Email Communication

Your title doesn’t make you a leader. How you communicate with your team does. Here are 12 tips top leaders use email to create clarity, show respect, and drive results: 1. Acknowledge Delays with Gratitude, Not Apology ❌ "Sorry for the late reply..." ✅ "Thank you for your patience." 2. Respond Thoughtfully, Not Reactively ❌ "This is wrong." ✅ "I see your point. Have you considered trying [alternative]?" 3. Use Subject Lines That Get to the Point ❌ "Update" ✅ "Project X: Status Update & Next Steps" 4. Set the Tone with Your First Line ❌ "Hey, quick question..." ✅ "Hi [Name], I appreciate your time. I wanted to ask about…" 5. Show Appreciation, Not Just Acknowledgment ❌ "Noted." ✅ "Thanks for sharing this—I appreciate your insights." 6. Frame Feedback Positively ❌ "This isn't good enough." ✅ "This is a great start. Let’s refine [specific area] further." 7. Lead with Confidence ❌ "Maybe you could take a look…" ✅ "We need [specific task] completed by [specific date]." 8. Clarify Priorities Instead of Overloading ❌ "We need to do this ASAP." ✅ "Let’s prioritize [specific task] first to meet our deadline." 9. Make Requests Easy to Process ❌ "Can you take a look at this?" ✅ "Can you review this and share your feedback by [date]?" 10. Be Clear About Next Steps ❌ "Let’s figure it out later." ✅ "Next steps: I’ll handle X, and you can confirm Y by [deadline]." 11. Follow Up with Purpose, Not Pressure ❌ "Just checking in again." ✅ "I wanted to follow up on this. Do you need any additional details from me?" 12. Avoid Passive-Aggressive Language ❌ "As I mentioned before…" ✅ "Just bringing this back to your attention in case it got missed." Key Point: Effective email communication isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional, clear, and respectful. Choose your words carefully. Your emails can either open doors or close them. ♻️ Repost to inspire your network! And follow Victoria Repa for more.

Email still delivers strong ROI. What’s changed is how leading teams are using it. Here are 7 modern and practical email strategies you can use now and into 2026. 📩 1. AI-Driven Decisioning An example is “next best offer.” Use real-time, historical, and behavioral data to determine the most relevant content, offer, or CTA. Instead of sending the same message to everyone, tools like Movable Ink personalize content based on what users have or haven’t done. 📈 2. Product-Led Lifecycle Messaging Trigger emails based on what users do inside your product. If someone signs up but doesn’t activate, send a reminder. If they complete onboarding but skip a key feature, follow up. Email becomes part of the product experience. 🧱 3. Modular Templates + Guard Rails Stop building emails from scratch. Modular templates let teams assemble emails using approved, no-code blocks. Platforms like Knak help you move faster while staying on brand and rendering correctly across devices. 👁️🗨️ 4. Inbox Retargeting & Re-engagement If someone opens and scrolls but doesn’t click, you can adjust the next email. These behavioral signals help guide follow-ups. A scrolled-but-no-click email may call for a stronger CTA or tighter copy. 🧪 5. Automated Experimentation Go beyond A/B tests. Today’s tools can test dozens or even hundreds of variations at once, subject lines, images, layouts, and more. Platforms like OfferFit by Braze optimize automatically to drive better performance. ⏱ 6. Real-Time Triggers Send the right message the moment someone takes action, like signing up or abandoning a cart. It only works if your data flows smoothly and your systems are well-integrated, but the results are worth the effort. 💰 7. Revenue-Based Measurement Connect email to pipeline and revenue. If your data and attribution are in place, you can measure how nurture programs or product launches actually impact the business. Which do you think is most effective? What would you add? PS: Be sure to check out Knak to scale your email efforts, link in the comments. via Nick Donaldson #marketing #martech #marketingoperations #email

You’re posting on social media..but you’re not getting any inbound business from it. Then this post is for you. ↓ Every successful online builder is actively building an email list. Justin Welsh Simon Squibb Codie Sanchez Matt Gray Tim Denning Nick Huber Alex Hormozi etc, etc…. Why? NO ONE wants to be controlled by algorithms on social media = people want ownership AND Because email marketing is up to 40x more effective than social media when it comes to turning leads into customers. ✅ By owning an email list, you control how you reach your audience. ❌ Social media? Not so much. Social media algorithms are constantly changing, and you don't control those platforms. And don’t get me wrong, social media is a must to enable people to FIND you. But to convert people to clients: an email list is much more effective. With email, you’ve got a direct line to your people. You can nurture those relationships without relying on third-party platforms. No middleman, no algorithm changes. You’re talking straight with them. If you’re not building an email list, you’re missing out on one of the most effective ways to monetize your audience, and build a business. So, how do you go from having followers to building a loyal email list and turning them into paying customers? Here are a few actionable tips to get you started ↓ 1️⃣ Create Irresistible Lead Magnets Offer something of value in exchange for their email address. It can be a: - free guide - checklist - webinar - exclusive content …make sure it speaks directly to your audience’s pain points or desires. 2️⃣ Launch a newsletter on Beehiiv You can literally start one today. 3️⃣ Use Social Media to Promote Your Email List Don’t just share your lead magnet once → talk about it OFTEN. Tell your followers what they’re missing if they’re not on your list. Add some urgency or offer a bonus to get them to subscribe. Make it a part of your system. 4️⃣ Nurture with Consistent, Valuable Content Once they’re on your list, don’t just sell. Give them content they can actually use. And LEARN from. The more value you provide, the more trust you’ll build, and the more likely they are to buy from you down the line. Show people you understand them. Make yourself the go-to. Many people think they should do the opposite: Keep things behind a wall until people buy. ❌ That won’t build your business and it won’t build your email list. ✅ Share loads of value, and you will get more customers. 👉 Treat your emails list like an a$$et Treat your email list like the valuable asset it is. Ask for input. Encourage people to reach out. Make an effort to understand and respect people’s time. Don’t write super long essays (no on has time). Write newsletter editions people can skim read. Show up regularly in their inbox. Want examples how? 👉 Go here (it's free): https://lnkd.in/dUPYinYi

Don't be a d***k and send passive aggressive emails to people when they miss a call. At 4pm, my 2yr old daughter hurt herself. Mitch & I dropped everything we were doing. Grabbed her and rushed to A&E. No phone was grabbed. No shoes were put on. We just ran, as nothing else in that moment matterred. As we sat waiting to be seen I realised there was no way of contacting the people I was due to be speaking to that afternoon. My heart sank as I hate being late and messing people around but there was nothing I could do. When we got home I checked my emails. There was the usual "are you joining the call? and various other varieties of this. They had no idea what was going on in my world. To them, I was just being rude. In receiving their messages, only one thing crossed my mind ... "You don't care about me, you just want my money." How many times have you inadvertently made a prospect feel like that? Or maybe even a candidate? Next time someone misses a scheduled call, why not try something a little more compassionate ... "Hey X, we were due to chat at {insert time} but you didn't arrive. I wanted to make sure you were OK? The call doesn't matter, as we can always reschedule. I just wanted to make sure you were ok." Sure, you might still be ignored but receiving a message like the above sends a signal to the other person that the relationship is not just transactional. You are there to help them and you care. Welcome to long term relationship building. Stop rushing and start thinking about how you make people feel. If someone makes the relationship feel like it's only about them closing... are you more or less likely to buy? Think about that. Lead with compassion and the rest will come.

What if your next big sale doesn’t come from cold calling and sales pitches—but from simply reminding people you exist? Most businesses assume that if a customer needs their product or service, they’ll remember them. They think past interactions, website visits, or one-off conversations are enough. But that’s not how it works. ✬ Buyers are busier than ever. ✬ They’re flooded with distractions. ✬ Even when they intend to buy, they forget who they meant to buy from. People don’t make decisions based on what they remember. They make decisions based on what’s in front of them. ✬ ✬ An email newsletter isn’t about selling—it’s about staying in front of customers before they even realize they need you. Most people think email marketing is annoying or ineffective. Actually, email is the easiest way to stay relevant without being pushy. • Instead of leaving it up to chance, you create a steady stream of reminders. • Instead of hoping customers remember, you make it easy for them. • Instead of being forgotten, you’re the first name that comes to mind. When email marketing is done right, it’s not an interruption—it’s welcome. And when customers are ready to buy, you don’t have to fight for their attention. You already have it. So—how are you making sure customers think of you first?

I loved what Ian shared in this CNA commentary. Some really pertinent and accurate observations. However, there was one recommended suggestion that I personally struggle with: 'connect with users directly and ask them out for coffee.' ☕ 👩🏫 As someone who teaches final-year grad students (& post-grad students and working adults) about professional networking — covering situational awareness, conversation skills, and follow-up etiquette — I’ve shifted my approach somewhat in the last 18 years. A decade ago, I encouraged 'coffee meetings' as a way to connect. 💡 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐈 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐲? 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. My email inbox (both LinkedIn and work) fills weekly with kind coffee invites. If volume equaled consumption, I’d need five cups a day!!!! ❤️ 𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫: I deeply value helping others — it’s why I teach, mentor mothers, and run a social enterprise. But like many professionals juggling work, family, and commitments, scheduling 1:1 chats is often unrealistic. 📝 𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆’𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒕. 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈. When reaching out, consider these alternatives: 1️⃣ 𝐀𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: Explicitly say "I know you’re busy" or "Zero pressure to respond." 2️⃣ 𝐁𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜: Vague requests = higher mental load. State exactly what you want (e.g., "15 mins," "2-3 ideas on how to reach out to the sustainability industry"). 3️⃣ 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭: "If this isn’t a good time, I completely understand!" 4️⃣ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: Offer help, resources, or genuine appreciation 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 5️⃣ 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦: Suggest text/voice/email instead of live chat/ coffee meeting (𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦!!!) ⏳ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭: We’re asking for someone’s time and insight—𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫. How we frame it matters. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖?

3 donor emails that aren’t “asks” but still bring in donations We all know the direct asks matter. But some of the most effective emails I’ve helped send aren’t official campaigns or appeals. They’re moments of relationship. Here are 3 types of emails that donors seem to love and that often lead to surprise gifts: ⸻ 📬 1. The “We Did the Thing” Email Subject: We just finished it. Thank you. You promised to build a playground / fund a program / send kids to camp. This email says: We did. Because of you. Photos. A quote. A short paragraph. That’s it. People love seeing the result of their generosity. 📬 2. The “Saw This and Thought of You” Email Subject: This made me think of you. It might be a story from the field. A note from a beneficiary. Even a newspaper article. You send it to 1–5 specific donors with a personal sentence like: “You’ve always cared about ___, and this reminded me of you.” It’s not a pitch. It’s a connection. And it works. 📬 3. The “No Reason but Gratitude” Email Subject: No ask. Just thanks. A short note that simply says: “We’re so grateful for you. No updates, no links—just gratitude.” I do this quarterly. You’d be amazed how many people hit reply with: “How can I help?” Fundraising is more than asking. It’s paying attention. It’s following up. It’s letting people feel the difference they make. Which of these have you tried or would you add a fourth to the list?

"Email is dead!" 🤦♂️ Just this week, a client, with a brilliant product but struggling with engagement and retention, hit me with that old chestnut when I asked about their email strategy. Look, email isn't just alive; it's thriving. While others chase fleeting trends, smart founders leverage this direct, owned channel. Data proves it: perceived email value has doubled since 2021! People want useful content in their inboxes. Why email is your growth superpower: 👉 Retention MVP: New customer acquisition costs 5x more than retention. 👉 Email slashes CAC, boosts CLTV, turning users into loyal advocates. 👉 Direct Engagement: Existing customers want your emails. Higher open/CTR means your message lands. 👉 Hyper-Personalization: Beyond "Dear [First Name]." Behavior-triggered content (AI-powered!) feels mind-reading. Segmented campaigns? Up to 760% revenue increase! 👉 Building Loyalty: Foster relationships, deliver consistent value, transform customers into passionate advocates. Ready for tactical gold? My "Email Marketing Improvement Cycle" (see visual!) is your roadmap to success: 1️⃣ Re-Engage "Limbo" Customers: Win back those who've gone quiet. 2️⃣ Benefits, Not Features: Show how your product solves problems. 3️⃣ Subject Line Sorcery: Intrigue, personalize, create urgency. 4️⃣ Listen to Feedback: Your customers hold growth insights. 5️⃣ Reward Loyalty: Make them feel special, keep them engaged. 6️⃣ Deep Personalization: Tailor content by behavior/lifecycle (AI helps!). 7️⃣ Integrate Channels: Email amplifies other marketing efforts. 8️⃣ Test & Iterate: Optimize constantly; small tweaks yield big wins. So, next time someone claims "email is dead," smile, nod, and go build your growth empire. For lean startups, email isn't just a channel; it's a strategic imperative. What's your go-to email tactic? Share your wisdom! 👇 #EmailMarketing #GoToMarket #CustomerRetention #AI #Personalization #GrowthStrategy

Everyone in email marketing is obsessed with welcome flows, abandonment flows, etc.—and rightfully so. But, there's 1 type of email that 90% of brands overlook in their retention strategy: Transactional emails Transactional emails and texts have significantly higher engagement rates than your standard marketing emails and texts. Why? For starters, it doesn’t matter whether the customer has opted into email or SMS marketing; since the communications are transactional, everyone receives them regardless of opt-in status. Also, these messages' open and click rates are significantly higher than on standard marketing communications. Average open rates vary from 40-80%, and click rates are between 8-20%, whereas marketing emails typically range from 15-25% and 1-5%, respectively. Why? Transactional communications are extremely relevant and necessary for a customer who is already engaged—after all, they literally just bought! In terms of the tracking page, customers will, on average, check their order tracking page 4.6 times per order. This typically makes up 10-20% of our client’s website traffic. Framed in another light, if you’re not leveraging custom order tracking pages, you are missing out on potential monetization opportunities with 10-20% of your site traffic, site traffic that is highly engaged with your brand as they are already customers.

Your Email List > Social Followers. Here’s Why Chasing likes won’t grow your bottom line. If you're still prioritizing social followers over email subscribers in 2025, you’re leaving serious revenue on the table. 5 Data-Backed Reasons Email > Social 1. You own your list  Social = rented audience.  Email = direct access. No algorithms. No platform risks.  2. Email = 4,200% ROI  $1 in = $42 out (avg.)  Compare that to 29% ROI for social (mainly via paid ads).  3. Engagement > Vanity Metrics  3–5% CTR in email vs. 1–2% on social media.  Segmentation = 50%+ higher CTR.  4. Long-Term Value Wins  Email subscriber = $45–$60/year in LTV.  Social follower? Nearly $0 without ads.  5. Real Brands. Real Results.  WPBeginner: 600% list growth = 3x revenue  E-comm brand: 95k subs = $1.2M in email-driven sales  Adam Enfroy: 17% product conversion via email    3 Steps to Maximize Your List  Convert followers → lead magnets, popups, and exit-intent offers  Segment & personalize → tailor content to interests  Automate revenue → cart abandonment + re-engagement flows  Email isn’t just a channel. It’s your most valuable asset.  Invest in your list—because algorithms don’t pay the bills.  #EmailMarketing #GrowthStrategy #DigitalMarketing #ListBuilding #MarketingROI #LeadGeneration #OptinMonster #MarketingAutomation