How to Write a Sales Email Your Subscribers Want to Open

I know, I know, talking a lot about your product feels cringe. And it especially feels like you’re intruding on inboxes when you send a lot of emails trying to sell it. But here’s the tea: if you’re not using sales emails in your small business, you’re leaving more money on the table than a forgetful server on a busy night.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Jems, how do I write a sales email without sounding like a desperate ex sliding into the DMs?” Don’t worry, babe, I gotchu.

By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll be crafting irresistible sales emails. We’re talking subject lines that sizzle, CTAs that pop, and content that’ll have your audience hyped. So, grab your favourite snack (I’ll wait), and let’s turn those cringy sales emails into cash-generating masterpieces!

Nurture vs. Newsletter vs. Sales: Know Your Email Types 📧

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to write a sales email, let’s break down the different types of emails you might be sending:

1. Nurture Emails: These are like the friend who always checks in. They provide value, build relationships, and keep you top of mind. You’ll probably send these weekly, or more frequently than your update/sales emails
2. Newsletter Emails: Think of these as your monthly gossip sesh. They keep your subscribers up to date on what’s happening in your business.
3. Sales Emails: This is where the magic happens! These emails are designed to drive action and get those coins flowing into your bank account.

Now that we’ve got that sorted, let’s dive into how to write a sales email that’ll have your subscribers hitting the ‘buy’ button with the power of Thor’s hammer.

Key Components of a Killer Sales Email

1. Low-Risk High-Reward Subject Lines

64% of recipients decide to open or delete emails based on subject lines (HubSpot). So basically, your subject line is your first impression — and can make or break whether your subscriber opens or deletes your email — so make it count!

Focus on making it clear the value they’ll get when they open, create urgency, and make it memorable.

Here are 10 examples that’ll have your open rates soaring:

1. “Oops, I just dropped our prices 😱”
2. “This offer expires in 24 hours (no, for real)”
3. “You’re gonna want to sit down for this one, babe”
4. “Don’t open this email (reverse psychology, anyone?)”
5. “Is this the [product] of your dreams?”
6. “We’ve never done this before… 👀”
7. “Exclusive offer inside (no peeking allowed!)”
8. “Time’s ticking on this deal, FIRST NAME!”
9. “You asked, we delivered. It’s finally here!”
10. “Last chance to grab [product] before the price goes 📈”

2. Attention-Grabbing Hook

Your hook is like your outfit at a party – it needs to turn heads! An attention-grabbing hook is relevant to the stage of awareness your reader is in, appeals to the type of decision-maker they are, and entices them to keep reading.

You can hook people a few different ways:

• Open loop — spark some curiosity without satisfying it, so they have no choice but to keep reading and get to the moral of the story
• Social proof — anything that proves your credibility; i.e., testimonials, industry data, success statistics, etc.
• FOMO — what will happen if they don’t keep reading? It has to be so good that they feel that the alternative is to miss out on something that could really help them
• Tell a story — Our brains are wired for stories. They literally trigger the release of oxytocin — the trust hormone (The Harvard Business Review). So, give them a good opening to your story, and they’ll want to keep reading!
• Peer pressure — usually frowned upon, it can be a great motivator for people when you want them to believe in the value of something. Especially if there is a large group of people using your product or doing something you’re promoting that are similar to them

Want to level up your hook game? Grab my free Headline Swipe File. It’s packed with 59 tried-and-trusted headline templates you can use for the opening of your email!

3. List Segmentation: Know Your Audience 🎯

Segmenting your list is like organizing your closet – it makes everything easier and more effective. You don’t want to send sales emails to people that aren’t interested in what you’re selling, so this gives you better chances of making more money!

Here’s how to segment for your sale period:

• VIP Customers: Give your ride-or-dies early access or exclusive deals.
• Warm Leads: These babes have shown interest but haven’t bought yet. Give them that extra push!
• Cold Subscribers: Wake them up with a “We miss you!” message and a sweet deal.
• Cart Abandoners: Remind them what they’re missing out on.

4. CTAs That Pack a Punch 👊

Your CTA should be strong and specific, and easy to see. Otherwise, there’ll be no incentive to learn more about what you’re selling, and more confusion that leads to lost sales.

Here are 10 examples to get you started:

1. “Snag Your [Product] Now!”
2. “Yes, I Want the Deal!”
3. “Let’s Do This Thing!”
4. “Grab It Before It’s Gone!”
5. “I’m Ready to Level Up!”
6. “Show Me the Goods!”
7. “Count Me In, Babe!”
8. “Let’s Make Magic Happen!”
9. “I’m All In!”
10. “Give Me That [Product] Goodness!”

Want more CTA inspo? Check out my free CTA & CTV Swipe File! It has 115 copy options for your buttons.

5. Follow-Up Game Strong 💪

The follow-up is where the real magic happens. You want to make every person feel respected and considered, whether they bought from you or not. Here’s how to keep that momentum going:

• Abandoned Cart Emails: There was a reason they picked up your product, and a reason they decided to leave it behind. Remind them what they’re missing out on with social proof and offer a discount that makes it seem like a no-brainer buy.
• Post-Purchase Emails: They bought your product — great! Show some love, tell them about next steps, and maybe offer a cheeky upsell that’ll help them even more.

Wrapping It Up

And there you have it! Now you know how to write a sales email that your subscribers will actually want to open and follow through on.

Remember, the key to mastering how to write a sales email is to keep it authentic, valuable, and irresistible – just like you!

Ready to level up your sales email game even more? Keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming Top to Bottom Funnel Sales Email Sequence Template Bundle dropping early November. It’s gonna be 30 emails of pure sales-boosting magic!

Until then, start implementing these tips on how to write a sales email, and watch your conversions soar. Your bank account will thank you later!