Email marketing has the highest ROI of any marketing channel — roughly $36 returned for every $1 spent, according to industry data. But most small businesses struggle with it. Not because the tools are hard, but because writing the emails is hard.
AI changes this. Here's how to use it for each part of a marketing email.
Subject lines: the most important part
About 47% of email recipients decide whether to open an email based on the subject line alone. AI is surprisingly good at generating subject lines because it can produce many variations quickly.
Try this prompt: "Write 10 email subject lines for a [seasonal sale/new product/event] at my [business type]. Keep each under 50 characters. Mix urgency, curiosity, and benefit-driven approaches."
Pick the best 2-3, then A/B test them if your email platform supports it.
Opening lines: hook them in 2 seconds
The first sentence determines whether someone reads the rest. AI can help you skip the bland "Hope this email finds you well" openers.
Prompt: "Write 3 opening lines for an email about [topic] from my [business type]. Make them conversational and specific — no generic greetings. Under 20 words each."
Body copy: clear, short, and benefit-focused
The biggest mistake in marketing emails is writing too much. Most emails should be 50-150 words. AI helps because you can specify constraints.
Prompt: "Write the body of a marketing email for [offer/event/announcement]. My business: [description]. Target audience: [who]. Include one clear benefit and one call to action. Under 100 words. Tone: [friendly/professional/urgent]."
Calls to action: tell them exactly what to do
Every email needs one clear CTA — not three, not five. One. AI can help you phrase it:
Prompt: "Write 5 call-to-action button texts for an email about [topic]. Each should be 2-5 words, action-oriented, and create urgency or excitement."
Examples AI might generate: "Book your spot," "Grab the deal," "See what's new," "Reserve today," "Claim your discount."
Types of emails every small business should send
- Welcome email — sent when someone joins your list. Set expectations and make a great first impression.
- Monthly newsletter — share updates, tips, or behind-the-scenes content. Stay top of mind.
- Promotional email — announce sales, events, or new products/services.
- Follow-up email — re-engage past customers who haven't visited recently.
- Review request — ask happy customers to leave a Google review.
AI can draft all of these in minutes. The hardest part isn't writing anymore — it's deciding what to send.
One email per week is enough
You don't need a complex automation sequence. One good email per week, sent consistently, will outperform sporadic blasts every time. Use AI to draft it, spend 5 minutes editing, and hit send. That's it.