Emails can bring in sales while you sleep. The trick is knowing what to send, when to send it, and how to make people want to buy without pushing too hard. A good email funnel does the work for you—warming up customers, building trust, and leading them to the checkout.
Shirin Niasati
Author
Shirin Niasati is a Product Owner and Website Developer at Persisca Technologies, specializing in digital solutions.
What Is an Email Funnel?
An email funnel is just a series of emails that guide people toward buying something. Think of it like a sales process but inside their inbox. Instead of throwing ads in their face, you send useful messages that make them trust you, like you, and feel ready to spend money.
It usually works in steps:
- Someone joins your list – Maybe they signed up for a discount, a freebie, or just wanted updates.
- They get welcome emails – This is where you introduce yourself, show your value, and get them interested.
- You send helpful emails – Tips, stories, and interesting stuff related to what you sell.
- You start selling – You don’t just say “buy now.” You show why it’s worth it and why now is the right time.
- You close the sale – A special deal, limited-time offer, or reminder to act before it’s too late.
If done right, people feel like they made the decision themselves—no pressure, no regret.
Why Email Funnels Work So Well
People don’t always buy right away. They need reminders. They need to feel like they trust you. They need to feel like they’re making a smart decision. Email funnels do all of that automatically.
- They keep your business in front of people – Most people forget about a brand in a few days if they don’t see it again. Emails keep you fresh in their minds.
- They build trust – If your emails are useful and interesting, people start to feel like they know you.
- They remove doubt – People hesitate before buying. A good email answers their questions and removes their worries.
- They turn cold leads into buyers – Someone might not buy the first time they hear about you, but after a few emails, they’re ready.
- They work on autopilot – Once set up, emails go out automatically while you focus on other things.
What to Send in Your Email Funnel
You don’t have to be a marketing genius to make email funnels work. Here’s a simple breakdown of what to send:
1. The Welcome Email (First Impression Matters)
- This is the first email people get when they join your list.
- Keep it friendly and personal.
- Let them know what to expect from your emails.
- If they signed up for something free, give it to them right away.
2. The Value Emails (Make Them Like You)
- Don’t sell anything yet.
- Share something helpful, funny, or interesting.
- Give them a reason to actually open your emails.
3. The Soft Sell (Get Them Thinking About Buying)
- Mention your product/service, but don’t push it.
- Show how it helps people.
- Share a success story.
4. The Hard Sell (Time to Buy)
- Give them a reason to act now.
- Offer a special deal or deadline.
- Keep it short and clear.
5. The Follow-Up (One Last Nudge)
- Some people will ignore the first sales email. That’s normal.
- Send a reminder before the offer expires.
- Keep it simple.
💡 Example: "Just a quick heads-up—your special deal on [product/service] ends tonight. If you were thinking about it, now’s the time!"
How to Make Your Emails Work Better
Just sending emails isn’t enough. You want people to open, read, and click. Here’s how to make sure they do:
✔ Use a good subject line – If they don’t open your email, nothing else matters. Keep it short, interesting, and not too “salesy.”
✔ Keep it short and clear – No one wants to read a wall of text. Get to the point.
✔ Write like a real person – Don’t sound like a robot or a pushy salesperson. Keep it casual and natural.
✔ Use simple words – No need to impress people with big words. Simple works better.
✔ Always have a clear call to action – Tell people exactly what to do next (click here, buy now, sign up, etc.).
✔ Send at the right time – Emails work best when sent at times people are actually checking their inbox.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Sending too many emails – If people feel like you’re spamming them, they’ll unsubscribe.
🚫 Being too pushy – No one likes feeling forced to buy something. Build trust first.
🚫 Only talking about yourself – People don’t care about your company. They care about how you can help them.
🚫 Ignoring mobile users – Most people check emails on their phones. Make sure your emails look good on small screens.
Why Email Funnels Are Worth It
Email funnels are one of the best ways to make money without spending a fortune on ads. They work 24/7, they don’t cost much to run, and they bring in customers who actually want what you’re selling.
If you’re not using email funnels yet, now’s the time to start. Set up a simple series of emails, test what works, and watch your sales grow.
🚀 Want help setting up an email funnel that actually works? Get in touch today!