Five steps to consider if you want to write and send an email correctly.
Notice: This is only for formal emails. Nowadays, due to the multiple ways of communication, it is not common to send a letter to a close friend or relative. Emails are commonly for institutional purposes.
Greeting is the first step.Begin your email with a greeting, such as “Dear Mr. Nakamura”. If your relationship with the reader is not that close or is formal, use their family name (eg. “Dear Mrs. Caprianni”). If the connection is more personal, even dough regarding business, but close or respectfully close, you can simply say, “Hi Joseph”. If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, use: “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.
Thank the recipientIf the mail replies to a client’s inquiry, you should take a line to thank her/him. For example, if someone has a question about your company, you can say, “Thank you for contacting Miila.ca”. If someone has replied to one of your emails, be sure to say, “Thank you for your prompt reply” or “Thanks for getting back to me”. Thanking the reader puts them at ease, making you appear more polite.
The body of the messageContinue by stating your purpose. For example, “I am writing to enquire about …” or “I am writing in reference to …”. Make your purpose clear early on in the email, and then move into the main text of your email. Remember, people want to read emails quickly, so keep your sentences short and precise. You’ll also need to pay careful attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation to present a professional image of yourself and your company.
Something else before saying goodbyeBefore you end your email, it’s polite to thank your reader one more time and add some polite closing remarks. You might start with “Thank you for your patience and cooperation” or “Thank you for your consideration” and then follow up with, “If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to let me know” and “I look forward to hearing from you”.
End with a closingThe last step is to include an appropriate closing with your name. “Best regards”, “Sincerely”, and “Thank you” are all professional. Avoid closings such as “Best wishes” or “Cheers” unless you are good friends with the reader. Finally, before you hit the send button, review and spell check your email one more time to make sure it’s truly perfect!
Remember:1. Greeting is the first step. 2. Thank the recipient before you go. 3. Write The body or purpose of the message. 4. Say something good or polite before saying goodbye. 5. End with a closing.
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