How to start an email: 4 fail-proof open lines

Ever wonder how to start an email pitch? We all know the importance of having a good opening line in sales emails: it stirs up the readers’ interest and makes them curious about what you will offer.

In this post, we will discuss the 4 best ways to start an email and the subtle psychology behind some of the most common fail-proof opening lines.

Why starting your email the right way is important

First Impressions Matter

The opening of your email sets the tone for the entire message and forms the recipient's first impression of you. A strong, respectful, and engaging start can positively influence how the rest of your message is received. Just like in face-to-face interactions, first impressions in emails are lasting and can significantly affect the recipient's perception of you and your intentions.

Professionalism and Respect

A well-thought-out beginning demonstrates professionalism and shows respect for the recipient. It indicates that you value their time and are serious about the message's content. This is particularly important in professional settings, where conveying respect and maintaining a professional demeanor are key to building and sustaining working relationships.

Clarity and Purpose

A clear and concise opening helps to immediately convey the purpose of your email. It guides the recipient on what to expect from the rest of the message, making it easier for them to understand your intentions and respond appropriately. This clarity is essential for effective communication, as it reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings and ensures that your message is taken seriously.

Engagement and Response

An engaging start not only captures the recipient's attention but also encourages them to read through your entire message and respond. In a world where people are often overwhelmed with emails, a compelling opening can make your message stand out and increase the chances of it being read and acted upon. This is especially important when you're seeking a specific outcome, such as a reply, action, or decision, from your email.

Building and Maintaining Relationships

The way you start your emails can also contribute to building and maintaining positive relationships. A personalized and thoughtful opening can make the recipient feel valued and respected, fostering goodwill and a positive rapport. Over time, consistently well-started emails can strengthen professional relationships, making future communications more effective and productive.

Best ways to start an email

Trigger event opening lines

Emails shouldn’t be about you or your products, but about what your prospect needs. Referencing a recent change or update sets a more personalized tone in the email. It also introduces the presumption to your prospect that the email is about them, not you:

• Congratulations on your recent <career move>! Are you also considering changing of <topic>?
• I noticed <recent change> in your company. I was hoping to propose to you <topic> in regards to this…

Question opening lines

A good opening question should try to address positive collaborative efforts. For example, consider these two opening lines:

• “Do you have time to talk about <topic>?
• Should we consider together <topic> soon?

What’s the difference?

While both questions asked for availability, the former doesn’t suggest a common ground you want to form with your prospect. Instead, the second question shifts the focus from the pitch to your request for cooperative efforts.

Similarly, consider these two questions:

• Have you considered how you might be affected by <news/statistics>?
• Considering <news/statistics>, are you thinking of <change> in your company?

Even though both examples showcased your expertise, the former doesn’t bring as much value to your pitch. A more effective question would suggest a potential change you can contribute to your prospect.

Compliment opening lines

We all know that it’s rooted in the human brain: praises are a form of social reward that helps to instantly build rapport. But what’s the difference between compliments and flattery? Consider these opening lines:

• I enjoyed reading your recent post on X — great content. This is why I want to propose to you about <topic>…
• Congratulations on the great feedback on your recent post. With your insight to X I think you would also love to hear about <topic>…

What’s the difference?

The former suggests you’re interested in X only because of what you want to offer. Instead, the latter compliments your prospect’s effort and insight.

In psychology, self-attribution bias describes how we like to explain our own success with internal factors (e.g. ability) and bad outcomes with external factors (e.g. luck).

Recommended reading: How to end an email professionally

To avoid flattery, start an email by giving genuine compliments that show respect and appreciation for how much someone has contributed to their achievement.

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Connection/referral opening lines

A common approach is to reference a mutual contact or an event both you and the recipient have attended. Another way is to mention a recent successful collaboration.

• I was fortunate to have <contact> who suggested me to reach out to you
• I heard your talk at <event> which I also attended because of <topic>
• Mutual contacts or connections you made during events could be a start to a successful collaboration.

In psychology, familiarity bias is a shortcut we use when making quick decisions. We tend to go for options that are within our comfort zones, or simply those we have more knowledge of.

This is why commonalities between you and your recipient increase the success rate.

If you're writing a cold email, personalization is the key.

Using AI to personalize your opening lines

Emerging artificial intelligence technologies can be a serious boon to your email communication. By entering just a few keywords, the Mailbutler AI-powered Smart Assistant can compose a full email for you, or improve on an email you've already written.

You can enter personal information about your relationship with your recipient into the Smart Assistant, and the AI can formulate it for you in a professional manner. You can also tell it the style in which your email should be written - formal, chatty, etc. - and it will sort it all out for you.

The Smart Assistant can also respond to messages for you, improve your grammar and spelling, and scan your emails for tasks and contacts.

How to find out if your opening line worked

The first email is simply the beginning of successful outreach. With the helping hand of email tools like Mailbutler, you can leverage each email conversation with little to no effort.

If you're dying to know whether your recipient is interested, try using Email Tracking to find out whether your leads are engaged.

Email tracker notifies you when your email or link was clicked - you can even find out where, how often and on what device your email was opened.

Moreover, if you use an IMAP or iCloud email address in Apple Mail, you can see exactly who has opened your email when you send a message to multiple recipients, using Mailbutler's Per Recipient Tracking feature.

Check in again if you don't receive a reply

Follow-ups are a must if you want to close your deal. To avoid losing track of important conversations again, you can set up reminders in your email to follow-up on outgoing messages. This is a part of the Mailbutler Tasks feature.

For example, Mailbutler offers this feature for its Gmail extension (also available as an Apple Mail plugin and Outlook add-in), which notifies you when it's time to check in and follow up if you didn't receive a reply.

If you haven't heard back, check again using Email Tracking to find out whether your recipients are still interested.

The beginning of your email is make-or-break. Understanding the psychology behind some of the common tactics will help you come up with unique ideas next time you’re thinking of how to start an email.

Examples of how to start an email

I think the best way to start an email is with an unexpected fun fact or something that would directly intrigue the recipient of the email. This could be a highly personalized question or a whopping figure that draws the reader in.

For example, I could start a prospecting email in the following way:

Hello [NAME],

Did you know creative automation can save up to 85% of your time? Yep, that's backed by research. If you've ever struggled with creating visuals, content, or videos manually, trust me -- there is a better way. A far better one.

You can use software to render 1000s of videos on autopilot while you enjoy your warm cup of coffee.

Want to know more? Feel free to book a 15-minute call with me. It will blow your mind.

Best,

Neb

Nebojsa Savicic, Co-founder, Plainly

That's one way we do it and the response rates are pretty good. I include a Calendly link in the body of the text for their convenience. It comes down to being concise, researching your prospect in advance, and using jargon-free, conversational language.

Other examples

Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you're finding joy in your day. I'm reaching out because...

• A warm, simple greeting that transitions smoothly into the purpose of your email.

Hello [Recipient's Name], I've been thinking about how we can improve [Topic/Project]. Let's explore this idea together.

• Direct and to the point, this opening invites collaboration without unnecessary fluff.

Dear [Recipient's Name], I came across your work on [Topic], and it sparked some thoughts. Can we discuss this further?

• Shows genuine interest and the desire for a deeper conversation.

Good [morning/afternoon/evening] [Recipient's Name], I'm excited about the possibility of working together on [Project/Topic]. Here's why.

• Expresses enthusiasm and leads directly to the reason for your email.

Hey [Recipient's Name], quick question about [Topic/Project]—do you have a moment?

• Casual and straight to the point, perfect for informal queries or when you have an established rapport.

[Recipient's Name], I believe we can achieve great things with [Project/Idea]. Let's chat?

• A confident opener that suggests potential and invites dialogue.

Hi [Team/Department Name], let's dive into what's next for us. Here are some thoughts.

• When addressing a group, this line sets a proactive tone for teamwork and planning.

Hello [Recipient's Name], I've got an update for you on [Topic/Project]. Here's the latest.

• Informative and direct, ideal for providing updates or progress reports.

Each of these starts is designed to be clear and engaging, making it easier for the recipient to understand the purpose of your email and respond accordingly. They strike a balance between friendliness and professionalism, suitable for a variety of contexts.

How not to start an email

• Avoid Overly Generic or Impersonal Greetings: Starting with "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam" can come across as detached and shows a lack of effort to personalize the message. It's important to research and use the recipient's name whenever possible.

• Steer Clear of Misgendering: Using gender-specific salutations like "Mr." or "Mrs." without being certain of the recipient's preferred titles can lead to discomfort and miscommunication. Opt for their full name or a simple "Hello" followed by their first name to keep it respectful and inclusive.

• Don't Begin with Apologies: Opening with phrases like "Sorry to bother you" or "I know you're busy but" undermines the importance of your message and can immediately put the recipient in a negative mindset regarding your email.

• Avoid Misspelling the Recipient's Name: This mistake can make a poor first impression, indicating a lack of attention to detail. Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name to ensure accuracy.

• Skip Redundant Introductions: Phrases like "Let me introduce myself" can be unnecessary if you're going to sign your email with your full name and position anyway. Keep the opening focused on the recipient and the purpose of your message.

• Don't Start with Your Needs: Opening with what you want or need from the recipient can come across as self-centered. Instead, begin with a mutual interest or a positive statement that relates to the recipient's work or achievements.

Starting an email FAQs

What is a good sentence to start an email?

The first sentence of an email is crucial in grabbing the recipient's attention and setting the tone for the rest of the message. It should be clear, concise, and engaging. One effective way to start an email is by using a personalized greeting that addresses the recipient by name. This shows that you have taken the time to research and understand your audience, and it helps to establish a sense of rapport and trust.

Another effective way to start an email is by providing context and stating the purpose of your message. This helps the recipient to understand the relevance of the email and what they can expect from it. By doing so, you can also create a sense of urgency or importance that motivates the recipient to take action or respond promptly.

Ultimately, the best way to start a formal email will depend on the specific context and the relationship between the sender and the recipient. However, by using personalized greetings and providing context, you can create a strong foundation for effective and productive communication.

How do you start a formal email sample? 

Starting a formal email requires a slightly different approach than starting an informal email. The tone and language used should be more professional and respectful.

One common way to start a formal email is by using a salutation that includes the recipient's full name and appropriate title, such as Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. (Last Name). This helps to establish a level of formality and respect.

After the salutation, it is important to briefly introduce yourself and state the purpose of the email. For example, My name is (Your Name) and I am writing to inquire about (purpose of email)... or I am contacting you on behalf of (company/organization) regarding (purpose of email)...

How do you write an official email? 

When writing an official email, it is important to follow proper email etiquette and use a professional tone and language. Here are some tips on how to write an official email:

• Use a clear and concise subject line that accurately reflects the content of the email. This helps the recipient prioritize and organize their inbox.
• Use a formal salutation, such as Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. (Last Name) followed by an appropriate title.
• Introduce yourself and state the purpose of the email in the first paragraph.
• Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation throughout the email. Avoid using slang or abbreviations.
• Be clear and specific in your message. Use bullet points or numbered lists to organize information if necessary.
• Keep the email brief and to the point. Avoid rambling or including unnecessary details.
• Conclude the email with a polite closing, such as Sincerely or Best regards, followed by your name and contact information.