12.12

Reference

Pre-send checklist, subject line patterns by type, and CTA patterns. Run these before every email leaves.

Run this before every email

Voice

Could any sentence appear in a generic SaaS email? If yes, rewrite it.
Is there a forbidden phrase anywhere in the copy? Find it and replace it.
Does it sound like something a smart person would actually say aloud?
Is it in American English, with Oxford commas?
Are there any em-dashes? Remove them.

Structure

Is there one clear idea in this email? If two, cut one.
Does the subject line match the register and content of the email?
Is the opening the point, or does it delay the point?
Is there exactly one CTA?
Is the CTA a specific action with a specific verb?
Is the sign-off short? ("Best" or a name only)

Email-type fit

Does the warmth of the opening match the warmth score for this email type?
Does the ask match the ask intensity score?
If time-sensitive, is the deadline stated clearly and honestly?
If high personalization, is it actually personalized, or just a first name in the salutation?
Does any personalization reference an exact date or a stack of credentials? Replace with one specific detail in natural language.
Does the email length match the type? Cold outbound and post-engagement should be 3–5 sentences. Upgrade prompts can run to 7.

Sequencing

If part of a sequence, does this email stand alone without the previous ones?
Is the spacing between sends appropriate to the relationship warmth?
Is there a suppression trigger if the reader converts or replies?

Subject line patterns by type

Email typeSubject line approachExample
Cold outboundSpecific observation about themThe Calloway project
NurtureCuriosity or concrete benefitWhat's eating your revision time
OnboardingFunctional: what this helps them doYour first project takes two minutes
Feature announcementThe outcome, not the feature nameClient feedback, without the inbox chaos
Upgrade promptAspiration-led: what becomes possibleReady for a second studio member?
Discount and offerSpecific offer + real deadline30% off Visualist, ends Friday
Re-engagementSomething new, or a quiet hookSomething new in Visualist since you last visited
Webinar and educationalOutcome or hook, not the event titleHow to take on a 4th client without a 4th PM
Post-engagementNamed reference to the interactionAfter our call this morning

CTA patterns

What works

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What doesn't

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