How to Use ChatGPT to Write Sales Emails

In the digital age, email remains a highly effective way to reach potential customers. However, crafting a compelling sales email can be challenging. That’s where ChatGPT comes in. As an OpenAI language model, ChatGPT can help you write effective sales emails that grab your audience’s attention and convert them into customers by using artificial intelligence. In this blog, we’ll show you how to use ChatGPT to write sales emails that get results.

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I’m gonna be honest with you: I didn’t write that blog intro. Instead, I asked ChatGPT—a language model trained by OpenAI—to write it. (It’s a little formal, but not bad, eh?)

It’s hard to have a sales or marketing conversation without hearing about artificial intelligence, especially ChatGPT. It’s either the best thing since sliced bread or an evil supercomputer that’ll bring about the end of the world. Most people, I think, fall somewhere in the middle.

As a sales leader, should you be scared of ChatGPT? Or should you embrace this new technology and use it to make your sales teams better?

Although there are lots of potential use cases, in this blog I’ll focus on one: using ChatGPT to write sales emails.

READ: How To Incorporate Sales Emails Into Your Sequences

A tale of two prompts: why you need to be specific when using ChatGPT to write sales emails

ChatGPT can churn out sales scripts and email templates faster than a human writer can. The question is: is it any good? And for sales reps specifically: will it get you more meetings and help you close more deals?

The answer: it totally depends!

In order for ChatGPT to work well, it all comes down to the quality of the prompt. If you have a detailed prompt that provides the AI with the right information, you’re good to go.

Compare the following examples:

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Prompt: Write a sales email template for Factor 8.

Result: 

Subject: [First Name], Boost Your Sales with Factor 8’s Sales Training Programs

Dear [First Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to introduce you to Factor 8, a leading sales training company that can help you increase your sales revenue and enhance your team’s performance.

At Factor 8, we understand that sales is a competitive and constantly evolving industry, and we’ve designed our programs to help your team stay ahead of the curve. Our training courses are tailored to meet your unique business needs and goals, and our experienced instructors will work with your team to develop the skills and techniques necessary to close more deals and exceed quotas.

Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect from our sales training programs:

Increased sales revenue: Our training programs are designed to help your team close more deals and exceed quotas, leading to higher sales revenue and improved profitability.

Improved team performance: By providing your team with the skills and techniques necessary to succeed in the competitive sales industry, our programs will help your team perform at their best.

Customized training solutions: We understand that each business has unique needs and goals, which is why we offer customized training solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Experienced instructors: Our instructors have years of experience in the sales industry, and they are committed to helping your team succeed.

To learn more about how Factor 8 can help you improve your sales performance, please visit our website or reply to this email to schedule a call with one of our sales representatives.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company]

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Okay, so it’s not terrible, but let’s be honest – there are a ton of problems with that email:

• It’s wayyyyyy too long (yawn)
• A lot of the copy seems canned
• There’s no personalization within the email

Now, let’s see what happens when we’re more detailed in the prompt.

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Prompt: Write a first-touch sales email template initiating contact between a Business Development Rep at Factor 8 and a mid-level Sales Manager at Meta. Structure according to the AIDA framework: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. Make sure there’s at least one question in the body of the email. Be sure to reference our key value proposition: Factor 8 rep & manager training drives topline growth. The call-to-action for the email is to set up a 15-minute introductory call. Limit output to 125 words or less.

Result: 

Subject: Increase Your Sales Revenue with Factor 8’s Manager Training

Hi [First Name],

As a Sales Manager at Meta, you know how important it is to have a well-trained team. That’s why I wanted to introduce you to Factor 8’s training programs. Our training is tailored to meet your unique business needs and goals. Our experienced advisors will equip you with the skills necessary to improve your team’s performance and drive topline growth.

Are you available for a quick 15-minute call this week? Let’s discuss how we can help you achieve your sales targets.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Business Development Rep, Factor 8

P.S. You can learn more about our training program on our website.

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I wouldn’t call that a perfect sales email – but it’s definitely headed in the right direction. Most sales reps could probably use that copy as a starting point, then edit and personalize to be more engaging for their target prospect.

Tip: Want to sound less formal? Just add that you want a more casual tone to the prompt.

READ: How to Write Better Sales Emails: 12 Actionable Tips

What We Can Learn from ChatGPT

Here are my takeaways:

• Understand the intent behind your copy. ChatGPT isn’t a mind reader. It doesn’t know why you want to generate copy or your intended result. So just like in the example above, you need to be specific. (Which means you need to have it figured out before you sit down with the AI. It’s a robot, but don’t waste both of your time!)
• Gather necessary information in advance. Before you begin the AI writing process, gather all the information you need to create your copy. ChatGPT can pull in some information, but others you’re going to need to specify or add in later.
• Be as detailed as possible in the prompt. The more information you provide ChatGPT, the better and more relevant it will be. Always add the tone of your messaging into the prompt.
• Fine-tune your copy. You’ll probably noticed that even with a detailed prompt, ChatGPT wasn’t able to create an engaging sales email. There’s still a gap between AI capabilities and copy that’s engaging to a human reader. Your reps (and maybe even internal your copywriters) will need to bridge that gap. Use ChatGPT as a starting point, and then refine!
• Test and optimize. Like any good sales asset, once your copy is finalized, it’s important to test it to see how it performs. Create different versions and take them for a spin! You only know if you try.

In the end, is ChatGPT worth it for your sales team? The answer is: it still depends. If it helps jumpstart your creative process to help you generate email templates faster, then it could be great!

But if your reps want to use it as a shortcut instead of doing the hard work to understand the client, gather information, and compile the best ways to engage them – then keeping it all human might be the better way to go.