Welcome to the Email That Sells Challenge! Before we begin, let me explain how we will cover the topic in each part.
We’ll explore what makes your audience interested, how to write catchy subject lines, how to use simple and persuasive words, and how to end with a strong call to action. Step by step, we’ll cover everything you need!
Here’s how we’ll break it down:
Today’s Lesson (L) — A simple concept to learn.
One Example (E) — A relatable example to show how to use the lesson.
And How you can put it into action by doing some simple Tasks(T)
In short, We’ll call this the L.E.T formula.
Now, a small note! This challenge is made for beginners — aspiring entrepreneurs, freelancers, or people working a 9-to-5 job. If you’re already into email marketing, it might feel basic, but you’re welcome to join anyway! And if you have ideas or tips, I’d love to hear them. 😊
Alright, let’s dive into the training.
Part 1: The 3Ws You Need to Know Before Writing an Email — Who, Why, What
The most critical foundation of writing an email and your overall Email Marketing strategy is to understand these 3Ws- Who, Why, What.
Imagine yourself going for a road trip. You just got the idea, but you don’t know where to go, who might join you, what will you do once you are at your destination — all these basic stuff. The very basic things you need to have a successful road trip.
Will it be as good as a planned trip? Of course not, not only would it be messy but you might end up regretting why you even thought of it in the first place.
Writing an email is also like this! You must have a clear understanding of all the 3:
Let’s start with:
Who
Who is your audience? If you had to craft your email only for one person from a big audience who would it be? Ace email marketers know exactly who they’re talking to, sometimes down to the individual buyer personas. They’re not just writing to “anyone who’s interested.
It also means knowing their dreams, current pain, their frustrations, their aspirations.
In short: Where they are right now (pain/frustrations/struggle) and where they want to be (dream/hope/desire/success)
For example:
- Busy professionals struggling to make time for exercise and want quick, effective workouts
- Hobby bakers who want to learn advanced cake decoration techniques but feel intimidated by professional tools.
- Young professionals in their 20s and 30s who want to start saving but don’t know where to begin
- Travelers who want to learn basic phrases of a new language quickly before an upcoming trip
Some more examples:
- Busy professionals who want to eat healthy but don’t have time to cook elaborate meals
- Overworked professionals who struggle with prioritizing tasks and want to feel more in control of their day
- Stressed-out professionals looking for quick relaxation techniques to unwind during or after a hectic workday.
- Ambitious professionals who want to upskill but can’t commit to long-term courses due to their busy schedule
What did we see in this example?
A clear vision of the “Who” this audience is. Not any random person, rather a very “specific” audience with a very specific “problem”. In other words, a clear idea of the niche.
Who | Problem/Desire |
|---|---|
Busy professionals who struggle to find time for exercise. | Want quick, effective workouts to stay fit without going to the gym. |
Busy professionals who want to eat healthy. | Need quick, nutritious meal options that fit into their tight schedules. |
Overworked professionals who struggle with prioritizing tasks. | Want to feel more in control of their day and reduce work stress. |
Stressed-out professionals looking for relaxation. | Need short, guided meditations to recharge during or after hectic workdays. |
Ambitious professionals who want to upskill | Seek leadership skills through short, actionable webinars that fit into their busy schedules |
Young professionals starting financial planning. | Want simple, jargon-free savings plans for goals like travel and buying a home. |
Why?
One of the most significant shifts pro marketers make in email marketing is moving beyond features to tap into benefits. Instead of listing what the product is, they focus on why it matters to the reader — how it makes their life easier, saves time, or even brings peace of mind.
For example:
- Busy professionals like don’t just want meal options — they want convenience, health, and peace of mind
- Busy professionals don’t just want task prioritization tips — they want to feel in control of their day and reduce work stress
- People are not looking for guided meditations — rather they are searching for a quick escape from the daily grind and a way to recharge.
- Someone just doesn’t want to learn leadership skills — He/She wants to grow their career while managing a demanding schedule.
What exactly is happening here?
- Tapping into the benefits- both emotional and practical
- Emphasizing the deeper impact
- Focusing on the aspiration
- People are not looking for guided meditations — rather they are searching for a quick escape from the daily grind and a way to recharge.
Using the above example, we can even craft emails that will resonate with the target audience, like these:
Why | Motivations/Real Intentions |
|---|---|
Imagine coming home after a long day to a quick, healthy meal that’s ready in minutes. | Wants convenience, healthy eating, and peace of mind after a busy day. |
Take charge of your day with simple strategies that cut through the chaos. | Desires control over their schedule and reduced stress while staying productive. |
In just five minutes, you can go from stressed to calm. | Needs a quick escape to relax and recharge amidst a packed workday. |
Advance your career without putting your life on hold. | Aspires to grow professionally while managing a demanding schedule. |
You’ll not only organize your day but finally have time for the things that matter most. | Seeks to save time and focus on personal priorities, like family or hobbies. |
Our app gives you the clarity and focus you need to tackle even the busiest days. | Wants mental clarity and focus to improve performance and manage stress. |
Stop feeling like there’s never enough time. | Hopes to feel more in control of time and achieve a balance between work and personal life. |
Your time is precious, and your career deserves the best. | Wants actionable, efficient learning that supports career advancement without consuming too much time. |
What?
Now that we have identified the niche (Who) , their problems, pain points , desires, and (Why) they need to overcome or achieve that, it’s time for the solution. What exactly they can do or what exactly you are offering them to solve their problems.
All pro marketers end their emails with a clear action step. But they don’t stop at “click here” — they make the CTA (Call-to Action) feel natural, relevant, and specific to the reader’s needs.
But there’s a catch: Instead of saying, “Click here to get the app,” they connect the action to the reader’s desires, making it feel like a logical next step, rather than a demand. This makes readers feel in control, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
“What” applies to a clear and compelling Call-to-Action (CTA) linked to the reader’s desires. See how they have built a logical connection- why should they do it?
For example:
What | Linkage to Why |
|---|---|
Ready to simplify dinner time and enjoy healthy meals without the hassle? Sign up for our meal plans today and take the stress out of cooking. | Connects to the desire for convenience, healthy eating, and eliminating the stress of meal preparation. |
Want to take control of your time and reduce stress? Enroll in our course now and start building your perfect daily routine. | Addresses the need for control and balance, offering a solution to manage time and reduce overwhelm. |
Need a quick break to recharge? Download our app and start your first 5-minute guided meditation for free. | Provides an immediate and simple way to relax and de-stress, appealing to the busy professional’s need for calm. |
Ready to boost your career without compromising your schedule? Register for our free leadership webinar now and take the first step toward success. | Appeals to the desire for career growth while respecting the reader’s limited time and busy schedule |
Ready to streamline your day and find more time for what matters? Start with a free trial of [App] today. | Links to the need for time-saving tools that allow focus on personal priorities, like family or hobbies. |
Okay, now that we have an understanding of 3Ws- let’s make it more interesting. Open a Word Document (or maybe Google Doc, your choice), let’s do a quick exercise:
Make Your 3Ws:
- Who: Who is the target niche you want to write for? What are their problems, desires, goals
- Why: Why are you sending them emails? Do you have something that can help them
- What: If yes, What’s that thing and how can they get that. A clear CTA.
In the next part, we will focus on the Subject line, the very first thing your email subscribers will notice. We will explore how to write engaging subject lines that will open and ready your email.