DAY 4
"Turning NEW Email Subscribers Into Clients IN 7 Days "
By: Ortega Ogomigo
17th October, 2024
As the class filters in the next day, I’m already at the board, eagerly awaiting their arrivals. The room buzzes with excitement as students compare notes.
“Alright, future email virtuosos! Who’s ready to see if we can make inboxes explode with anticipation? Let’s dive into your homework and see what email magic you’ve conjured up!”
I rub my hands together gleefully.
“First up, let’s look at some of your Day 3 emails. Remember, this is where we’re agitating the problem. Who wants to share theirs first?”
A hand shoots up in the front row.
“Ah, Sarah! Let’s hear it!”
Sarah: “Okay, so I’m targeting new entrepreneurs.
Here’s my subject line:
‘The day I served burnt cookies to the CEO of Google (and other entrepreneurial nightmares)’.”
The class chuckles.
“Brilliant, Sarah! You’ve nailed the curiosity factor. Can you read us the opening?”
Sarah: “Sure! It goes like this:
Hey [Name],
Remember when I told you about my epic pants-splitting incident? Well, buckle up, because my entrepreneurial journey has more cringe than a dad dancing at a wedding.
Picture this: I'd finally landed a meeting with a big-shot investor. I decided to show off my 'personal touch' by baking cookies. Genius, right?
Wrong.
In my nervous haste, I burnt them to hockey pucks. But did I throw them out like a sane person? Oh no. I served them anyway, thinking they 'didn't look that bad'.
Spoiler alert: They were that bad. So bad that the investor - who, by the way, turned out to be a high-level Google exec - actually CHIPPED A TOOTH.
Needless to say, I didn't get the investment. But I did get a valuable lesson in the importance of knowing when to pivot (and maybe sticking to store-bought cookies)."
The class erupts in laughter and applause.
“Outstanding, Sarah!
You’ve done several things right here.
You’ve continued the story arc from the previous email, you’ve shared a relatable entrepreneurial nightmare, and you’ve injected humor throughout.
Plus, you’ve hinted at a lesson learned, which creates anticipation for the solution. Well done!”
I turn to the class. “Now, what could Sarah add to really drive home the problem she’s addressing?”
A student in the back raises his hand.
“Maybe she could ask the reader to share their own entrepreneurial horror story?”
“Excellent suggestion!
This would increase engagement and make the readers feel like part of a community. Sarah, consider adding something like this at the end:
‘Now, I know I’m not alone in the entrepreneurial hall of shame. What’s your biggest business blunder? Hit reply and tell me – the most cringe-worthy story wins a free 30-minute consultation (and I promise not to serve any baked goods).'”
Sarah nods, scribbling notes.
“Alright, who’s next? Let’s see a Day 4 email where we tease the solution.”
A hand goes up in the middle of the room.
“Ah, Marcus! Let’s hear it!”
Marcus: “Okay, I’m targeting fitness enthusiasts.
My subject line is:
‘The bizarre workout that made my neighbors call the cops’.”
Intrigued murmurs ripple through the class.
“Intriguing! Read us the email, Marcus!”
Marcus: “Here goes:
Hey [Name],
Remember yesterday when I told you about blowing my life savings on that scam fitness program? Well, after that fiasco, I was ready to throw in the towel (literally - I almost donated all my gym gear to Goodwill).
But then I stumbled upon a workout so strange, so unconventional, that it changed everything.
It didn't require a gym membership. It didn't need fancy equipment. In fact, all I needed was a broomstick and a willingness to look absolutely ridiculous.
The results? In just 30 days, I:
Lost 15 poundsDoubled my energy levelsDeveloped abs so chiseled you could grate cheese on them
Oh, and I also got a visit from the local police, thanks to my concerned neighbors who thought I was performing some kind of bizarre ritual in my backyard. (Pro tip: Maybe close the curtains when swinging a broomstick around at 5 AM.)
Tomorrow, I'm going to reveal exactly what this workout is and how you can start doing it immediately (police visits not guaranteed). But for now, I want to know:
What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of fitness? Reply and let me know - the strangest story wins a free copy of my 'Neighbor-Alarming, Police-Summoning Workout Plan'!
Stay weird and wonderful, Marcus
P.S. Seriously, this workout is so simple and effective, you'll wonder why you ever wasted time on a treadmill. Can you guess what it involves?"
The class breaks into applause and laughter.
“Marcus, that was fantastic!
You’ve created intrigue, promised value, and asked for engagement all in one email.
Plus, you’ve made it entertaining as hell.
Who wouldn’t want to open tomorrow’s email after that teaser?”
I turn to the class.
“Now, let’s break down why this works so well:
- The subject line is impossible to ignore. It promises a story and hints at something unusual.
- It continues the narrative from the previous email, maintaining continuity.
- It uses bullet points to highlight benefits, making them easy to scan.
- It injects humor throughout, making it enjoyable to read.
- It creates curiosity about the workout without revealing it.
- It asks for engagement with a fun question and the promise of a reward.
- The P.S. adds an extra hook, encouraging readers to guess the solution.
I write these points on the board.
“Now, let’s hear some more! Who has a Day 3 email for a different niche?”
A student in the back raises her hand.
“Go for it, Emma!”
Emma: “I’m targeting aspiring authors.
My subject line is:
‘The day Stephen King called my book “a crime against literature” (and how it led to my breakthrough)’.”
Excited gasps echo through the room.
“Oh, this I’ve got to hear! Go on, Emma!”
Emma: “Here it is:
Hey [Name],
Remember when I told you about my disastrous first book signing where the only attendee was my mom? Well, strap in, because my authorial journey was about to take a turn more twisted than an M. Night Shyamalan plot.
Picture this: I'm at a writers' conference, clutching my freshly printed manuscript like it's the Holy Grail. By some miracle (or cosmic joke), I end up in an elevator with the King of Horror himself, Stephen King.
Do I play it cool? Do I make pleasant small talk? Do I pretend I don't recognize him?
Nope. In a moment of starstruck insanity, I thrust my manuscript into his hands and blurt out, "Mr. King, would you mind taking a quick look?"
Now, I don't know if he was having a bad day, or if my opening line about a vampire accountant was really that awful, but he actually read the first page right there in the elevator.
His verdict? And I quote: "This isn't just bad, it's a crime against literature. You should be tried at The Hague for what you've done to the English language."
Ouch.
I spent the next three days ugly-crying into a pint of Ben & Jerry's, convinced my writing career was over before it began.
But here's the thing: That soul-crushing criticism led to the most important revelation of my writing life. A revelation that not only saved my career but propelled my next book onto the New York Times bestseller list.
Tomorrow, I'll share the unexpected lesson I learned from this humiliation. But for now, I want to know:
What's the harshest criticism you've ever received about your writing? Hit reply and let me know. The most brutal response wins a free critique of your first chapter (I promise to be gentler than Mr. King).
Keep writing (and crying), Emma
P.S. Have you guessed what the lesson might be? Here's a hint: It has nothing to do with vampire accountants."
The room erupts in laughter and applause.
“Emma, that was absolutely brilliant! You’ve taken a soul-crushing moment and turned it into a compelling narrative that every aspiring author can relate to. You’ve created suspense, injected humor, and set up anticipation for the next email perfectly.”
I turn to the class. “Now, let’s hear some Day 4 emails. Who’s got one for a different niche? Maybe something in the business world?”
A hand shoots up.
“Ah, Jake! Let’s see if those Facebook notifications inspired you!”
Jake: grinning
“Well, I took your advice and did some research. I’m targeting small business owners struggling with social media.
My subject line is:
‘The social media hack that got me banned from Facebook (and quintupled my sales)’.”
Intrigued murmurs ripple through the class.
“Now that’s a scroll-stopping subject line if I’ve ever seen one! Let’s hear the email, Jake!”
Jake: “Here goes:
Hey [Name],Yesterday, I confessed how I blew our entire marketing budget on a ‘guru’ who turned out to know less about social media than my grandma (and she still thinks Twitter is a type of bird).
But just when I was ready to denounce technology and move my business to a remote cabin in the woods, I stumbled upon a social media technique so powerful, it’s almost criminal.
In fact, it’s so effective that:
It increased our engagement by 500% overnightIt brought in more qualified leads than we could handleIt even got us featured in Forbes (in a good way, not a 'look at this cautionary tale' way)
The downside? It got me temporarily banned from Facebook. Apparently, Mark Zuckerberg doesn't appreciate it when you 'hack' his algorithm.But here’s the kicker: Even with the Facebook ban, our sales quintupled. Yes, you read that right. QUINTUPLED.
Tomorrow, I’m going to reveal exactly what this technique is and how you can start using it (at your own risk) immediately. But for now, I’m curious:
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to promote your business on social media? Reply and let me know – the wildest story wins a free social media audit (and maybe some bail money, depending on how wild we’re talking).
Stay social (but maybe not too social), Jake
P.S. Can you guess what the technique might be? Here’s a hint: It doesn’t involve any actual hacking, but it might make you feel like a marketing Neo in The Matrix.”
The class breaks into enthusiastic applause.
“Jake, that was outstanding!
You’ve created a perfect blend of intrigue, humor, and promised value. The hint of ‘danger’ with the Facebook ban adds an extra layer of excitement.
Who wouldn’t want to know about a technique so powerful it got someone banned but still quintupled sales?”
I turn to the class, beaming with pride.
“You’ve all done fantastically well.
You’re not just writing emails; you’re crafting stories, building relationships, and creating anticipation.
This is the kind of email sequence that doesn’t just get opened – it gets awaited with bated breath.”
I start writing on the board.
“Now, let’s break down the common elements that made all these emails work:
- Compelling subject lines that spark curiosity
- Continuation of a story arc from previous emails
- Vulnerability and authenticity in sharing failures
- Humor to keep the reader entertained
- Specific, intriguing results without revealing the method
- Engagement prompts that encourage replies
- Promises of valuable information in the next email
- P.S. sections that add an extra hook
I step back from the board.
“These are the ingredients of emails that don’t just avoid the trash folder – they make your subscribers refresh their inboxes impatiently, waiting for your next message.”
I glance at the clock.
“We’ve got a bit more time. Let’s workshop some ideas for Days 5, 6, and 7. Remember, Day 5 is where we reveal our solution, Day 6 is where we show its impact through case studies or testimonials, and Day 7 is where we make our offer. Who wants to brainstorm Day 5 for Sarah’s entrepreneurship sequence?”
Hands shoot up all around the room, and the air fills with excited chatter as we dive into crafting the rest of the sequence. The energy in the room is palpable – these students aren’t just learning about email marketing, they’re discovering the power of storytelling in business communication. And judging by the grins on their faces, they can’t wait to implement these strategies in their own campaigns.