The Breakup Email™
What is a Sales Breakup Email?
A Breakup Email is a powerful tool to use when a prospect has been non-responsive after several contact attempts. It’s designed to break the silence and prompt a definitive response.
Why Use a Breakup Email?
The primary goal of a Breakup Email is to secure a clear “Yes” or “No” from the prospect. We’re aiming to avoid vague ‘Maybes’ and escape the trap of false hope. By using this approach, you’re likely to receive more “No”s. But you’ll also receive more “Yes”s.
If you receive a “No”, you can move on with confidence! This is a good thing. It will free up your time and energy, allowing you to focus on real prospects.
If you get a “Yes”, then you can move forward with the deal! You can now invest your time in this opportunity and work to get the deal back on track.
The Breakup Email™ Template
Hi <Prospect>,
Apologies if my level of persistence has become annoying. Was very excited when we first connected given your <something specific and relevant to the prospect>.
Are you still interested in bringing <your product/solution> to <company>?
If not, that's okay, please let me know and I'll stop reaching out.
Best,
Thomas
Breakup Email Examples
Example #1: unresponsive to Closed Won
Result
The Break Up Email™ Template led to a response from the prospect the next day. They had been unresponsive for weeks prior to this.
I ended up closing the deal a few weeks later!
Example #2: unresponsive to End of Year Upsell
Result
She didn’t respond to my email. Which is rare! Typically, this Breakup Email elicits a definitive “yes” or “no” response.
Thirteen days later, out of the blue, the prospect called me. She wanted to move forward!
Her call came just days before the Holiday break, and with our prices set to increase on January 1st, we didn’t have much time to complete the deal.
We rushed to get it done and the Order Form was signed on Friday December 22nd.
Example #3: unresponsive to Closed Lost
Result
The prospect responded to my Breakup Email within 2 hours, after they had been unresponsive for weeks.
Their response was a clear “No”. I love these too! The Breakup Email didn’t create the “No”- it simply revealed what was already there.
I moved the Deal to Closed Lost. This freed up more space to concentrate on deals that have a higher likelihood of closing. This strategy keeps my pipeline clean and focused.
What Should The Breakup Email Subject Line Be?
Send the Breakup Email in the existing email thread you have with the prospect. Do not change the subject line.
It’s important that you only send Breakup Emails to prospects who have been non-responsive after several contact attempts. Using the existing email thread reinforces the message in your email: you’ve been persistently reaching out, they haven’t been responsive, and it’s reasonable for you to move on.
Is it Really Over?
The last thing you want is to break up with a prospect. You want the sale. But the Breakup Email is important so that you know where to spend your limited time and efforts. Sometimes it’s really over.
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