business to business email lists

Why Your Business to Business Email Lists Aren’t Working (Yet)

Ever sent out a marketing email and heard… crickets?

You spent hours crafting the perfect business email, sent it to your carefully curated business to business email lists, and then… nothing. No responses, no clicks, and barely any opens. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many businesses struggle to get results from their B2B email marketing efforts. But here’s the good news: the problem isn’t email marketing itself—it’s how the emails are written.

A well-crafted B2B email can be the difference between building lasting business relationships and being ignored. Unlike B2C emails, which often rely on flashy promotions and impulse buys, B2B emails need to be informative, relevant, and engaging. Decision-makers in businesses receive hundreds of emails daily, so standing out in their inbox requires strategy and precision.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to write emails that people actually want to read. From crafting compelling subject lines to structuring your email for engagement, personalizing your messages, and leveraging automation, you’ll learn the secrets to making your business to business email lists work for you, not against you.

We’ll also introduce GetResponse, a powerful email marketing platform that can help you manage, automate, and optimize your business to business email lists effectively. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a large marketing team, these strategies will help you boost your open rates, drive more conversions, and ultimately grow your business.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

✅ How to craft subject lines that get emails opened.
✅ The best structure for writing emails that engage and convert.
✅ The power of personalization and how to make your emails feel tailor-made.
✅ How to leverage automation to scale your B2B email marketing.

Ready to take your business to business email lists from ignored to impactful? Let’s dive in.

Crafting Subject Lines That Actually Get Opened

Your subject line is the gatekeeper of your email. If it doesn’t grab attention, the rest of your email won’t matter—because it won’t get read. Studies show that 47% of email recipients decide whether to open an email based on the subject line alone.

Why Subject Lines Matter in B2B Emails

Unlike B2C emails, where customers may open an email out of curiosity or for a discount, B2B recipients are time-strapped professionals. They don’t have time to read emails that don’t immediately seem relevant or valuable. A weak subject line means your email gets deleted before it even has a chance.

Best Practices for Writing Subject Lines That Grab Attention

Here’s how to write subject lines that get your emails opened and read:

1. Keep It Short and Clear (Under 50 Characters)

Long subject lines get cut off on mobile devices, which make up a significant portion of email opens. Keep it under 50 characters so your message is fully visible.

✅ Example: “Boost Your B2B Sales in 5 Simple Steps”
❌ Too long: “Learn How You Can Easily Increase Your B2B Sales with These Strategies”

2. Use Curiosity or Urgency (But Avoid Clickbait!)

Creating a sense of urgency or curiosity can encourage opens. However, avoid misleading subject lines—if your email doesn’t deliver on the subject line’s promise, readers will lose trust in your brand.

✅ Example (Curiosity): “Are You Making These Email Marketing Mistakes?”
✅ Example (Urgency): “Limited Spots: Exclusive B2B Marketing Webinar”
❌ Clickbait: “Open Now for a Free Gift!” (If no actual gift is included, this is deceptive.)

3. Personalization and Relevance to the Recipient

Personalized subject lines increase open rates by 26%. Use the recipient’s name, company, or industry to make it feel tailored.

✅ Example: “John, Here’s How to Improve Your Email Open Rates”
✅ Example: “Marketing Agencies: Get More Clients with These Tips”

Avoid generic, spammy phrases that don’t add value:
❌ “Grow Your Business Fast!” (Too vague and overused)

4. Use Action-Oriented Language

Encourage action by starting with a verb or a clear benefit.

✅ Example: “Download Your Free B2B Email Template”
✅ Example: “Increase Your Email Conversions with This Simple Tactic”
❌ Example: “Update on Our New Email Features” (Too passive)

5. Test Different Subject Lines with A/B Testing

Even the best marketers don’t rely on guesswork. A/B testing allows you to experiment with different subject lines and see what works best for your audience.

How to do it:

  • Create two versions of your subject line.
  • Send each version to a small segment of your list.
  • Analyze which subject line gets the highest open rate.
  • Use the winning subject line for the rest of your email list.

Example of an A/B Test:

📌 Subject Line A: “How to Improve B2B Email Open Rates”
📌 Subject Line B: “Boost Your B2B Emails: Get More Opens & Clicks”

If Subject Line B gets a higher open rate, you’ll know that your audience responds better to action-oriented language.

Real-World Examples of High-Performing B2B Subject Lines

Here are a few examples of subject lines that have worked well in B2B email marketing:

  • “Quick Question About [Company Name]’s Email Strategy” (Creates curiosity and feels personal.)
  • “Struggling with Low Email Open Rates? Try This” (Addresses a common pain point.)
  • “Exclusive: 3 Email Marketing Tactics That Work for [Industry]” (Adds exclusivity and relevance.)
  • “Increase Your B2B Leads with This One Strategy” (Focuses on a clear benefit.)

If you want to test different subject lines without the hassle, GetResponse offers built-in A/B testing tools. This allows you to automatically test multiple subject lines and send the most effective one to your business to business email lists.

💡 Try This: Next time you send an email, run an A/B test using GetResponse and see which subject line performs better!

Writing Emails That Keep Readers Hooked

So, you’ve crafted a killer subject line that got your email opened—great! But the battle isn’t over yet. Now, you need to keep your reader engaged and guide them toward taking action.

Most business to business email lists fail not because they don’t get opened, but because they don’t get read. If your email is too long, too salesy, or just plain boring, it will end up in the trash—or worse, marked as spam.

The solution? Writing emails that feel like a conversation rather than a cold pitch. In this section, we’ll break down how to structure your emails effectively, keep your audience engaged, and encourage them to take the next step.

The AIDA Formula: The Blueprint for Compelling Emails

If you want your B2B emails to convert, you need a structure that guides the reader smoothly from start to finish. One of the most powerful copywriting frameworks for this is AIDA:

🔹 Attention – Grab the reader’s attention immediately.
🔹 Interest – Keep them engaged with something valuable or relevant.
🔹 Desire – Make them want what you’re offering.
🔹 Action – Tell them exactly what to do next.

Let’s break it down step by step:

1. Grab Their Attention (A – Attention)

Your first sentence is just as important as your subject line. If it doesn’t hook the reader, they won’t bother with the rest of the email.

How to grab attention:
✅ Ask a question: “Struggling to get responses from your business to business email lists?”
✅ Start with a bold statement: “Most B2B emails fail within the first 5 seconds.”
✅ Use personalization: “John, I noticed [Company Name] has been working on [specific goal].”

Avoid generic intros like:
❌ “Hope you’re doing well.” (Overused and easy to ignore.)
❌ “I wanted to introduce myself…” (Too self-centered—start with their needs instead.)

2. Keep Them Interested (I – Interest)

Once you have their attention, you need to hold onto it by immediately providing something valuable.

Ways to build interest:

  • Highlight a common problem: “Most businesses struggle to get their emails read, but there’s a simple fix.”
  • Share a quick stat: “Did you know that personalized B2B emails get 29% higher open rates?”
  • Tell a mini-story: “A client of ours was seeing terrible engagement—until we made this one tweak.”

The key here is to make the email about them, not you.

3. Create Desire (D – Desire)

Now that they’re interested, you need to build desire for your solution.

Here’s how:

  • Explain the benefit, not just the feature.
    • ❌ Feature-focused: “Our platform has AI-powered email automation.”
    • ✅ Benefit-focused: “Our AI-powered automation helps you send personalized emails without spending hours on manual work.”
  • Use social proof or success stories.
    • “Companies like [Client Name] increased their response rates by 35% using this strategy.”
  • Create exclusivity or urgency.
    • “We’re offering a free audit of your email strategy for the next 48 hours only.”

4. Guide Them to Action (A – Action)

If you don’t clearly tell your reader what to do next, they won’t take action.

Your Call to Action (CTA) should be:
✅ Clear: “Download your free email template here.”
✅ Easy to follow: “Click the button below to schedule a quick 10-minute call.”
✅ Relevant to the email’s purpose: “Try GetResponse and improve your email open rates today.”

❌ Weak CTA Example: “Let me know if you’re interested.” (Too vague, no urgency.)

How to Make Emails More Conversational and Value-Driven (Not Salesy)

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is sounding too robotic or too promotional. No one wants to feel like they’re reading a generic marketing email.

Tips to Make Your Emails Feel More Human:

✔ Write how you talk. Imagine you’re writing to a colleague, not sending a corporate memo.
✔ Use “you” more than “we.” Focus on the reader’s needs, not your company.
✔ Avoid jargon. Keep it simple and easy to understand.
✔ Show empathy. Acknowledge their pain points and offer solutions.

✅ Example of a conversational email:

“Hey [Name],
I know how frustrating it can be when your emails get ignored. You put in the effort, but the response rates just aren’t there.
That’s why we’ve created a simple strategy that helps businesses like yours increase open rates and engagement. Want to see how it works? Just reply ‘YES’ and I’ll send over a quick guide.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
– [Your Name]”

❌ Example of a salesy email:

“Dear [Name],
We at [Company Name] specialize in helping businesses improve email marketing. Our platform offers cutting-edge technology to boost engagement. Sign up today to see the benefits.
Regards,
[Your Name]”

See the difference? The first email feels personal and invites a response, while the second feels like a cold sales pitch.

The Importance of Brevity and Clarity in B2B Emails

Busy professionals don’t have time to read long, dense emails. If your email takes more than a few seconds to scan, it will be ignored.

How to Keep Your Emails Concise & Effective:

✅ Stick to one main idea per email. (Don’t overwhelm with too much information.)
✅ Use short sentences and paragraphs. (No big walls of text.)
✅ Cut unnecessary words. (Every word should serve a purpose.)

📌 Example:
❌ Too Long:

“In today’s fast-paced business world, it is absolutely critical for companies to implement email marketing strategies that are highly effective in order to generate leads and drive sales. That’s why we are introducing a brand-new service that can completely transform the way your business communicates via email.”

✅ Better:

“Struggling with email engagement? Our tool helps you get more responses—without the extra work.”

How to Format Emails for Easy Readability

Good formatting makes your email scannable so that busy professionals can digest it quickly.

Formatting Tips:

✔ Use bullet points for key takeaways.
✔ Bold important phrases to highlight key points.
✔ Break up long text with whitespace.
✔ Use a clear CTA button instead of just a text link.

📌 Example of a Well-Formatted Email:

Subject: Struggling with Low Open Rates? Try This

Hey [Name],

Are your emails getting ignored? You’re not alone. Most B2B emails fail because they:

✅ Have weak subject lines
✅ Are too long or unclear
✅ Don’t feel personalized

The good news? A few small tweaks can massively improve your results. Here’s how: [Insert Link]

Want to see it in action? Try GetResponse today!

If writing high-converting emails feels overwhelming, GetResponse makes it easy. With pre-built email templates, AI-powered recommendations, and automated follow-ups, you can create engaging emails in minutes—without the guesswork.

💡 Try This: Use GetResponse’s drag-and-drop email builder to structure your emails for maximum impact.

Personalization & Segmentation – The Secret to Higher Conversions

Why Sending the Same Email to Your Entire Business to Business Email List Doesn’t Work

Imagine you receive an email that starts with:

“Dear Customer, we have a special offer for you!”

Would you feel compelled to open and read it? Probably not. It feels generic, impersonal, and irrelevant.

Now, imagine an email that says:

“Hey Sarah, as a marketing manager in the SaaS industry, you might find these lead-generation strategies helpful.”

This second email immediately feels tailored to the recipient. It acknowledges their name, role, and industry—making it far more likely that Sarah will engage with it.

The Problem With One-Size-Fits-All Emails

Sending the same email to everyone on your business to business email lists is a mistake because:

❌ It lacks relevance – Not every subscriber has the same pain points, goals, or interests.
❌ It feels robotic – Readers can tell when an email is mass-produced.
❌ It leads to low engagement – If the email doesn’t speak directly to the recipient’s needs, they won’t open, read, or respond.

The solution? Personalization and segmentation.

By tailoring your emails to different segments of your audience, you increase engagement, response rates, and conversions—ultimately making your B2B email marketing more effective.

How to Segment Your B2B Email Lists for Maximum Engagement

Email segmentation means dividing your audience into smaller, targeted groups based on specific criteria. Instead of sending the same email to everyone, you create highly relevant messages for each segment.

Ways to Segment Your Business to Business Email Lists

Here are some of the most effective ways to segment B2B email lists:

1. By Industry

If you’re targeting businesses in multiple industries, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. A software company and a healthcare provider have completely different needs and challenges.

✅ Example Segmentation:

  • SaaS Companies
  • Healthcare Providers
  • E-commerce Businesses
  • Financial Services

📌 Email Example:

Subject: “[Industry-Specific Tip] How Healthcare Providers Can Improve Patient Engagement with Email Marketing”

2. By Job Role or Decision-Making Level

A CEO and a Marketing Manager care about different things. The CEO is focused on ROI and big-picture strategy, while the Marketing Manager is concerned with tactics and execution.

✅ Example Segmentation:

  • C-Level Executives (CEO, CFO, COO) → Emails about high-level business strategy
  • Marketing & Sales Teams → Emails about lead generation & conversion tactics
  • IT & Tech Teams → Emails about automation & integrations

📌 Email Example:

Subject: “CMOs: 3 Data-Driven Email Strategies to Boost Engagement”

3. By Past Interactions & Engagement Level

People who frequently engage with your emails should receive different content than those who never open them.

✅ Example Segmentation:

  • Highly Engaged Subscribers (opened past 3+ emails) → Send them exclusive offers, VIP content, or loyalty rewards.
  • Inactive Subscribers (no opens in 90 days) → Send a re-engagement email to win them back.

📌 Email Example:

Subject: “We Miss You! Here’s a Free Resource to Get You Back on Track”

4. By Purchase Stage or Lead Status

If someone is already a paying customer, they shouldn’t receive emails meant for new leads.

✅ Example Segmentation:

  • New Leads → Educational content, free trials, case studies.
  • Existing Customers → Product updates, upsell opportunities, loyalty programs.
  • Lost Leads → Re-engagement emails, special offers to win them back.

📌 Email Example:

Subject: “Ready to Upgrade? Unlock Exclusive Features for Your Business”

The Power of Personalized Content & Dynamic Email Elements

Segmentation is just step one. To truly connect with your audience, you need to personalize the email content itself.

How to Personalize B2B Emails for Higher Conversions

✅ Use the recipient’s first name

Example: “Hey [First Name], we have a quick tip for you!”

✅ Mention their company or industry

Example: “As a tech startup, [Company Name] can benefit from these automation tools.”

✅ Reference their past behavior (previous downloads, webinar attendance, email clicks)

Example: “You downloaded our email marketing guide—here’s a follow-up strategy to implement.”

✅ Include dynamic content
Dynamic content changes based on the recipient’s profile.

Example: A SaaS email might include a “Book a Demo” CTA, while a Healthcare email might say “See Case Studies”.

Real-World Example: How Segmentation & Personalization Increased Engagement

📌 Company: HubSpot
✅ Strategy: HubSpot segmented their email list by industry and job role.
✅ Result: Personalized emails increased click-through rates by 16% and conversions by 10%.

📌 Company: Adobe
✅ Strategy: Adobe used dynamic email content based on user activity (free trial vs. paid user).
✅ Result: 29% increase in engagement and 8% higher sales conversions.

Personalizing and segmenting emails manually can be overwhelming. That’s where GetResponse comes in.

💡 With GetResponse, you can:
✔ Automatically segment your business to business email lists based on industry, role, or engagement level.
✔ Use dynamic content to personalize each email for different audience segments.
✔ Set up automated workflows so the right email reaches the right person—at the right time.

Try It Today!

📌 Start a Trial with GetResponse & Unlock Advanced Email Segmentation

What’s Next?

Now that you know how to segment and personalize your emails for better engagement, the next section will cover automation—how to scale your email marketing without losing the personal touch. Stay tuned! 🚀

Automating Your Email Strategy for Maximum Results

By now, you know how to craft engaging subject lines, write compelling content, and personalize your emails for higher conversions. But here’s the real game-changer: automation.

For small business owners, managing business to business email lists manually is time-consuming and inconsistent. Automation allows you to scale your email marketing while maintaining a personal touch.

In this section, we’ll explore:
✔ Why automation is essential for small business owners.
✔ Types of automated B2B email sequences that drive engagement and sales.
✔ The best tools for email automation (including GetResponse’s powerful features).

Why Automation is Essential for Small Business Owners

Many small business owners make the mistake of either neglecting email marketing or spending too much time on it manually.

Without Automation, You Face These Challenges:

❌ Inconsistent communication – You send emails sporadically, and leads lose interest.
❌ Missed opportunities – You forget to follow up with prospects or nurture leads.
❌ Lack of scalability – Manually writing and sending emails takes too much time.

With Automation, You Get These Benefits:

✅ Saves Time: Once set up, emails send automatically without extra effort.
✅ Increases Consistency: Every lead receives the right email at the right time without you having to remember.
✅ Boosts Engagement & Sales: Automated emails convert 320% more than non-automated ones!

Bottom Line? If you want to grow your business efficiently, email automation is a must.

Types of Automated B2B Email Sequences That Work

Here are the most effective email sequences to automate for your business to business email lists:

1. Welcome Email Series (First Impressions Matter)

📌 Purpose: Introduce your brand, set expectations, and engage new leads.

Why It’s Important:

  • Welcome emails get 4x higher open rates than regular promotional emails.
  • They create a strong first impression and increase future engagement.

💡 Example of a Welcome Sequence:

📌 Email #1 (Sent Immediately After Signup)
Subject: “Welcome, [First Name]! Here’s What to Expect”
✔ Thank them for signing up.
✔ Set expectations (how often they’ll hear from you).
✔ Provide a valuable freebie (ebook, checklist, exclusive content).

📌 Email #2 (Sent 2 Days Later)
Subject: “Here’s How We Can Help You Achieve [Their Goal]”
✔ Introduce your product or service.
✔ Share success stories or testimonials.
✔ Include a soft CTA (book a demo, reply to the email).

📌 Email #3 (Sent 5 Days Later)
Subject: “Still Wondering If We’re a Good Fit? Let’s Chat”
✔ Address common objections or FAQs.
✔ Provide a limited-time offer to encourage action.
✔ Include a strong CTA (schedule a call, try the free trial).

2. Follow-Up & Lead Nurturing Emails

📌 Purpose: Keep leads engaged and move them toward a sale.

Why It’s Important:

  • 80% of sales require at least 5 follow-ups, but 44% of businesses stop after one.
  • Regular touchpoints keep your brand top of mind.

💡 Example of a Follow-Up Sequence:

📌 Email #1 (Sent After a Prospect Shows Interest but Doesn’t Convert)
Subject: “Still Thinking About [Your Product/Service]?”
✔ Recap what they showed interest in.
✔ Provide additional value (case study, success story).
✔ Include a CTA (schedule a call, ask a question).

📌 Email #2 (Sent 3 Days Later)
Subject: “Quick Question, [First Name]”
✔ Keep it short and conversational.
✔ Ask a simple question to spark a reply.
✔ Example: “Are you still looking for a solution to [problem]?”

📌 Email #3 (Sent 1 Week Later – The Final Push)
Subject: “Limited-Time Offer: Get [Special Bonus] Today”
✔ Create urgency with a limited-time offer.
✔ Remind them why your solution is the best fit.
✔ Include a CTA (sign up, book a call, claim the offer).

3. Re-Engagement Campaigns (Win Back Cold Leads)

📌 Purpose: Bring inactive subscribers back to life.

Why It’s Important:

  • Inactive subscribers hurt your email deliverability.
  • Re-engaging just 10% of cold leads can significantly boost your revenue.

💡 Example of a Re-Engagement Sequence:

📌 Email #1 (Sent After 60+ Days of No Engagement)
Subject: “Still Interested? Let’s Reconnect”
✔ Acknowledge that they haven’t engaged in a while.
✔ Ask if they’d like to continue receiving emails.
✔ Offer a valuable incentive (free guide, discount).

📌 Email #2 (Sent 3 Days Later – If No Response)
Subject: “Last Chance: Stay with Us & Get [Special Offer]”
✔ Give them one final opportunity to re-engage.
✔ Create urgency by offering a special bonus (free consultation, discount, exclusive content).
✔ Include a clear CTA to stay subscribed.

📌 Email #3 (If They Don’t Respond – Unsubscribe Notice)
Subject: “We’ll Miss You, [First Name]”
✔ Let them know you’re unsubscribing them.
✔ Give them a one-click option to stay on the list.

🔥 Pro Tip: If they don’t engage after this email, remove them from your list to maintain a healthy sender reputation.

Best Tools for Email Automation

Managing automated email sequences manually is impossible at scale. You need a reliable email automation tool.

Why GetResponse is the Best Choice:

✔ Drag-and-Drop Automation Builder – Set up email sequences in minutes.
✔ Pre-Made Email Templates – Write emails faster with professionally designed templates.
✔ AI-Powered Optimization – Automatically send emails at the best times for each recipient.
✔ Advanced Segmentation – Target the right audience with precision.

Try GetResponse!

📌 Start a Trial with GetResponse & Automate Your Email Marketing Today

Take Action & Start Writing Emails That Convert

🚀 Let’s recap what we’ve covered:
✅ Crafting powerful subject lines that get emails opened.
✅ Writing engaging email content using the AIDA formula.
✅ Personalizing and segmenting business to business email lists for higher engagement.
✅ Automating email sequences to save time and boost consistency.

Now It’s Your Turn!

If you’re serious about making your business to business email lists more profitable, automation is the way forward.

💡 The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. GetResponse makes it easy to:
✔ Build high-converting email sequences.
✔ Automate lead nurturing and follow-ups.
✔ Personalize content for every subscriber.

📌 Try GetResponse today and turn your B2B email list into a powerful revenue-generating tool!”

🚀 Start your trial now and watch your email marketing transform!