Still starting emails with 'Hope you're well'? Time for an upgrade! Say this if you want a reply
'Hope you're well.' Inboxes everywhere are flooded with it. The email counterpart of 'small talk'. But while the expression might sound well-mannered, it's become the 'white noise' of professional communiqué, and people are beginning to become desensitised to it.
Whether you're getting in touch with an old friend, making an inquiry with a colleague, pitching to a client, or making a follow-up after a networking event, the introductory words of your email matter.
With today's shrinking attention spans and jam-packed inboxes, the first few words of an email can mean the difference between being disregarded and obtaining a response.
So, how do you triumph over an ocean of well-wishers? Here's why it's time to dump the preset salutation, and what to write in its place. Why 'hope you're well' falls flat
Truthfully, there's nothing wrong with 'Hope you're well.' It's harmless. It's gracious. But that's also where the problem lies.
When the reader sees the same thing many times over, it is viewed as pretentious, fake, or forced, most especially if it's immediately followed by a request or pitch. It's like asking how someone is, then immediately walking away before they can find an answer. See also My Chemical Romance not reuniting despite what Joe Jonas says
If you aim to build lasting relationships, encourage action, or if you simply want to get a reply, you need an opening line that expresses intent, character, and mindfulness. The psychology of a great opening
Email openers work best when they do one (or more) of the following: Demonstrate sincere interest
Refer to something precise
Offer value early on
Trigger curiosity
It should feel like a real human wrote them
Your receiver should feel that you're writing to them, not sending out another cliché from a template. What to say instead — 8 better email openers
Here are other possibilities that can make your email stick out in a swarming inbox:
Refer to a fresh event or shared experience
Example: 'It was good to see you on the AI ethics panel last week — still thinking about your opinion on data transparency.'
This indicates attention and importance, particularly in networking or follow-up communication.
Mention their work
Example: 'I recently read your blog post on hybrid work models — loved your perspective on productivity metrics.' See also Malaysian singer Ning Baizura makes a comeback
Flattery can work, especially when it's detailed. Everyone loves to feel 'seen' and 'heard.'
Connect with what's happening in their world
Example: 'I just learned that your company announced a great product unveiling — congratulations!'
Appropriate and timely, tailored notes can build bonds fast.
Jump right into value
Example: 'I have an idea that could cut the time of your employee integration process in half — wanted to get your thoughts on it.'
When you start with value, you instantly get attention.
Ask an intriguing question
Example: 'Quick question: How are you dealing with client response circles now that your team is on a WFH basis?'
It generates a natural discussion starter.
Begin with a daring perception
Example: 'Most businesses drop 20% of new hires in the initial 45 days — here's a way to alter that.'
This is valuable for sales or consulting efforts where positioning yourself as a strategic thinker or trusted advisor matters a lot.
Use refined humour
Example: 'I promise you this email isn't another GDPR update.'
Humour defuses, specifically in business settings where everything appears excessively formal.
Go straight to the point
Example: 'Reaching out to confer a possible partnership on your summer marketing drive.'
Occasionally, simplicity and precision beat ingenuity. The bottom line
You don't need to be an exceptional writer to make effective emails; just be more intentional. The next time you're drawn to write 'Hope you're well,' pause for a while. Reflect on your association with the receiver. What matters to them? What's the latest in their world?
Then proceed with the email, the kind that you would like to receive and read.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
17 hours ago
- CNA
Interactive: 8 speakeasy bars and restaurants in Singapore to check out behind closed doors
We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with CNA to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be. To continue, upgrade to a supported browser or, for the finest experience, download the mobile app.
Independent Singapore
4 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Still starting emails with 'Hope you're well'? Time for an upgrade! Say this if you want a reply
'Hope you're well.' Inboxes everywhere are flooded with it. The email counterpart of 'small talk'. But while the expression might sound well-mannered, it's become the 'white noise' of professional communiqué, and people are beginning to become desensitised to it. Whether you're getting in touch with an old friend, making an inquiry with a colleague, pitching to a client, or making a follow-up after a networking event, the introductory words of your email matter. With today's shrinking attention spans and jam-packed inboxes, the first few words of an email can mean the difference between being disregarded and obtaining a response. So, how do you triumph over an ocean of well-wishers? Here's why it's time to dump the preset salutation, and what to write in its place. Why 'hope you're well' falls flat Truthfully, there's nothing wrong with 'Hope you're well.' It's harmless. It's gracious. But that's also where the problem lies. When the reader sees the same thing many times over, it is viewed as pretentious, fake, or forced, most especially if it's immediately followed by a request or pitch. It's like asking how someone is, then immediately walking away before they can find an answer. See also My Chemical Romance not reuniting despite what Joe Jonas says If you aim to build lasting relationships, encourage action, or if you simply want to get a reply, you need an opening line that expresses intent, character, and mindfulness. The psychology of a great opening Email openers work best when they do one (or more) of the following: Demonstrate sincere interest Refer to something precise Offer value early on Trigger curiosity It should feel like a real human wrote them Your receiver should feel that you're writing to them, not sending out another cliché from a template. What to say instead — 8 better email openers Here are other possibilities that can make your email stick out in a swarming inbox: Refer to a fresh event or shared experience Example: 'It was good to see you on the AI ethics panel last week — still thinking about your opinion on data transparency.' This indicates attention and importance, particularly in networking or follow-up communication. Mention their work Example: 'I recently read your blog post on hybrid work models — loved your perspective on productivity metrics.' See also Malaysian singer Ning Baizura makes a comeback Flattery can work, especially when it's detailed. Everyone loves to feel 'seen' and 'heard.' Connect with what's happening in their world Example: 'I just learned that your company announced a great product unveiling — congratulations!' Appropriate and timely, tailored notes can build bonds fast. Jump right into value Example: 'I have an idea that could cut the time of your employee integration process in half — wanted to get your thoughts on it.' When you start with value, you instantly get attention. Ask an intriguing question Example: 'Quick question: How are you dealing with client response circles now that your team is on a WFH basis?' It generates a natural discussion starter. Begin with a daring perception Example: 'Most businesses drop 20% of new hires in the initial 45 days — here's a way to alter that.' This is valuable for sales or consulting efforts where positioning yourself as a strategic thinker or trusted advisor matters a lot. Use refined humour Example: 'I promise you this email isn't another GDPR update.' Humour defuses, specifically in business settings where everything appears excessively formal. Go straight to the point Example: 'Reaching out to confer a possible partnership on your summer marketing drive.' Occasionally, simplicity and precision beat ingenuity. The bottom line You don't need to be an exceptional writer to make effective emails; just be more intentional. The next time you're drawn to write 'Hope you're well,' pause for a while. Reflect on your association with the receiver. What matters to them? What's the latest in their world? Then proceed with the email, the kind that you would like to receive and read.
Independent Singapore
14-06-2025
- Independent Singapore
My mum expects me to take care of her by getting a high-paying job in Singapore and marrying a "traditional" wife
SINGAPORE: A man took to social media to ask other locals, 'Those who grew up with very demanding parents: in retrospect, did they act in your best interest? Or is it their own?' In a post on the r/askSingapore subreddit, he shared that his mum had placed many expectations on him from a young age. She often reminded him that caring for their parents was '100 percent' a child's responsibility. She also insisted he should eventually marry a 'traditional' woman who would take care of her, and that he must seek her approval before entering a relationship or getting married because 'older people have more experience.' Looking back, he feels that many of these expectations weren't truly about guiding or supporting him, but about ensuring her own comfort later in life. He also wrote that he was expected to get good grades and land a high-paying job, all so she could enjoy a comfortable, or even luxurious, lifestyle. He further shared, 'When I was in junior sec, before we got internet at home, I'd watch channel 8 drama with her, and whenever there's a relationship problem, she always said that this could have been avoided had the male character sought the opinion of his mother before starting the relationship.' 'Only women understand women, she said. And, during my uni years, she always pried on my texts, worried that I was dating someone she had not approved of.' 'They probably did not want me to experience what they did…' His post struck a chord with many Redditors who had grown up under similarly strict parenting. Some felt that, while their upbringing had been intense or even harsh at times, it ultimately came from a place of love and a deep desire to protect them from the struggles their parents once faced. One shared, 'Yes. Mum was what you would call these days a tiger mum. Made sure I did all my homework. And more. In hindsight, everything I enjoy today is thanks to my parents. This is Singapore, and education is probably the most straightforward path to social mobility. My parents grew up very poor. They knew what it was like to be poor. And to be poor in their generation is really no joke. We're talking about going hungry very often and being at the mercy of your landlord. So they probably did not want me to experience what they did.' Another shared, 'In retrospect, they did act in my best interest and then more often detrimental to their own well-being. Our parents were always hard on themselves, saving and keeping their expenses to a minimum, so we could have more. My mum was even apologetic that she and my dad could not leave us much of an inheritance. We had to repeatedly remind them to just spend when they need and not worry about that.' However, not everyone agreed with this sentiment. Others believed their parents were driven less by love and more by a need for control, obedience, or validation. To them, their own needs often took a backseat to their parents' expectations and ideals. One Redditor said, 'No, it was never what was good for me, but what they THOUGHT was good for me, based on their own lived experiences, including generational trauma.' Another wrote, 'I feel like there's a difference between wanting you to do your best for yourself and wanting for themselves. Mine didn't push me for me, she did it for herself and how she would be perceived.' In other news, a woman took to social media to express her frustration after her brother caused the family to lose over S$100,000 in a failed business venture. Posting anonymously on r/askSingapore on Thursday (June 12), she shared that her brother had convinced the family to invest in a promising company where his close friend was the CEO and where he himself had secured a well-paying job. Read more: 'We've lost more than S$100k': Singaporean woman says brother convinced family to invest in friend's failed business Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
