That feeling of being in a one-sided relationship where you're putting in all the effort and your prospect is giving you nothing in return? It's frustrating. And it can leave you feeling powerless. But what if we told you there was a way to turn the tables and make them chase you? A way to create urgency and filter out uninterested prospects while positioning yourself as the prize?

It's called a breakup email, and it's one of the most effective follow-up strategies for salespeople, particularly those in the SaaS industry. In this post, we'll show you why breakup emails work, give you examples of how to write them, and share tips to ensure your breakup emails leave a lasting impression on your prospects. So, get ready to say goodbye to ineffective follow-up strategies and hello to the power of the breakup email.

What is a Breakup Email?

A breakup email is a final email sent to a prospect who has not responded to previous attempts at communication. It's essentially a way to cut ties while still leaving the door open for future communication. By being the one to walk away, you change the dynamic of the interaction and put the power in your hands. This strategy can be effective for both outbound emails (sending emails to people who have never shown interest in your product) and inbound emails (sending emails to people who have shown some interest, like signing up for a trial).

Industry Use Case
E-Commerce Abandoned Cart Recovery
SaaS Trial or Demo Conversion
Real Estate Re-Engaging with Inactive Leads
B2B Closing Deals with Slow-Moving Prospects
Recruiting Following Up with Candidates Who Haven't Responded
Financial Services Encouraging Prospects to Sign Up for a Consultation

Why Are Breakup Emails Effective?

  • Creates a sense of urgency: A breakup email can create a sense of urgency for the prospect to act. They know this is their last chance to engage with you before moving on.
  • Positions you as the prize: You position yourself as the prize by walking away. This can make the prospect more interested in what you have to offer.
  • Filters out uninterested prospects: Breakup emails can help you identify which prospects are truly interested in your product. If they don't respond to your breakup email, it's a clear signal that they're not interested.
  • Provides closure: A breakup email provides closure for both you and the prospect. You know you've done everything you can to engage them, and they know you won't contact them again.
Element Description
Subject Line Should grab attention and clearly communicate the purpose of the email
Opening Should be personal and empathetic, addressing any potential roadblocks or objections
Body Should be brief and to the point, highlighting the value of your product/service and creating urgency
Call-to-Action Should be clear and concise, giving the prospect a clear next step to take
Closing Should be friendly and professional, leaving the door open for future opportunities

How to Write a Breakup Email

When writing a breakup email, keep a few things in mind:

  • Be direct: Make it clear that this is the last email you'll be sending them. Use a subject line that reflects this.
  • Provide value: Offer one last piece of value in your email, such as a helpful resource or a final discount.
  • Be empathetic: Acknowledge that you understand they may be busy or have other priorities.
  • Leave the door open: Let them know that if they change their mind in the future, they can reach out to you.

Here's an example of a breakup email for a SaaS product:

Subject: Our final goodbye

Hi [Prospect],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on my previous emails to see if you had any questions about [Product]. I understand that you may be busy or have other priorities, so I won't take up any more of your time.

However, before we part ways, I wanted to offer you one last piece of value. We recently released a new whitepaper on [related topic], which I think you'll find helpful. You can download it here: [link].

If you change your mind in the future and want to learn more about [Product], feel free to reach out to me directly.

Thanks for considering [Product] and best of luck with your [related goal].

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Subject Line: Sorry to See You Go, [Prospect Name]

Hi [Prospect Name],

I noticed that you recently canceled your trial of our product, and I wanted to follow up with you one last time to see if there was anything we could have done differently to keep you as a customer.

If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear them. We are always looking for ways to improve our product and make it better for our customers.

If you do decide to give us another try in the future, we would be more than happy to help you get started again. In the meantime, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Thank you for considering our product.

Best regards, 
[Your Name]
Another example

Subject: We're breaking up (for now)

Hi [Prospect],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to touch base since I haven't heard back from you in a while. I completely understand if things have gotten busy or if your priorities have shifted. However, I didn't want to continue taking up space in your inbox if you're no longer interested in exploring [product/service].

That being said, I'm confident that our solution can help solve [pain point] and make your life easier. If you're open to it, I'd love to schedule a quick call to discuss further. If not, no hard feelings. Either way, I wanted to be transparent and give you a clear indication of where we stand.

Best,
[Your Name]
An inbound lead who has gone silent

Subject: Quick question about [pain point]

Hi [Prospect],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on my previous email and see if you had a chance to think about [pain point]. I understand that you may be receiving a lot of outreach and that your time is valuable, so I wanted to be respectful and not add to your already busy inbox.

That being said, I'm confident that [product/service] can help solve [pain point] and make your life easier. If you're open to it, I'd love to schedule a quick call to discuss further. If not, I completely understand and won't follow up again.

Best,
[Your Name]
An outbound lead who hasn't responded

Subject: Thank you for considering [product/service]

Hi [Prospect],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for considering [product/service]. While I understand that it may not be the right fit for you at this time, I wanted to be transparent and let you know that we won't be reaching out again in the near future.

[Your Name]
A long-term prospect who hasn't converted