How to write a formal email
For most of us, email is the most common form of business communication so it’s
important to get it right. Although emails usually aren’t as formal as letters, they still
need to be professional to present a good image of you and your company.
Follow these five simple steps to make sure your English emails are perfectly
professional.
1. Begin with a greeting
2. Thank the recipient
3. State your purpose
4. Add your closing remarks
5. End with a closing
1. Begin with a greeting
Always open your email with a greeting, such as “Dear Lillian”. If your
relationship with the reader is formal, use their family name (eg. “Dear Mrs.
Price”). If the relationship is more casual, you can simply say, “Hi Kelly”. If
you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, use: “To whom it
may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.
2. Thank the recipient
If you are replying to a client’s inquiry, you should begin with a line of thanks.
For example, if someone has a question about your company, you can say,
“Thank you for contacting ABC Company”. 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 him or her at ease, and it will
make you appear more polite.
3. State your purpose
If you are starting the email communication, it may be impossible to include a
line of thanks. Instead, begin 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 clear. You’ll also need to pay careful attention to grammar,
spelling and punctuation so that you present a professional image of yourself
and your company.
4. Add your closing remarks
Before 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”.
5. End with a closing
The 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.
