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How To Write Email Openings That Get Read: 90 Best Examples

Learn how to write email openings that get read. Explore 90 top examples improve your email open rates.
Written by
Samruddhi
Published on
July 15, 2024

What are Email Opening Lines?

What are Email Opening Lines?
What are Email Opening Lines?

Email opening lines are the first sentences of an email. They are very important. Because they help grab the reader’s attention. A good email opening sentence or line can make the reader want to read more.

A bad one can make them ignore your email. Effective email opening sentences can make a significant impact on the reader’s engagement.

Why Are They Important?

1. Grab Attention

  • The first line can make someone read or ignore your email.
  • Starting with "Hope this email finds you well" might sound friendly.
  • Using funny email opening lines can make the reader smile and read more.

A study by the Radicati Group found that the typical office worker gets around 121 emails daily. With so many emails, grabbing attention quickly is crucial.

2. Set the Tone

  • Your opening line sets the tone for your email. Effective email openings are crucial in business communication to convey professionalism.
  • For a business email, use a professional email opening line like, "Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to discuss...".
  • For a formal email, start with, "Dear Sir, I am writing to inform you...".

A survey by HubSpot found that emails with personalized subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened. This shows the importance of setting the right tone from the start of professional emails.

3. Show Respect

  • A good opening line shows you respect the reader’s time.
  • Encourage a quick response by starting with, "Thank you for your prompt response to our previous conversation."

A report by SuperOffice indicated that emails with a personalized greeting saw a 29.3% open rate, compared to a 20.8% open rate for emails without personalization. This highlights the importance of respect and personalization in email openings.

How To Write an Effective Email Opening Line?

How To Write a Professional Email Opening Line?
How To Write an Effective Email Opening Line?

1. Personalize Your Opening Line

Why It Matters:

Personalizing your email opening line shows the reader that you know them and care about them. It makes your email feel more personal and less like spam. Some of the best email opening sentences are those that immediately address the recipient’s needs.

How to Implement:

  • Use the recipient’s name. For example, “Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you’re having a great week.”
  • Mention something specific about the recipient or their company. For instance, “I enjoyed reading your blog post about email marketing on [Company Name]'s website.”

According to Campaign Monitor, emails with personalized subject and best email opening lines are 26% more likely to be opened.

2. Use a Professional and Formal Greeting

Why It Matters:

Using a professional and formal greeting sets the right tone for business emails. It shows respect and seriousness, which is important in professional settings. A study by SuperOffice found that emails with a formal email greeting had higher open rates compared to those with informal greetings.

How to Implement:

  • Start with a polite greeting such as “Dear [Recipient's Name],” or “Dear Hiring Manager,”.
  • For formal emails, you can use greetings like “Dear Sir,” or “Dear Madam,”.

3. Make It Relevant to the Recipient

Why It Matters:

Making your email opening line relevant to the recipient shows that you understand their needs. It makes your otherwise perfect email opening line feel important and specific to them. This can increase the chances of getting a quick response.

How to Implement:

  • Mention a previous conversation or email. For example, “Hi [Recipient's Name], I wanted to follow up on our previous conversation about the project.”
  • Refer to the company name or a specific event. For example, “Dear [Recipient's Name], I noticed that [Company Name] recently launched a new product.”
  • Connect to something they care about. For example, “Hello [Recipient's Name], I read your recent article about email marketing and found it very insightful.”

4. Add a Personal Touch

Why It Matters:

Adding a personal touch to your email opening and subject line makes your email feel more human. It shows that you are not just sending a mass email but are genuinely interested in the recipient. This can help build a personal connection.

How to Implement:

  • Use the recipient’s name. For example, “Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well.”
  • Start with a friendly comment or question. For example, “Hello [Recipient's Name], did you enjoy your weekend?”
  • Share something about yourself. For example, “Hi [Recipient's Name], I wanted to share a quick story from my recent trip.”

5. Keep It Short and Engaging

Why It Matters:

Keeping your email opening lines short and engaging helps to quickly capture the reader’s interest. People receive many emails daily. A quick and interesting opening can make your email stand out.

According to Campaign Monitor, emails with brief, compelling subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened.

How to Implement:

  • Start with a short, engaging sentence. For example, “Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well.”
  • Use a catchy opening line. For example, “Did you know your email opens can improve by 20% with a simple change?”
  • Ask a question to draw the reader in. For example, “Do you want to boost your email response rates?”

6. Be Clear and Direct

Why It Matters:

Being clear and direct in your email opening lines helps the reader understand the purpose of your email right away. This can save time for both you and the recipient. Clear communication shows respect for the reader’s time and increases the chances of a quick response.

How to Implement:

  • State the purpose of your email in the first line. For example, “I am writing to follow up on our previous conversation.”
  • Use simple and direct language. For example, “I need your help with the project update.”
  • Avoid jargon and complex words. For example, “Can we meet to discuss the project details?”

7. Use a Catchy Opening Line

Why It Matters:

Using catchy email opening lines can grab the reader’s attention right away. It makes them curious and interested in reading more follow up email. The best opening lines capture attention and set the tone for the rest of the email.

How to Implement:

  • Start with a question. For example, “Did you know your email open rate can increase by 20%?”
  • Use a surprising fact. For example, “Emails with short, catchy opening lines get 50% more replies.”
  • Make it funny or engaging. For example, “Hope this email finds you with a smile!”

According to HubSpot, emails with compelling and interesting opening lines have higher open rates.

8. Incorporate Relevant Keywords

Why It Matters:

Using relevant keywords helps your email get noticed and improves search engine optimization (SEO). Keywords make your content more relevant and easier to find. According to Mailchimp, emails that use relevant keywords see a 29% higher open rate.

How to Implement:

  • Use keywords naturally in your opening line. For example, “Hi [Recipient's Name], I wanted to follow up on our previous conversation about email openings.”
  • Include keywords like “quick response” and “professional email” in your sentences. For example, “I need a quick response to finalize the details of our business email.”
  • Avoid keyword stuffing. Use keywords where they fit naturally. For example, “Dear Hiring Manager, I hope this email finds you well.”

90 Best Examples For Email Opening Lines

1. Professional Email Openings

Professional Email Openings
Professional Email Openings

Professional email openings are formal email greetings used in formal settings. These are good for emails sent to managers, clients, or other professionals. Some of the best email opening lines are personalized and engaging.

Examples:

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well."

  • Use this opening line to sound professional and polite.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I am writing to discuss our project."

  • This opening line gets straight to the point.

"Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the position at [Company Name]."

  • Use this when applying for a job.

"Good morning, [Recipient's Name]. I wanted to follow up on our previous conversation."

  • This is good for following up on a past discussion.

"Dear Sir, I am writing to inform you about the latest updates."

  • Use this for formal updates.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I hope you are having a great week."

  • This is a friendly way to start a professional email.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I wanted to thank you for your quick response."

  • Show appreciation with this opening line.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I am reaching out regarding our business correspondence."

  • Use this for business-related emails.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this message finds you in good health."

  • This is a polite and caring opening line.

"Good afternoon, [Recipient's Name]. I would like to schedule a meeting with you."

  • This is great for setting up a meeting.

2. Business Email Openings

Business Email Openings
Business Email Openings

Business email openings are used for communicating with colleagues, partners, or clients in a business context.

Examples:

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well."

  • A versatile opening line for business emails.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I am writing to discuss our business partnership."

  • Use this to talk about partnerships.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I wanted to follow up on our business email."

  • This is good for following up on a previous business email.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope you had a great week."

  • A friendly yet professional opening line.

"Good morning, [Recipient's Name]. I am writing to provide an update."

  • Use this to share updates.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you are doing well."

  • A simple and friendly opening.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I wanted to follow up on our previous email conversation."

  • Good for revisiting past discussions.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I wanted to check in about our project."

  • Use this to check in on a project.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I am writing to discuss our next steps."

  • This is good for planning future actions.

"Good afternoon, [Recipient's Name]. I hope you are having a productive week."

  • A polite and encouraging opening line.

3. Formal Email Openings

Formal Email Openings
Formal Email Openings

Formal email openings are used in professional and official settings. These are good for emails sent to managers, clients, or important government or city officials.

Examples:

"Dear Sir, I hope this email finds you well."

  • Use this to sound very formal and respectful.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I am writing to allow me to introduce and discuss our recent project."

  • This opening line is clear and professional.

"Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the position at [Company Name]."

  • Perfect for job applications.

"Good morning, [Recipient's Name]. I wanted to follow up on our previous conversation."

  • Use this for following up on past discussions.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I am writing to inform you about the latest updates."

  • This is great for giving formal updates.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope you had a great week."

  • A polite and formal way to start an email.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I wanted to thank you for your quick response."

  • Show appreciation in a formal setting.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I am reaching out regarding our business correspondence."

  • Use this for business-related emails.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this message finds you in good health."

  • This is a polite and caring opening line.

"Good afternoon, [Recipient's Name]. I would like to schedule a meeting with you."

  • Great for setting up formal meetings.

4. Friendly Email Openings

Friendly Email Openings
Friendly Email Openings

Friendly email openings are used to create a warm and approachable tone. These are good opening lines for emails sent to colleagues, friends, or when you want to sound more casual.

Examples:

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you’re having a great day!"

  • A simple and friendly greeting.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well."

  • Friendly yet professional.

"Hey [Recipient's Name], how have you been?"

  • Very casual and friendly.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I just wanted to check in on you."

  • Shows you care about the recipient.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I hope you had a wonderful weekend."

  • Warm and friendly.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope your week is going well."

  • A positive and friendly opening.

"Hey [Recipient's Name], it’s been a while! How are you?"

  • Good for reconnecting with someone.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I wanted to share some exciting news with you."

  • Creates curiosity and interest.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you in good spirits."

  • Friendly and caring.

"Hey [Recipient's Name], I wanted to catch up on our previous conversation."

  • Shows interest in the recipient’s life.

5. Sales Email Openings

Sales Email Openings
Sales Email Openings

Sales email openings are used to grab the attention of potential customers in sales emails and encourage them to read on. Here are some examples:

Examples:

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I noticed that your company, [Company Name], is doing amazing things in the industry."

  • This opening line shows you have done your research and are genuinely interested in their company.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I wanted to share some exciting news about our new product."

  • This creates curiosity and interest in your product.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well. I have a solution that can save your team 20% more time."

  • This opening line promises a clear benefit.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I came across your profile and thought our services could really help you."

  • This is personalized and makes the recipient feel important.

"Good morning, [Recipient's Name]. Are you looking for ways to improve your sales? We can help."

  • This opening line addresses a common problem and offers a solution.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I wanted to introduce you to our latest tool that can boost your productivity."

  • This shows that you have something valuable to offer.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], our new service has been helping companies like yours to achieve great results."

  • This creates a sense of trust by mentioning similar companies.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you had a great week. I wanted to do a quick follow up here on our previous conversation."

  • This is a friendly and respectful follow-up.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I’m excited to tell you about an opportunity that could benefit your business."

  • This opening line builds excitement and interest.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], have you ever wondered how to improve your team's efficiency? Our product can help."

  • This addresses a common question and offers a solution.

6. Cold Email Openings

 Cold Email Openings
Cold Email Openings

Cold email openings are used to reach out to people who you have not communicated with before. Here are some examples:

Examples:

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well. I came across your profile and thought we should connect."

  • This opening line is polite and shows interest in the recipient.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I wanted to introduce myself and our company, [Company Name]."

  • This is straightforward and introduces you and your company.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well. I noticed that your company is doing amazing work."

  • This shows you have done some research and are interested in their work.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I saw your recent post about [topic] and wanted to share some insights."

  • This opening line is personalized and relevant to the recipient’s interests.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I am reaching out to see if we can collaborate on a project."

  • This shows a willingness to work together.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you in good spirits. Our team has a solution that might interest you."

  • This opening line is friendly and introduces a potential benefit.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I wanted to share some valuable information that could help your business."

  • This offers something of value right from the start.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I came across your work and was impressed. I think we can help each other."

  • This opening line is complimentary and suggests a mutual benefit.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope you are doing well. I have a proposal that could benefit your team."

  • This is polite and introduces a potential benefit.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I wanted to connect and see if we can find ways to work together."

  • This shows a genuine interest in collaboration.

7. Funny Email Opening Lines

Funny Email Opening Lines
Funny Email Opening Lines

Funny business email opening lines can make the reader smile and feel more relaxed. They are great for breaking the ice and making the email more memorable.

Examples:

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you with a smile!"

  • This opening line is cheerful and friendly.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], ever wondered why emails are like jokes? Timing is everything!"

  • This line adds humor and curiosity.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope your coffee is as strong as this email!"

  • A light-hearted way to start an email.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], just checking in to see if you are as ready for the weekend as I am!"

  • This line is relatable and fun.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you before the boss does!"

  • Adds a touch of humor to a workday.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I promise this email is more interesting than a Monday morning meeting."

  • Makes the email seem more appealing.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], if this email were a movie, it would start with a joke!"

  • Uses humor to capture attention.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you better than my last attempt at cooking!"

  • Personal and funny.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], if emails could smile, this one would!"

  • Creates a friendly and happy tone.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], sending you this email with a virtual high-five!"

  • Adds a fun and positive start.

8. Greetings for Email Openings

Greetings for Email Openings
Greetings for Email Openings

Using the right greeting in your email or opening sentence is important. It sets the tone for the rest of the email and shows respect to the reader. When emailing multiple recipients, use a greeting that addresses all of them respectfully.

Examples:

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well."

  • A polite and common greeting.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], good morning!"

  • A warm and friendly greeting.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope you had a great week."

  • Shows interest in the recipient’s well-being.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope your day is going well."

  • A simple and positive greeting.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], good afternoon!"

  • A time-specific greeting that feels personal.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you in good spirits."

  • A caring and friendly greeting.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you’re having a wonderful day."

  • A cheerful greeting to start the email.

"Hello [Recipient's Name], I hope this message finds you happy and healthy."

  • Shows genuine care for the recipient.

"Hi [Recipient's Name], wishing you a great week ahead."

  • A positive and encouraging greeting.

"Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope you had a relaxing weekend."

  • Shows interest in the recipient’s personal time.

Common Phrases: 'Hope This Email Finds' Opening Lines

'Hope This Email Finds' Opening Lines
Common Phrases: 'Hope This Email Finds' Opening Lines

Choosing the right opening phrases can significantly impact the reader’s first impression. Using "hope this email finds" in your email openings is a common but popular way to start a message. It's polite and shows that you care about the recipient. Here are some examples:

"Hope this email finds you well, [Recipient's Name]."

  • This is a simple and friendly way to start an email.

"I hope this email finds you in good spirits."

  • Adds a positive touch and shows concern for the recipient's mood.

"Hope this email finds you having a great week."

  • This opening line is cheerful and sets a positive tone.

"I hope this email finds you enjoying your day."

  • Makes the recipient feel valued and appreciated.

"Hope this email finds you and your team doing well."

  • A good opening line for business emails, showing respect for the recipient's colleagues.

"I hope this email finds you healthy and happy."

  • Shows genuine care for the recipient's well-being.

"Hope this email finds you with a smile."

  • Adds a light-hearted and friendly touch.

"I hope this email finds you thriving."

  • This opening line is positive and encouraging.

"Hope this email finds you enjoying your morning coffee."

  • Creates a personal and relatable connection.

"I hope this email finds you having a productive day."

  • Encourages a positive and efficient tone for the email.

Conclusion

Creating effective email openings is key to grabbing the reader’s attention. Use friendly and professional email opening lines to make a great impression. Remember to personalize your emails and keep them engaging. Keep practicing and experimenting with different styles to find what works best for you.

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