SalesMama

Senior Account Executive

Best Length for initial prospecting e-mail?

I searched the WR and was surprised this question has not been asked -- what's the consensus on ideal e-mail length? I've seen 150-200 words tossed around, but more recently saw another study that referenced 300 words (the 150-200 metric being a general rule of thumb for all e-mail vs. specifically sales prospecting).

What say you sales pros? OR - for those who think the question is like debating the best color for a Sales Hat -- Does initial e-mail length meaningfully relate to pipeline $$?

🔎 Prospecting

12 comments

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Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

As short as possible. Oldcloser has the recipe.

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

According to Lavender, it should be less than 50

SalesMama

Executive

Senior Account Executive

@rallier is it even possible to get any sort of content into 50?

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Was gonna recommend lavender also. Short shots. - Variations of: I noticed this. We do that. Would it be helpful if this happened?

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Long emails can work if you write them the way you speak. And I mean literally write it down the way you speak.

You'd get uncomfortable sending it for the first time but try it. Voice record what you want to say in the email to a friend/family member.

Include all the "you know", "I know what you're thinking", "this will sound stupid", "let me tell you something here, Jack..."

Send a few across like these, and see what happens.

Otherwise, the rule of thumb is: You should be able to fit the email in a single tweet. Articulation is an under-rated skill.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

As short as possible,has to be direct to the point as the very first one to avoid getting the prospect bored.(50 to 75)max!

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

2-3 sentences max.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Keep it short:
Drop a name, give a strong business reason to not immediately delete your email, and then ask if it’s something applies to them.

My best results have come from a single sentence email.

WheelofCheese

Opinionated

Sales Executive

I think the best advice I can give you more than anything is to have a purpose with your email (i.e. an email that is pertinent to THEM and not just a general vomit of information about your company) and try to include bullet points rather than a lot of paragraphs. Most people have some form of ADD (it seems) and will not spend the time to read a lengthy email. Grab their attention with as few words as you can.

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

Short.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

3 sentences. Last sentence cta for meeting.

LeadMachine

Opinionated

Sr. BDR

Chances are it'll be read on a phone if at all. So better fit it w/in that screen size.

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SalesMama

Best Length for initial prospecting e-mail?

12 comments

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