Have you noticed that more and more bulk email comes in these days with an opening "Dear Colleague"?
What’s up with that?
According to Wiktionary, a colleague is: "A fellow member of a profession, staff, academic faculty or other organization; an associate."
I recognize that this might just be a pet peeve of mine. But when I see an email that starts out that way my brain turns off. I just delete the damn things.
I often get these emails from trade publications making offers (such as inviting me to a webinar) and event organizers who have me on a list because I have attended in past years and they want me to sign up for the next shindig.
If I am on your list, you should know my name. So please either say "Dear David" or just leave the salutation out completely.
Please let me know if I'm being overly harsh here. (I didn’t get much sleep last night.)
David Meerman Scott
David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire.
