Increase email replies with relatable language

I used to think using complex terminology demonstrated expertise. That "leveraging synergies" and "utilising frameworks" showed I belonged in business conversations. The reality? No one was impressed. They were just confused. 💡 The breakthrough came when I started writing exactly how I think not how I speak. This transformed my newsletter engagement (open rates jumped over 30%) Here's why writing how you think (not how you speak) works: 1. Authenticity cuts through noise - Your natural thought stands out in a sea of corporate-speak - Readers sense when you're being genuine vs. performing - Trust builds faster with authentic communication 2. Simplicity enables action - Clear instructions get implemented - Complex directions get abandoned - Young entrepreneurs especially value directness 3. Relatable language builds connection - Industry jargon creates outsiders - Conversational tone creates community - Speaking their language shows you understand their world 📊 In marketing specifically: - Conversational emails see 17% higher click-through rates - Simple language in sales pages increases conversion by 2.1x - Readability improvements can boost engagement by 58% ➡️ Your readers aren't stupid. They're busy. They want to understand your point in seconds, not decode your buzzword bingo. When writing for my newsletter, pitching to investors, or speaking to young entrepreneurs, I constantly remind myself: "If my 16-year-old self wouldn't understand it, it needs a rewrite." Clear writing shows clear thinking. So next time you write anything: If a shorter word works, use it If you wouldn't say it in casual conversation, don't write it If it sounds like a "business robot," start over Simple, isn't it?

Let’s face it: Most sales emails are *boring*. They all start the same way: “Hi [Name], I hope this email finds you well…” Finds me *well*? Please. 🙄 It’s more like “Finds me deleting this message before reading another *generic* line.” I used to make the same mistake. I thought stuffing emails with *fancy jargon* and buzzwords would somehow boost my credibility. You know what it did? It sent my open rates straight to the spam folder. Here’s the unconventional secret that no one talks about: Write like you’re texting your best friend. No fluff, no awkward corporate speak—just real, human connection. 🧐 Sound too simple? Stay with me. A few months ago, I ditched the “professional tone” and wrote an email that started with this: 👉 “You’re probably thinking, ‘Great, another sales pitch—how fast can I hit delete?’… But hear me out.” Guess what happened? That email had a 57% reply rate—double the industry average. Why? Because I made the reader *feel* seen. I spoke to their inner dialogue—the one they don’t admit to, but we all have. Here’s the formula I use: 1️⃣ Start with the elephant in the room. Acknowledge the skepticism. (They know it’s a sales email, don’t pretend otherwise.) 2️⃣ Use storytelling to disarm. Throw in a relatable analogy or a metaphor. “Your inbox is probably a battlefield, and I’m not here to throw another grenade at you.” 3️⃣ End with a CTA that’s as human as your opener. “If this hit home, let’s chat. If not, I’ll spare your inbox next time.” It’s like sending an email to your past self—the version of you before you learned the ropes. That's the *empathy* your prospect craves. Now, I could go on about psychology, persuasion, and all the tricks that “gurus” preach, but here’s the truth… What works is **authenticity**. The moment you stop writing to sell and start writing to connect, magic happens. PS: Think this could work for your next email campaign? Or are you skeptical (like I once was)? Drop a comment or shoot me a message—I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👇 #CWD #WalterX #email #copy #content

My LinkedIn inbox is a fecking mess Every DM looks like a long ass cold email, paragraphs upon paragraphs, pleasantries, meeting CTAs, and booking links The only cold ones I’ve replied to recently have been unfogivably short and to the point Almost like a text message. One was “Looks like you’re hosting your website on Shopify, do you know your conversion rate?” Another was “Congrats on a year in business!Have you been taking advantage of govt/provincial grants?” Both allude to a problem but focus on starting a conversation vs. pushing a solution Sharing less actually creates more curiosity Here’s the loose framework: “Looks/seems/sounds like {business observation}, have you seen {related problem}?” No solution, no context, no pitch Just super easy to reply to If you get a reply the meeting comes easy If they don’t reply however that’s where I’d use the video feature on mobile (I tend to record these while walking my dog) Less than 30 seconds, to the point: “Hey Josh, bit of context on my last message I saw you’re {business observation}, a lot of folks tell me they’re running into {related problem}. Reason I’m reaching out it because we offer {solution}. Open to checking that out?” Send with a text DM “Some more context” Guarantee that’ll get you more replies & meetings than repurposing a cold email framework

Last year I was sending around 100 boring DMs/week. Reply rate? - Around 2%. Here's how I changed it to 32% ↴ Then I changed one thing that transformed everything. Most people focus on perfect templates. That's the problem. ✅ Research their recent wins before reaching out Quick LinkedIn comment on their post first builds recognition ❌ Don't start with "I hope this email finds you well" Nobody talks like this in real life it screams template ✅ Reference something specific they wrote or shared Shows you actually care about their work, not just their response ❌ Don't pitch in the first message Build genuine connection first selling too soon kills trust ✅ Write like you're texting a colleague Natural language always beats formal corporate-speak ❌ Don't use obviously copied templates People can spot mass outreach from a mile away I learned this after bombing hundreds of cold messages. The response rate jumped from 2% to 32% when I started being human. What's your best tip for making cold outreach feel warmer?