What is the 7-word email?

Here's a very short email to send to your contacts, with just one question: “Would you like [your offer] this month?” The subject line is simply “Question.” It contains no links or promotional language. It feels like a personal message and is prompting responses from contacts who have been inactive for quite some time.

Where does the idea come from?

The core idea comes from the American marketer Dean Jackson. He calls it the “9-Word Email.” I have adapted it for the German market and have used it in my own companies for years.

To whom may I send the 7-word email?

Only contact individuals who are already registered with you or are existing customers. Sending promotional emails to external addresses without consent is prohibited in Germany and can result in a costly legal warning. Therefore, do not purchase mailing lists. If in doubt, consult with your lawyer.

What should I do if someone answers “yes”?

Ask a brief question to determine if he's a good fit. For example, an agent might ask the client whether they intend to move in themselves or rent the property. If the contact provides a lot of information about their situation, present them with a specific offer: a link to the sales page, a free consultation, or further information.

How many times can I send the 7-word email?

Anyone who does not reply or says no receives a similar seven-word email after 45 to 90 days. People's circumstances change. Some contacts will then be ready to buy.

Does the “7-word email” technique work in my industry as well?

The formula works for any offer with a clear outcome: real estate agents, agencies, photographers, coaches, or online courses. You simply adjust the offer within the question. When describing it, focus on the result your customer wants, not your service.

The Seven-Word Email: Start More Sales Conversations

By Artur Neumann. Published October 21, 2026, updated October 21, 2026. 5 min read.

The seven-word email I adapted from Dean Jackson: a short question that starts sales conversations. Copy the template and see how I handle replies.

I run my business in Germany. Monetary examples use euros unless another currency is stated.

You have an email list, but it’s hardly generating any revenue? Are your subscribers no longer responding? Are you unsure what to write to them?

Then, let me show you an email formula that I’ve used to earn millions of euros over the years. With this very email, I built my coaching business to over €85,000 in profit per month, without any employees. You can send it out today.

The name refers to my German adaptation. The English template below may use more words.

The Template

Subject: Question

Hi [FIRST NAME],

Would you like [YOUR OFFER] this month?

Best regards, [YOUR NAME]

That’s it. No introduction, no image, no link. Just a question.

The core idea comes from the American marketer Dean Jackson. He calls it the 9-word email. I’ve adapted it for the German market and have used it successfully for years.

Why this email works so well

It’s personal and concise. It reads like a message from a friend, not a newsletter.
It creates a timeframe. “This month” creates a sense of urgency without being pushy.
It requests a clear answer. “Yes” or “No” is easy to write. This encourages people to take action.
It doesn’t sell. Without slogans or links, the reader isn’t put on the defensive.

Send it like a personal message

Send the 7-word email without any design, logo, or images. It should look like an email you just typed yourself. Use your name as the sender, not your company name. This makes it feel like a genuine question from you, not an advertisement. And respond to every reply personally and promptly. Anyone who answers your question is waiting for you.

How to adapt the email to your business

Replace [YOUR OFFER] with the result your customer wants:

Real estate agent: Would you like to buy a property in Cologne this month?
Social media agency: Would you like to become more well-known on social media this month?
Photographer: Would you like to have a professional portrait taken this month?
Business coach: Would you like to break through your current plateau this month?
Online course provider: Would you like to finally achieve [your result] this month?

Describe the result, not your service. I’ll show you how to write sales copy that turns readers into customers in the article Writing Sales Copy.

What to do with a “Yes”

If someone replies with “Yes,” you have a prospect who might be ready to buy. Ask them a question that reveals whether they’re truly a good fit:

Real estate agent: Are you an investor, or do you want to use the property yourself?
Social media agency: On which platform do you want to become more well-known?
Photographer: Are you a business owner or a private individual?
Business coach: Where are you currently stuck, and what’s the reason?
Online course provider: What have you already tried, and why hasn’t it worked?

If the prospect shares a lot about their situation, their interest is genuine. Then, make them a concrete offer:

Send them the link to your sales page.
Offer them a free consultation.
Send them more information.

No response? Try again in 45 to 90 days

Anyone who doesn’t respond or says “No” today isn’t necessarily lost forever. Send them a similar 7-word email again in 45 to 90 days. Life circumstances change. Some contacts will then be ready to buy.

Only to contacts who have given you permission to contact them

Only send the 7-word email to people who have signed up with you or are already customers. Sending unsolicited emails to unknown addresses is illegal in Germany and can result in a costly legal notice. Therefore, don’t buy email lists. Your own list is far more valuable anyway. I’ll show you how to build it in the article Building an Email List.

Why email marketing is your goldmine

After 20 years of experience, I can tell you: email is the most profitable marketing channel for me.

Social media has become more difficult:

Organic reach is declining because AI-generated content is flooding the platforms.
Few people respond to your posts.
You’re dependent on algorithms.
Months of work often yield minimal results.

Email is yours:

No algorithm decides who receives your message.
You write directly to your customers’ inboxes.
You decide when and what to send.
You can make sales the same day.

The golden rule

The more emails you send, the more you earn. Yes, some people unsubscribe. But those who stay and buy more than compensate for that.

Most customers need months or even years before they buy. By sending regular emails, you stay top-of-mind until they’re ready: financially, emotionally, and in terms of timing.

If you rely solely on paid advertising, you’ll waste a lot of money. You’ll only reach a small portion of customers who are ready to buy immediately. However, the money spent on the advertisement is gone instantly. I explain why people make these decisions in the article Sales Psychology.

Your Plan for Today

Open your email program.
Copy the template.
Adapt it to your offer.
Send it to all contacts who have given you permission to write to them.
Wait for the responses.
Start a conversation with everyone who replies.

To Generate Sales, You Need to Take Action

Your email list is a goldmine. You just need to start digging. The 7-word email provides you with the tool to do so. No complicated sales funnel, no elaborate campaign. Just a simple email that works. Send it today.