Looking for how to write a formal email? For most of us, email is the most common form of business communication so it’s important to get it right. Although emails usually aren’t as formal as letters, they still need to be professional to present a good image of you and your company.

Writing a formal email can seem like a daunting task, since email is so often used for personal and informal purposes. If you need to write an email to a teacher, boss, business contact, government agency, or other recipient that requires formality, just follow a few simple guidelines. Keep your message clear and to the point, and follow expectations for style, tone and formatting. Finally, proofread and review the content of your email before sending it.