Subject Line & Greeting

• One of the first details you should work out when writing a business email is the subject line. The subject could be the difference between the recipient opening the email or simply deleting it without bothering to read it, which is why a short, descriptive and relevant subject line is important. When greeting the reader once he has opened the email, use the same greeting you would use in a professional letter ("Dear Mr., Mrs. or Ms. X," "X" being the last name). Do not start a business email without a greeting to the recipient, or he might assume your email is spam.
  
  

Keep It Short

• The attention span of someone who reads an email is very short, so keep your business email short. Get right to the point in the first or second line of the email to grab the attention of the recipient, and then expand on your point later in the email. If you have met the recipient or were referred to him, mention that in the first couple of lines -- for instance, "We met at the ABC Convention last week and you asked me to contact you with sales materials."
  
  

Avoid Slang and Text Speak

• When writing a business email, do not use "text speak," slang or shortened words. Write the letter just as you would if it were a professional cover letter to a business contact. Capitalize sentences and address the recipient in a professional tone. Don't assume that just because it's in electronic form you can take an informal tone with the recipient.
  
  

Attachments

• Some people may be suspicious of your business email if you add an attachment on the first communication. Instead, use the first communication to ask the recipient if you can attach the materials to the next email or include a website URL linking to the attachment -- preferably a PDF or image file.