Email is a great way to reach out to a prospect … IF (and only if) you are able to get the prospect to do three things:
1. Open the email,
2. Read the email, and
3. Respond to the email.
Of course, these 3 things are usually easier said than done.
It’s taken me nearly 25 years to perfect a formula for an email to prospects that produces great results.
Of course, I use the work “perfect” loosely… because in the world of sales and marketing, no formula works every time. It’s an inexact science. However, this formula has proven to be very effective for me.
Personal or Robotic?
If “location, location, location!” are the prime rules of real estate, then “personalization, personalization, personalization!” are the prime rules of email.
When working with clients to help them attract more Right-Fit Clients, I will often look at the emails that they typically send to prospects. Many times, I end up asking them, “What robot wrote this for you?”
If your email even gives the hint that it’s a mass email, the chances of your prospect reading (much less responding to) your email are severely diminished.
In today’s world, you simply must put in some effort to know a little bit about your prospect before you compose and send your initial email to them. Personalized will beat out generic every time!
Hands down, your best source of information is your referral source. But, if you failed to get much from them, or you’re not working from a referral, then take some time to look at their website (including their profile and the “about” page), as well as their LinkedIn and Facebook profiles.
The All-Important Subject Line
You know how some of the snail mail that you receive has text on the outside of the envelope to tease you into opening that piece of mail?
The email subject line has the same primary purpose: to get the recipient to open the email by creating curiosity, showing you know a little about them, and/or to promising some personalized value.
If you have been referred to this prospect by someone they trust, use the referral source’s name in the subject line. For example:
- Mary – Bob Smith asked me to contact you
- Mary– Bob Smith thought we should know each other
- Mary – Bob Smith thinks very highly of you
The 5 Parts of the Perfect Email Message
Sending a compelling email that isn’t too long is not an easy task. It takes practice. It’s also very helpful to have someone else look at your message to find ways to say the same thing with fewer words. Remember – 50% of the population will see your email on their mobile phone first. Even a short email looks like a book when scaled on a mobile phone.
Each part of the email is a paragraph consisting of one or two sentences with a space in between each paragraph. No dense paragraphs, please! Make the text friendly to the eye, so people will actually read it (or be able to skim easily).
Paragraph 1: Personalized Opening
Open your message with something that you learned about the prospect and/or their business. This can come from your referral source or other research.
Paragraph 2: Your Value Positioning Statement
Here’s another perfect formula you can use for stating your value…
I/we work with ______, who want to ________ (and ________).
For example (see next paragraph).
Paragraph 3: Provide a Short Example
Provide a short example of a success you had with a client with whom they can identify.
Paragraph 4: Call to Action with Promise of Value
What do you want this person to do? Whatever it is, ask them or tell them. They can’t read your mind. For myself, my first Call to Action (CTA) is usually a request for a short (15-minute) phone call.
I like to tease some value that will come from that call, such as telling them about what other clients are doing that’s working or that I can send out my latest case study or E-guide.
Paragraph 5 – The P.S. (to Add or Reinforce a Point)
After your Call to Action and valediction (a fancy word for complimentary close), consider added a P.S. If someone skims your email first, there’s a strong chance they will see and read your P.S. before they actually read the main message.
Typically, the P.S. is used to reinforce an important point made previously or add a new, compelling, piece of information.
How about you?
What creative, possibly fun, and definitely effective method have you used to reach qualified prospects and convert them into clients?
I really want to know! Let’s “share the wealth” of ideas.