Prospects are busier than ever. It’s hard enough getting them to open your emails. Getting them to read and then reply usually requires a combination of skill, good timing, and dumb luck. Once salespeople send an email, how prospects respond is out of their hands.
One thing that’s definitely under reps’ control? The contents of their email.
An entertaining, memorable message can dramatically increase response rates. The following six templates correspond with six common situations and are designed to stand out from the typical sales emails filling up buyers’ inboxes.
How Humor Can Make Sales Emails More Effective
When it comes to sales emails, a little levity goes a long way. Most messages are straightforward and serious – and boring. Adding a fun twist to their outreach helps reps distinguish themselves from the competition and make their pitch more memorable.
In addition, humor usually puts recipients in a better mood. Once their prospects are smiling, salespeople usually have a far better shot of getting time on their calendars.
6 Humorous, Unconventional Sales Email Templates
1) When you’re reaching out for the first time:
According to Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be More Persuasive, businesspeople who sent a funny, inoffensive cartoon to their negotiation partners before negotiating generated higher levels of trust and 15% larger profits than those who didn’t send a cartoon.
Salespeople can leverage the same trust-building effects by including a cartoon in their outreach email.
Hi [prospect name],
Some salespeople are all about how you can help them …
But I’m interested in your objectives. In working with similar companies [in X industry or vertical/of similar size in X region], I’ve found many struggle with [major business challenge].
If this is something you’re challenged with as well, have you considered [strategy/tip]? I have some other ideas that might help too.
Best,
[Your name]
2) When the prospect says “we’re all set” or “no thanks”:
Hearing this standard objection doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no opportunity. Use this template to make buyers think twice about brushing you off. If they’re truly not in a position to buy, they’ll remember you when the timing is better. And if they are a good fit, disarming them with a funny meme will likely lead them to think, “Hmm, this doesn’t seem like the average salesperson. Maybe I should give them a chance after all.”
Hi [prospect name],
Best,
[Your name]
Matt Hambor, Inbound Marketing Specialist
3) When your prospect downloads content from your site or there’s been a trigger event:
To immediately differentiate yourself from other salespeople – and hopefully, make the buyer laugh – send them a tongue-in-cheek sales email as a follow-up to the compelling event.
Yes, I’m sending you one right now, but in my defense it’s because you [requested more information on X/Y trigger event just occurred].
If you’re not interested in [accomplishing X results/discussing relevant challenge or opportunity], please let me know so I can stop being a hypocrite.
Seriously, every time I click “Send,” it pains me. Help stop my suffering and find a time on my calendar here.
Best,
[Your name]
Sam Belt, Account Executive, HubSpot Sales Solutions
4) When you’re reaching out to a prospect who never responded or went dark:
Rather than pretending your previous (unsuccessful) contact attempts never happened, bring them out into the open. Then, hook the prospect by discussing why this time is different.
Hi [prospect name],
I’ve reached out to [company] several times over the past few years. What I talked about clearly didn’t resonate. I heard the collective yawn and have made some changes.
This partnership is now about three simple things:
- Helping you improve [X area of business]
- Helping you solve [X challenge]
- Helping you achieve [X results]
If the above sounds interesting, let’s connect so I can provide more information on how we have started a new chapter.
Best,
[Your name]
Claire Chazen, Channel Account Manager, HubSpot Agency Partner Program
5) When the prospect didn’t show up to your meeting:
Traditional guilt-tripping doesn’t work. Your prospect will be far likelier to reschedule if you make a light-hearted reference to the no-show.
Hi [prospect name],
We haven’t been able to reschedule our [product] meeting and it’s reminding me a lot of when Rachel stood up Ross on Prom night …
Jokes aside, I was curious if you are still interested in putting time back on the calendar for us to discuss strategies for [achieving X goal or outcome].
Here’s my calendar if you’d like to discuss in more detail. If you’re simply not interested anymore, not a problem, just let me know so I can return my tuxedo. :)
Cheers,
[Your name]
James Hylas, Senior Account Executive, HubSpot Sales Solutions
6) When your prospect has gone dark:
Few things are more frustrating than a promising prospect who abruptly stops returning your calls and emails. Sometimes, an Adele reference is what you need to bring them back.
Hello [prospect name],
I must have called a thousand times …
On a more serious note, last time we talked about [pain] and how [product] could help [drive X results/accomplish X goal] over [specific timeframe].
Are you still interested in continuing our discussion? If not, please let me know so I can stop blasting Adele.
Cheers,
[Your name]
Gary Valenti, Account Executive, HubSpot Sales Solutions
Not every buyer will be responsive to a humorous or offbeat email. Before sending one of these templates to your prospect, consider what you know about their personality and preferences from previous interactions or their social media accounts. If they seem more conservative or buttoned-up than your average buyer, a more traditional sales email might be wise.
But as CEO of SalesHacker Max Altuscher says, “Don’t be overly cautious. For the most part, if a prospect is just not answering you no matter what you do, sending a funny message is a great last ditch effort.”
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