How to Tailor Sales Emails for C-Level Executives

Silvio Bonomi
Sep 13
11 min read

Writing sales emails to top bosses needs to be sharp and on target. These leaders get tons of emails every day. So, yours must pop by hitting right at their big needs and aims. Here’s how to grab their attention:

Know Their Main Goals: Bosses care most about different things. CEOs chase growth and leading. CFOs keep an eye on costs and money returns. CTOs hunt for tech that makes their work big or broad.
Keep It Short and Clear: Make emails no more than 150 words. Pick straightforward subject lines like "Cut Costs by 20%" or "Fix [Industry Problem]." Skip hard words or long talks.
Show What You Bring: Talk about clear results, like more money, less spending, or fewer risks. Give solid world hints and strong facts.
Make It Personal: Dig into their company’s money talk, news updates, and LinkedIn posts to hit on their hot topics.
Send At The Right Time: Line up your words with their big work times - money plans, big spread, or new plans.
Link Email and LinkedIn: Follow up on LinkedIn a few days post your email to be seen more.

Bosses value growth, smart spending, and safe handling. Your email should bring answers built for their needs, with facts, in a plain and sure way.

What Top Bosses Care Most About

Top bosses work in a tough spot where every choice matters a lot. What do they care about most? Growth, doing tasks well, and keeping risks low. To get their eyes, your talk must fit these key points.

These leaders think big, about the whole firm. They always ask:

Growth is often what they look at most. CEOs aim for things like getting into new markets, finding new ways to make money, and beating rivals. CFOs check these chances with an eye on money returns and using resources well. CTOs look to put money into tech that makes the firm bigger or brings new skills. Though they see things differently, they all want to push growth.

Efficiency is another big worry. For these bosses, not being efficient means lost money and chances. They look for ways to make work smoother, cut costs not needed, and do more without dropping quality. It’s not just about cutting spend; it’s about getting the most from every thing the firm owns.

Risk management is always on their mind. Every big choice has risks that could touch workers, money, or even the firm’s spot in the market. These bosses are good at thinking ahead, weighing gains against possible problems.

Knowing these main points helps in making talks that hit their goals.

Make Your Talk Fit Their Business Goals

To link with top bosses, your talk must cover their key points - growth, doing tasks well, and keeping risks low - while showing you get their special challenges.

Start by getting into their quarterly earnings talks, yearly reports, and big news. Watch for what keeps coming up in CEO talks to investors or in interviews. These hints show what really matters to the firm, beyond just good PR talk.

It’s key to look at the problems that come with their field too. For example, retail bosses might focus on moving to online sales and fixing supply chain issues, while manufacturing heads might deal with using robots and changing material costs. Shape your talk to show you know their field - not just their firm name.

When you talk is also important. A CFO getting ready for budget planning will think about different things than one looking at strategies after getting funds. A CEO facing a rival will focus on other issues than one trying to get into new markets. Your talk should fit the exact time they're in.

Once your talk fits their plans, back it up with solid, number-based proof.

Why Numbers and Real Results Matter Most

Top bosses want clear data and real outcomes. They like to see exactly how your idea works.

When showing results, shape the numbers for the role you talk to. CEOs look at money growth and market share. CFOs look at saving costs, returns on investment, and gains from being efficient. Your talk should fit with the things they watch most.

For instance, explain how what you offer helps to grow, work better, or lower risk. Use hard numbers to show the effect over a set time. Stay away from unsure talk - give real, checkable examples of how like plans have shown clear gains.

These bosses always look at what they give up against what they gain. So, your words must give clear facts on cost versus profit. Give them enough info to make a smart first call, but leave space for more talk.

How to Study for and Change Your Emails For Each Person

It's hard to get to leaders of big places. They get tons of messages each day, so your email needs to show that you know what they face. The plan? Careful study and clear changes that hit right at what matters to them.

How to Learn What a Company and Its Leaders Want

Start by looking close at the company's money reports, talks on earnings, and SEC files. These bits often show what's on the minds of big bosses. Look out for what comes up a lot in talks with the big boss or money show-and-tells - here you will see what they really care about, with no tricks.

Then, look at the latest news and write-ups on the company. Has the big boss said they want to sell more in new markets? Is the money boss having a hard time with costs? Maybe the tech boss is working on a new big tech move. These bits can help you see what they think is important right now.

LinkedIn is also full of tricks. Check what they post - if a big boss talks about tough things with supplies or a marketing boss gives tips on keeping buyers, you've got a clear view of what they are dealing with now.

"In any organisation, C-level executives play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction and ensuring the effective operation of the business." – DATA LEAGUE

Don't just stop. Reading industry magazines and trade papers can help a lot more. Say, a boss in making talks about new tech or a money head talks about price rise at a meet, you've got a good start for talk.

At last, look at job posts and new team picks at a company. A jump in data scientist jobs may show the tech boss is all in on AI work, and new sales heads may hint at plans to grow. These bits help you make a note that fits right with what they want - often before others know it.

Beyond Basic Ways to Talk

After you look into things, go deeper than the simple stuff. Stop using plain lines like, "Hi [First Name], I see you are at [Company]." That won’t work with top bosses. Aim to make notes that match their job, field, and what they face now.

For instance, top bosses focus on making more money and beating others. Money heads look at cash flow and gains, and tech and market heads care about new ideas and talking to buyers. Your note should show these points.

Go one step more by tying things together. If a top boss just talked on going green and the firm set new goals here, your email should show how your offer helps with that - not just say it boosts how well they do.

Watch for key events that rush things. It may be a new rival, law changes, or buying another firm, talking about these can make your note seem on time and fitting.

Timing is key. Make sure your email fits with their present work cycle and what's on their mind now. Studies show that special emails get opened 29% more and clicked 41% more than usual ones. But, only 5% of firms try hard to make emails special. This opens a big chance for those ready to do more.

Your big aim is not just to make it special - it's to be truly helpful. Show them that you get their world and can fix their big worries. That’s how you change an email into a real talk - and maybe, a big meet.

How to Write Your C-Level Sales Email

When you email top bosses, your words must catch their eye and give them value right away. These leaders just glance at emails for a few seconds, so being clear and strong is key. Here's how to make an email that pops.

Crafting Subject Lines That Get Opened

The subject line is your first - and maybe only - shot to impress. Stay away from unclear or common words that get lost in a full inbox. Instead, use subject lines that show clear gains or tackle big worries. For example, skip "Partnership Chance" and go for something like "Cut Costs by 20%" or "Ease Stress of Growing Global." Or, use new issues or questions that grab their interest, like "New Rules Coming: Are You Ready?" or "Why Big Businesses Change Vendors."

Keep subject lines short - best under 50 letters - so they show well on phones and are easy to read.

Making a Value-Packed Email Body

After the subject line grabs them, your email body must show worth fast and in few words. Use a simple three-step plan:

Spot the Problem: Start by talking about a big challenge they might be facing. This could come from new company news, big shifts in their field, or tough spots in operations - like growing global while keeping costs down.
Offer a Fix: Quickly give an example or case that shows real numbers. Keep it on point and don't drown them in too much info. For instance, note how your fix helped another firm grow or smooth their workflow.
Lay Out Your Value Pitch: Shape your offer to fit their job. Leaders look for growth, money heads look at costs, and tech bosses want new tech. Show how what you offer lines up with what they need.

Keep your email under 150 words, and use blank space well to make it easy to read.

Keeping Your Call to Action Clear

End with a simple call to action. Instead of asking for a long chat, suggest a short talk, like a 15-minute call or a fast demo. You could say, "Could we talk for 15 minutes on Tuesday or Wednesday?"

Add your direct phone number and be clear about the next steps. Stick to one call to action - more can make them lose focus and might mean they don't answer. End with a neat sign-off that has your job title and way to reach you, as many bosses like to call quickly to talk more.

How Email and LinkedIn Work Better Together

To connect with top bosses, using just one way to talk often falls short. These leaders are busy, and they differ in their habits - some might only check emails at certain times, while others might be more active on LinkedIn. By using both email and LinkedIn, you can up your chances of grabbing their eye and making sure they see what you have to say.

The trick is to see email and LinkedIn as helping tools not just separate efforts. When what you do on both links up, each message backs up the other, making a united plan that comes off smooth and pro. This both-ways method means you get to bosses who may skip an email but look at LinkedIn, or the other way.

Let's look at how you can shape your words to fit each way best.

How to Make Your Words Fit More Than One Way

Each way has its own feel, so your words should fit while staying in the same tone and goal. On LinkedIn, keep it like a chat - talk about fresh posts, what's new in the field, or people you both know. Plan your LinkedIn move well, best 2–3 days after an email, to not flood them. In email, be clear and to the point, showing what good you bring.

Start with the way that lets you get personal best. If you see the boss is keen on LinkedIn, start there with a note on their latest doings. But, if you find new news or cash info, an email might be better first.

While your main point should stay the same on both, mix the look to fit each. For example, your email might show exact cash saves with clear numbers, while your LinkedIn note could show how you've helped others in their field. Both tell the same good thing, but fit the way they're told.

Watch which way gets a better talk back. Some bosses like the official feel of emails for work talks, while others like how LinkedIn lets them network. Watching these likes will make your next moves sharper.

If this seems like much to keep up with, there are services that make it simpler.

How Artemis Leads Makes Multi-way Plans Better

Artemis Leads stands on a clear thought: just one way means you might miss out. Their setup mixes personal emails and LinkedIn talks to make sure you reach out all around, so no chance for talks goes by. By using both ways, they make your word hit home with top bosses.

Their group handles both tech setup and smart link-up between ways. They do stuff like warming up email inboxes, making LinkedIn talk plans, and making custom paths that flow well on both ways. This lets your sales folks focus on making deals, not on juggling tools or timing problems.

What makes Artemis Leads stand out is their use of data to guide them. Every two weeks, they look into who reacts best to what - be it email or LinkedIn. Then, they tweak their plan as needed. As days go by, this input shapes your drives, making them work better.

For firms that aim at bosses worldwide, Artemis Leads gives help in many tongues. Say, a boss may like LinkedIn notes in English but wants emails in their own tongue. Artemis Leads can manage this kind of tailoring on many fronts. It keeps your crew from facing the hard stuff.

Main Tips for Top Sales Emails

When you write to C-level bosses, keep your message on what they care about most: results. These leaders don't care much for product details but want to know how your fix helps them meet their goals, save money, or grow.

Start with great research to know the big problems each boss faces. Look at their company's earnings calls, press releases, and trends in their field. This prep makes you a strong partner and ensures each part of your email has solid purpose.

Keep your emails short and strong. Show the benefits you bring, use real results for proof, and end with a clear call to action. Executives have no time for extra words - every line you write must bring value.

Your subject line could make or break your email. Pick subject lines that show clear gains more than pushing your own plan. For instance, use numbers to show potential wins rather than asking unclear questions. A subject line that fits the exec’s goals will grab their eye more.

For a wider plan, mix your email with smart LinkedIn interaction. Executives use LinkedIn a lot, and good talks there can make your email point stronger. Spread out your messages - send an email and then follow up on LinkedIn a few days later to keep your timing right.

Lastly, check and better your work. Watch responses from both email and LinkedIn to learn what works. Personal touch means more than just using names - show you get their field and hurdles. By always checking your outcomes, you can improve your plan and keep your messages fit with what C-level leaders want.

FAQs

How can I know what a top boss cares about to write a good sales email?

To know what a top boss cares about, first look at their firm's big wins - like new stuff they sell, big team-ups, or big money made. Read up on money reports, news releases, and what's hot in their job area to spot their main goals. Don't skip out on the boss's own work history; places like LinkedIn or the company's own site can show you what they know well and what they are focused on now.

You can also see what they post on social media or say in public to get hints about what problems they face and what they aim for. Writing an email that fits right with these points shows you've really looked into it and greatly ups your shot at getting their eye.

How can LinkedIn help me talk to top bosses through email?

Using LinkedIn with emails can help a lot when trying to reach top bosses. First, fix up your LinkedIn page to show your skills and match their work area. A neat, clean profile starts things off right.

Spend time to look at their latest posts, activities, or news from their company. This helps you write a note that feels real. When you ask to connect, be thoughtful - talk about things you both like or ways you can help their work. After connecting, like or comment on their posts. This builds a good link in an easy, smooth way.

When you're ready to send a message, make it matter. Shape your words to meet their needs or key interests. A well-done, right-on-point message can grab their attention. Mixing LinkedIn talks with custom emails not only builds trust but also lifts your chances of making strong links.