Marketing emails almost always give me awful writer’s block. It’s like all of my creative energy evaporates the second I try to think of a witty subject line. I usually type a few sentences and then delete them. Then, I try and fail to find inspiration in a cup of coffee. Rinse and repeat.

Sounds familiar? While writing emails can be tricky, every blank draft is an opportunity to make something great. This channel remains one of the most effective ways to reach customers.
Of course, you can’t reap the benefits of email marketing if you don’t know what to say. We’re here to help. Here are our favorite email writing prompts to inspire you and put a permanent end to writer’s block.
Why email writing prompts matter
In the right hands, email marketing can be incredibly lucrative. It has an average return on investment (ROI) of $36 for every $1 spent. Invest $1,000 in your campaigns, and you could potentially earn $36,000 — not a bad payoff for a few well-written messages.
But writing great emails sometimes requires a lot of time. Even the most creative marketers can fall victim to writer’s block every once in a while, even if they love what they do.
The solution? Using structured email prompts to spark your creativity. They give you the framework you need to actually start writing. Think of it like cooking — it’s much easier to get started when you have a recipe to follow. Email writing prompts also save time. Use them to create a steady flow of fresh email content instead of spending hours staring at a screen.
Master the fundamentals: The 5 C’s of email writing
The most powerful messages have a few things in common. Keep these traits in mind whenever you sit down to write marketing emails.
1. Clear: Writing with purpose and directness
Don’t email your customers just because. Every message should have an obvious purpose, like promoting a sale or inviting your audience to a sale. And you should get to the point as quickly as possible. After all, no one wants to read a novel to figure out why you’re contacting them.

Take this Spectrum email as an example. It starts with a brief hook: “Enjoy a seamless connection that goes wherever you go.” Then, it immediately introduces the offer, using bold text to highlight the key benefit: “unlimited mobile.” By the fourth sentence, we’ve already reached the call to action (CTA): “Switch today.” It’s an excellent, no-nonsense email with zero fluff.
2. Concise: Keeping messages focused
The best marketing emails are short and punchy. Customers have a short attention span, so don’t expect them to wade through dense paragraphs. They won’t do it.

Timeleft is a master of concise emails. In less than 50 words, this welcome message greets a new customer and offers a discount code. It also uses a snappy CTA: “Book my place.” This email illustrates how you can inspire action without overwhelming the reader.
3. Complete: Including necessary information
While brevity is key, you need to give your audience enough information to act. Otherwise, you’ll just leave them confused and frustrated — not exactly the response you want when you hit “send.”

Here’s a fantastic example from Sniffspot. The company invites customers to enter a competition for a $100 credit on their app. How can they join? By completing three simple steps, clearly spelled out in bullet points. This message tells readers exactly what they need to do, with no unnecessary details getting in the way.
4. Courteous: Maintaining a professional tone
Marketing emails don’t have to be boring. Feel free to switch things up with playful or funny messages. But always keep it professional. At the end of the day, you’re a business with a reputation to protect, not a friend.

JetBlue always strikes the perfect balance between playful and serious. Here, the company advertises a “Midsummer-Flights-Dream sale,” cheekily referencing the famous Shakespeare play. The email combines a fun theme with practical information to engage the reader.
5. Correct: Ensuring accuracy and proper formatting
The best writing can’t make up for poor formatting or misinformation. After all, no one wants to waste time reading a jumbled mess.

Let’s take a look at this great email design from El Paso Electric. It uses different colored blocks to organize essential information. It also spotlights two products with professional photos and headings. This grid-style layout makes it easy for customers to get the message and decide to take action.
Quick-start email writing prompts by goal
Coming up with new email content ideas can feel like hunting for gold in an endless river — especially if you haven’t had your morning coffee yet.
Use these handy email prompts whenever you need to kickstart your creativity. Who knows? You might be surprised at how quickly you start writing excellent messages once you’ve got a few ideas in hand.
Welcome series prompts
Greet new customers with a welcome email series. These messages have two goals: to make clients feel valued and to get them up to speed with essential info. Get started with these simple email prompts:
- Tell a short story about your brand and what it stands for
- Share a heartwarming message from your founders
- Offer an exclusive discount or reward
- Highlight your impact with an inspiring success story
- Invite them to follow you on social media
- Introduce helpful resources, such as a webinar or knowledge base
These prompts let you share some of what makes your brand special. It’s a great way to start building connections with new customers.
Product announcement prompts
You invest a lot of time and energy in your new products, and you want them to be a hit. A series of product launch emails is just what you need. Here are some engaging prompts to help build hype:
- Send a fun teaser email offering a sneak peak
- Countdown to the launch — just don’t email too often, or you’ll annoy customers
- Share a video with a fun product demonstration
- Offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creation process
- Give loyal clients early access or a limited edition production
- Create an interactive quiz to spotlight the product’s features
Newsletter content prompts
Struggling to come up with fresh ideas for a weekly or monthly newsletter? Keep things from getting stale with these fun prompts:
- Celebrate a milestone like an anniversary or award
- Feature a satisfied customer
- Introduce one of your team members with a shout-out to their team and brand contributions
- Share your insights on the latest industry trends or controversies
- Highlight upcoming events and invite your audience to join
- Offer a sneak peek at upcoming products
- Create an interactive, attention-grabbing quiz or survey
Just pick a couple of these ideas to start. Most people won’t read long newsletters, so don’t jam-pack them with content.
Sale and promotion prompts
Email is a great way to highlight your sales and build excitement. But don’t just tell customers to “buy, buy, buy.” Entice them with these email copy ideas:
- Announce a thrilling flash sale
- Countdown to the beginning or end of the sale
- Offer a flash giveaway
- Share a holiday special with festive puns
- Show your gratitude with a customer appreciation sale
Re-engagement campaign prompts
It’s normal for some clients to drift away from your brand. But you can often prompt them to come back with a re-engagement campaign. Win them over again with these not-so-spooky prompts:
- Tell them how much you miss them (trust me — it really can work!)
- Create a “what’s new?” email with recent updates
- Invite them to try exclusive content like a webinar or ebook
- Offer tantalizing incentives, such as a steep discount or a free trial
- Share stellar customer testimonials
Don’t give up if customers don’t respond right away. Try spacing out two or three emails over a few weeks before you move on.
Writing for different audience segments
While these prompts are universal, be sure to tailor your tone for specific audiences. Are you trying to connect with business-to-consumer (B2C) customers? They often appreciate more casual, friendly emails. Feel free to experiment with humor and relevant pop culture references. Millennials, for instance, may appreciate a Stranger Things joke. For Gen-Z? It’s all about trendy memes and social consciousness. Meanwhile, business-to-business (B2B) audiences may prefer more serious, value-oriented messages.
Consider your industry, too. In areas like finance and healthcare, informative content is the norm. Your audience will likely expect you to use a little jargon, but don’t go overboard. Meanwhile, beauty and fashion brands often use an inspirational or playful tone.
Experience level is another critical factor. Are you talking to people who are relatively new to your niche? They might be eager for educational emails, such as tutorials or how-to videos. For experts, go deeper with thought pieces and in-depth strategies.
And don’t overlook the value of cultural awareness. Use inclusive language and ensure your visuals represent people from a variety of backgrounds. It’s also best to steer clear of potentially offensive humor or references. When in doubt, play it safe — your emails should never leave anyone uncomfortable, outraged, or hurt.
Testing and optimization
Coming up with email ideas is great, but it’s only half the battle. You also need to test your emails to make sure they’re delivering the right results. Otherwise, you might be wasting time without even realizing it.
A/B testing is a simple way to experiment with different content. The premise is simple: Divide your audience into groups and send nearly identical emails with one key difference. It could be a new subject line or even the time of day. Then, compare the performance metrics to see which one works best with your audience.
Which metrics should you track? It depends on your goals. Conversion and open rates, for instance, are helpful for boosting engagement. If you’re looking to improve retention, keep a close eye on unsubscribe rates and repeat purchases.
Use this data to perfect your approach. This probably seems obvious, but the key is to pay attention to what’s working. Then, just do more of it. Do customers love witty email subject lines? Sprinkle more clever wordplay into future emails.
Advanced tips for email writing excellence
Okay, so the ideas are flowing, and you’ve got the basics down. What next? Step up your email game with these advanced techniques:
- Automation: Tools like Constant Contact allow you to create automated email sequences. This could involve automatically sending welcome emails or follow-up messages, saving time and effort.
- Personalization: Add a personal touch with customized subject lines, greetings, and more.
- Mobile optimization: Customers often read emails on their phones, so a mobile-friendly template isn’t optional.
- Accessibility techniques: Make your emails more inclusive with alt-text and colorblind-friendly palettes.
Start writing winning emails
Writing emails is a great way to connect with your audience, especially if you’re trying to build engagement. So don’t let a little writer’s block stop you from making the most of this valuable marketing channel. With our email writing prompts in your back pocket, you’re ready to create engaging emails. Get started in minutes with our handy fill-in-the-blank templates. Need more inspo? Explore more email marketing ideas here and signup for our Hints & Tips newsletter below.
