You're a sales account executive, not a New York Times bestselling author or a journalist aiming for a Pulitzer. We totally get it. In 2024, fighting for attention in your prospects' inboxes is more competitive than ever, and the pressure is on you to use the right words to not only stand out from the clutter—but also persuade whoever is on the other end to make a purchase.
Netting more sales is about more than just connecting with potential clients. Quantity alone won't help you hit your quotas or goals: you need responses, too. According to Backlinko, only 8.5% of outreach emails receive a response. Ouch. Want to beat those odds?
We can help. Consider this is your friendly guide to turning those email prospects into buyers, without needing an MFA in Creative Writing. We're talking clear, concise, and compelling tips to give your emails that extra zing so your customers have no choice but to say in the voice of Philip J. Fry: "Take my money!"
In 2024, the right words in your sales emails can spell the difference between a 'Mark As Read' and a new customer.
With that in mind, let's dive into the world of high-converting sales emails based on some of the best sales email templates in the world. Because trust us, it's not that scary. It's all about knowing the tricks of the trade, and we're about to spill the beans.
State of Sales Emails in 2024: How to Stand Out
With the swipe of a thumb or the click of a mouse, hundreds of sales emails land in the trash bin daily. In the crowded digital space of 2024, standing out is a Herculean task. Let's dive deep into the current state of sales emails and learn how to make your messages irresistible to your prospects.
- Personalization is still a major trend in email marketing in 2024. Sales account executives should be aware that personalized emails have a higher open rate and click-through rate compared to generic emails. With the help of AI, sales account executives can personalize their emails based on the recipient's behavior, interests, and preferences. This can lead to a higher conversion rate and more sales.
- Interactive emails are becoming more popular in 2024. Sales account executives can take advantage of this trend by creating interactive emails that engage the recipient and encourage them to take action. For example, an interactive email can include a quiz, a survey, or a game that the recipient can play. This can make the email more memorable and increase the chances of the recipient converting into a buyer.
- Email accessibility is also a trend that sales account executives should be aware of in 2024. With more people using assistive technology to access their emails, it's important to ensure that emails are designed with accessibility in mind. This includes using alt text for images, using a clear and easy-to-read font, and avoiding using color as the only way to convey information.
- Another trend in email marketing in 2024 is the use of video in emails. Sales account executives can create videos that showcase their product or service and include them in their emails. This can help to increase engagement and provide a more immersive experience for the recipient. However, it's important to keep in mind that not all email clients support video playback, so it's important to have a fallback option for those recipients.
- Finally, sales account executives should be aware of the importance of email deliverability in 2024. With more emails being sent than ever before, it's important to ensure that emails are delivered to the recipient's inbox and not their spam folder. This can be achieved by following best practices for email marketing, such as avoiding spam trigger words, using a reputable email service provider, and regularly cleaning up email lists to remove inactive subscribers.
7 Ways to Get Better Results with Sales Emails
Let's dive into the top 7 tips that will make your sales emails stand out, convert more prospects, and ultimately boost your sales.
1. Craft Compelling Subject Lines
First impressions matter, and in the world of sales emails, your subject line is your first impression. It's the gatekeeper to your email content and can dramatically impact your open rates.
"Adestra's email subject line analysis reveals that emails with personalized subject lines are 22.2% more likely to be opened."
Use this data to your advantage. Be creative, keep it short and sweet, and don't forget to personalize.
2. Align Content With Reader's Location in the Marketing Funnel
Personalization is key, and it's not just about the reader's general interests. It's also about knowing how familiar they are with you and your solution. Someone who just joined your e-mail newsletter might still in the research phase of their process, and getting hit with a coupon, free trial, or other hard sales push is a big disconnect.
So, how do you determine this? Ask them! By asking them about their biggest challenge or requesting a quick survey completion, you can instantly sort your prospects to deliver them that relevant, targeted content.
3. Use Video Content
In 2024, video continues its reign as the king of engaging content. Incorporating video content in your sales emails can drastically increase click-through rates and engagement.
"According to a report from HubSpot, including a video in an email leads to a whopping 200-300% increase in click-through rate."
Remember to keep your videos short, compelling, and most importantly, relevant to the prospect's needs. People won't watch long videos, so consider writing the copy for the script upfront.
4. Employ Conversational Tone
Today's prospects crave authenticity and personal connection. A conversational tone in your sales emails can help establish this connection and boost response rates.
"Studies show that a conversational tone in emails can improve response rates by up to 50% (Boomerang)."
So, it's time to ditch the stiff corporate lingo and start talking like a human.
5. Incorporate Social Proof
People trust the experiences and opinions of others. That's why incorporating social proof in your sales emails can significantly increase your credibility and drive conversions.
"According to Nielsen, 92% of people trust recommendations from peers over any other kind of advertising."
Include testimonials, case studies, or industry accolades in your emails to build trust and persuade prospects to take action.
Social proof is so much more powerful than words you say about yourself or your company's offerings. Proof like case studies do all the heavy lifting of showing the before and after for someone who had a problem and now, using your product or service, solved it.
6. Use Images
Speaking of case studies....
Got a killer case study image you can insert into your sales e-mail? Or a totally relatable meme that strikes at the biggest pain point for your prospects? Use them. People read emails and messages all day long, so anything you can do to stand out from the crowd increases your success rate big time.
7. Showcase the Value Proposition
Your company solves a problem. But the more important part is the how. This means knowing what you do differently. It's your secret sauce. For example, maybe existing solutions get the job done, but in a clunky or frustrating way. Slice right through the competition by calling that out in your sales emails.
This immediately distinguishes your company from others and plants a memorable seed in your prospect's mind.
With all these tips in mind, you're ready to write more effective sales emails. But don't stress: AI can make this process easier and faster.
Revolutionize Your Sales Emails with AI: 3 Tips
The future is here, and it's AI-powered. As mentioned in the section above, artificial Intelligence has revolutionized how we write sales emails, making it easier to personalize content and optimize engagement.
"According to a study by Statista, 75% of marketing leaders are currently implementing or planning to invest in AI and data solutions."
Don't be left behind. Start harnessing the power of tools like Magical to automate your repetitive messages, draft new emails quickly, and personalize your messages in the blink of an eye.
Last but certainly not least, there's one more critical game-changer that we haven't touched on yet. It's arguably the most potent tool in our digital arsenal, with the potential to revolutionize how we craft and execute our sales emails. Yes, you guessed it, we're talking about the hottest new thing in 2024: Artificial Intelligence.
With AI here to help, writing sales emails has never been easier. You can use a tool like ChatGPT to easily spin out ideas for your emails and format them correctly. Or, you can also use a tool like Magical, which uses the same GPT4 technology as ChatGPT, but lives right in your browser so you can call it up directly in your email platform of choice. Magical makes it not only easy to craft new messages to prospects, but also reply quickly using context from the conversation.
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If you're going to use AI to write your emails for you, there are some things you'll want to keep in mind, though.
1. Use solid prompts for AI-written emails
You need details in your prompts to get the best content. Remember, an AI is only as good as the instructions it receives. Like a well-trained sales rep, it needs a thorough understanding of the task at hand to outdo its competition. To get the best out of AI, you must feed it with enough information, from your prospect's needs and pain points to your unique selling proposition (USP).
The importance of this shouldn't be underestimated. An accurately briefed AI can leverage its cutting-edge algorithms to craft persuasive, personalized, and perfectly timed emails that resonate with your prospects. It can pick up nuances that humans sometimes miss and use them to fine-tune its messages, giving you the edge in the fiercely competitive sales landscape of 2024.
2. Spend more time on personalization
Picture this: you've just saved a chunk of time drafting your sales email thanks to the magic of AI. Now, what's the best way to utilize this newfound time? Yep, you've got it—personalization.
The more you know about your target buyer, the better you can help them in your sales emails. No one likes to receive a mass e-mail copy and pasted that has nothing to do with them. That's one way to get your message sent to the trash can quickly or, worse, marked as spam.
The American Marketing Association recently used AI to segment over 100,000 people on their e-mail newsletter based on behavioral data, focusing on only sending the most relevant data to each group. They were able to maintain a 42% subscriber engagement rate just by focusing the content for each individual.
Although AI is an incredibly powerful tool, it's the human touch that truly connects with prospects. Extra effort into personalized messages shows your prospects that they're more than just another name on a list— they're valued. By injecting your emails with a dash of personal attention, you're not only setting yourself apart from the pack but also increasing your chances of conversion. No matter how you use AI, read back through what's created to make sure it sounds human and truly connects with your target audience.
3. Use AI to brainstorm new ideas or subject lines
Writer's block? No problem. Meet your new secret weapon: artificial intelligence (AI). This innovative technology is reinventing the way we create content, especially in sales emails.
AI tools are designed to generate fresh, relevant ideas based on data trends, user behavior, and even industry jargon. By analyzing a wealth of information, they uncover patterns and insights that may not be apparent to us humans.
Imagine having a powerful co-writer that never runs out of creative juice, continuously offering novel subject lines that truly resonate with your audience. That's what AI offers - it's like having a limitless brainstorming session right at your fingertips.
Moreover, AI isn't just about quantity; it's about quality too. It's trained to align with best practices for engaging communication, hence increasing the chances of your email not just being opened, but actioned upon.
In the digital era of 2024, sales account executives have a plethora of advanced tools at their disposal for crafting compelling sales emails. But with great tools comes great responsibility - to use them wisely.
The Top Tools and Strategies for Crafting Sales Emails in 2024
As a savvy sales executive, you know by now that the landscape of sales emails is ever-evolving. In 2024, we've got more tools and strategies at our disposal than ever before. Here are five you'll want to have in your toolbox to ensure your sales emails are doing the heavy lifting for you.
1. Magical
First up, it's impossible to ignore the incredible advancements of AI in the world of sales emails. Enter Magical. This AI-powered tool helps you craft compelling messages and uses text expansion shortcuts to send them faster. It's like having your own personal writing assistant, but at the speed of light.
2. Gong
Then we have Gong. This tool uses AI to analyze your sales emails and provides you with actionable insights to improve. It's all about refining your strategy based on data—not gut feelings.
3. Mailshake
Mailshake is a powerful email outreach tool that allows you to automate and personalize your cold emails at scale. It comes equipped with a host of features including A/B testing capabilities, automated follow-ups, and built-in analytics.
4. Instantly
Instantly is an AI tool that acts as a prospecting tools, a CRM, and a messaging tool all rolled into one. You can use it to cold email prospects based on their job title, and use their "warming" feature to always ensure your messages land in right inbox. (And out of the spam folder.)
5. Crystal
Finally, we have Crystal. This tool uses AI to analyze your prospect's communication style and provides insights on how to tailor your messages accordingly. In a world full of noise, Crystal ensures your emails stand out and resonate.
From Open Rates to Conversion: Metrics that Matter for Sales Emails
Still measuring success by open rates alone? It's time to change the game. Here are the key metrics you should focus on to truly understand your sales email performance:
Email Reply Rate
Email Reply Rate is the percentage of recipients who responded to your email. It's a great gauge of how compelling your content is, and whether it's prompting action. If your reply rate is low, it may mean your call-to-action needs reworking. Ideally, you should aim for an email replay rate of 10%.
Click-through Rate (CTR)
Click-through Rate (CTR) measures how many people clicked on links within your email. It assesses the effectiveness of your content in driving readers to your website, product page, or offer. A low CTR might suggest that your links aren't compelling, or that they're not aligned with your audience's interests. A good CTR for sales emails is typically between 2-5%.
Conversion Rate
The Conversion Rate represents the number of successful sales or desired actions achieved from your email. If your conversion rate is low, it could indicate that your email content isn't persuasive enough, or your offer isn't enticing to your prospects. Again, 2-5% is probably the best you can hope for here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing sales emails?
We all make blunders, but when it comes to sales emails, some errors can cost you valuable conversions. Let's shed some light on those common faux pas so you can sidestep them on your way to success.
1. Failing to Personalize
Remember, your prospects are people, not just email addresses. Sending generic, impersonal messages can give an impression that you're just after the sale, and not interested in meeting their needs. Personalization is the key to making your prospects feel valued and understood, enhancing the likelihood of conversion.
2. Ignoring the Power of Subject Lines
Your email's subject line is your first (and often, only) chance to catch your prospect's attention. Prospects are busy, and an unexciting subject line can send your meticulously crafted email straight to the trash.
According to a 2022 study, 47% of email recipients decide whether to open an email based on the subject line alone.
So, take the time to create a compelling, intriguing subject line that resonates with your prospect's needs and interests.
3. Overloading with Information
While it's crucial to provide all the necessary details about your product or service, too much information can be overwhelming. Prospects may lose interest and the main message may get lost in the clutter. The art is in striking the right balance - aim to engage and inform, without overwhelming.
How can I personalize my sales emails without coming across as creepy?
Striking that perfect balance between personalization and privacy in your sales emails can indeed feel like walking a tightrope. But fear not! Thanks to the power of data analysis and advanced algorithms, it's becoming easier and easier to tread this line without stumbling into the 'creepy' zone.
The key is to use the information you have about your prospect responsibly, and with their interests at heart. Data should not be used as a weapon, but as a tool to deliver value. For example, if a prospect has interacted with content about a particular product feature, your email could highlight how that feature could solve a problem they may be facing.
What kind of subject lines work best for sales emails?
Subject lines are the proverbial front door to your sales emails. They can make the difference between a lead clicking open or moving your message to the spam folder. In 2024, the best subject lines are personalized, concise, and intriguing.
Remember, you're not just competing with other sales emails; you're competing with everything in your prospect's inbox. So, "tailored to the recipient" is the key. Use AI tools to gather data about your prospects and use this information to personalize your sales emails. Moreover, keep it short - around 50 characters - so it doesn't get cut off in mobile views. Finally, provoke curiosity or offer value in your subject line to entice the click. For instance, "John, save 20% on your next order" or "Sneak peek at our newest feature, Jane."
How long should my sales emails be?
Let's address the age-old query: how long should your sales emails be? There's no one-size-fits-all response, but according to a recent study by Boomerang, emails between 50-125 words have the highest response rate, which is around 50%. The study also found that emails that are either extremely short (less than 25 words) or long (500+ words) have response rates below 44%.
However, it's crucial to remember that quality trumps quantity every time. Your focus should be on delivering straightforward, concise, and valuable content rather than obsessing over the length. It's not about the volume of words; it's about their impact. Understand your audience's needs, and tailor your message accordingly.
How can I use AI to improve my sales emails?
Stepping into the world of AI for sales emails may seem overwhelming, but there's a secret weapon that can make this journey a breeze: Magical. Harnessing the power of this tool can help you craft personalized, compelling emails that speak directly to your prospects' needs, helping to convert them into buyers.
Magical is an AI-powered tool that can generate email content and let you automate repetitive messaging. The average sales person who uses Magical saves up to 7 hours a week on repetitive tasks and send about 20% outreach messages on average.
Give Magical a try today, and witness the transformation in your sales emails. Download the free Chrome extension now!
