

If you’re writing a high-stakes email that needs to get results, it never hurts to do your homework. And if they pitch something that reflects the knowledge they’ve gained about my style and the topics I care about, it’s more likely to be something I can use.

I have to admit, I admire their dedication to getting to know me, even if it comes with an ulterior motive. And, just when I think I’ve somehow earned a fan, I’ll get a letter from them asking me to accept a guest blog post or do some sort of cross-promotional content swap. In my work as an editor, I’ve had people follow me on Twitter or Facebook, commenting on and sharing every article I publish. Show that you value the recipient’s time by getting down to business right from the start. Although the response rate diminished slowly after that, talk to any busy person and they’ll tell you they prefer emails that are brief and get straight to the point. The email app Boomerang conducted a data study and found that emails between seventy-five and one hundred words in length had the best response rates. Here are my five favorite alternatives to the ubiquitous greeting. I’ve sent a few, too (we all do, from time to time!). (A rather conservative estimate, at that.) I’ve seen many an “I hope you’re doing well” cross my inbox. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with GrammarlyĪs an entrepreneur, editor, and PR professional, I estimate that I’ve sent at least 73,000 business emails over the past twenty years.
