How should I start and finish a formal email?

Question

I need to send a formal email to someone I have never had any contact with before. Adressing it as "Dear sir" (or "Dear Ms X"), as one might do with a letter, seems to formal. And how should I sign off?

Answer 1

Depends on how formal and the relationship with the recipient.

Dear Jane:
Dear Ms. Doe:

and end with

Sincerely,

Answer 2

I don't think there is such a thing as a formal email. If it is that important, maybe you should be sending a real letter. Nevertheless, if you do send an email, try to make it a lot like a formal letter, and close with sincerly and your name.

Maybe some of the email etiquette tips at the below site will help. Be sure to scroll way down on the web page to see links additional articles.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I would say that if this requires something that formal, it's best done on paper.

Write your e-mail as a formal letter.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Dear Mr. X (take the time to get the person's name)

and end it with

Sincerely

Answer 4

Dear Mr or Mrs/ Dear whom it may concern:
Signed
Sincerely,
your name.

or send a formal letter as an attachment to your email.

Answer 5

Start with addressing the email to the person you wish to ssend it to and include the date on the right hand side. then your introduction, who you are what you want. then the body, detailing what you want/need. then the conclusion re-state breifly why your sending the email then sincerely and your name. and just for the record.......an email is "todays" formal letter.....not snail mail :) you'll be fine hun!

Answer 6

if the correspondence needs to be formal, maybe email is not the most appropriate way to send it...

maybe send it as a brief introduction, stating that a more formal letter will be forthcoming via 'snail-mail' (u.s. mail)

Answer 7

an email is, by definition, NOT formal. Simply type in the name of the person you are addressing, type the body of the email, and end it with your name.

Answer 8

start it off as there first name and last. tell them what you need to say then spice it up by saying something funny.tell them to have a good day and say goodbye.

Answer 9

the end would be
sincerly,
--- what ever your name is