How to Train AI to Write Better Emails (So You Don’t Have To Do All the Work)

My daughter is going to hate this post because I’m about to teach you how to use AI to write better. She thinks we should learn to write better on our own. She has a point. But I’m going to teach you anyway. (Sorry, Amber.)

As Seth Godin points out, AI is like an intern—it works hard, brings fresh energy, asks a lot of questions, and gives you a new perspective. But it also makes mistakes, and you have to check its work.

I’ll add to that: AI needs training before you unleash it on important tasks!

How to Train AI for Better Cold & Warm Emails

Out of the box, AI follows all the worst practices:
❌ Too long.
❌ Starts with self-intros.
❌ Generic, lifeless copy.
❌ Too many bullets.
❌ Boring.

But with a little training upfront, you can skip tedious edits and focus on fine-tuning.

(If you’re creating an AI agent, follow this same process.)

Step 1: Teach It the Basics

Tell AI exactly what you do and who you sell to:
📝 I’m a [your role] at [company] selling to [detailed buyer & company description].

Then, give it these guidelines:

✅ Subject lines under 5 words.
✅ Skip the self-intros. Never start with “I’d like to introduce myself.” Focus on the prospect.
✅ Keep it under 100 words.
✅ Allow room for personalization.
✅ No “following up” or “checking in.” Find a better reason to reach out.
✅ Prompt me to include insights and value.
✅ Match my brand style. [Insert website link]

Step 2: Set the Right Tone

🔹 Casual, concise, and to the point.
🔹 A little humor, sometimes playful.
🔹 The occasional emoji (but never overdone).
🔹 (Bonus: Upload past emails you’ve written so AI can learn your style.)

[Insert your own tone guidelines—these are just examples.]

Step 3: Keep Refining It

Want better results over time? Keep training AI:

🔹 Add a P.S. to every email.
🔹 Prompt me to personalize more.
🔹 Always suggest a follow-up email.

The more you refine, the better AI gets at writing in your voice. Soon, it’ll feel like a natural extension of how you communicate.

Try it out and let me know how it goes! 🚀