Try These Business Email Opening Tips for a Great Start

A business email opening is a lot like an elevator pitch. It’s one of the first things a recipient reads, and it can determine whether readers consider or ignore your request.

Writing an effective email opening can be challenging. On the one hand, a proper email adheres to market standards. Conversely, you need an opening that helps you stand out from the scores of people who email your contact.

This guide will help you learn what a business email is and why it’s essential. It also provides readers with a list of tips and examples for writing an appropriate email opening.

What is a Business Email?

A business email is a correspondence between one company and another. It’s a common way to reach out to potential partners and collaborators.

A business email asks or replies to a question, sends customers general information, and informs them of your service or product.

Here are a few advantages of using business emails: 

• Better security measures
• Cost-effective.
• Higher credibility (You’re unlikely to receive a response from a business using your email.)

But as with all things business-related, these emails are held to higher, stricter standards than traditional emails. 

Business emails have:

• Subject Line
• Email greeting / Opening
• Intro / Purpose
• Body
• Ask / Action
• Closing / Sign-off

Why is it Important?

Professional emails can be the start of a lucrative partnership between two companies. Professionals can use them to secure a job or promotion. It can also increase sales by improving brand awareness and securing significant transactions.

They are especially important for small businesses and startups that need funding to accelerate their growth. Business emails form the backbone of B2B communications and are necessary for all types of businesses. 

Business emails also provide an opportunity to make a good first impression on prospective customers, employers, or business partners. 

Here’s where our article comes in handy. We’ve taken the time to include some helpful tips on writing an effective business email opening. Let’s begin.

Business Email Opening Tips

As mentioned earlier, business emails have their unique etiquette and formalities. It’s significantly different from writing a regular email. Here are some tips you can use to improve your email opening.

1. Determine your purpose and tone.

The purpose of your email will determine the right tone to use. Generally, if you’re introducing yourself to a prospect, you’ll want to be formal. If you’re following up on a previous discussion, be polite. You can also use an (appropriately) personal opening line to build a relationship with your contact. 

2. Be Friendly

A friendly, inviting makes the recipient comfortable with you. It’s a safe approach because the person reading your email doesn’t know you. Like most introductions, it’s important to set your best foot forward and create the impression that you’re someone they’d be happy to work with.

3. Set Context, Explain Briefly

You don’t have a lot of space to put in an opening. A great when to start an email is to provide context to why you’re emailing them. 

To add a personal touch, mention relevant company news and express how you felt about their recent work. Make sure to use a positive tone. Flattery can be a useful tool.

If you’re offering a solution to a problem, mention a specific problem their company has and give a brief description of your solution. You can also mention you’ve helped other businesses and companies with similar problems.

Avoid using fillers and opening on a negative note. 

4. Remember Your Manners

Don’t forget to thank your recipient for taking the time to read your message. It’s not only a display of good manners but also leaves the impression that you’re someone they’d want to have a conversation with.

If you’re still unsure about how to start an email, try following these examples:

5. Formal Email Salutation

• Greetings from all of us at [your company]. 
• I hope you’re having a great day.
• Hello, Mr/Ms/Honorific.
• Allow me to introduce myself.
• I hope you’re having a great week.
• It’s great to hear from you.
• I hope this email finds you well.
• Good morning.
• Good afternoon.
• I appreciate your quick response.
• Hi Mr/Ms/Honorific

6. Offering Value

• I help companies like yours by [value proposition]
• We recently worked with [client] and helped them with [project]
• I have an idea to address [problem or pain point]
• A colleague mentioned you need help with [pain point]. I can address this by [solution]

7. Follow-Ups

• If possible, I’d like to know about [your inquiry]
• Just checking in on [your inquiry]
• Can you provide me with an update on [inquiry]
• I’m checking in on [inquiry]
• To follow up on our meeting [inquiry]
• Just to make sure, is [inquiry] ready?
• As per our conversation [inquiry]

8. Personal Touch / Informal

• I enjoyed reading your article on [article title]
• We share your views on [topic]
• I thought of you when I saw [relevant media]
• I noticed your company recently [Event]
• Quick question on your recent [Relevant Company Event]

The Bottom Line

An email opening is essential for grabbing the attention and interest of the recipient. It can determine whether the reader takes your message seriously. A killer opening will make the rest of your email more engaging. Never open on a negative note.

Mind these simple tips, and you should be able to capture your reader’s interest from the beginning of your email.