Salutations in Letters and Email

Dear Reader: Dear Reader, Dear Ms. Reader: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Reader:
or Madam: Hi, Reader, Reader,

Dear Sir

This post is all about the etiquette of salutations (greetings) for business letters and
email. It's dedicated to the many who have visited this blog in search of tips on how
to begin a letter.
Rules for Business Letters
1. The standard way to open a business letter is with Dear, the person's name
(with
or
without
a
title),
and
a
colon,
like
this:
Dear Louise: Dear Ms. Chu: Dear Mr. and Dr. Paige: Dear Professor Amato:
Dear
Patrick:
(For more discussion of Dear, see my post "Do I Have to Call You Dear?")
2. The standard way to open a social business letter is with Dear, the person's
name (with or without a title), and a comma, like this:
Dear
Nigel,
Dear
Dr.
Tarabi,
Dear
Reverend
Jans,
A social business letter is social or personal rather than business-focused; for
example, letters of condolence, personal congratulations (for weddings,
births, promotions, and other celebrations), and thank yous.
3. If you don't know the reader well or if the letter or the relationship is formal,
use a title and a last name (Dear Ms. Browne). Otherwise, use the first name
(Dear Gila).
4. Unless you are certain that a woman prefers Miss or Mrs., use the title Ms.
5. If you are writing to two people, use both names in your salutation, like this:
Dear Mr. Trujillo and Ms. Donne: Dear Alex and Drenda:
6. Never spell out the titles Mr., Ms., Mrs., and Dr. Do spell out these titles and
similar
ones:
Professor, Dean, Sister, Rabbi, Imam, Senator, Governor, Captain, Admiral,
Judge
7. If you don't know a person's gender, use the full name rather than a title:
Dear Dana Simms: Dear T.K. Spinazola:
8. If you don't know a person's name or gender, avoid "To whom it may concern."
Instead,
use
the
job
title
or
a
generic
greeting:
Dear Recruiter: Dear Claims Adjustor: Dear Sir or Madam:
9. If you are writing to a company rather than any specific individual, use the
company
name:
Dear Syntax Training: (This is considered slightly informal.)
10.For a simplified business letter, do not use a salutation. Instead use a subject
in all capital letters, followed by the body of the letter, like this:

WAYS

TO

BEGIN

BUSINESS

LETTER

I am writing to share information about standard letter openings to. . . .

Simplified business letters are perfectly acceptable but not common.
See
more
at:
http://www.businesswritingblog.com/business_writing/2006/01/greetings_and_s.htm
l#sthash.rYDfbXOO.dpuf

Different Business Letter Salutations

by Amelia Jenkins, Demand Media

Do not confuse Mr. and Mrs. in a business letter.

Related Articles

Business Letter Salutation Ideas

What Is a Closing Greeting for a Business Letter?
What Is the Proper Salutation When a Letter Is Addressed to a Company?
Good Salutations for Business Emails
How to Address a Lady in a Business Letter
Ways to Track Who Blocks You on Facebook

Communication is vital to a business. A business letter is an effective way of communicating

with coworkers, employees, colleagues, clients or even potential clients. A business letter
starts with a salutation, addressed to the person or persons to whom you are writing. The
type of salutation you use depends on the type of letter you plan to write. Choosing the right
salutation is important, as it shows you took the time to craft a good business letter.
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Addressing a Professional Recipient

When writing a professional business letter, such as a letter to a client, you should address
the recipient by his full name and professional title. Start the salutation with "Dear" followed
by his name and title. If you do not know the recipient's full name, you can include Mr. or Ms.
and the recipient's last name. Add a colon at the end of your salutation.

Addressing Without a Name

In some cases, you may write a letter without knowing the name of the recipient. For
example, if you're inquiring about new business, you may not know whom to speak to
directly. In this case, you can include a generic greeting. For example, you can use "To Whom
It May Concern," "Dear Sir or Madam," or "Ladies and Gentleman" as the salutation for your
letter. Follow a generic greeting with a colon.
Related Reading: How to Address a Lady in a Business Letter

Informal Salutations
You do not always have to use a formal salutation when composing a business letter. For
example, if you write a colleague you know personally or are addressing a coworker, you can
use a more informal greeting. With this type of business letter, you can simply address the
person by her first name in the salutation, such as "Dear Anna." Follow the salutation with a
colon.

Tips
Make sure you address the right person in any business letter. If you are unsure, you can call
the company to verify you have the right name before sending the letter. You should also
proofread your salutation and ensure you spelled the first and last names correctly. If you
are not sure of the person's gender, do not use Mr. or Ms. Making small errors in the
salutation can give the recipient a negative impression.