A discussion about sales, sales tips and advice, and about those who land the deal

For the life of me, I can not think of a good sales e-mail that I have received in the past year.

Don't get me wrong, I've looked at lots of e-mails wanting me to buy something.  But they were all pretty much pathetic.

Some sample approaches:

• "I'm just checking in..."
• "I'm sending you something that you might want to take a look at..."
• "Hi Dan, just trying to touch base with you again..."
• "Dan, you told me to e-mail you again in the spring so here I am..."

Horrible.

Where's the creativity?  Where's the little something extra that makes someone stand out?  Where's the compelling sales message?  Even if you don't use video e-mail to communicate, at least make your text e-mails interesting and provocotive. 

What if you got a sales e-mail that started out like this:

"I noticed you use someone other than us for your web design and hosting needs.  Big mistake, potentially.  Reply back to my e-mail with the subject line "what are you talking about?" and I'll give you five reasons to let us become your provider and 90 days of free hosting and web support services."

It just struck me this morning, after reading yet another boring, weak sales e-mail in my Inbox that marketers who would otherwise be original tend to reduce themselves down to their most basic (and most boring) approach over e-mail.

Make sure you don't do that in your everyday selling.