How to Start an Email Professionally (Greetings + Examples)
The first two lines of an email decide whether it gets read or skimmed. Here is how to open professionally — with greetings and first lines for every situation.
Start a professional email with the right greeting for the relationship, then a one-line opener that states your purpose. Match formality to the reader, use their name, and get to the point in the first sentence. Examples below.
The two parts of a strong email opening
Every professional email opens with two moves: a greeting and an opening line. The greeting sets the tone; the opening line tells the reader why they should keep reading. Nail both and the rest of the email writes itself.
Professional email greetings (by formality)
- Warm and standard: “Hi [name],” — the safe default for most work email.
- Friendly: “Hello [name],” or “Hey [name],” for colleagues you know.
- Formal: “Dear [name],” for clients, applications, and first-contact with senior people.
- No name available: “Hello,” or “Dear [role],” (e.g. “Dear Hiring Manager,”).
Opening lines that get to the point
After the greeting, your first sentence should state the purpose. Strong openers:
How to start a reply
When you’re responding, acknowledge first, then move forward. It signals you actually read their message.
How to start a cold email
With a stranger, relevance is everything. Lead with something specific to them, not about you.
Openings to avoid
- “To Whom It May Concern” — dated and impersonal; find a name or use the role.
- “I hope this email finds you well” — harmless but empty; a specific opener lands better.
- “Sorry to bother you” — opens from a weak position; just be direct and polite.
- Burying the purpose in paragraph three. Say why you’re writing in line one.
Start from a draft, not a blank screen
The blank-screen pause before “Hi…” is where most email time disappears. Tomorrow reads the thread and drafts the whole opening — greeting, first line, and reply — in your own voice, so you start from something polished and just refine. It works on any inbox, including custom domains over IMAP, and never sends without your approval.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to start a professional email?
Open with an appropriate greeting ("Hi [name]," for most cases, "Dear [name]," when formal), then a one-line opener that states why you are writing — for example, "I am reaching out about..." or "Thanks for your note on...". Get to the point in the first sentence.
What greeting should I use if I do not know the person's name?
Use "Hello," or "Hi there," for a warm tone, or "Dear [team/role]," (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager,") when formal. Avoid "To Whom It May Concern" unless the context is very formal — it reads as dated.
How do I start a cold email professionally?
Skip the throat-clearing. Greet them by name, then open with a specific, relevant reason for writing: "Hi [name], I came across [specific thing] and thought [specific value] might be useful." Relevance in the first line earns the rest of the email.
Can AI help me write professional emails?
Yes. Tomorrow drafts replies and new emails in your own voice — greeting, opener, and all — based on the thread context, so you start from a polished draft instead of a blank screen. You approve before anything sends.
Let Tomorrow write the email for you
Tomorrow is the AI inbox that works on any email address. It drafts replies in your voice, handles follow-ups, and waits for your approval before sending.
