We all send and receive dozens of emails every day. Some get immediate responses, some disappear into inboxes never to be seen again. The difference often comes down to how the email is written.
In our guide for how to type an email you'll learn the essential components every email needs, step-by-step instructions for crafting each section, and practical tips you can apply immediately.
How to Write an Email: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Start with a Clear Subject Line
Your subject line is the first thing the reader will see. It determines whether they'll open your email immediately, save it for later, or… ignore it entirely. A good subject line tells the reader exactly what your email is about in 5 to 8 words.
Make your subject line specific and descriptive. For example, instead of writing "Question," write "Question About Q4 Budget Approval." Instead of "Meeting," write "Meeting Request: Project Kickoff Next Tuesday."
The more specific you are, the easier you make it for the recipient to prioritize your email.
If your email involves a deadline, project name, or specific request, put that information in the subject line:
- "Invoice #03 Due February 15"
- "Feedback Needed by Friday: Marketing Proposal"
- "Action Required: Approve Expense Report"
According to research from Harvard Business Review, clear and specific subject lines significantly increase response rates. Avoid vague or misleading subject lines. Phrases like "Important," "Hi," or "Read This" don't tell the recipient anything useful.
Related read: How to start an email professionally
Step 2: Use a Professional Greeting
How you start your email sets the tone for everything that follows.
For professional contacts you don't know well, use "Dear [Name]" or "Hello [Name]." For colleagues you work with regularly, "Hi [Name]" is completely fine and creates a friendly, approachable tone.
If you're emailing someone for the first time, opt to sound more formal. Your emails can always become more casual as you get to know each other. Avoid the dreaded "To Whom It May Concern" at all costs. It’s impersonal and, well, unnecessary.
Step 3: Write a Strong Opening Sentence
Your first sentence needs to tell the reader why you're writing. This isn’t a murder mystery novel and there’s no need to bury the lead. Get straight to the point.
Here are three examples of strong opening sentences:
- "I'm writing to request approval for the new hire in our department."
- "I wanted to follow up on our conversation about the website redesign."
- "I'm reaching out to ask if you're available for a meeting next week."
Step 4: Organize Your Email into Paragraphs
The body of your email should be easy to read. This means breaking your information into short paragraphs. You can use bold formatting to highlight key points, but be mindful that large volumes of bold text could be interpreted as unnecessarily aggressive.
Keep paragraphs short. Three to four sentences is ideal. Long blocks of text make your email harder to scan and you risk losing the reader to another task.
According to Forbes, it’s important to make sure your email contains white space for ease of reading - especially on a cell phone. To increase white space, feel free to break up paragraphs by using numbered lists or bullet points. These are particularly helpful when you're explaining a process or giving instructions.
Step 5: Include a Clear Call to Action
Some emails are just an update, others require the reader to take action. Your call to action tells the reader exactly what you need from them.
Make your requests specific. Instead of "Let me know your thoughts," write "Please review the attached proposal and let me know if you approve the budget by Friday."
When you need something by a set date, say so clearly. Place your call to action near the end of your email, after you've provided all necessary context, so that it’s the final thing that sticks in their mind.
Step 6: Close with an Appropriate Sign-Off
How you end your email matters as much as how you begin it. Your closing should match the tone of your message and your relationship with the recipient.
Common professional closings include:
- Best regards
- Sincerely
- Thank you
- Best
For colleagues you work with regularly, you can use more casual closings like "Thanks" or "Cheers".
Always include a signature with your full name and relevant contact information: your job title, company name, phone number, and email address. A complete signature makes it easy for recipients to contact you through other channels if needed.
Step 7: Proofread Before You Send
Proofreading is everything. Even the best-written email loses credibility if it contains obvious errors. Always proofread your message before hitting send.
Read your email out loud. This helps you catch awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and missing words. Check for common mistakes:
- Misspelled names
- Missing attachments
- Incorrect information (dates, times, numbers)
- Unclear pronouns
Use spell check, but don't rely on it completely. For important emails, consider waiting a few minutes, making a coffee, and coming back to read it one more time before sending.
Write Your Emails with Confidence
Writing a good email is a skill that develops over time. The more you practice these steps, the more natural they'll become. You'll write emails faster, get better responses, and communicate more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write an email professionally?
Start with a clear subject line and a greeting like "Hello [Name]." Get straight to your point in the first sentence, then keep your message focused with short paragraphs. Skip the slang and emojis, and proofread before sending. Close with "Best regards" and include your full name and contact info in your signature.
What should I write in the subject line of an email?
Keep it short and specific, around 5 to 8 words. Instead of "Question," try "Question About Project Timeline." If there's a deadline or action needed, put the date up front. The goal is simple: tell people what's inside so they can decide whether to open it now or later.
How can I write an email that gets a response?
Make it easy to reply. Say what you need right at the start, keep it brief, and be specific about what you're asking for. Instead of "Let me know what you think," say "Can you review this and send feedback by Friday?" People respond faster when they know exactly what you need and when you need it.
What is the best way to start an email?
Use a greeting that fits your relationship with the person. "Hello [Name]" or "Hi [Name]" work for most situations. Then jump straight into why you're writing: "I'm reaching out about the budget" or "Following up on our meeting yesterday." Skip the generic "I hope this finds you well" unless you actually know the person. Just get to the point.
How long should an email be?
Short enough to respect people's time, long enough to be clear. Most work emails should be 50 to 125 words, around 3 to 5 paragraphs. If you're writing more than that, use bullet points or consider whether a quick call might work better. Remember, lots of people read email on their phones, so shorter is usually better.
Should I use formal or informal language in my emails?
It depends on who you're talking to. Go formal with senior leaders, clients, or people you don't know well. You can loosen up with teammates you work with every day. When you're not sure, start formal and then match whatever tone they use when they reply. Different industries have different styles too. A startup might be more casual than a law firm, and that's fine.
How do I know if I should send an email or use another form of communication?
Use email for things that aren't urgent and when you need a paper trail. Pick up the phone for urgent stuff, complicated discussions, or sensitive topics where tone really matters. Use chat for quick questions. Schedule a meeting when multiple people need to hash something out together. And here's a good rule: if your email is getting super long or you're struggling to explain something, just call instead.
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