The Dirt on Marketing Blog

The Secret to Getting a Response to Emails

Written by Sharon Harry | Jan 25, 2023 6:20:08 AM

Early in my career I was fortunate enough to have befriended an older woman who was CMO at a small, boutique marketing firm in Boca Raton, Florida.  She wrote copy that dazzled and closed deals quickly.  Her marketing ideas were always on-point and I found myself observing her closely to absorb all that I could, basking in the glow of her expertise. 

I identified one thing she did on every outbound communication that she sent, and when I asked her about it, she smirked and agreed that it was the secret to her success.  It was so simple, and so brilliant.  Do you want to know what it was?

She always ended her communication with a question.

No 'sincerely' at the end of her emails, nor 'best regards'.  No 'good bye' on the phone.  Every conversation ended with an inquiry.  This trick uses a psychological reflex in our brain called 'instinctive elaboration'.   It immediately triggers us and we just itch to respond. 

Like the young marketing sponge I was, I soaked up this morsel and have used it ever since to drastically improve my engagement rates, especially on email.  Your question should always be tied to the next action you want the person on the other line to take (also called a 'call to action').  

Here are some phrases for you to try:

  • Sound good?
  • Did this answer your question?
  • Does 1pm work to get on a call to review?
  • Did you have other questions?
  • What are the next steps?
  • Is there anyone else on your team I should loop in?
  • What day/time is good for your to schedule [an appointment]?
  • Could you share your thoughts?

Don't be tempted to add a closing after this.  The email should end with the question and nothing more than the question so it can do it's job.

Comment Below! Do you think this will work for your sales team?