Ah, the sweet allure of artificial intelligence. It promises efficiency, scalability, and the ability to churn out email campaigns faster than you can say, “In the fast-paced world of sales.” But here’s the thing: if your AI-generated emails all begin with that clichéd opener, you might as well tattoo “IGNORE ME” on the subject line. Let’s talk about why decision-makers are side-eyeing your outreach faster than a toddler rejects broccoli – and how to fix it.
AI Writes; Humans Delete
Picture this: your ideal prospect – let’s call her Karen (no offense to actual Karens doing incredible work out there) – is a VP of Sales. Karen’s inbox is a warzone. It’s not just the 372 emails she woke up to; it’s the 47 more she’ll get before her second coffee.
She opens one:
Subject Line: Boost Your Revenue Today!
Body: In the fast-paced world of sales, staying ahead requires the right tools. Our cutting-edge solution blah blah blah…
Karen sighs. Delete.
Why? Because that’s the fifteenth “fast-paced world” email she’s seen this week. AI-generated emails might as well be printed on beige wallpaper – predictable and instantly forgettable.
The Problem with “One-Size-Fits-All” AI-Generated Emails
AI is a powerful tool, no doubt. But when it’s set to “Spray and Pray” mode, it’s a disaster for actual engagement. Here are the telltale signs your emails were written by our digital overlords:
- Overused Buzzwords: “Game-changing,” “digital transformation,” “personalized at scale.” Nothing screams “I’ve never met you” like a sentence cobbled together from a buzzword generator.
- Zero Personality: Humor? Humanity? A hint that someone with a pulse wrote this? Nope.
- Lack of Specificity: Karen doesn’t care about your generic value prop. She wants to know how you’ll solve her very specific problem – like her team’s struggle to track cross-departmental collaboration (or whatever keeps Karens up at night).
Decision-Makers Have Seen It All
Let’s face it: decision-makers are pros at sniffing out cookie-cutter emails. They’ve developed an almost Pavlovian response to AI-generated outreach. Spot the clichés, hit delete. It’s survival mode for their sanity.
And let’s not forget, decision fatigue is real. If your email is one of 100 carbon-copy messages vying for their attention, you’re not just competing for time – you’re competing against the urge to nap.
So, What’s the Fix?
It’s simple (but not easy): Write like a human. Here’s how:
- Start Strong: Skip the “fast-paced world” and open with something that resonates. Try, “Karen, if your CRM feels like a second job, this email’s for you.”
- Do Your Homework: Personalization isn’t just plugging in a name and company. Reference a recent blog she wrote, a product launch her company announced, or even a specific pain point her industry is grappling with.
- Show Some Personality: Use humor, tell a story, or share a unique insight. Stand out by sounding like a person, not a script.
- Add Value: Give Karen a reason to keep reading. Offer a piece of genuinely helpful advice, an intriguing statistic, or a case study that solves her problem.
AI Isn’t the Enemy… Boring Is
Look, we’re not here to dunk on AI. AI can be an incredible asset for data analysis, segmentation, and even first-draft ideas. But if you’re relying on it to do all the work, your emails will end up where they always do: in the void.
Remember, Karen doesn’t hate AI. She hates wasted time. Don’t let your emails become white noise in her inbox. Embrace the AI – but keep the heart, soul, and humor firmly human.
So next time you’re tempted to let AI take the wheel, ask yourself: does this email spark joy? If not, hit delete… before Karen does.
About Revegy
At Revegy, we’re not about cookie-cutter solutions. We help sales teams build real relationships with their clients through smarter account and opportunity planning. Want to stand out? Let’s talk.
