Pro email etiquette examples
Here are some examples of professional email etiquette:
Subject Line
- Keep it concise and descriptive: "Request for Meeting on Friday"
- Avoid using all capital letters or excessive punctuation: "Meeting Request - Friday"
- Avoid using irrelevant or misleading subject lines: "Urgent - Please Read"
Salutations
- Use a formal greeting: "Dear [Recipient's Name]"
- Avoid using overly casual greetings: "Hey [Recipient's Name]"
- Use a professional sign-off: "Best regards" or "Sincerely"
Body
- Keep it concise and to the point: 3-4 paragraphs at most
- Use a clear and formal tone: Avoid using slang, jargon, or overly technical language
- Use proper grammar and spelling: Proofread your email before sending
- Avoid using emoticons or excessive punctuation: ":)" or "!!!"
Sign-off
- Use a professional sign-off: "Best regards" or "Sincerely"
- Avoid using overly casual sign-offs: "Talk to you soon" or "Cheers"
- Include your full name and title: "John Doe, Marketing Manager"
Attachments
- Keep attachments small and relevant: Avoid sending large files or unnecessary attachments
- Use a clear and descriptive file name: "Marketing Report Q2 2023.pdf"
- Avoid using attachments with viruses or malware: Make sure your attachments are virus-free
Timing
- Avoid sending emails late at night or early in the morning: 9am-5pm is usually a safe bet
- Avoid sending emails during peak hours (e.g. 12pm-2pm): You may not get a response right away
- Consider the recipient's time zone: If you're sending an email to someone in a different time zone, consider their schedule
Follow-up
- If you don't receive a response, send a polite follow-up email: "Just wanted to follow up on my email from last week..."
- Avoid sending multiple follow-up emails in a row: Give the recipient time to respond
- Consider using a tracking feature: Some email clients allow you to track when your email has been opened or responded to
Here are some specific examples of professional email etiquette:
Example 1: Request for Meeting
Subject: Request for Meeting on Friday
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out to request a meeting with you on Friday to discuss the upcoming project. Would you be available at 2pm?
Best regards, John Doe
Example 2: Follow-up Email
Subject: Follow-up on Email from Last Week
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I wanted to follow up on my email from last week regarding the marketing report. I understand that you may be busy, but I would appreciate it if you could let me know when I can expect to receive the report.
Best regards, Jane Smith
Example 3: Apology Email
Subject: Apology for Delayed Response
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I apologize for the delayed response to your email. I have been out of the office for the past week and just returned to my desk. I will respond to your email as soon as possible.
Best regards, Bob Johnson
Remember to always proofread your email before sending and to use a professional tone and language.