How do you write an email to a potential client?

So you've decided that it's about time to get out there and start building some business relationships. You're ready to go after those who can be your biggest customers or most important contacts. But what should you say when you send your first email? Should you just send off a generic "Hello" message that doesn't really tell anyone anything? Or should you try something more personal like a formal letter introducing yourself?  We have several samples below (and one bonus) all designed to help you craft your own emails so you know exactly what to include and not include.

If you want to learn how to use this information to build better relationships with others, check out our guide on writing effective LinkedIn messages. And if you're looking for even more ways to make money online, take a look at our list of 100+ ideas for making extra cash side-hustling.

When approaching someone outside of your current network, whether they’re another freelancer, employee, colleague, or simply a stranger with whom you don’t yet have any kind of relationship but would love to have, sending over an introductory email is a great way to kickstart the conversation. It shows people that you’ve put thought into contacting them and that you care enough to reach out and talk to them before moving forward. The key here is to keep things simple and let the person reading your email decide whether or not they want to continue conversing with you.  You'll find plenty of resources on how to write emails to ask for referrals, but this article will focus specifically on how to create an intro email to approach a prospect.

How do you email a client for the first time?

The best way to open up a line of communication with someone is to start as close to where you both stand right now as possible -- which means getting their name and email address from them. If you already know who they are, then give them credit for letting you know! Otherwise, you need to show respect for them by asking permission to connect. Here's how to do that:

1. Write a polite email to request their details. This could come across as too pushy, though, so always doublecheck that your tone fits well with the rest of your correspondence. A good rule of thumb is to avoid using words such as 'free,' 'new,' and 'upcoming.' Instead, opt for 'inquiring' instead of 'asking' whenever possible. For instance, “I am inquiring about XYZ service. Would it be okay if I sent you a few questions about your needs?" is much less aggressive than "Can I please ask you for free advice about my next steps?"

2. Include a call to action. To encourage the recipient to reply back, add a clear call to action in the body of your email. Don't forget to also mention what benefits they'd receive once they provide you with the necessary info. For example, "Please share your interests, goals, and challenges."

3. Send it off. Once the recipient has provided you with the requested info, follow up promptly with another email thanking them for giving you access to their information. Then, move on to step 2 again - requesting their feedback and/or offering additional value.

4. Be patient. Remember that no two people respond to each other in the exact same manner. Some may prefer to wait until they hear back from you while others might feel uncomfortable waiting around for weeks only to never see a response. So, allow ample time between your initial email and your follow-ups. Also, remember that sometimes people may not even realize they received your email at all because spam filters block many legitimate emails from ever reaching their inboxes. In order to combat this problem, you may want to consider adding a P.S. to your email to remind recipients why they should actually read your entire message.

5. Always stay professional. While it is tempting to throw in a little fluff every now and then, refrain from doing so. Keep everything short, sweet, and straight to the point. For example, if you’re going to ask for feedback, state clearly what you expect from them and leave nothing to guesswork. Even if you’re unsure of the proper wording, err on the safe side. Your goal is to establish trust between you and the reader, not to win an argument.

6. Never assume. When you send an email, you must treat it as a cold lead rather than a warm referral. That means you shouldn’t automatically assume that everyone will respond positively to your outreach. There’s still a chance that nobody will reply at all, so be prepared to accept that fact gracefully.

7. Show gratitude. After receiving a positive response, thank the reader for taking the time to communicate with you. Asking for feedback should be seen as part of a reciprocal exchange, so be sure to reciprocate accordingly. If they gave you useful insights, then return the favor by sharing similar ones with them.

8. Follow up. Just because you asked for feedback does not mean that you should stop communicating entirely. Make sure to regularly check in with them to ensure that they haven’t forgotten about you. Also, don’t forget to ask them directly for further recommendations. Sometimes, they won’t mind being helpful if you simply ask for it outright.

9. Continue improving. One thing that makes or breaks an outgoing email is its ability to compel readers to interact with you. If you're able to gain their interest without having to resort to gimmicks or tricks, then you should definitely aim to maintain that level of professionalism throughout the remainder of your communications.

10. Ask for future introductions. If you’re starting out with another individual, you probably won’t know very much about him or her. However, you can still ask for introductions to his or her colleagues, friends, family members, etc. Doing so will demonstrate to the reader that you aren’t afraid to branch out beyond your immediate circle of acquaintances.

11. Set up reminders. In addition to checking in with the person periodically, set up automated reminders to remind yourself to stay relevant. Email clients that integrate calendar functions and task management tools allow users to schedule recurring events and tasks based upon certain criteria. These features enable users to track progress toward specific deadlines and measure milestones along the way. By scheduling regular meetings with your prospective leads, you’ll be reminded of their availability and promptness in replying, thereby increasing your chances of keeping them engaged long enough to develop a mutually beneficial working arrangement.

12. Take notes. Taking notes during conversations helps you organize your thoughts later on. It allows you to review the main points discussed and reminds you of pertinent details that were overlooked during the discussion itself. Using a note-taking app such as Evernote to store and manage your notes is ideal since it enables easy organization and retrieval.

13. Use social media sites to promote yourself. When you’re creating your email signature, make sure that you include links to your blog profile on Twitter and Facebook. People often scan signatures in search results, which gives you the opportunity to increase awareness about your brand and products. Furthermore, posting engaging content will improve overall engagement levels, allowing you to gain more followers and fans.

14. Provide testimonials. Another way to boost your credibility and prove that you’re worthy of working with is to feature real reviews from satisfied past clients. If applicable, include quotes from previous employers or references that describe your skills and abilities in detail.

15. Build rapport. Before you begin interacting with a target audience, establish a friendly connection with them through a common thread. Whether it’s mutual hobbies, shared experiences, or common interests, finding a bond among individuals will make it easier to forge a lasting friendship that’ll benefit both parties.

16. Offer incentives. Offering rewards in exchange for a particular behavior encourages people to perform that activity more frequently. Rewards can range anywhere from discounts to gifts to cash payments depending on the type of incentive. They’re particularly effective for encouraging repeat purchases and helping retain existing customers.

17. Create urgency. Although it isn’t essential, providing a sense of urgency will motivate people to act faster. For example, if you’d like to meet with a contact within 48 hours, you may wish to emphasize that timeframe in your email subject line.

18. Tell stories. Stories are powerful. We tend to form opinions about people based primarily on the actions they choose to take. Therefore, telling a story about an experience involving a person can cause us to think differently about them and alter our perception of them altogether.

19. Try different approaches. Since it’s impossible to predict how a given email will resonate with someone, experiment with various styles and tones to determine which one works best.

The internet has made it easy to connect with people from all over the world -- but there's still one thing that can make or break your chances at landing a sale. When writing emails to potential customers, clients, or any other type of recipient, it is critical to get their attention quickly so they don't just delete your message without reading it before clicking "send." Here are some tips on how to approach your recipients effectively using plain text messages.

How do you approach potential clients?

Whether you're trying to recruit someone into a club you belong to or sell something online, you have to be able to communicate with potential clients. Before approaching anyone, though, remember that this person may not be ready to buy right away. They might need more information about what you provide, or even a trial period before deciding whether or not to take action. If you want to create enough interest to turn them around, consider giving them a reason to stay engaged with you.

For instance, if you know you'll be sending out multiple communications throughout the selling cycle, such as newsletters, emails, social media posts, etc., give each piece a different subject line. This way, when they open up your next communication, they won't feel like they've been bombarded with too many messages. Instead, they'll see only one (or two) relevant ones that could help further their journey towards buying your product/service.

If you aren't sure where to start, here are several ways to write a compelling subject line for your initial outreach:

"Hey [name], I noticed you visited my website recently!" [Example]

"Are you looking for something interesting?" [Example]

"I'm wondering why you haven't done anything yet..." [Example]

"Maybe you'd be interested in checking out our latest blog post!" [Example]

When drafting your opening salutation, keep it short and simple. Avoid using long-winded phrases or overly formal language unless you're speaking directly to a specific individual who needs to hear those words specifically. And while you should use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and formatting, avoid overdoing it. The goal isn't to impress your reader with perfect prose; instead, show them you care about creating a welcoming environment for them.

Once you've got their attention, you can move onto asking questions that will help determine whether they're a good fit for your offering. For instance, if you're pitching yourself as a freelance writer, ask them which topics they're most passionate about. You can also inquire about past experiences and challenges they've faced.

In addition to finding common ground between you and your prospect, try to find areas where you agree. It shows that you respect and value their opinion, which makes them much less likely to dismiss your pitch outright. Also, find things you both enjoy talking about so that you can build rapport together.

Asking questions about their personal life gives you another opportunity to learn more about them. Perhaps they love hiking or dogs or camping. Maybe they were raised abroad, speak three languages, or play piano. Or maybe they're simply curious about what kind of music they listen to or what books they read. Whatever interests you, go ahead and ask! Asking questions is a great icebreaker because people often talk about themselves more than others do.

Finally, once you've built up a solid relationship with your potential client, you can begin to discuss pricing. Remember that price plays a major role in determining whether or not someone buys your service. While it's important to be clear about cost upfront, you shouldn't push buyers to sign contracts until you've had a chance to thoroughly explain everything about your offerings.

It's essential that you never pressure anyone into making decisions based on financial concerns alone. There are plenty of reasons why someone wouldn't choose to purchase your product/service immediately, including lack of knowledge, fear, or indecision. By establishing trust early on, you increase the likelihood that your audience will continue working with you after you've provided additional content.

How would you approach interactions with potential and existing clients?

After getting a sense of whom you're dealing with, you can craft your message accordingly. Since you already know your prospective buyer, you'll know exactly how to engage them. Whether you're communicating via phone calls, video chats, social media platforms, or some combination thereof, focus on being honest, transparent, and friendly.

You can accomplish this by following these steps:

Be authentic: Don't pretend to be someone you're not. Be genuine. Your tone matters, along with the details of your story. Try to tell stories rather than presenting facts. Stories allow you to demonstrate personality and creativity, and they also bring emotion into your conversation. In fact, according to research conducted by psychologists, emotions actually influence decision-making processes. So if possible, try to express feelings as authentically as possible.

Be concise: Keep your sentences brief. Use bullet points whenever possible to make your ideas easier to digest. Limit your paragraphs and use fewer words overall. Even if your audience doesn't always understand every detail, they'll appreciate clarity.

Show empathy: Showing empathy means acknowledging your readers' pain points and addressing their problems. That way, they'll feel understood and cared for. Make sure you put yourself in their shoes, especially during times of struggle. People who feel heard tend to respond better to your offers.

Listen attentively: Listen closely to your listeners. Pay attention to their body language, facial expressions, eye movements, intonation patterns, and gestures. All of these factors reveal emotional cues, which indicate whether they're enjoying your interaction.

Keep it positive: Focus on positivity. Express gratitude, compliment your listener(s), and acknowledge achievements. These actions encourage engagement and make your conversations seem more enjoyable. Plus, studies suggest that positive feedback improves performance, productivity, and motivation.

Stay professional: Keep your language appropriate. Do not use profanity or curse words, and never threaten violence against anyone. Never send unsolicited material. Finally, be respectful of everyone involved in your conversation.

How do you approach a client for the first time?

Sometimes, you'll meet someone face to face for the very first time. However, sometimes you'll only interact with them over the Internet. Regardless of your scenario, it's vital that you come across as confident and trustworthy.

To achieve this effect, think about whom you want to attract to your brand. Consider your ideal client and then imagine meeting him or her in real life. What would he or she look like? How would you dress? Would you wear sunglasses or a hat? What would you say when greeting each other? How would you shake hands? Are you nervous? Once you answer these questions, you'll gain insight into how to handle yourself appropriately when interacting with your future client.

Remember that it takes time to develop relationships, so don't expect instant results. A lot goes on behind the scenes before you eventually reach your desired outcome. Take the time necessary to nurture your connections. After all, building trust and credibility are fundamental parts of marketing.

How do you write a letter to a potential client?

A letter is an effective tool for introducing yourself to potential clients. Letters typically include longer introductions, detailed descriptions, and references to previous projects. To write the best letters, follow these guidelines:

Use short sentences. Write clearly and succinctly. Longer sentences can confuse your reader and slow down comprehension. Keep your word count below 1,500 characters per page.

Write in complete sentences. Break large chunks of text into smaller segments. Then, insert transition words. These serve as placeholders so your reader knows where to pause.

Avoid jargon and acronyms. Using complex terms and abbreviations makes your copy confusing. Stick to common vocabulary and basic grammar rules.

Create a strong call to action. Tell your reader exactly what you want them to do. Explain what benefits they'll receive if they act now. Ask them to share your letter with others. Give them options to download your document, print it, save it, forward it, or bookmark it.

Don't forget to proofread. Errors such as misspellings, grammatical errors, and poor sentence structure cause confusion and lose your reader's trust.

Always thank your reader. Thanking your reader shows that you value his or her input and appreciation. It encourages continued involvement with your brand.

While composing a letter, be careful not to sound insincere or manipulative. Think about what you're saying and how it relates to your intended purpose. In order to ensure transparency, maintain consistency. Always deliver on promises you make in your correspondence.

These tips will help you write engaging letters to potential clients, but ultimately, successful campaigns require practice and persistence. The key is to remain patient and consistent. Over time, you'll master crafting powerful letters that compel readers to keep reading.

You've been working on developing relationships with people who could be customers or leads for your next project. You might have done some cold calling or sent out emails as part of this effort. But now that it's time to actually get down to selling, what should you say when approaching someone about becoming a client? How can you make the best impression possible so they'll want more from you than just another pitch?

There's no one-size fits all answer here -- it depends entirely on whom you're talking to and why you're contacting them. So let's take a look at common approaches for making initial contacts (or "cold" calls) across various industries and see if any patterns emerge. Then we'll take a closer look at how to use those techniques in practice. Let's start with the basics.

How do you initial contact a client?

First things first: What exactly constitutes an initial contact? That term gets thrown around pretty loosely, but there are two main ways to go about it. The most obvious is simply to call up a person directly and ask them if they'd like to hear more about your product or service. This method works well in many situations, particularly when you already know someone and trust their judgment. It also allows you to build rapport quickly before getting into specifics. However, it has its limits, especially if you don't have much personal information to share. If you're not quite sure where to begin, you may need to try other methods before taking this route.

The second way involves using social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook to find people based on shared interests rather than direct connections. Once you identify these groups, you can then send messages asking if anyone would like to learn more about your products or services. Again, this takes advantage of existing professional networks to develop relationships without needing to speak personally.

Once you've established this connection, you'll likely still need to reach out further to meet face-to-face. And once again, there are plenty of options depending on what industry you're targeting. For smaller businesses, you can often find local events online and check for signs advertising upcoming meetings. Or you can attend networking events in person, which gives you a chance to connect with several different companies at once. For larger organizations, you can usually schedule appointments over email or phone call.

If none of these tactics seem appropriate, consider reaching out to friends and family members instead. They tend to be happy to provide referrals, even though they won't necessarily pay for anything. Just keep in mind that these methods only go so far -- eventually, you'll probably have to step outside of your comfort zone and make actual cold calls!

What do you say to a potential client?

Now that you've reached out to someone and made a good impression, it's time to move forward with building a relationship. As mentioned earlier, there are endless variations on this theme depending on the type of situation you're dealing with. Some clients will appreciate hearing more details about your background and experience, while others are looking for something completely different.

Regardless of whether you're pitching yourself or trying to sell someone else's product, every conversation needs to follow certain basic principles. First off, you always want to put yourself in the position of power. Don't assume you know everything about the prospect because you happen to be speaking with them. Rather, treat each interaction as equal partners and focus on finding areas of agreement between you both. By being respectful and open-minded, you'll gain credibility and earn respect in return.

Beyond that, you can tailor your message slightly according to whatever your audience wants to hear. In general, you shouldn't push too hard unless it makes sense for the situation. When you're trying to close a sale, for instance, you'll want to emphasize value above all else. Conversely, providing useful tips or advice during informational conversations can help create long-lasting relationships.

In addition to tailoring your message to suit your target market, you'll also want to address specific concerns whenever possible. A great way to do this is by focusing on solutions rather than problems. Instead of saying "I'm sorry I missed our appointment last week," explain what happened and why you couldn't reschedule. Better yet, suggest alternative dates that worked better for everyone involved. Most importantly, avoid sounding defensive or accusatory.

Finally, remember that you never really lose a lead until you give them something valuable in exchange for their interest. Whether it's free samples, a discount coupon code, or just a quick update, offering something tangible shows that you care enough to take action. Plus, you'll stand out from the crowd if you can demonstrate that you're willing to think creatively and provide meaningful results.

How do you talk to potential clients?

While you can certainly craft individual pitches tailored to particular audiences, you'll generally benefit from following tried-and-true strategies across multiple scenarios. Here are four common types of interactions worth considering.

1. Informational: If you're sending out generic emails to gather feedback or ideas from large numbers of potential clients, you can rely on standard formats that encourage replies rather than requiring immediate actions. These include subject lines like "Your input needed!" and "Let us know." While you wouldn't expect immediate responses, you can count on receiving positive reactions as soon as someone starts responding to the original correspondence.

2. Requesting: When you're requesting a meeting with a prospective client, it helps to frame your request as a question. After all, you're inviting them to listen to what you have to say, rather than expecting them to respond immediately. To maximize impact, add a touch of humor along with an invitation to collaborate. For instance, you can tell them that you were wondering whether they'd be available for coffee sometime next month or whether you could come by their office after hours to discuss the matter.

3. Complimentary: When you're writing an introductory letter to introduce yourself to a potential client, you can show that you understand and empathize with their current challenges. Start by explaining how you came upon their name, followed by a brief summary of your qualifications. Next, highlight your accomplishments and achievements relevant to their own goals. Finally, reassure them that you can assist them with their needs. Even if you're not able to solve all of their issues right away, you can promise to stay in regular communication so that you can continue helping them throughout the course of the project.

4. Offering: A common mistake among freelancers is assuming that everyone knows what they're paying for upfront. There's nothing wrong with letting clients know what your prices are beforehand, but don't forget to mention any special offers or discounts that might apply. Also, don't be afraid to negotiate terms. Offer to cut rates if necessary, since you're essentially giving them something of value in exchange for agreeing to hire you.

What is the first thing you do with a potential client?

Once you've successfully closed the deal, you'll hopefully receive a formal contract signed by both parties. With that document in hand, you'll have a solid foundation to set expectations going forward, including deadlines, milestones, fees, and deliverables. From there, you can proceed as usual and handle billing accordingly.

But before you dive headfirst into managing projects, you'll need to ensure that everyone understands what they agreed to. Keep track of important points in case disputes arise later on. You can either do this manually or automate your documents with software designed specifically for legal contracts. Either way, having clear agreements in place will save you headaches down the road.