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📌 Is Your First Email Failing?

📌 Is Your First Email Failing?

91% open rate - here’s how to use it.

Anatoly Zaslaver
June 06, 2025

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Your welcome email gets more attention than any other email you’ll ever send.

And 80% of creators completely waste it.

Most say “Hi,” list what’s coming, and hope for the best.

But the newsletters that drive actual revenue?
They treat the welcome email like the first step of a funnel, not a wave and a smile.

Here’s what they do differently:

They promise a result (not just “free tips”)
They build credibility fast (social proof, authority, clarity)
They insert a CTA - even if it’s soft - to guide next steps

Your first email sets the tone.
You either train your audience to engage or teach them to ignore you.

🛠 Actionable Asset

Template (EXAMPLE):

Welcome Email #1 - “Trust + CTA” Format

Paste this into your ESP and fill in the blanks.

It’s structured to establish value and open the door for early action.

Subject: Here’s how this will help you
Body:
Hey [First Name],
Welcome - here’s exactly what you’ll get:
- 1 weekly strategy to grow your list and make sales
- Templates + swipe files from the best in the game
- Zero fluff. Just clear examples you can use in 15 minutes or less.

I’ve analyzed 40+ top-performing newsletters and helped businesses turn simple email systems into consistent revenue.

Use a button (it’s converting excellently) 👇

👉 Download your [free onboarding flow template]

👉 Or reply to this email and tell me your biggest struggle - I’ll point you in the right direction.

Let’s make your newsletter work for you.
– [Your Name]

✅ What’s included:

Editable Google Doc
Fill-in-the-blank Notion template
“P.S.” CTA swaps (for humor, urgency, or referral prompts)
What's in it for you?

Think “ad dollars = product signal”
Turn your niche into a profession-first brand
Adam’s best advice? Focus > more features, more offers, more anything

💰 How to Monetize Inside the Welcome Email

Most welcome emails are polite.
A few are personal.
Almost none are profitable.

That’s a missed opportunity.

Your welcome email has the highest open rate of any message you'll ever send — often 60–90%. So instead of wasting that attention with a "here’s what to expect" checklist, use it to plant the seed of a micro-conversion.

Here are 3 proven ways to monetize inside your welcome email — without sounding like a pushy sales rep.

✅ 1. Offer a $19–$39 Starter Product

Use case: You have a toolkit, mini-course, or template pack.

How to frame it:

“If you’re the kind of person who wants results fast, I made this for you.”
→ Link to a low-friction product that solves a specific problem.

Example (in-email text):

👉 Want to skip the guesswork? Grab my “Newsletter Starter Toolkit” — it’s everything I use to launch, write, and monetize faster. Only $19.

Why it works:
It’s framed as optional, but helpful. You build goodwill and get an early sale.

✅ 2. Offer a Free Gift — Behind a Share or Reply

Use case: You don’t want to sell immediately, but want to prep readers for engagement.

How to frame it:

“Want a bonus template I only send to action-takers?”
Ask them to reply, refer, or fill out a 2-question setup form.

Example:

👉 Reply to this email and tell me your biggest newsletter struggle.

I’ll send you a premium subject line swipe file I usually reserve for clients.

Why it works:
It feels personal, earns trust, and builds your segmentation while rewarding your most engaged new readers.

✅ 3. Soft-Pitch Your Paid Tier or Main Offer

Use case: You offer a paid subscription, course, or 1:1 support.

How to frame it:

“If you’re serious about growing your list fast, the next step is here.”
→ Mention your paid upgrade with an understated link.

Example:

Want deeper breakdowns, swipe files, and my full templates? Check out the paid tier. It’s built to make your newsletter profitable faster.

Why it works:
It invites action without pressure - while positioning you as a serious, trusted guide from day one.

Pro Tip: Use “Forked CTAs”

Give readers 2 action paths in the welcome email:

A no-cost, high-value action (e.g., reply, download, forward)
A paid, optional next step

This shows that you’re not just publishing content - you’re running a system.
And it teaches your audience how to engage from the very first touchpoint.

Did you learn something new today?

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