Sales Skills / Make the First Contact Count / Lesson 09

LESSON 09 · MAKE THE FIRST CONTACT COUNT

The Three-Sentence Email

Forty ways to write the three-sentence email that busy people read and answer.

Short emails get answers. Three sentences are enough.

12 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

12 tips that really help

These ideas come from Fanatical Prospecting (Jeb Blount), Cold Calling Techniques (Stephan Schiffman), The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer), and everyday practice. The first six help the most. Pick one and try it today.

TIP 1

Use three sentences only

Short emails are read and answered; long ones are skimmed or ignored.

TRY THIS
Rewrite your last email in three sentences.

TIP 2

Sentence one: why you are writing

Start with a clear reason that connects to their world, such as a recent news item or shared contact.

TRY THIS
Write one opening line.

TIP 3

Sentence two: the value you offer

Say in plain words what you help people achieve, with one concrete result.

TRY THIS
Make it under twenty words.

TIP 4

Sentence three: one easy question

End with a simple question that is easy to answer, such as would a short call next week suit you?

TRY THIS
Draft your closing question.

TIP 5

Write a subject line that is honest

A clear, short subject that matches the message gets opened more and builds trust.

TRY THIS
Write three subject lines and pick one.

TIP 6

Use their name and one detail

A personal detail shows you did not send a mass message and respects their time.

TRY THIS
Add a detail from their website.

TIP 7

Avoid jargon and long adjectives

Plain words feel human and are understood quickly on a small phone screen.

TRY THIS
Replace three big words with simple ones.

TIP 8

Skip the attachment

Attachments can trigger spam filters and feel like effort; a link or a later send is easier.

TRY THIS
Send without an attachment first.

TIP 9

Read it aloud before sending

Hearing your email reveals awkward phrases and tone problems that your eyes miss.

TRY THIS
Read your draft aloud once.

TIP 10

Send at a sensible time

Mid-morning on a weekday often gets better attention than late nights or Monday rush.

TRY THIS
Test two send times this week.

TIP 11

Make a reusable template

A flexible three-sentence structure saves time while you still personalise the key lines.

TRY THIS
Save one template today.

TIP 12

Track replies and improve

Count how many emails get a response and adjust one element at a time.

TRY THIS
Note your reply rate this week.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many sales conversations.

ONE

“I noticed your team is expanding to two new shops.”

TWO

“We help owners track stock so counts take minutes.”

THREE

“Would a ten-minute call on Thursday be useful?”

HONEST

“If not, no worries at all.”

THANKS

“Thank you for reading.”

SIGN

“Best, Sam”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Write a three-sentence email

DAY 2
Cut a long email in half

DAY 3
Send three

DAY 4
Track replies

DAY 5
Edit the weakest sentence

DAY 6
Keep a template

DAY 7
Share it with a colleague

More lessons in “Make the First Contact Count”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

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