The Ganesh Project #GG2
Seeking guidance: 20k emails, 0 replies
A candid look at an AI-adoption outreach campaign that gets opens but almost no warm replies.
Hi,
This is issue #GG2, The Ganesh Project.
I'm currently trying to learn outbound email marketing.
Over the last few weeks, I've experimented with 5 different campaigns, sent 20k+ emails, to roughly 6,000 people. The results are very bad.
I'm sharing 1 specific campaign because it has a shocking 45% open rate, but almost no warm replies or conversions (other campaigns also have high open rates). I'm doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
My goal is to help companies adopt AI. I'm reaching out to decision-makers across industries such as finance, insurance, ecommerce, accounting, legal services, and a few others.
The campaign in full
This is the three-step AI-adoption sequence behind the email, including all three active A/B test variants at each step.
Step 1 — Test A
Subject: automate the boring stuff at {{company}}
Hi {{first_name}},
A lot of the repetitive stuff at {{company}} (copy-pasting data between tools, chasing e-signatures, answering the same client questions over and over) can be handled by AI instead of a person.
I help companies automate exactly that kind of work.
Here's how I work: I map your workflow to see where the time actually goes, then check if an existing AI tool already solves it. If not, I build custom automation for it. And if what you need is software that doesn't exist yet, I build that too.
I take care of the whole thing myself, start to finish.
Reply "yes" and I'll send a quick audit of where that could save you time at {{company}}.
Regards,
Step 1 — Test B
Subject: get more done without more hires
Hi {{first_name}},
Most teams hit a point where the only way to do more is to hire more people. AI usually changes that math for a chunk of the work at a company like {{company}}.
I help companies close that gap without adding headcount.
Here's how I work: I map your workflow to see where the time actually goes, then check if an existing AI tool already covers it. If not, I build custom automation for it. And if what would help most is software that doesn't exist yet, I build that too.
I take care of the whole thing myself, start to finish.
Reply "yes" and I'll send a quick ROI breakdown of what that could look like for {{company}}.
Regards,
Step 1 — Test C
Subject: your competitors are already using AI
Hi {{first_name}},
Some companies in spaces like {{company}}'s are already using AI to move faster and spend less on the manual side of the business. The gap between the ones who adopt early and the ones who wait tends to grow, not shrink.
I help companies close that gap before it gets expensive.
Here's how I work: I map your workflow to see where the time actually goes, then check if an existing AI tool already covers it. If not, I build custom automation for it. And if what would help most is software that doesn't exist yet, I build that too.
I take care of the whole thing myself, start to finish.
Reply "yes" and I'll send a quick breakdown of where {{company}} stands and what's worth doing first.
Regards,
Step 2 — follow-up
Test A
Subject: still buried in repetitive work?
Hi {{first_name}},
Following up on my note from a few days ago. The stuff eating into your week (copy-pasting between tools, chasing e-signatures, answering the same client questions) is exactly what AI can take off your plate, once it's set up right.
I handle the whole setup myself. I'll use an existing tool if it solves the problem, or build custom automation if it doesn't, always with the payback in mind.
Here are some of the solutions I offer: https://www.thesquirrel.tech/solutions
Reply "yes" and I'll send a short list for {{company}}.
Regards,
Test B
Subject: doing more with the same team
Hi {{first_name}},
Circling back here. If {{company}} is trying to get more done without adding headcount, this is usually where AI helps most, once someone sets it up properly.
I handle the whole setup myself. I'll use an existing tool if it solves the problem, or build custom automation or new software if it doesn't, and I only recommend what pays for itself quickly.
Here are some of the solutions I offer: https://www.thesquirrel.tech/solutions
Reply "yes" and I'll point out where to start at {{company}}.
Regards,
Test C
Subject: the AI gap is widening
Hi {{first_name}},
Following up here. The companies already using AI in your space are pulling ahead on cost and speed, and that gap tends to close over time.
I handle the whole setup myself for {{company}}. I'll use an existing tool if it solves the problem, or build custom automation or new software if it doesn't, and keep the focus on real payback.
Here are some of the solutions I offer: https://www.thesquirrel.tech/solutions
Reply "yes" and I'll show you where to start.
Regards,
Step 3 — final follow-up
Test A
Subject: closing the loop on the busywork
Hi {{first_name}},
I'll leave it here so I'm not cluttering your inbox. If the busywork at {{company}} ever becomes worth automating, reply "yes" and I'll pick this back up.
Here are some of the solutions I offer: https://www.thesquirrel.tech/solutions
Regards,
Test B
Subject: one last note on efficiency
Hi {{first_name}},
Last one from me on this. If getting more done at {{company}} without adding headcount becomes a priority, reply "yes" and I'll follow up with specifics.
Here are some of the solutions I offer: https://www.thesquirrel.tech/solutions
Regards,
Test C
Subject: should I check back on this?
Hi {{first_name}},
I'll stop here for now. If AI adoption comes back onto {{company}}'s radar, reply "yes" and I'll follow up with specifics.
Here are some of the solutions I offer: https://www.thesquirrel.tech/solutions
Regards,
What I'd value guidance on
- Pointing out mistakes I might be making
- Suggesting any use cases you've seen work that I could take up
- Suggesting me resources to learn from, like courses or videos etc
- Any other form of guidance you're willing to share
At this point, even a few sentences of feedback would be incredibly valuable.
If you're wondering why you're receiving this email, it's because you're someone whose judgment I respect and whose experience I can learn from. You can read more about The Ganesh Project in #GG1.
As always, if you'd rather not receive future emails, just reply with "opt out" and I'll remove you immediately.
Thanks,
Ganesh Ghatti