Email salutations are similar to the final moments of a first date. No matter how enticing the introductions or impressive the body, the goodbye will tell you everything you need to know about whether you will or want to see them again. Hence, the inherent pressure to produce the proper email salutation.
For DMN’s Email Week, we want to help with our take on the do’s and don’ts of email salutations.
DO NOT include quotes.
There is nothing less interesting than attempting to sound interesting.
DO include title and contact information.
A person receiving the email doesn’t need a resume, but they should understand who sent it and how to contact them.
DO NOT include nicknames.
Stop trying to push your self-imposed nickname on us. Yes, we get it. And no, we don’t like it.
DO include a sign-off.
While the sign-off may seem a bit redundant, it allows the reader to understand the email was not cut off.
DO NOT include “sincerely.”
Unless you run a funeral home, stay away from this salutation stuck in the past.
DO include all variations of “warm.”
“Warm regards,” “warmest regards,” “warmest,” and “warmly” are all appropriate salutations to send in a business email or an exchange between colleagues.
DO NOT include “XOXO.”
Save the kisses and hugs for the notes mom places in your lunchbox.
DO include “best” variations.
An email cannot go wrong by ending with any of the eight different variations of the “best” salutations, including ones like “my best,” “all the best,” “best wishes.”
DO NOT include different languages.
Unless you are fluent in another language, you are no better than the man who says mutzaella at an Italian restaurant.
DO include a company logo.
Be careful of the size, but a company logo should be provided to add some flair and context to a salutation.
