How do you Start an email?

[IWDCanada]

The post 'how do you answer your phone" got me thinking about sending emails. I used to get in trouble some time ago when I would send out an email saying

"Hey Evan,

blah blah blah"

I used to think I was being friendly but there were a good number of people who took offense to that. After that I would usually say

"Hi Evan,

blah blah" or just

"Evan,

blah blah"

I've seen people say "Greeting!" and things like that. What do you guys use?

[Kevin Lee]

Hi IWDCanada,

I prefer to begin my emails with "Hi" followed by the person's name, since I believe it's "business casual" in tone.

And I would only use "Hey" to address someone I know pretty well, while using "Greetings" and "Dear" sound too formal or like something I would expect from a spammer (but that's just me).

[Takuya]

All of my auto responder messages start out with either "Hi" or person's customized name.

THEN I prepare ones with no mention of names at all. The reason being I would like to use this tactic.

"If you would like to know more information about ____ just send a blank email to _____ my aweber autoresponder email account"

That easy optin really encourages people to subscribe list.

But if I ask someone to "just send a blank email", the message gets returned to "Hi ___ ,"....

It leaves the name insertion part blank and it looks funny.

I subscribe to tons of newsletters but it's not unusual to receive one that says, "Hi [$first name$]" or something coded and I can tell people just cut and pasted it from whatever they receive and it's a bit turn off for me.

Each auto responder having different customization code, people need to double check before email gets sent out.

If I am writing privately, it's always person's name ... now that I think about it. I never use "Dear" so on so. Maybe just "Hi"

Warmest Regards,
Takuya

[OmnivoreInk]

I use, Dear __________ (whatever their surname is).

But then, I'm generallyasking for an interview from an author, filmmaker, etc., so I believe in being formal, until they give me permission to use their first name. Usually, if they respond at all, they agree to give me an interview and call me by my first name, so then we get on a first name basis. And 99% of people I approach do agree to an interview...which is nice.... Everybody likes to talk about themselves!

[JWDesignCenter]

mine changes depending on whether i've had contact with the person before... if so.. then i'll put hi chris, or whatever... if not.. then i put hi Mr. Smith, still try to keep things light and business casual. Interesting thread.

[litekepr]

I haven't really thought about it, but the greeting depends on how I refer to the person. Usually I start with Hi or Hello and I may change it a bit, but I rarely use Dear - not sure why, though

Shri

[Kevin Lee]

Well now that we've heard some of the ways to start an email... How do you end an email?

I like using a simple "Thanks" to sign off the majority of my emails/messages and I don't think anyone uses "Sincerely" or "Yours truly" anymore.

And what's up with the popularity of ending emails with "Cheers"? I used to think that only my former bosses (i.e. people from Centrica/British Gas/the UK) used that term, but it seems like everyone is using it now and I find it a bit strange. For instance, if I didn't live or work in Australia, don't you think it'd be weird for me to sign off using "Good day mate"?

[OmnivoreInk]

Well now that we've heard some of the ways to start an email... How do you end an email?

I like using a simple "Thanks" to sign off the majority of my emails/messages and I don't think anyone uses "Sincerely" or "Yours truly" anymore.

And what's up with the popularity of ending emails with "Cheers"? I used to think that only my former bosses (i.e. people from Centrica/British Gas/the UK) used that term, but it seems like everyone is using it now and I find it a bit strange. For instance, if I didn't live or work in Australia, don't you think it'd be weird for me to sign off using "Good day mate"?

Since I'm usually asking for something, I always end with:

Thanks for your consideration in this matter.

Then my name and the URL of my website

[Takuya]

I have to end with some sort of PS.

People may not read my content, but they pay attention to PS a lot. I know it because I track click through there.

Then I get emails from paypal = My affiliate commission. In fact, if I don't use PS, I will be leaving so much money on the table.

Warmest Regards,
Takuya

[jvprosperity]

I usually begin an email with:

Evan, .....

and if the email goes back and forth I leave out the name altogether and just get into the message.

I end with and action item with a date bolded and placed within brackets e.g. [Wednesday, Sept 19, 2006] and close of with "Thank You"

The P.S. suggestion is good but it depends on the type of communication (e.g. Autoresponder series verses one off emails to Clients or Prospects)

[Takuya]

The P.S. suggestion is good but it depends on the type of communication (e.g. Autoresponder series verses one off emails to Clients or Prospects)

Andy,

You are right. I was mainly referring to Auto Responder emails. To end a normal email, I attach signatures.

Takuya

[litekepr]

I end most emails with thank you for your time or simply my name or pen name, but I can't remember ever using Yours Truly for a business email Personal, but not business. I've been working with a woman who ends her business emails with "Thanks Hon". I really don't recommend that approach All my email accounts are set up to include my signature block with fiction and business address and note about my new promotional book which is being released in November.

Shri

[Kevin Lee]

I've noticed that many small business owners are shying away from including their phone numbers (and cell#) in their email signatures. Why is this so?

When should you include your phone number in your email signature and when should you hold back?

[mphcoach]

I would have thought that there is a value in including phone numbers if there is any business opportunity at all.

Not sure why they wouldn't, unless perhaps, they are remote and prefer not to be contacted directly.

Regards

Martinhttp://www.Coaching-Businesses-To-Success.com

[Takuya]

I receive cold calls everyday from having my number listed on my email and find it to be really annoying although my phone is still listed there.

People opt-in to my Auto responders and harvest both email and phone number, trying to offer me something "relevant" instead (spammers).

I block their calls and delete them out of my auto responder database before they decide to unsubscribe from the list themselves. And if any number shows up with area codes that I don't recognize, I'll first let them go into my voice mail.

So my number is still listed.

Warmest Regards,
Takuya