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Ever opened an email that felt like a pushy sales pitch? You know the type—no context, no connection, just a screaming BUY NOW! in all caps. If you’re anything like me, your immediate reaction is to hit delete—or worse, unsubscribe.

Because let’s be honest: no one likes feeling like a walking dollar sign.

But here’s where things get tricky. When it’s your turn to sell, suddenly you’re stuck. You don’t want to be annoying. You don’t want to sound desperate. And you definitely don’t want to be the person whose emails make people sprint for the “unsubscribe” button.

So, how do you actually sell through email without feeling like you need a shower afterward?

That’s exactly what we’re diving into today.

Why Email Works (When Done Right)

Here’s the truth: email marketing works. In fact, it’s one of the highest-converting ways to sell anything online. But only when you do it the right way.

Before we talk about strategy, let’s clear up a common misconception.

Social Media Is NOT the Best Place to Sell

I know, I know—it feels like that’s where everyone is. And don’t get me wrong, social media is great for visibility. It helps you get discovered, build brand awareness, and start conversations. But here’s the problem:

• You don’t own your audience. Social media platforms decide who actually sees your content. You could have 10,000 followers, but if only 2% of them see your posts… what’s the point?
• The algorithm is unpredictable. What worked last month might not work today.
• Your account isn’t guaranteed. You could get shadowbanned, deactivated, or even hacked—losing your audience overnight.

But Email? Email Is Different.

• It’s direct. Your emails go straight to your audience’s inbox—no algorithm playing gatekeeper.
• People actually want to hear from you. When someone joins your list, they’re opting in.
• It converts. Email marketing has an average ROI of 42:1 (meaning for every $1 spent, you make $42). That’s three times higher than social media.

So, if email is so powerful, why isn’t everyone making bank from it?

Well, most people don’t know how to sell through email without sounding desperate, robotic, or cringey.

Maybe you’ve sent an email before and heard nothing but crickets. Or maybe you feel like your emails are going straight to the spam folder. Either way, you’re not alone.

The issue isn’t email itself. It’s the way most people approach it.

Let’s fix that.

The Secret to Selling Without Feeling Sleazy

The solution? Serve before you sell.

That means value first, pitch second.

If your emails are just endless sales pitches, people will ignore them, unsubscribe, or—worst case—mark you as spam. But if your emails are full of useful insights, relatable stories, and actionable advice, people will actually look forward to opening them.

Shift Your Mindset: Selling = Helping

Selling isn’t about tricking someone into giving you money. It’s about helping them solve a problem.

For example, let’s say you’re a fitness coach. You could send an email that says:

“I have five coaching spots available—sign up now!”

Or, you could send an email that says:

“Most people fail their fitness goals because they don’t track their workouts. Here’s a simple five-minute habit to help you stay consistent.”

Which one builds trust?

Which one makes people more likely to work with you?

The second one.

Let’s break down how to sell without feeling pushy.

The Magic Formula for Writing Emails That Convert

Selling shouldn’t feel forced. It should feel natural—like the next logical step for your audience.

If you want your emails to convert without making you feel like a pushy salesperson, follow this simple three-step structure:

1. TEACH – Give a Quick Win or Insight

Before you sell anything, you need to give people a reason to trust you. The easiest way to do that? Teach them something useful.

A quick win or valuable insight immediately positions you as someone who can help.

Examples:

• If you’re a social media coach, share one simple trick for writing captions that get more engagement.
• If you’re a fitness expert, give a five-minute morning routine that boosts energy.
• If you’re a community builder, reveal the #1 way to increase engagement in an online space.

The key? Keep it simple, actionable, and easy to implement.

Pro tip: The best quick wins make people think, Wow, that was helpful. What else does this person know?

That’s how you build trust.

2. RELATE – Share a Story or Struggle They Connect With

People connect with stories, not just facts.

If you want to make your email engaging, bring them into an experience.

Example:

❌ Boring & Generic:

“Community engagement is important. You should focus on building a more engaged space.”

✅ Engaging & Relatable:

“I used to think more content meant more engagement. So I spent hours creating posts… but nobody responded. It was crickets. Then I realized the problem: I was broadcasting, not connecting. One small tweak changed everything.”

See the difference?

The second one pulls the reader in and makes them feel like they’re not alone.

3. INVITE – Present Your Offer as a Logical Next Step

Here’s where most people panic.

We’ve given them value and made it relatable, but now we actually need to sell something.

This is where people either freeze up or overcompensate by going full-on infomercial.

Selling should feel like a favor to your audience, not a plea for them to buy something.

Instead of:

“My course is on sale—buy now before it’s too late!”

Try:

“If this resonates with you, you’re ready for the next step. Here’s how I can help.”

or

“Want a step-by-step plan to make this happen? Check this out.”

See how these feel like an invitation, not a demand?

Let’s Put It All Together

Let’s say you’re selling an online course about growing an engaged community.

Here’s how your email could flow:

Step 1: Teach

“Most people think the key to a thriving community is posting more content—but that’s actually not the best way to boost engagement. Here’s what works instead…”

Step 2: Relate

“When I first started my community, I made this exact mistake. I spent hours creating posts and guess what? Nobody responded. It was beyond frustrating—until I made one small shift that changed everything.”

Step 3: Invite

“Inside my course, I walk you through this strategy step by step so you can skip the frustration and start seeing real engagement right away. If you’re ready to take your community to the next level, check it out here.”

No awkward begging. No pressure. Just a natural invitation.

Your Challenge: Send One Value-Packed Email

Before you hit send, ask yourself:

✅ Am I teaching something useful?

✅ Am I relating to my audience’s struggles?

✅ Am I inviting them to take the next step?

When you start serving before you sell, everything changes.

Want more email & community-building strategies? Check out Quick Tips for Circle Communities—a free video series packed with actionable insights. You’ll find the link in the show notes!

Now, go write that email!

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