3.2: Making a Professional Connection – Greeting, Netiquette, Tone
One of the best ways to connect with your reader is to say their name. When writing letters or emails, avoid generic salutations, such as "Dear Colleague," "Dear Sir," or "Dear Madam," unless you have no alternative. Do your research to find the person's name at the company so you can include a personalized salutation – Dear Dr. Johnson or Dear Sylvia lets your reader know your message is for them. If your group is too large to list everyone individually, write "Dear Sales Team" or "Dear Board of Directors" to let your readers know others will read your message.
Watch this video on email greeting tips for professional interactions.
Your greeting will set the tone of your message. What is tone? Read this article on how the writing style you use will set a tone in your work, whether it is colloquial, casual, or formal.
Watch this video on the importance of your tone. Using tone appropriately sets the course for the relationships you develop.