Perfect Email Greetings And Ways To Start Any Email – Get Them Hooked!

I’ve compiled some email-starting ideas as well as lists of greetings and opening lines you can use to get your message started.

Why it’s important to start your emails right

Some people receive a lot of emails and don’t have time to read them all. If you don’t hook your reader immediately, they may not finish your message. They may pledge to read it later or decide it’s not worth their time.

How to start an email

Here’s how to start any professional email:

1. Pick the right greeting or salutation.

Once someone opens your email, the first thing they’ll see is your greeting, also known as a salutation. So ask yourself, is this a “Hello,” “Dear,” “Good Morning,” or “To Whom It May Concern” situation? (Note: If this is a cover letter or similar, it’s never a “To Whom It May Concern” situation)

2. Address your recipient appropriately.

If they work for a more professional corporation, you may wish to use their first and last name or Mr. or Ms. (not Miss or Mrs!) followed by their last name. However, full names or first names are better than misgendering someone. Unless otherwise instructed, use “Dr. X” or “Professor Y” for doctors and professors.

3. Set the tone with a strong opening line.

You don’t usually start a conversation—especially with someone you don’t know or don’t speak with often—by just saying their name and launching into a story about how you need their help, so you generally shouldn’t do this in an email.

4. Get to the point.

That being said, you should explain to your recipient why you’re emailing them as soon as possible—after all, you want them to keep reading. So, by the second or third sentence of your email, you should usually be describing why you’re writing.

Example email greetings and salutations

Here are a few email greetings you can use to kick off your email depending on your situation:

• Dear
• Good morning
• Good afternoon
• Good evening
• Greetings
• Hello
• Hello all
• Hey everyone
• Hey folks
• Hey
• Hi
• Hi team
• Hi [department name] Team
• Hi there
• To Whom It May Concern

Example email opening lines

For greetings you don’t have too many choices, but for opening lines, the choices are almost endless, so we’ve put together 40 to get you started—and grouped them by situation.

If you need something formal

• Allow me to introduce myself
• Good afternoon
• Good morning
• How are you?
• Hope this email finds you well
• I hope you enjoyed your weekend
• I hope you’re doing well
• I hope you’re having a great week
• I hope you’re having a wonderful day
• It’s great to hear from you
• I’m eager to get your advice on…
• I’m reaching out about…
• Thank you for your help
• Thank you for the update
• Thanks for getting in touch
• Thanks for the quick response

If you’re following up

• As promised, I’m…
• As we discussed on our call…
• Can you provide me with an update on…
• I’m checking in on…
• I’m getting back to you about…
• To follow up on our meeting…

If you want to get (appropriately) personal

• Congratulations on [recent accomplishment]
• How did [recent project] turn out?
• I hope you enjoyed your [event or vacation]
• I loved your recent [photo/article/social media post]
• I was just laughing the other day about [inside joke]
• I was just thinking about you and [shared memory]
• It was great to see you at [event]
• This [article/video/GIF] made me think of you
• [Mutual Contact] recommended I get in touch with you

If you’re feeling funny

• Happy “Not Monday”
• Hello from the other side
• Here’s the good news: Only [number] more days until Friday
• I hope this email doesn’t find you. I hope you’ve escaped, that you’re free. But just in case…
• Hope you’re surviving another work week
• I hope you’ve had your coffee already
• It’s me again
• I’ll keep this short
• Just what you want: another email!

Remember that not all of these starting lines will work for every email. A boss or key customer may necessitate formal attire. A close coworker or longtime friend? A quirky greeting may amuse them.