How to Write Professional Emails That Get High Open Rates

Email is the most powerful marketing tool in the market right now. It is both cost-effective and a popular option to communicate with others, even if you are thousands of miles away from each other. Let it be anybody, like an individual or a successful business. Any of them can use email to convey important information to anybody else and improve security for their respective profiles and accounts.

But, if we specifically talk about companies, then we have given emails a fancy word which is "professional emails." But how do you write professiona emails? Well, there are many approaches to writing a professional mail copy. It could be a thank you letter, a letter of resignation to your employer, or a cover letter with a CV for a job application. Whatever your motive for sending a message, you must craft a professional note to increase your chances of success. In that essence, we are going to share some essential tips on how to write a professional email that can generate 2X revenue. 

Without any further ado, let’s initiate our discussion! 

What is a professional email?

Like in every other form of communication, here also you should begin by introducing yourself before just getting into the exact purpose of the message or asking the recipient to take any action. It should be meticulously crafted with specific features and elements we will analyze in the following sections. 

Being a business owner or professional, your business emails must present a good image of your actual business in the recipient's eyes. So follow the step-by-step process below to create professional business emails that are true to etiquette and even ensure professionalism.

How to write a professional email

Every professional mail copy can be further divided into similar fundamental components. Of course, sometimes you may not use the parts. However, you should always consider each of them very carefully.

It is an effectively well-structured content that gets to the main point of that email in just the fewest possible words, and the end will surely motivate the reader to act on it. To better understand how you can create that experience in your professional messages, here is the list of elements to be kept in mind while writing.

Subject line

Apart from your name and professional email address, the email subject line is the thing that makes the recipient decide whether to open that message or not. So, you must ensure that you are articulating the purpose of the message and establishing the customer's or the recipient's expectations here.

No matter how well-structured the email body is, if the subject line is not grabbing their attention, they are not even going to open it, and truly, that would be the last thing a professional would want.

So the main three tips to keep in mind while writing the subject line are:

• Outline the purpose of the email in just one sentence.
• Use less than 60 characters here.
• Make it pop by starting with the business common names.

Greeting

When composing the professional mail content, making the first impression with some formal salutation, which is commonly referred to as "a greeting," is the most crucial part. This is because your initial email establishes the tone of your subsequent messages.

In any kind of professional mail discussions, using and greeting the other person with their first name is sufficient.

Body

The email body includes the precise information that needs to be communicated with your recipient. The best tip for writing professional copies is to avoid using spam filter words because that can lead to bounce backs. 

You can also refer to one of the most well-known cold emailing tools, SmartLead AI, to learn how to avoid email bouncebacks and directly land in your prospective customer's inboxes and not in the spam folder. It has many techniques and strategies that can safeguard your cold messages from aggressive spam filters and also provide spam protection. It helps you to bond and obtain customer trust.

To begin, briefly introduce yourself, especially if you are smiling at someone for the first time. And this introduction should be a small paragraph that fits into the goals of the email. Here are a few pointers:

1. Make sure your introduction part does not exceed more than two sentences.
2. Do not include any irrelevant information. Just stick to the intent.
3. I.e., the introduction is simple and easy to understand.
4. Try to attach links to your LinkedIn profile or own website.

After your introduction part, you can get into explaining the context of the mail content. We all know that nobody has time to read long pieces of content anymore, so let's keep it concise and simple. Enlisted below are some key pointers that can help you create an amazing professional mail copy:

• Bold and italicize certain words.
• Make sure to use suitable formatting of the content properly and try to make bullet points that make it easier to read.
• Phrase short sentences to improve readability.
• Always check your grammar and proofread your message before finally sending it over.
• Try asking your email client very open-minded questions in the conclusion column.

Closing

The section before your signature is known as the "email closing section. A call to action by the recipient should be added at this point.

If the content is effectively written, it emphasizes the core value of the email, and even has appropriate closing words, then surely it increases the reasonable probability of getting responses from the business contacts at the end of the day.

Some typical sign-off examples are:

• Best
• Sincerely
• Regards
• Kind regards
• Thanks

Signature

This section should include your contact details, like your title, the organization name, and the links about you or your online business email address. And the professional email signature in content mainly gives them more contact information and more popular options to get in touch with you.

Professional emails examples

Here are the three professional emails examples:

An email to a new contact

Subject Line: AI Researcher Job Opportunity

Hello Firstname,

I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out to you today because I am managing an application redesign project here at XYZ Business. We are looking for a skilled AI researcher to help us analyze various sets of usability data.

This is a three-month project starting on March 1st, and we estimated it would take roughly 25 hours per week. All the work has to be done remotely completely.

Please let me know if you are interested in this project so we can set up a meeting sometime later to discuss more details. I'm looking forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Sender

XYZ Business

Sending an email to any group

Subject line: The Marketing Meeting Canceled

Hello team,

The scheduled marketing strategy meeting for this afternoon has been canceled.

I apologize for this late notice. I know everyone will happily welcome this extra time back into their day. We will reconvene the meeting at the same time next Thursday.

Thanks

Sender

Senior marketing manager

A Sample for Follow up

Subject line: Re: Availability for the introduction meeting

Hi Firstname,

I just wanted to check again regarding the date of your introduction meeting with Mr Jacob. Please let me know whether August 10 or 11 works better for your schedule.

Thank you!

Sender

Assistance

ABC Business

By going through these examples, you will easily be able to understand the format and structure you have to opt in.

Professional email steps

Now, when you know what the elements are in a message, it is time to explore several steps or the complete process to know how exactly you can craft a perfect professional mail copy:

Identify the goal.

Before you begin writing the professional message, consider what you want the recipients to know after reading it. So, once you determine the purpose of your email, then you can decide upon everything you wish to include in your mail.

Consider the audience.

While composing, ensure that your email tone matches your audience or connects with the audience directly. For example, if you are writing a message for a successful business executive, you must keep them polished without any jokes or images. And then, on the other hand, if you are sending a message to your colleague, you can use a friendly approach and less formal sentences in it, plus you can even include your images here. Along with this, you should always track your email campaign performance.

Keep it concise.

See, it is not always necessary for the recipient to have enough time to read your long content. So it is essential to keep it as brief as possible by involving all the key information. Just do not get into explaining more than one subject and that will make it lengthy and also challenging to read at times. Instead, make the content simple and short by removing those other filler words and some extraneous information about the purpose of the email.

Proofread the email.

It should always be proofread. It is rightly said that an error-free mail copy demonstrates professionalism and diligence. So, before finally sending the email, double-check it for plagiarism and grammar errors.

Use proper etiquette.

Including a courteous and welcoming greeting and a polite and friendly closing is the main part of writing professional mail content.

Remember to follow up.

Many professionals are busy and might lose your message. Rather than just sending bulk emails to the clients, just wait for a few days and then send an appropriate follow-up email with a specified email template. So, in case you do not get a response from the recipient, try sending out follow-ups to them. You can make sure you get a high score in follow-up messages by following the below tips:

1. Gently remind the recipient of your most recent mail.
2. Add some information about the previous email to add the spark.
3. Include an open-minded question in between the conversations.
4. It should be brief and always focus on the main points.

What tips to keep in mind when writing a professional email?

Below are some suggestions you should follow while writing your professional message:

• Knowing the recipients well enough means you can address them with their first names. But if you are sending messages to your seniors or higher management people, manage them with their last names.
• In the copy, make sure you maintain a formal tone overall.
• Do not annoy the recipient by adding unrequested documents to the content.
• It should be well organized. If it is a little long, then make sure you leave one line space between the paragraphs.
• Always respond to messages with a timely approach.

Wrapping up

It is right to think that writing professional emails is a tough and challenging task to do. However, if you follow all the above topics from this article, then you have a solid foundation for creating winning professional mail copies. Now, you know exactly what should be in the mail content and how it should be written and presented in front of the recipients or your potential clients. 

In the beginning, not every email will be great, so just keep following the instructions and the opportunities, and it will surely give you a higher return on investment someday.

To summarize, remember to check that you have included all the required elements and images (if required) for your professional message, keep them simple and concise, and then Personalize your parts to stand out in front of the recipient. Lastly, you should always proofread your emails before you click send and then wait for the next three to four days to send the follow-up emails. 

However, you can also get help from the best email software, Smartlead.ai, to learn more on this topic. With the help of the above examples and tips being used to guide your professional mailing efforts, you will compose great and effective mail copy in no time.

FAQs

1. Why is it important to know how to write a professional email?

Mastering professional email writing is an essential skill in today's workplace. It ensures clarity and efficiency in communication, minimizing misunderstandings and wasted time. A well-written email reflects positively on you and your company, projecting professionalism and competence. This can help build trust and strengthen relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners. Ultimately, clear and concise emails can boost overall productivity by minimizing the need for clarification and follow-up.

2. What are some differences between formal and informal professional emails?

Both formal and informal professional emails aim to maintain a professional tone, but there are some key distinctions. Formal emails use a more serious and respectful tone, avoiding slang or casual language.  Informal emails allow for a slightly friendlier approach while still remaining professional. The salutation and closing also differ. Formal emails use salutations like "Dear Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name" and closings like "Sincerely" or "Respectfully." Informal emails might use "Hi [Name]" and "Best regards" or "Thanks."

The content of the email is another differentiator. Formal emails strictly focus on business matters, while informal emails might include some brief personal touches, always staying relevant to the professional context. Ultimately, the level of formality depends on your relationship with the recipient and the nature of the message.

3. How can I politely decline a request in an email?

There will be times when you need to decline a request via email. Here's how to do so politely:

• Begin by expressing appreciation to the sender for considering you or offering the opportunity.
• Clearly state your reason for having to decline the request.
• If possible, offer an alternative solution or suggest someone who might be able to assist them.
• Conclude the email with a courteous closing, reiterating your appreciation for their understanding.

By following these steps, you can effectively decline a request while maintaining a positive relationship with the sender.

4. How do I format a professional email signature?

A professional email signature provides essential contact information and adds a touch of polish to your emails. Here's what to include:

• Your full name, including both your first and last name.
• Your current job title within the company.
• Your company name and contact information, including the website (optional) and phone number.
• You can optionally add links to your professional social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, if relevant.

Remember to keep your signature concise and visually clean, avoiding excessive graphics or colors.

5. How can I write an email that is professional but still friendly?

Striking a balance between professional and friendly is achievable. Here are some tips:

• Start with a warm greeting, using a friendly salutation like "Dear [Name]" or "Hello [Name]."
• Maintain a professional tone throughout the email, using polite and respectful language.
• You can incorporate personalized touches by briefly acknowledging a shared experience or referencing something you know about the recipient, but ensure it remains professional.
• Show genuine enthusiasm for the project or topic at hand.
• If your relationship with the recipient allows for it, you can cautiously use a touch of lighthearted humor to add a personal touch, but be mindful not to be overly familiar.

By incorporating these elements, you can craft emails that are both professional and friendly.