Comments on: MM: Email–a Memo or a Letter?

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:01:46 +0000

I’m almost always following formality in business emails. You don’t know how the recipient, who could be in a position to hand you work and pay you for it, will feel about an email that just launches into the topic without a proper greeting. Even if I’m writing to a group, I use the standard, “Hello, everyone:” or something similar.

If I’m in an email conversation with a client, I follow their lead. In most cases, we can shoot them back and forth without “Hi” at the top of every single email. But if they choose that route, I mimic them. In that case, they dictate the rules (hey, they’re paying!).

I’m with you totally on the idea that these are memos. But they’ve morphed into this odd integration between letters and memos, so perhaps they have their own style points nowadays.

Lori’s last blog post..The Sexy Side of Technical Writing

By: --Deb

--Deb — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:38:18 +0000

Jamie,

There’s nothing wrong with being polite! Just so long as you know that there are options.

–Deb

By: Jamie Harrop

Jamie Harrop — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:35:04 +0000

Hey Deb,

This is something I’ve recently been thinking about a lot.

I have always started my emails with a salutation, and I always sign my name. It doesn’t matter whether I’m in conversation with my best friend or a potential client, or whether the conversation is one email per day or one email per minute. I always start with a salutation and end with my name.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot because I felt out of place. Most of the people I have been in conversation with do not start with a salutation, nor do they end with their name.

To me, it just feels like the right thing to do. But as you touched on, there is a wide range of diversity in email etiquette.

Jamie

(I even finish my comments with my name! )

Jamie Harrop’s last blog post..Working to Visualise Your Life Goal

By: J

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:09:27 +0000

I'm pretty much with you. I tend to use salutations and signatures, though casual, for a first run (unless it's business, then not so casual), and if a conversation comes from it, not so much. J's last blog post..Banyan Tree

By: --Deb

--Deb — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:30:23 +0000

It's an interesting subject, isn't it? Ever-evolving and with no firm rules to begin with ... anything goes, from being ultra-casual to ultra-professional. How often do you get to say THAT? --Deb's last blog post..MM: Email–a Memo or a Letter?

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:28:31 +0000

When I saw “Melissa,” I was all “is that me?” Heheh. Thanks for the link!

I am professional in all business communications but some clients are super laid back. Recently, one emailed me “Hey Darlin!” She always says sweet and funny things, so our emails are different than what I’m accustomed to when it comes to business writing. I will say this – casual communications are a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

Anyway, for me, it definitely depends on who I’m emailing and what the subject matter involves. That’s what I love about email. It’s so flexible!

Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..When it All Comes Crashing Down

By: Lillie Ammann

Lillie Ammann — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:28:33 +0000

No consistency for me, either. It depends on the recipient and purpose of the e-mail. If it's a first contact with a prospective client, I treat it more like a letter. But if it's one of dozens of messages exchanged daily with my major client, it's often just a single word. Lillie Ammann's last blog post..Thank You for Your Comments

By: Gillian

Gillian — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:42:55 +0000

Since I e-mail semi-strangers, I try to be careful with them, and always include my name, formally the first time and more casually after that. I am careless about the salutation in general. This should make me more attentive.

By: --Deb

--Deb — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:50:28 +0000

I find I mostly do a half-and-half kind of thing. As in, half my emails I treat more like letters, and half like memos. On an initial email I usually will sign my name, and often do start with a salutation, but on the exchange of responses that usually follow? I mostly don’t bother.

If I’m dropping a note to a person I email regularly, I’ll usually just let the header speak for itself–that person knows me, I’m just reminding them that I’ll see them at 9:00, what more information do they need?

Really, no consistency whatsoever! (And, that’s so unlike me….) (grin)

–Deb’s last blog post..MM: Email–a Memo or a Letter?

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:32:25 +0000

I'm a fan of using the "letter" format for an email -- especially for the initial email. If it turns into more of a conversation then I drop the formality. My pet peeve is when people email me and don't include their name. If their email address is cryptic, I may have no idea with whom I am speaking. That makes me crazy. Julie's last blog post..Pulitzer (oops, I mean Nobel) Prize Winners (take 2)