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List of E-mail Greetings and Closings?

May 26, 2009 By 6 Comments

A site visitor to writes:

I struggle with e-mail closings, as well as greetings. You did address the need for a Hi, Hello, etc. in one of your e-mails, are there other appropriate salutations? I would also appreciate list of closures to choose from. Perhaps you could ask your readership for contributions to create a list?

I do have an article on this site for your review titled E-mail Sign-Off Considerations that you may find helpful. The article includes a healthy list of suggestions you can use.

As far as greetings, Hi, Hello, Howdy, G’Day and Dear — about cover it all. I’ve encountered many a creative greeting and sign-off over the years. Too many to track or list, so I stick with the basics when giving advice on these topics.

Maybe some of my readers will jump in with their most creative, funny, helpful and recommended greetings and closings and share their favorites with us?

Some More Info for You:

  1. Adding to Your Mailing List: Ask BEFORE You Add!

Filed Under: Q and A

Comments

  1. Pete Ashton says:
    January 28, 2011 at 7:09 am

    Judith,

    I have yet to find the list!

  2. Judith says:
    January 28, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Hey, Pete:

    There is a link to the list in the article above: “E-mail Sign-Off Considerations“. HTH!

  3. Felix says:
    February 10, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    [Greeting goes here]

    I understand the need for an intro; it’s just common sense. I’m trying to figure out, however, how to start when emailing someone for the *very first* time.

    Let’s say, for example, I want to contact a professional for their services. If I were to send an email to a generic “info@website.com” or maybe just fill out a contact form, then a simple “Hello,” is perfect. However, if I write to someone directly, i.e. I know their name, then how am I supposed to greet them? By first name? Last? Full name, perhaps?

    “Hello, [FirstName]” seems too informal and might even be offensive to a snooty PhD or whatever. Or, “Dear [FirstName]” sounds fake… I mean, at least until I get to know someone, how could they be dear to me? As for Mr. or Ms. or Mrs., there’s always the risk of not having it right. How about spelling out their full name – wouldn’t that sound a little goofy?

    Is there a safe way at all?

    Thank you,
    - Felix

  4. Judith says:
    February 10, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Hey, Felix:

    Your greeting should reflect the formality of your communication and I agree with all your assumptions. That is why you have to make a choice as to what fits your personality, the situation and what you are comfortable with. And there is no one-size-fits-all here. Personally, I’ve never used Dear in e-mails — that seems more for handwritten letters of a personal nature.

    So what I would recommend? Hello, FirstName or Hello Mr. or Miss. And I wouldn’t worry about offending those snooty PhDs — that’s almost impossible to avoid no matter what you do! ;-)

  5. Chanel says:
    February 18, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    A simple “Greetings (first and last name)

    and dont forget their title, if they have one you can use both first and last name or jsut last name

  6. Judith says:
    February 18, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    Hey, Chanel:

    Hmmm… Why would you say “Greetings first and last name”? People don’t talk like that — unless you are a spammer. As far as their title, if formality dictates it is Mr./Mrs/Ms. Dr. Last Name — never title, first name, last name.

    I hope you are not greeting people as you suggest as that isn’t standard or customary.

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