How do you write an upselling email?
If you have ever been involved in selling any kind of service or product online, then you know that the most successful salespeople are those who understand what their customers want.
They listen carefully to find out where they’re struggling with something (a problem) and then they offer them a solution for it. It might be as simple as recommending a similar product which could solve one aspect but not all aspects of this customer's issue - so you would suggest two different solutions instead of just one. This way, both problems are tackled at once rather than having to wait until after the sale has taken place to figure out if there is anything else you can help them with.
This same concept applies to marketing and selling on the internet too. You need to learn about what people struggle with and give them options to tackle these issues before they become bigger problems. That means being able to identify potential customers' pain points and helping them resolve them.
There are many ways to go about doing this. For instance, you could try using content marketing strategies such as blog posts, infographics, videos etc., but more often than not, some type of promotional material will work better than others depending on the industry that you're working within. If you're looking for ideas, here are 25 awesome B2B Email Marketing Templates designed specifically for selling services or products.
The best part about using email marketing to sell is that you don't even necessarily have to spend money to generate leads or make sales. All you really need to do is send emails containing useful information related to whatever topic you're promoting and watch as people take action right away without needing to click through to other pages or fill out forms.
Today we'll show you exactly what to include in your next email campaign aimed at upselling relevant products and services to prospects. We've done loads of research into the top 10 industries and picked out the most effective ones based on what people complain about the most, so let's get started!
What is an example of Upselling?
Upselling refers to the act of offering additional features or benefits to existing customers. The easiest way to think about it is like this: imagine every time someone buys a new car, he also gets access to a garage full of free extras. These may include things like extra seats, satellite navigation system, heated leather seats, tinted windows, etc.
In essence, each time a person makes a purchase from you, you should always look for opportunities to add value to that transaction and turn it into a win/win situation for everyone involved. So, if the prospect signs up for your newsletter, you can follow it up with an offer to buy a specific item or bundle of items to complete their order.
How do you start an upsell conversation?
To begin with, you should decide whether you want to create a pre-order opportunity or simply ask for feedback as a thank you for signing up. Pre-orders allow you to build anticipation around a certain product while asking for feedback helps you determine whether it was worth opening the conversation in the first place. Whichever option feels right to you, choose wisely because there are pros and cons to both approaches and it depends entirely on what you aim to achieve.
Once you've decided, you should set clear goals for yourself. What are you trying to accomplish? Is it increasing conversions? Or maybe you want to boost retention rates? Whatever your goal is, be sure to consider all factors including price sensitivity and competition.
You should also ensure that your copy writing style aligns well with the tone you wish to convey. When creating an email to upsell, you must keep in mind the fact that you're speaking to current clients and therefore you shouldn't sound overbearing or pushy. Instead, you should provide helpful tips and advice on how to improve upon their experience by focusing on the positives.
For example, say you were selling a digital camera. You might explain why buying this particular model is preferable to models available elsewhere and perhaps point out some key differences between its design and that of competing brands. In addition, you could share helpful photography tricks and insider secrets to help maximize results and enhance overall satisfaction.
As long as you stay true to the principles above, you'll soon see positive effects across multiple metrics. Once you've got a good grasp of the basics, feel free to experiment with different variations of the same theme. After all, you never know what types of products or services you may come across in the future, so it pays to stay flexible.
What do you say when upselling?
When it comes down to actually sending the email itself, you should avoid coming off as pushy or aggressive. Remember, you already made a connection with them and now you're hoping to strengthen that bond further with another valuable piece of information. Be careful not to talk down to them either.
Instead, focus on providing useful information and making it easy for them to digest. A great way to do this is by starting off strong and ending positively. To illustrate, suppose your target audience is professional photographers and you want to promote a course on composition rules. Your introductory paragraph could read something along the following lines: "I'm excited to tell you about my latest training session on composition rules and I'd love for you to join me". By adding context to your message, you immediately establish credibility and trustworthiness.
Then once you've established rapport, you can move onto giving them the goods. Say you mentioned above that you had a training session focused on improving portrait photos. Then you could say something like "It turns out that many people aren't aware of the basic rules of composition and they end up taking very boring pictures. But thanks to my recent course on composition rules, I discovered several techniques that I found extremely beneficial during my own photo shoot."
By highlighting the positive impact that your course has had on your life, you're laying the foundation for a profitable relationship. And remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. So, make sure everything you put out into the world is polished and flawless.
Finally, you should always check for mistakes and correct them quickly before publishing your email. There is no reason to leave errors lying around for anyone to discover. They won't appreciate it and neither will your readers.
How do you approach upselling?
At first glance, approaching upselling seems easier said than done. However, the truth is that it takes practice to master the art of convincing someone to buy something they didn't intend to buy in the first place. Here are 7 tips that will help you master the fine art of upselling:
1. Ask questions.
Don't assume that your reader knows what you mean by a certain word. Make sure to clarify terms that might confuse him. For example, if you were discussing color schemes, you might mention that light blues tend to blend together whereas dark blues contrast against lighter colors much better.
2. Keep it short and sweet.
Long paragraphs typically lead to confusion among readers. Therefore, break your text into smaller chunks whenever possible. Even if you think that your message needs to be longer, cut it down to three sentences max.
3. Provide links to supporting articles.
Just like in social media platforms, linking back to external sources gives your readers confidence that you're credible and trustworthy. Plus, it provides proof that you took the time to perform thorough research.
4. Use bullet points.
Bullets are perfect for breaking up large blocks of text and allowing your readers to absorb important details easily. Also, bullets are visually appealing and they're easier to scan for those with visual impairments.
5. Include visuals.
Images play an essential role in persuading your reader into purchasing your product. Not only does an image speak louder than words, but it also grabs attention faster. Thus, if you want your readers to take notice of your call to action button, include an eye catching picture. You can also embed images into your body copy to reinforce your arguments.
6. Focus on the user experience.
Customers care less about the technical specifications of your product than they do about the actual outcome. Always remind your readers what they stand to gain by choosing your product over competitors'.
7. Test your copy.
Before going live with your email, test it thoroughly to make sure it works properly and doesn't cause any harm to your brand reputation. If necessary, tweak it according to what you learned.
Conclusion
Writing an upselling email isn't difficult if you follow the guidelines outlined above. Just remember to treat your contacts as friends and not enemies and you should have little trouble getting your message across effectively.
Now that you know the fundamentals behind upselling, it's time for us to discuss the importance of segmenting your list and how to apply that knowledge in your email campaigns. Check out our guide to building a targeted email subscriber list if you're still unsure of what steps to take next.
Upselling. It's that thing where businesses try to convince customers they need more than one product in order to get their money back or keep them coming back for more. And it works. Research from Gartner shows that upsells have been responsible for as much as 28% of total sales on average.
If you're not doing this right now then you are missing out on potential income. This article will help you master the art of upselling with an email marketing campaign.
What is an upsell email?
An upsell email refers to any type of email sent by ecommerce retailers to encourage buyers to buy additional items after making the initial sale. In other words, it’s an attempt at selling something else when someone buys something already. You could say it’s like “cross-selling” but there’s no guarantee that you’ll be getting repeat business.
The main goal here is to make sure people don’t leave without buying anything, so if you want to succeed you must follow these steps:
Create an attractive offer – The best way to get people interested in what you’re offering (or trying to offer) is through a great deal. So create a compelling promotion to entice new customers into purchasing your item(s). Be careful though because while having a good discount may attract some interest, it won’t necessarily convert into sales.
Offer a free gift – If you think about it, every time you go shopping online you probably received a promotional code to save 10%, 20%, 50% off, etc., which means that most likely you also got a coupon or a voucher for a freebie along with it. Use those offers as bait to lure customers who might otherwise pass over your site. For instance, Amazon recently offered a $10 credit towards Prime membership just for signing up for its grocery delivery service.
Make it easy for people to opt-in – Make sure your sign-up form has all the information needed to complete the transaction, including shipping address, payment method, contact details, etc. Also, always include clear instructions on how to redeem the promo codes, such as entering a specific URL or clicking on a link within the email itself.
Provide valuable content – People love discounts, especially if they come with useful bonuses. Provide helpful tips for using the product/service, provide customer reviews, share testimonials, or even give away freebies to drive traffic. All of these things should make users feel special and valued.
Show trustworthiness – You know how important it is to build trust between yourself and your buyer. That means being honest, transparent, and trustworthy. A simple trick that helps establish trust is to show the number of purchases made by similar accounts. Just look at Instagram or Facebook pages that seem popular. Those brands generally have high numbers of followers, meaning that plenty of people bought the same stuff before.
What is an upsell message?
In contrast to regular emails, upsell messages are usually longer, more detailed, and often contain multiple links leading consumers to related services. They are meant to persuade prospective customers to continue buying from your brand. While the basic structure remains the same, upsell messages differ depending on whether you’re dealing with B2C or B2B customers. Let’s take a closer look at both types of emails and see how they work.
For B2C
When sending upsell messages to end customers, many marketers aim to promote further sales by providing a few extra pieces of advice on how to improve their experience. These emails typically focus on improving user engagement and retention rates, increasing conversion rates, and boosting overall customer satisfaction.
Examples of common upsell messages include:
Awareness campaigns – Many companies send upsell emails during the holidays, particularly around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to remind people about seasonal deals and promotions.
Customer loyalty programs – Loyalty programs are becoming increasingly popular among businesses and, therefore, they tend to feature prominently in holiday-themed emails.
Promotional offers – Some merchants use upsell emails to announce new products, bundle offers, or to advertise exclusive events.
Personalized recommendations – Personalization plays an important role in consumer decision making. Therefore, personalized emails containing tailored recommendations based on past behavior are highly effective tools for promoting future purchases.
Pricing changes – Upsell emails are very effective at persuading customers to stay loyal to a company or brand. To avoid losing customers, many companies change prices regularly, either temporarily or permanently. For instance, Nike sends upsell emails whenever it introduces new shoes.
To learn more about upsell messaging strategies, check out our guide on how to craft an upsell email.
For B2B
Businesses frequently use upsell emails to generate leads and boost conversions. Here are some of the key elements of successful B2B upsell messages:
Product demos – Demos are extremely effective because they allow prospects to test out your product in person.
Sales presentations – Presentation copy contains lots of persuasive language that convinces customers to choose your product instead of competitors’.
Case studies – Case studies showcase real-life experiences involving customers who purchased certain products.
Customers’ feedback – Feedback forms are commonly used by brick-and-mortar stores to collect data about customer reactions to different products. However, in the digital world, upsell emails can serve a similar function.
Free trials – Free trial offers are highly appealing to customers because they allow them to evaluate your product before committing to a larger investment.
Special offers – Special offers are designed to tempt existing customers into upgrading their plans or purchasing additional products.
Tips & tricks – Tips & tricks add value to the core product and encourage buyers to explore ways to maximize their usage of it.
Conclusion
So far we discussed why upselling is crucial to growing your business and how to craft an appropriate upsell email. But what makes upsell emails really stand out? What distinguishes them from ordinary newsletters? We'll answer all of these questions below.
First, let’s talk about what makes upsell messages unique. Unlike standard emails, upsell messages are often long, richly formatted documents packed full of images, videos, statistics, infographics, and call-to-action buttons. They’re also optimized for desktop devices rather than mobile phones. As a result, upsell messages tend to appeal more to visual learners than text readers.
Second, upsell emails are more personal than usual. Instead of simply sharing general facts and figures, they provide individual stories, anecdotes, and insights that relate directly to each prospect.
Third, upsell emails are more engaging. Because they focus heavily on visuals, they’re less boring than typical newsletters and easier to read quickly. Additionally, they tell a story and convey emotions, adding credibility to the whole process.
Finally, upsell messages are more interactive. When compared to plain old emails, upsell messages invite recipients to click on various parts of the document. By doing so, they open doors to additional resources, such as webpages, whitepapers, case studies, or video tutorials.
Now that you understand the ins and outs of upselling via email, it’s time to put your knowledge to practice. Fortunately, we've compiled hundreds of upsell email templates to help you start generating sales immediately!
Here are five upsell email examples that can inspire you to develop your own ideas...
Upselling and cross selling are two ways that businesses attempt to add value to their customers. Upselling involves offering additional services or products for sale as part of the original transaction. Cross selling refers to offering complementary but unrelated items at the same time in order to create more business opportunities. As with any marketing strategy, it's important to know what works best for your particular situation before implementing this tactic. Here we'll look into some tips on how to successfully implement both methods.
Upselling has been around since ancient times -- think about all those salesmen hawking jewelry back when people had no choice but to buy from them (or get beaten). But if done correctly, upselling can be one of the most effective ways to increase profits. The key to success lies in knowing which types of products will resonate well with each customer base and communicating effectively so they feel valued and appreciated.
Upselling is also used in other industries such as travel where hotels offer upgrades upon request or airlines charge extra fees for premium seats. It doesn't stop there, either. Insurance companies have long offered discounts for bundling multiple policies together. And even credit cards now offer "rewards" programs that benefit cardholders who make purchases using different payment options.
So why not take advantage of these tactics yourself? You don't need extensive knowledge of the industry to start generating new leads through upselling. In fact, many successful entrepreneurs have learned valuable lessons along the way and shared their expertise online. We've compiled several resources below to help you learn everything you need to succeed.
If you're interested in learning how to generate more leads through upselling, here are four things you should consider doing next...
1. Find out what kind of upsells work best for your company.
One great way to find out which type of upsells will bring in the highest profit margin is to analyze your current conversion rates. For instance, if your typical lead generation rate is 1% then you might want to focus more heavily on cross sells because they typically cost less than 50 cents compared to $20-$30 for an upgrade. On the flip side, if your average sale price is between $100-$200, then you may instead decide to put much more emphasis on upsells because they tend to go over better with buyers who already pay higher prices.
Another option would be to see whether your existing clients are willing to spend money on certain kinds of upsells. If you notice high demand for something like a specific software program, for example, consider making it available as an optional feature. This could mean building a custom version of the software tailored specifically for your clientele or providing training sessions in exchange for a discount on future monthly subscriptions. Or maybe you'd rather just send them a link to the download page where they can choose whatever features they want. Whatever method you choose, be sure to clearly communicate the benefits associated with purchasing the item(s) separately.
2. Identify potential upsell prospects.
Once you know what kind of upsells work best for your business, it's easy to identify target markets. Just keep track of your past performance and observe trends that indicate which ones are working best for you. Are there any recurring themes? Do you always seem to receive positive feedback after sending emails promoting various offers? These clues often point toward commonalities among your buyer personas. To ensure that you aren't missing any opportunity to maximize your profits, ask yourself questions about your audience every chance you get.
3. Create a list of possible upsells.
Now that you know which upsells will likely perform well, compile a list of ideas based off your research. Include anything related to your niche market with which you haven't yet experimented. Then prioritize them according to importance and relevance. Once you narrow down your choices, try testing them out. See which ones convert best and continue refining your approach until you find the winning formula.
4. Use free tools to test your upsells.
There are plenty of tools available online that allow you to quickly run A/B tests on your campaigns. Simply set up two versions of the exact same email campaign and monitor results. Make changes accordingly until one version generates more conversions than the other. From there, you can tweak your message further to optimize its effectiveness.
The good news is that once you've mastered upselling strategies, you won't ever need to worry about coming across as too pushy again. As long as you follow these steps correctly, you'll soon realize that upselling isn't only profitable, but downright fun!
How do you upsell without being pushy?
It sounds counterintuitive, but there are actually ways to upsell without being pushy. One idea is to let your prospect come to you. Instead of trying to force someone to buy something he probably wasn't planning on buying anyway, simply provide him with information he needs. Let him discover his own solution. When combined with a strong call to action, this technique helps prospects to see the true value behind your offerings while avoiding feeling pressured.
But how exactly does this work? Think about how you interact with others. Almost everyone wants to solve problems themselves. They don't mind asking for advice. So if you present your solutions as suggestions that enable them to figure out the problem themselves, you'll likely gain respect and trust. Your prospect will feel comfortable enough to share details regarding his dilemma and will be happy that you helped him solve it himself.
What is upselling give example?
Let's say you sell financial services. Someone calls you wanting to open a brokerage account. At the end of the conversation, you tell her she can apply directly online. She says that she prefers going somewhere else to deal with the process. How do you respond? Do you suggest that she fill out the application form and mail it to you? No, of course not. If she didn't want to sign up right away, wouldn't you assume that she was at least curious about opening an account? Wouldn't you encourage her to contact you later? Of course you would. That's called taking the initiative.
In the above scenario, you were very respectful and non-confrontational. You weren't pushing the issue, but rather giving her space to explore her options herself. Now imagine that she did eventually agree to submit the paperwork. Would you still recommend that she wait to hear back from you personally? Absolutely not. Why? Because you understand that sometimes timing is critical for getting responses.
How do you write an upsell copy?
You might wonder how professional marketers manage to sound friendly and sincere when writing upsell messages. The trick is to avoid sounding condescending or overly aggressive. Keep in mind that upsells involve a lot of small talk. People rarely care about the big picture. What matters is the little thing that makes life easier for them. By focusing on what your customer really cares about, you can build rapport and earn credibility.
For example, suppose your target market is homeowners looking to improve their home security. You show them a video demonstrating how your doorbell camera system can protect against burglars and intruders. Afterward, you invite them to subscribe to your service for $49 per month. However, you don't mention the price tag. Instead, you explain that you usually offer special deals for early adopters who commit to regular payments. Since you're speaking from experience, you can confidently claim that your previous customers love your service and appreciate the convenience. This shows that you genuinely care about helping them achieve their goals.
Finally, remember to keep your language simple and direct. Avoid flowery words and unnecessary adjectives. Write concise sentences that describe specific actions and outcomes. Also, avoid using complicated terms unless you absolutely must. Otherwise, stick with simpler noun phrases whenever possible. Finally, never forget to include a clear CTA button!
How do you write a upsell?
Now that you know how to craft compelling upsells, you may wonder how to properly format them. There are three main elements to consider...
Subject Line - First impressions count, especially when it comes to sales letters. Therefore, you should use a catchy subject line that immediately catches attention. Ideally, the headline should contain keywords that relate closely to your brand name. Be careful not to overload your readers with excessive text though. Just keep it short and sweet.
Body - Writing a convincing body requires a bit of effort. Try including personal stories, testimonials, and case studies to demonstrate how your product solves real problems faced by your prospective customers. Always include references to sources that confirm your claims. Remember, your reader's goal is to believe you, not to verify your facts.
Call to Action - The last element concerns the actual call to action. While most people prefer clicking buttons nowadays, some older audiences may still rely on physical postcards. Either way, make sure that your CTA is visible and prominent. Consider adding a coupon code or promo code to entice shoppers to grab a bargain.
Ultimately, proper formatting goes hand-in-hand with professionalism. Take heed of these tips to develop killer upsell messages that boost sales and drive traffic.