Sample Sales Letter to Customers and How to Write One

Sent out any sales letters or emails lately? Direct mail is still a very powerful marketing method—as much as five times as effective as email marketing—and sales letters are one of your best direct mail tools. But before you get to see how effective sales letters are, you have to write one. Here’s how to write a sales letter that will wow your readers and persuade them to buy your product or service.

See the sample sales letter to customers of the fictional GreenClean company at the bottom of this article for an example of exactly how this template works and then use it to craft your own winning sales letter.

How to Write a Sales Letter

Before we get to the example, though, let's look at how to write a sales letter. To easily recall the method, remember the acronym "HOPPP."

H Is for Headline

The headline of the sales letter needs to get the reader’s attention. Its job is to make them want to know more (and actually read the rest). The secret? Be sure the headline makes a specific promise that relates to your prospects’ needs or interests. If, for instance, you offer domestic cleaning services, don’t use a headline such as “Want Cleaning Services?” in your letter. Instead use something such as, “Your Whole House Sparkling Clean—We Do It for You so You Don’t Have To!”

As the headline is so important, brainstorm several and pick the best. Place the headline before the salutation in your letter.

O Is for Offer

Now we’re into the body of the sales letter. You need to tell your prospective customers what you’re offering them first. The trick is that you have to make them want your product or service. So think like a prospective customer or client when you’re writing this section of your letter and answer the question “What’s in it for me?” In other words, what are the benefits to the customer of making this purchase?

For instance, “For less than $150 you can have your entire home clean and sparkling, without enduring the nasty stink of chemical cleaners.” There's a clear customer benefit.

Don’t be afraid to expand on the benefits of your product or service. People who are interested will read the details. Use bullet points or arrows where appropriate to make your sales letter easier to read.

And remember that the letter does not have to be limited to a single page. You can send out an eight-page sales letter if you want. It just depends on your target market and your product or service. If this is your first, though, it's probably best to err on the shorter side.

P Is for Proof

Another thing you need to do in the body of the sales letter is assure your readers that they will be satisfied with their purchase. Testimonials (statements of satisfaction from past customers) are an excellent way of doing this. Or offer your reader a “fail-safe” such as a money-back guarantee or a free trial offer.

P Is for Persuade to Action

The most important thing that you need to do in the body of your sales letter, of course, is persuade the reader to act. First, be sure you come right out and say what you want the reader of your letter to do, whether it’s to call you or come into your store. Second, make it easy for them to act. Set a deadline for the expiration of your offer, throw in a free gift, or, if it’s appropriate, make a moral plea.

P Is for P.S. (Postscript)

You’ve asked your reader once. and you hope they're thinking about it. Add a P.S. to your sales letter to light a fire under your customer and get them to act right now. Use a carrot such as throwing in an additional bonus (“If you act right now, you’ll also receive…."), or a stick, such as reminding the customer that quantities are limited or the pricing will only last for a certain period of time (set a date).

Using the HOPPP outline will help ensure you write a sales letter that will persuade your prospective customers to buy your product or service. Before you send your letter, though, be sure you're prepared to maximize the responses you get.