99 Email Opening Lines for Every Purpose

I hope this email finds you well. 

I hope you’re doing well.

Good morning!

The above sentences are probably the most common email opening lines. You might receive 10 to 20 messages every day starting with these sentences. 

While such openings are polite and do the job, they aren’t the best ways to start a conversation anymore. Why so?  

Gone are the days when people received one or two messages in their inboxes. In today’s emailing world, an opening line must intrigue the reader to read till the end of the mail. 

A perfect email opening sentence should be an ice-breaker and, at the same time, make the reader curious. Read ahead to find 99 ways to begin an email. To find tips on how to write one, scroll down. 

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99 Sample Email Opening Lines

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1. Opening Lines in B2B Conversations 

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The email recipients include business owners, CEOs, COOs, founders, managers, potential customers, etc. The classic ways to start a B2B email correspondence are:

• Did you know {statistics/news}?
• Is XYZ a priority for your company?
• How do you feel about {a recent development}?
• What do you think about {a recent development}?
• Imagine an 8x increase in revenue. 
• Congratulations on {so-and-so achievement}!
• I noticed your company recently {refer to a trigger event}.
• I saw your competitor, {business name}, in the news for {so-and-so achievement}. 
• What is your process for {cold emailing/SEO etc.}? From my experience, {name a product} that can help…

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2. Opening Sentence in In-Office Chats

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Receivers include managers, employees, bosses, co-workers, interns, etc. Mails for in-office chats must be formal, polite, helpful, and friendly in tone. Some examples are:

• Congratulations on {so-and-so achievement}!
• I hope the week is going well so far. 
• We were very impressed with your…
• I am eager to know your thoughts about {event/topic/problem}.
• Your prompt response is much appreciated.
• Your ideas/suggestions on {event/topic/problem} are much appreciated.
• In regard to our earlier exchange…
• I was hoping you could help me with {the so-and-so problem}.
• I am contacting you regarding {event/topic/problem}.
• How is the progress on {project name} going?

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3. First Lines in Emails to Subordinates 

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Mails written to subordinates or employees must be respectful and professional. Find 10 samples below for a friendly email exchange.

• Congrats on a great job with {so-and-so achievement}!
• We were very impressed with your {so-and-so contribution}.
• {Name} told me you're the best person for {project name}. 
• Your prompt response is much appreciated.
• Your ideas/suggestions on {event/topic/problem} are much appreciated.
• In regard to our earlier exchange…
• I was hoping you could help me with {so-and-so problem}.
• I am contacting you regarding {event/topic/problem}.
• I'm looking for an update on {project name}.
• I've received some unfortunate news.

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4. First Sentence in Networking Emails

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The email recipients for networking or outreach emails include business owners, CEOs, COOs, founders, managers, influencers, solopreneurs, etc.

You can also use a few of them for email marketing. 

• Congratulations on {so-and-so achievement}!
• I am {your name}.
• I noticed your profile recently at {magazine/social media/podcast}.
• We’re interested in {topic} as well.
• Let me buy you a cup of coffee.  
• I have been your fan since {refer to a work}.
• What is your process for {cold emailing/SEO etc.}? 
• Can you help with {event/topic/problem}?
• I am {name}, and I am {mutual connection}’s friend
• I heard great things about you from {name}. 
• I found the attached (article/video) about (topic). I thought you'd like it too

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5. Beginning Sentence in Welcoming Mails

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The receivers of welcoming mails are new hires, subscribers, customers, clients, etc. Despite using a professional tone, you should also sound enthusiastic and motivating. 

• Welcome to the {business name} family!
• You are now a part of the {name of the business} community!
• Hello friend, thanks for checking {business/app name}.
• Congratulations! You are now a member of the {business name} community.
• I am glad to have you on board! 
• Welcome to {business name}! It’s your time to… 
• Thank you for confirming your {business name} account.
• Welcome to {business name}! Let the creative fun begin!
• Welcome to a new world of… 
• Thanks for choosing us!

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6. First Line in Customer Support Messages

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• Thanks for reaching out.
• I am sorry for the trouble you’ve been having with {problem}.
• I’m very sorry you had this experience. 
• I am sorry to hear you had such a poor experience.
• I wanted to check in with you about the problem you had the other day. 
• I have the answer to your question.
• Thank you so much for referring {name} to us.
• Thanks for purchasing…
• Thanks a lot for taking the time to rate us.
• Thanks for the feedback! It means a lot to us. 

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7. Opening Lines Sales Emails

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Use the below lines while writing messages to your email list. 

• Take the next step.
• I noticed you…
• {Name} here from {company’s name}
• For a limited time, we’re offering 30% on…
• I see that you recently got promoted…
• Congratulations on taking on the new challenge...
• Great job on {so-and-so achievement}!
• Did you know {so-and-so product} can do {this}?
• Is XYZ a priority for your company?
• We recently worked with {company} and helped them achieve {goals}.
• How do you feel about {a recent development}?

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8. Starting Phrases for Follow-Up Emails

Follow-up messages or quick responses must be respectful and professional. It should be able to convey your email message without bothering the recipient. Find 10 examples of starting a friendly email to get positive responses.

• A quick reminder…
• It’s {name} again, checking on…
• Did you get a chance to go through it…
• This {work} made me think of…
• As discussed on the {event/meeting}
• I’m hoping to get your feedback on {product/service}
• Just a quick follow-up…
• I see you purchased {name of the product}. You might also like…
• Hope all is well! Although I haven’t heard from you, I think our collaboration can bring great results.
• Hope you’re doing great! I’d like to add a few points in relation to what we discussed at our meeting on Monday.  

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9. Opening Lines to go ROFL

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Funny emails can catch one’s attention faster than regular, formal ones. If implemented properly, humorous opening lines can badge replies from unbelievable addresses. 

You can use the below lines for both personal emails and email marketing campaigns. 

• Welcome to the Game of {name of the service}
• Hello from the upside down
• Happy Not-Monday
• Just what you wished for-another email
• Hope you’re surviving this week
• You won’t get this on Amazon
• It’s me again. 
• I swear I will keep it short
• Only 2 days until Friday! 

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2 Things to Remember in Business Emails Opening

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There are two primary things to start a business email

1. Salutation
2. Opening Sentence 

A salutation or email greeting phrase is the part where you say “Dear, Jon” or “Hey, Jon”. Now, if Jon is your Boss, can you call him “dear”? 

I understand it can be confusing to pick the right salutation. So, here’s a quick table to make things easier for you. 

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Tone of the Email           Salutation

Official                           Dear, Mr. Bean        [Dear, Last Name] 

Polite                             Dear, Pam               [Dear, First Name]

Business Casual           Hello, Moira            [Hello, First Name]

Casual                           Hey, Peter                [Hey, First Name]

Informal                         Hi, Shrek                   [Hi, First Name]

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‍Tip: If you aren't aware of the recipient’s gender, go with “Dear, Jon Snow”. 

Never use “Sir/Madam”, “Hey”, or “To Whom it may concern”. These are too formal and overused that almost sound rude. 

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Tips to Write the Best Opening Sentences

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After picking the salutation, it’s time to come up with an intriguing first sentence to create an effective email conversation. Here are four things to keep in mind while writing email opening sentences. 

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Reveal What You Can Offer

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TBH, nobody has spare time to read emails. Reveal your motif on the very first line. It’s always better to offer something in the starting sentence. For instance:

  Can I buy you a cup of coffee? 

While you’re literally offering something here, it doesn't always have to be the case. Sometimes, you can also offer compliments. 

I really admired your article on so-and-so topic.

In the case of sales mails, you can offer your product/service by saying how it can help.

Our latest product/service can increase your sales by 5x. 

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Make them Curious

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Beginning sentences also work if they can make the recipient curious. All you have to do for this is ask the right question, preferably something related to their work/industry.

Did you know {statistics/news}?

Or

Is XYZ a priority for your company?

However, it doesn’t always have to be a question. It can also be a statement/fact that makes the reader intrigued. 

We recently worked with {company} and helped them achieve {goals}.

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Appreciate 

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While intriguing the reader should be your goal, a token of appreciation always works the best. Take this personal approach when you feel blank and out of ideas. For example: 

Congratulations on {so-and-so achievement}!

Or

I see that you recently got promoted…

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Break the Ice

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A perfect email opener aims to break the ice, especially for cold emails. Try to say something related to the recipient’s business/work or previous purchase or ask icebreaker questions. Such as;

I noticed your company recently…

Or

I noticed your profile recently at…

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Conclusion

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Opening lines are the most important part of the content after the email subject lines. It tells the reader about the sender, their intention, and what they can offer. 

A perfect email starting sentence will break the ice and make the reader intrigued enough to read the rest of the email body. So, think it through before writing one. 

If you’re blank, remember that it’s not you. It happens to many, including experienced working professionals and mature business people. Also, you always pick one from an email template. 

With this, I bid you farewell! See you in the next blog! 

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FAQs

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How do you start a professional email greeting?

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A professional email must start with a formal salutation. If the recipient is an experienced, senior professional than you, then begin with “Dear, Mr/Mrs/Miss [Last Name]”. In case of genderless salutation, go with “Dear, [First name Last name]. 

If the reader of the mail is junior in terms of work experience, go with “Hello, [First name]”. While writing informal emails, one can start with “Hey” or “Hi”. 

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What are the best opening lines for formal emails?

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For formal mails, the starting sentences can be:

• I hope the week is going well so far. 
• We were very impressed with your…
• I am eager to know what you think about {event/topic/problem}.
• Your prompt response is much appreciated.