Can you imagine the world without the vast amount of information we have today?

If you’re a Gen Xer like me, think back to the days even before dial-up modems.

When I needed to do a research paper for school, I would have to…

• Go to the library

• Look up my topic in the card catalog

• Decode the Dewey Decimal system

• And then roam the aisles, praying the book was what I needed

Navigating the Dewey Decimal System was like going on a treasure hunt without a map – only instead of treasure, you were searching for a book on the history of Rome, and somehow ended up in the gardening aisle.

Today the world has changed

Thanks to technology, finding the right topic today is more like using a GPS than a treasure map. 

Instead of wandering through endless stacks, you can sit in your pajamas, type a few words into a search bar, and instantly find exactly what you are looking for.

But one must wonder…

Has technology made us lazy?

Or do we not know how to properly use it?

That’s up for debate.

On the one hand, we can now access information with a few taps, which means we don’t have to work as hard to find answers. But on the other hand, the challenge has shifted from finding information to knowing how to use it efficiently and effectively.

The real issue might be that we’re so spoiled by instant results that we sometimes forget how to dig deeper.

It’s like having a smart phone, but only knowing how to make phone calls – amazing tools at our fingertips, but we’re not always sure how to make the most of them.

So, it’s not necessarily laziness; it’s a matter of learning how to navigate and properly leverage all that technology has to offer.

AI and Sales

When I was head of sales, I would spend time every week digging through Salesforce to read email communications from Account Executives to clients and prospects.

It’s no surprise what I found…

Most emails started off this way:

“I hope this email finds you well”

Why this doesn’t work:

Overused and can come across as insincere or generic. It doesn’t add value or capture attention.

“I’m reaching out to introduce myself/company.”

Why this doesn’t work:

Feels self-centered and doesn’t immediately address the client’s needs or interests.

“I just wanted to follow up on our previous conversation.”

Why this doesn’t work:

Focuses on what the sender wants rather than providing value to the recipient.

What the message should entail

“As someone who’s passionate about [industry or challenge], I wanted to share a strategy that’s been making a significant impact for companies like yours.”

Why this works:

Connects with their interests or pain points, positioning your email as a potential solution rather than just another sales pitch.

“I’ve been following your work on [specific project or initiative], and I believe there’s an exciting opportunity to [specific benefit or solution].

Why this works:

By referencing something specific about the client’s work, you create a personalized connection and highlight a potential benefit right from the start.

“I noticed that your company is exploring new strategies for [specific area], and I’d love to share some insights that could help you achieve your goals.”

Why this works:

Shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in addressing the client’s needs.

Where did these ideas come from?

AI has ushered in a new process of crafting the perfect message and I used this tool to generate all three examples.

I simply went to ChatGPT and typed in “provide 3 examples of effective ways to start an email to a prospective client.”

And poof! – 5 seconds later, I had my answers.

I’m not advocating for taking AI generated content at face value. We must do our research and add in our unique tone and voice. The process simply gives you a head start.

A different message for each stage of the sales funnel

Prospects and clients have different needs, concerns, and levels of awareness as they move through the buying process.

At the top of the funnel a prospect is just beginning to recognize a problem or opportunity. Your goal should focus on education and building interest.

As the prospect moves deeper into the funnel, considerations and decisions are being made about your solution. Sales messages should shift to address specific pain points, demonstrating how your solution directly solves their problem, and providing a clear value proposition.

Review and Personalize

If someone I’ve never met walked up to me at a party and said, “Hey, Joe! I heard you like football. Want to buy this Alabama hat?”

I would be offended.

Why?

I’m a diehard Tennessee Vols fan.

The same can be said for AI generated messages – it might get the basics right, but it could be tailored to the wrong audience.

Personalizing your AI-generated messages shows your customers you see them as individuals, not just another sales quota. Plus, it helps you avoid AI blunders like trying to sell an Alabama hat to a Tennessee Vols fan.

1. Initial Read-Through
   Start by reading the AI-generated message in its entirety to understand its overall structure and content.

2. Check for Relevance

   Ensure the message aligns with your target audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points.

3. Tone and Language Adjustment

   Adjust your language to match your voice and the relationship with your recipient.

4. Add Personalization

   Incorporate specific details about your recipient or their past interactions.

5. Review for Clarity and Conciseness

   Ensure the message is clear and to the point. Remove that awful jargon or overly complex language.

6. Include ONE Clear Call to Action

   Make sure your CTA is clear, direct, and tailored to your recipient pointing them to the action you want them to take.

7. Proofread

   Conduct a thorough analysis to catch any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or awkward phrases.

Resources

FREE DOWNLOAD:

46 REMARKABLY GOOD AI-POWERED SALES PROMPTS