You might think of including an attachment, gif, or YouTube link—especially if you have a good reason for bringing it up. However, it’s included here because it’s often done in a casual way. Using “Dear Hiring Manager” or something similar is akin to “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” Ultimately, it’s generic and demonstrates that you did not find the name of the recipient. Not all email greetings will be appropriate for every email you send. At the other end of the spectrum is the exclamation point. By avoiding these email salutations, you can save yourself from embarrassment or offending another person while projecting a sense of professionalism. Try to use formal language. But in an informal setting, it can work wonders. If you’re making a simple request, you may not need much more than this in the body of your message. For me, “greetings” feels a little too Martian-like, but it’s an acceptable and common email opening. It’s that time of year again. Dear Mr/ Ms Jones, 5. Questions can be intrusive, but statements can’t. Dear Sir or Madam, 3. Confronting your recipient with too much information at once can leave them feeling overwhelmed. This is a simple way to break the ice and build a human connection within your cold email. Related: Need a Business Idea? If you’re writing a note to let a colleague or management know that the company lost an account, use a formal greeting. Use it wisely. While this casual tone might work in emails between coworkers and colleagues, it’s not an appropriate device for addressing a client or employer. The reason it is no longer acceptable is that it shows you have not taken the time to find out the name of the recipient. But, I’ve learned that landing on that perfect sentence that seamlessly segues into the rest of my note is an art form in and of itself. You’re in luck. Just make sure you’re not using email for gossiping purposes. I hope you’re having a great week. With your newfound knowledge of how to construct the proper salutation, you can ensure you address each person with a concise, correct and professional salutation that forges a strong business relationship. Business Email Greeting Phrases (Salutations) Here are the most popular greeting phrases: Notice: “Dear Mark,” is always written without a comma between the salutation and the name. For example, these happy New Year greetings for business clients and customers are perfect for sharing this time of year. 1. When you are learning how to write a professional email, even if it’s short, you might take as much time as when you are writing a long email. Starting an email with the right greeting can be very tricky especially when it is a professional or business email. Sometimes, you might have limited information about who you’re addressing. We want to send a heartfelt thanks to you for all of your hard work throughout 2019. Be careful with this one; you don’t want to seem intrusive. If you’re not sure what this person prefers, watch their email signature, and err on the side of full names and formality. Increasingly, universities and colleges are emphasizing the development of communication skills. Think about how you would react to certain email greetings from various people and set your salutation accordingly. The Six Best Ways to Start an Email 1 Hi [Name], In all but the most formal settings, this email greeting is the clear winner. Again, asking someone about their personal life is dangerous territory if you don’t know them. Dear Mum, (note: salutations are followed by a (,) comma, exception: ’To whom it may concern:’) Read more: How to introduce yourself in English: Tips and Phrases Other Ways To Say NICE TO MEET YOU! This shows that you care about the business relationship, as well as some insight into your level of professionalism. Professional email salutation tips:1. While many professionals prefer to maintain some semblance of past etiquette, others throw out the stodgy for a more familiar and quick greeting, or even skip it altogether. If you’ve never met the recipient, you should always use formal email salutations. Professional Email Salutations: Tips and Examples. ‘Dear [name]’ is the most common and neutral greeting for emails. I hope you’re having a wonderful day. Make sure to also include their name in this salutation, as it’s a sign of respect and business appropriate. If you are addressing a large group, open the email with the subject or title in all caps. For example, if you have to send an email to info@abccompany.com or financedepartment@xyzcompany.com, hello is an acceptable greeting. I can’t say I’m a big fan of this joke, but if this person is the type to describe themselves in terms of pre-caffeine and post-caffeine personalities, it might work well. Let’s start by talking about why email greetings matter in the first place. For example, if they recently posted an article about the importance of time management, you can tell them about a new tool you’ve found to analyze the amount of time they’re spending each day. If you have a limited relationship with the recipient, this is always a good option. If the recipient has no idea who you are or you’re trying to set a tone of professionalism, consider how the recipient would respond to your email. The use of exclamation points in casual or informal conversation has become rampant. Formal Email Greetings. There's one good way to start it, and several phrases to avoid. Professional New Year’s and Holiday Cards for Business Now that you’ve got some messaging inspiration, it is time to start thinking about design. (Contact) suggested I get in touch with you! The closing is just one part of a professional email. It might read as a bit cold, and it’s not the most creative email greeting, but it’s widely used. Like “To Whom It May Concern,” “Dear Sir or Madam” also shows disdain for finding the recipient’s contact information. Here are the six best ways to begin an email, followed by six you should avoid at all costs. Fortunately, the internet has made it easier than ever to find this information, but you can also use other methods to search for the contact person if the internet doesn’t provide the results you need. Hope this email finds you well. Generally, you’ll stick to being formal in this situation, with an email opening like one of these: You’ll need to add a bit more to this to make it work, but it’s a fairly unassuming opening that can help you establish your main priority in reaching out. If you need help polishing the rest of your approach, you can read more tips in this guide on subject lines for networking emails. If your recipient is a co-worker but not your boss, then 'Hi' or 'Hey' is usually appropriate. Avoid using times of day, such as "Good morning" or "Good evening"7. Formal Email Greetings. 5. These may technically break the rules I laid out, but I feel they’re vital to discuss in this context. You might find the right person or another contact who can help you with your search. There are some other examples of basic professional email greetings you can use, but unless you’re being cheeky, or you’re eager to stand out in some distinct way, it’s best to stick with one of these. Emails pose a moving target when it comes to the accepted, and expected, salutation or greeting. The two commas throw me off. Whether you’re writing to friends, colleagues or to a potential business partner, your main goal is to get your message across, in other words, to ensure the recipient understands you.. This is great if you’re trying to cut to the chase. Email Closings for Friendly Business . You may not get their formal title, but a full name will help you craft the correct email salutation. How to Start an Email Greeting: Comma, Colon, or Exclamation Point? 15 Meaningful Words to Use in Holiday Greetings to Business Partners and Customers 1. “I hope you’re staying safe and healthy during this crazy time!” began an email from a publicist who was following up on a request. Although emails usually aren’t as formal as letters, they still need to be professional to present a good image of you and your company. Hi! If you didn’t respond to the message right away, this short response could help you clear the air. Date: 01/01/2010. Thanks for working so hard throughout this past year to support our small business. 51 Working From Home Tips Scientifically Proven to Boost Your Productivity, 15 Working From Home Productivity Statistics, 7 Ways to Monitor Employees Working from Home, Email Response Time: What’s Acceptable, and How to Find Yours, 25 Gmail Search Operators That Will Make You a Gmail Pro, appeal to customers with a friendly opening, analyze the amount of time they’re spending each day, this guide on subject lines for networking emails, Sign up for a free trial of EmailAnalytics. Feel free to use it as a way to lead into an email—so long as that email isn’t very serious or important. If this name is unavailable, a term like “everyone” or “all” will provide a better fit. 4. Follow-up emails are essential in business, sales, and networking. Since that’s a lot of material, we’ve made a handy checklist so you can always remember these seven steps. An exclamation point conveys excitement, and can be used to indicate enthusiasm. Whether you’re using one of the above greetings in email or one of your own, you’ll be left with a critical punctuation decision: should you use a comma, a colon, or an exclamation point to end your greeting? But if you’ve had friendly conversations in the past, this can be a good thing. It can be, but there are generally better options. An important client, business partner or your boss, for example, will probably require you to use something formal. Follow these five simple steps to make sure your English emails are perfectly professional. Scour Facebook groups for the company. Kat is a Midwest-based freelance writer, covering topics related to careers, productivity, and the freelance life. It often looks more personal than professional. God help you if you misspell your prospect’s name. If you're addressing someone of higher status, such as your boss, then 'Hi Mr./Mrs./Ms. Best wishes. I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Similarly, this phrase establishes your main goal. Formal 1. Best 15 Holiday Greetings for Customers and Clients. This works if there’s a contextual link between the post and your message. “I hope you’re staying safe and healthy during this crazy time!” began an email from a publicist who was following up on a request. Although “Hey Guys” may have once been an all-inclusive phrase concerning gender and no intended offense, the salutation isn’t appropriate for professional emails. If these internet options prove fruitless, a phone call to the company in question can help you find a contact person. Use Twellow to search Twitter for company names or certain industries. The main problem with many formal email greetings is that they sound stiff. Using Miss or Mrs to address a woman is not appropriate, as you don’t know whether she’s married or not) Informal 1. Another variant on the “thank you” theme that might suit your needs perfectly. This offers something similar (and you’ll see it coming up again and again). If you’re not sure who you’re addressing, “Hi,” “Hello” or “Greetings” are far better options. In some instances, using no formal salutation is the best option. When using this you’re making sure the person reading will focus on what you have to ask. One way you can do this: Add an emoji. Feel free to ask about their weekend too—again, as long as it isn’t intrusive. For example, you may be answering an ad for a freelance gig and the ad does not include a person's name. My work inbox today is filled with similar messages from people who don’t know me, initially inquiring about my survival during the coronavirus pandemic and then addressing deadlines and other business. In business, it’s just more clutter on the page. Sign up for a free trial of EmailAnalytics, and start your journey today. If the group is small enough – five or less – the very best salutation is to use recipients’ names. 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