discuss An ideal outbound email

[Arpit131]

I was recently taking a course on Product Management and there came a topic in user research where we need inputs from users and send them an email to discuss the possibility of an interview with our user. Here are 3 things that I believe can be applied to domaining too:

1) Be short
The entire email should be between 4-7 sentences according to research. If larger, it would greatly reduce the response rate.

2) Be personal
You should always include a couple of lines about how you came across their email/website etc. and then make it personal. Personalization is the key. Automation is bound to fail

3) Be valuable
Always write your email in a way that shows the value for your user. Tell them that you seem to be growing pretty fast, or look like an expert in their industry or something of that sort.

Things to remember:

In the introduction part, you should introduce them and not yoruself. As in, how you came across their article or blog or website or email and how it was brilliant. In our case, we may write something as "I came across your website while looking for car rental in NYC" which seems to have a pretty great number of searches or something of that sort.

Attaching a sample email that PMs send. Now I am not sure how much can this be exactly copied, but a quick format in terms of action or setting up a meeting or introduction could be something that can be used.

There seems to be good response from a PM perspective on this one. Maybe if we tweak it to our advantage and usage, it may work for us as well.

Anything that has worked for you in outbound specifically?

 

[Abdillahi Abdillahi]

I was recently taking a course on Product Management and there came a topic in user research where we need inputs from users and send them an email to discuss the possibility of an interview with our user. Here are 3 things that I believe can be applied to domaining too:

1) Be short
The entire email should be between 4-7 sentences according to research. If larger, it would greatly reduce the response rate.

2) Be personal
You should always include a couple of lines about how you came across their email/website etc. and then make it personal. Personalization is the key. Automation is bound to fail

3) Be valuable
Always write your email in a way that shows the value for your user. Tell them that you seem to be growing pretty fast, or look like an expert in their industry or something of that sort.

Things to remember:

In the introduction part, you should introduce them and not yoruself. As in, how you came across their article or blog or website or email and how it was brilliant. In our case, we may write something as "I came across your website while looking for car rental in NYC" which seems to have a pretty great number of searches or something of that sort.

Attaching a sample email that PMs send. Now I am not sure how much can this be exactly copied, but a quick format in terms of action or setting up a meeting or introduction could be something that can be used.

Show attachment 141005

There seems to be good response from a PM perspective on this one. Maybe if we tweak it to our advantage and usage, it may work for us as well.

Anything that has worked for you in outbound specifically?

Very interesting view. I remember Ali Zandi once covered such technique and that it was getting response.

 

[Joe N]

Very interesting view. I remember Ali Zandi once covered such technique and that it was getting response.

I remember reading that content from Ali as well. He was big into personalizing his emails; making them sound friendly without losing their professionalism.

I've always kept mine extremely short and to-the-point, since I'm worried that any attempts to befriend the recipient will only come across as sleazy.

That being said, I do like the approach you're discussing, @Arpit131. Introducing yourself by explaining how you found their name/company could be a nice segue into pitching your domain.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[satyadeep singh]

nice Arpit131, can you make a example outbound email to approach our end user.

 

[bmugford]

The OP brings up some good points, but as far as outbound goes that would take an awful lot of time and energy to personalize multiple emails like that.

It might make sense if you have a quality domain you are pitching to a handful of people, but I can't really see that being feasible on a large scale with outbound domain sales.

Brad

 

[Windoms]

Very interesting view. I remember Ali Zandi once covered such technique and that it was getting response.

Ali Zandi's
Daily Dose: Outbound techniques.
Daily Dose: Outbound Negotiation Tactics. Part 1.
Negotiation Tactics | Part 2: Inbound - A Few Different Approaches

 

[BaileyUK]

Good stuff Arpit131
Just as an addition to those wishing to apply this method to any sales outbound. Domains or other.

Do think long and hard about that "Subject Line" you put in your email. 95% of my inbound emails hit the delete button and are never opened. In many ways I'm grateful that most inbound emails come straight to the point in the subject line.

However, I personally do try to focus on getting my outbound emails opened and that 'subject-text' line is almost as important as content. This does require a little bit of time in getting briefly familiar with my intended recipient and his/her business, And Not having my subject-line looking like a standard intro.

Personification is great in content but all must admit those intro lines that include your personal name in the Subject-line' are almost a No-Go these days - It's such an old-hand spam line its become an auto delete.

My personal KILL-IT example
"Hello Raymond" nobody calls me Raymond except my mother & of course on old whois data

 

[Matt Morgan]

Personalization the mail is good as it shows the reader that you have taken time to research them and their company.

It is good to spend some time to do this,even if it is a few hours to look into the company and person you are emailing.

 

[uzver]

Imagine you’re reaching out to keywordSomething.com owner with something like: “I came across your website during [...]. And coincidentally I’ve got a keyword.com that fits this niche. Can you suggest/help/advise [...]?”

It does look lame to me since I only hold a single copy of a product (domain) and I’m approaching the company who’s clearly the potential end user of my product.

I regularly read email templates (Yesware has lots of such examples on their blog) that work well for industries outside of the domaining, but I don’t see how they can be applied here. We don’t meet on conferences with buyers, we don’t read their books/articles. And even when we do come across their website coincidentally — there is a very obvious reason why I want to connect.

As to the subject line, “domain.com” always worked for me as I contacted targeted users.

 

[topdom]

Start with, the domain name,
tell them why they may want it, unless it is obvious;
mention anything which may make them want that domain,
for example if it is a new tld domain, show a professional site built on that tld.
Mention appraisal prices, if this may help, but don't say what the price is ;
instead show the price on the landing page (so you can change it anytime, and they won't notice it, if they do, they will think you are dishonest or desparate).
If your price is very low, say, this is a limited offer.

Does it work: No.
But maybe if you contact the right person, it would.
................
personalisation: logically a bad idea. this would mean, you bought that domain to sell it to them, they are the target. so it will be your choice if they buy that domain, which people hate. People enjoy making their own choices whatever the cost, and hate it if someone else forces them to do something even if that thing is great for them.
...................
I have an outbound idea which can work, but would require too much time..

Send more than one messages using different identities to the target, and don't make your intention obvious.. when they read your interesting message, they will tell their friends about it, and while discussing it, that idea will get stuck in their mind. For example send a message praising .life domains "without any intentions"... And after 2-3 weeks send another message from another direction from "another person" which make them make their final decision: buy.

 

[ArielT]

I have Been testing this:

Hi,

I have example.* for sale.

Are you interested?

 

[uzver]

I have Been testing this:

Hi,

I have example.* for sale.

Are you interested?

This is close to what I use.

I also add something like “I thought you would like to know that this rare name is available as it may be a perfect upgrade for your website.com.

Btw, I think it's better to avoid the word "sale" to avoid being flagged as spam.

 

[frank-germany]

I was recently taking a course on Product Management and there came a topic in user research where we need inputs from users and send them an email to discuss the possibility of an interview with our user. Here are 3 things that I believe can be applied to domaining too:

1) Be short
The entire email should be between 4-7 sentences according to research. If larger, it would greatly reduce the response rate.

2) Be personal
You should always include a couple of lines about how you came across their email/website etc. and then make it personal. Personalization is the key. Automation is bound to fail

3) Be valuable
Always write your email in a way that shows the value for your user. Tell them that you seem to be growing pretty fast, or look like an expert in their industry or something of that sort.

Things to remember:

In the introduction part, you should introduce them and not yoruself. As in, how you came across their article or blog or website or email and how it was brilliant. In our case, we may write something as "I came across your website while looking for car rental in NYC" which seems to have a pretty great number of searches or something of that sort.

Attaching a sample email that PMs send. Now I am not sure how much can this be exactly copied, but a quick format in terms of action or setting up a meeting or introduction could be something that can be used.

Show attachment 141005

There seems to be good response from a PM perspective on this one. Maybe if we tweak it to our advantage and usage, it may work for us as well.

Anything that has worked for you in outbound specifically?

whenever I get these kinds of mails
I will delete them immediately


Show attachment 141005

 

[frank-germany]

Very interesting view. I remember Ali Zandi once covered such technique and that it was getting response.

yes Al Zandi, Belone, Dicker, Monster
all great guys
who know what they do

 

[uzver]

whenever I get these kinds of mails
I will delete them immediately


Show attachment 141005

I second that. It smells BS right from the start and I don’t even bother to read this.

 

[Arpit131]

I remember reading that content from Ali as well. He was big into personalizing his emails; making them sound friendly without losing their professionalism.

I've always kept mine extremely short and to-the-point, since I'm worried that any attempts to befriend the recipient will only come across as sleazy.

That being said, I do like the approach you're discussing, @Arpit131. Introducing yourself by explaining how you found their name/company could be a nice segue into pitching your domain.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! What has been working for you in terms of outbound?

nice Arpit131, can you make a example outbound email to approach our end user.

I have covered it in my book which is there in the signature. Not promoting it since it is free with no email or anything required. You may find other links here on NamePros as well with outbound emails.

The OP brings up some good points, but as far as outbound goes that would take an awful lot of time and energy to personalize multiple emails like that.

It might make sense if you have a quality domain you are pitching to a handful of people, but I can't really see that being feasible on a large scale with outbound domain sales.

Brad

Absolutely Brad! It becomes extremely difficult for smaller sales. I try using this for names that I am seeking at least low $$$$

 

[Arpit131]

Good stuff Arpit131
Just as an addition to those wishing to apply this method to any sales outbound. Domains or other.

Do think long and hard about that "Subject Line" you put in your email. 95% of my inbound emails hit the delete button and are never opened. In many ways I'm grateful that most inbound emails come straight to the point in the subject line.

However, I personally do try to focus on getting my outbound emails opened and that 'subject-text' line is almost as important as content. This does require a little bit of time in getting briefly familiar with my intended recipient and his/her business, And Not having my subject-line looking like a standard intro.

Personification is great in content but all must admit those intro lines that include your personal name in the Subject-line' are almost a No-Go these days - It's such an old-hand spam line its become an auto delete.

My personal KILL-IT example
"Hello Raymond" nobody calls me Raymond except my mother & of course on old whois data

What kind of subject line would you suggest?

Imagine you’re reaching out to keywordSomething.com owner with something like: “I came across your website during [...]. And coincidentally I’ve got a keyword.com that fits this niche. Can you suggest/help/advise [...]?”

It does look lame to me since I only hold a single copy of a product (domain) and I’m approaching the company who’s clearly the potential end user of my product.

I regularly read email templates (Yesware has lots of such examples on their blog) that work well for industries outside of the domaining, but I don’t see how they can be applied here. We don’t meet on conferences with buyers, we don’t read their books/articles. And even when we do come across their website coincidentally — there is a very obvious reason why I want to connect.

As to the subject line, “domain.com” always worked for me as I contacted targeted users.

How is your open rate with the domain dot com in the subject line. It seems a bit odd promoting it directly.

Start with, the domain name,
tell them why they may want it, unless it is obvious;
mention anything which may make them want that domain,
for example if it is a new tld domain, show a professional site built on that tld.
Mention appraisal prices, if this may help, but don't say what the price is ;
instead show the price on the landing page (so you can change it anytime, and they won't notice it, if they do, they will think you are dishonest or desparate).
If your price is very low, say, this is a limited offer.

Does it work: No.
But maybe if you contact the right person, it would.
................
personalisation: logically a bad idea. this would mean, you bought that domain to sell it to them, they are the target. so it will be your choice if they buy that domain, which people hate. People enjoy making their own choices whatever the cost, and hate it if someone else forces them to do something even if that thing is great for them.
...................
I have an outbound idea which can work, but would require too much time..

Send more than one messages using different identities to the target, and don't make your intention obvious.. when they read your interesting message, they will tell their friends about it, and while discussing it, that idea will get stuck in their mind. For example send a message praising .life domains "without any intentions"... And after 2-3 weeks send another message from another direction from "another person" which make them make their final decision: buy.

Looks like too much effort. Has it worked for you? Maybe the name was good in your case?

 

[Joe N]

Thanks! What has been working for you in terms of outbound?

I've always kept my emails very short and to the point. Something along the lines of:


Hi <first name>,

I'm reaching out to let you know we're selling a domain name that <company> may be interested in acquiring:

<domain name>


And then my closing line varies between asking them to call me or posing some kind of question to garner a response.

I would say I only get an answer to about 10% of my emails, though, so I'd be interested to see if an even more personalized approach might work.

 

[uzver]

How is your open rate with the domain dot com in the subject line. It seems a bit odd promoting it directly.

Open rate is always good since I target well, and I believe recipients were genuinely interested in the domain I promote (I don’t say interested in buying, though). I no longer use Yesware where all reports were stored, and I can’t backup my claim with data so please take it as you will

In 2018-2019, my outbound activities were negligible. I’m starting again.. and taking it slowly. In the last 7 days I sent only around 35 emails and open rate was 45-50%. Subject lines used:
- KeywordKeyword.com
- KeywordKeyword .com
- KeywordKeyword dot com
- Regarding KeywordKeyword.com domain

I don’t agree with you on the “odd” part. To me, it makes total sense — my subject line reflects the content of the email precisely.

You know, when a company sends me an email with the intention to advertise on my website (not related to domaining), they usually put “Ad placement on your website” in the subject, the don’t put “Quick note” and other BS.

 

[frank-germany]

Open rate is always good since I target well, and I believe recipients were genuinely interested in the domain I promote (I don’t say interested in buying, though). I no longer use Yesware where all reports were stored, and I can’t backup my claim with data so please take it as you will

In 2018-2019, my outbound activities were negligible. I’m starting again.. and taking it slowly. In the last 7 days I sent only around 35 emails and open rate was 45-50%. Subject lines used:
- KeywordKeyword.com
- KeywordKeyword .com
- KeywordKeyword dot com
- Regarding KeywordKeyword.com domain

I don’t agree with you on the “odd” part. To me, it makes total sense — my subject line reflects the content of the email precisely.

You know, when a company sends me an email with the intention to advertise on my website (not related to domaining), they usually put “Ad placement on your website” in the subject, the don’t put “Quick note” and other BS.

I do same

I put domain in subject

and in body I tell them its for sale
2 sentences

and my sig



I live under the impression that people are clever enough
to skip through the dust
so I don't send them dust

I don't do often
and I don't have many sales that way

but I have a very high open rate
over 50% at least

more or less everybody reads it