of the provided keywords to address the question of personalizing outreach at scale.

Are you Ready to Become a Modern Sales Master?

Writing winning sales emails is a skill that sellers can develop with the right sales training program.

At Vengreso, our mission is to help sellers prospect better and sell more, whether through personalized email, social media, phone, or any other channel. That’s why we created the Modern Sales Mastery for Individuals program, with an ever-growing number of on-demand sales training courses that will teach you how to book more meetings, grow your sales pipeline, and close more deals.

Curious? Then take a look at our available courses and sign up today, so you can reach the right person in no time! Just click on the image below.