“It’s all about the first impression” This is specially true for e-mails. They create an impression about how your customers perceives you and your company. Being on the business side writing outreach e-mails is a daily part of life. Every e-mail opened is a new connection and it creates an opportunity for you to start a conversation.

Here are a few tips to get you started on outreach e-mails.

No Spam policy — Spamming people who don’t fit your customer profile will only create a bad impression about you and your company. Always do your homework before sending e-mails to prospects. You can use tools like Google, LinkedIn or Data.com (Jigsaw) remember knowing your customer better will help you in selling efficiently.

Subject lines — Subject lines drives people to open your e-mails so make sure that you get it right,

• Keep subject lines simple and small.
• Create some curiosity about your e-mail with help of subject lines.

Be Personal — Nobody likes automated e-mails over a period of time everybody has become immune to them. Remember that you are writing to humans and not to robots. Having a personal touch always helps. Don’t sound scripted or like a generic template.

Brevity is key — It’s important to keep an outreach email around 3 to 4 sentences. Don’t try to tell the whole story at once you need to understand that you cannot make a sale in single e-mail, Instead start a conversation and build on it.

Value Propositions — Strong value propositions can help you in attracting customer’s mind share, remember always put customers first. Change the propositions according to your customers.

Be Assertive — Make it simple for your customer’s if you need a meeting with them suggest them meeting times or ask them how their calender looks for next week. If they need a call ? Say call me at ##.

Signature — It helps build credibility about you and your company. You can mention your LinkedIn profile, contact details and link to company blog.

Follow up — It’s important to follow up if you did not get a response back, follow up e-mails generally increase the response rate.

Always remember your e-mails are conversations.