Hey!
I probably got your attention with that greeting. Some might say, “Great! That’s just what we want!” The question is, however, what kind of attention we get by opening a missive with Hey.
Some people might think that starting an email with Hey is fine. But let me say that, based on years of experience and conversations with executives, hiring managers, and business owners, it’s really not the best idea if you’re writing for work.
Starting with Hey can be jarring for your reader. Instead of focusing on the content of your message, they’re suddenly paying attention to the salutation. And guess what? Some people really don’t like being addressed with Hey. They find it disrespectful or immature. Ouch!
While some younger readers might be fine with Hey, it is incredibly annoying to more traditional people. You never know who your message might be forwarded to – why risk irritating someone with a too-casual greeting?
If you’re sending a professional email to clients or businesses, it’s best to stick with the classics: Hello, Hi, Good Day, or even the time-honored Dear. These greetings might not be as breezy as Hey, but they’ll keep you from potentially losing credibility with your reader.
The distinction between Hey and Hi or Hello is subtle, but it matters. Your greeting is the first thing your readers see, and it affects their attitude toward your message. You can still inject a bit of personality with a friendly opening line such as “I loved your post about XXX,” or “Hope all is well.”
The bottom line is that if you want to cultivate your professional image, steer clear of greeting email readers with Hey.
But if you’re hanging out with friends at a bar, by all means, sing out, “Hey, how’s it going?”
Resources:
Professional Email Salutations That Work (Plus 7 to Avoid)
Hitting the Right Notes with Salutations and Closings
Read Elizabeth Danziger’s Latest Inc.com Columns
Inclusive Communication Builds Both People and Profits
How to Avoid Writing Toxic Emails that Put Your Employees Down
Have a co-worker who starts messages & emails with Hey! and it drives me crazy.