How to Write Emails Your Clients Can’t Ignore
Last Updated on 1 January, 2026
Your clients receive dozens (sometimes hundreds) of emails every week. Most of them are skimmed, ignored, or deleted within seconds. That doesn’t mean email marketing is ineffective; it means most emails aren’t written with the reader in mind. The emails that do get opened, read, and acted on share a few core principles: they’re clear, relevant, and respectful of the reader’s time.
If you want your emails to stand out in crowded inboxes, you need to focus less on what you want to say and more on what your clients need to hear. Here’s how to write emails your clients can’t ignore.
Join this session to learn:
- What makes an email feel personal, urgent, and relevant
- Which subject lines perform best for wellness and beauty audiences
- How to segment clients by behavior or status to increase engagement
- When and how to automate campaigns for no-effort consistency
Reserve your spot at our webinar now!
Start with a subject line that earns the open
Your subject line determines whether your email gets opened or ignored; nothing else matters if it fails here. Many businesses fall into the trap of using vague or overly clever subject lines that don’t clearly communicate value. While creativity has its place, clarity almost always performs better.
Strong subject lines share three qualities:
- They’re specific: Let readers know what they’ll gain by opening the email.
- They’re relevant: Speak directly to your client’s interests or needs.
- They’re concise: Shorter subject lines are easier to scan, especially on mobile devices.
Instead of something broad like “Important Update,” try “New Class Schedule Starts Monday” or “One Spot Left in This Week’s Workshop.” Clarity builds trust, and trust drives opens.
Write like a human, not a company
Clients don’t want to read emails that sound like legal documents or marketing brochures. Overly formal language creates distance and makes messages harder to connect with. Writing like a human means using simple language, natural phrasing, and a tone that feels conversational rather than corporate.
Imagine explaining the message to a client face-to-face. You wouldn’t say, “We are pleased to inform you of the following update.” You’d say, “Just a quick heads-up, here’s what’s changing.” That shift in tone makes your email feel more personal and approachable, which increases the chances your clients will actually read it.
Get to the Point: Fast
Clients don’t have time to dig for the main message. If your email takes too long to explain why it matters, you’ll lose attention. Start with the most important information right away:
- What is this email about?
- Why should the client care?
- What do they need to know or do?
Stick to one main purpose per email. Trying to cover too many topics at once makes your message confusing and easier to ignore. Clear focus leads to better engagement.
Make it about them
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make in email communication is focusing too much on themselves. Clients don’t care that you’re launching a new feature unless they understand how it benefits them. Every email should be written from the client’s perspective.
- Highlight benefits instead of features
- Address common client challenges or goals
- Show how your message helps them save time, feel better, or get results
- Use their name
Personalization also goes beyond using a first name. Segmenting your audience and tailoring content to their interests can dramatically increase engagement. When clients clearly see how your message helps them, your emails feel relevant instead of promotional.
End with a clear next step
An email without a clear call to action leaves readers unsure of what to do next, and when people are unsure, they often do nothing. Every email should guide the reader toward a single, specific action. Whether you want them to book an appointment, reply to the email, or click a link, make that action obvious.
Use direct language like:
- Book Your Spot
- Reply to Confirm
- View the Updated Schedule
- Reply to This Email to Get Started
- Book Now at the Discounted Rate
Clear calls to action remove friction and make it easier for clients to respond quickly.
Keep your email easy to read
Even the most valuable message can be ignored if it looks overwhelming. Long blocks of text are difficult to read, especially on mobile devices. Structuring your email for skimming is essential.
Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and spacing to break up information. Highlight important details such as dates, deadlines, or changes so they stand out at a glance. A clean layout helps readers quickly understand your message, even if they’re reading on the go.
Focus on value, not just promotion
If every email you send is focused on selling, clients will start tuning out. The most effective email strategies balance promotion with usefulness. Clients are far more likely to engage with businesses that consistently provide value.
Value-driven emails might include helpful tips, reminders, educational content, or updates that genuinely improve the client experience. When clients associate your emails with helpful information, they’re more receptive when you do share promotions or announcements.
Bonus Tip: Use a platform that personalizes and automates email marketing
Emails your clients can’t ignore aren’t flashy or complicated. They’re written with intention, clarity, and empathy. By focusing on strong subject lines, human language, clear structure, and client-centered messaging, you can transform email from a chore into a powerful communication tool.
At WellnessLiving, we make it easy to stay connected with your clients without burning yourself out. Our client management features help you create in-depth profiles of each client, and then automate your email marketing to them.
Ready to hear more? Book your spot at our next email marketing webinar, or book a WellnessLiving demo today to see how it works for yourself!
