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Sorry, no, I am not your colleague

September 3rd, 2021

0 min read

By David Meerman Scott

Have you noticed that communications from organizations that should know better often comes with an opening “Dear Colleague”?

What’s up with that?

According to Merriam-Webster, a colleague is: “an associate or coworker typically in a profession or in a civil or ecclesiastical office and often of similar rank or status; a fellow worker or professional.”

Sure, this is probably just a pet peeve of mine. I get that.

When I see an email that starts out that way my brain turns off. I just delete the damn thing.

I often get “Dear Colleague” emails from trade organization pitching something such as a call for nominations for the annual awards.

If I am on your list, you should know my name. It’s better to either say “Dear David” or just leave the salutation out completely.

 

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David Meerman Scott

David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to emerging companies, and international bestselling author of a dozen books including Fanocracy and The New Rules of Marketing & PR. His books are published in 30 languages from Arabic to Vietnamese and have sold nearly a million copies.