Less stuffy alternative to "Dear Sir/Madam"?

[MitchT]

I'm an experienced designer in the process of reinventing myself as a freelancer. Many creative agencies maintain a bank of freelancers who operate alongside their creative staff and have contact information on their websites encouraging freelancers to get in touch. I intend to make contact with some of these agencies, via the email addresses that they provide for this purpose, but they don't give contact names. Starting "Dear Sir/Madam" sounds excruciatingly old fashioned in a sector populated mostly by young, agile folk who don't believe in dress codes and excessive formality, so how should I start my messages to appear respectful while not looking like a relic?

[RicksAlfas]

Yo

[rayny]

'Yo' is far too informal, try 'Yo dude/dudette'

[S10GTA]

'Sup Bro?

[Gargamel]

Dear bd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANquX0YHFhw

[Dr Murdoch]

Wat gwan

[Hugo a Gogo]

Darling Fascist Bullyboys

[SkrrSkrr]

Dr Murdoch said:

Wat gwan

I recommend going with this


Or Boom here's what im sayin

[WindyCommon]

If they don't give contact names, then you could try "Dear <name of agency>" combined with an opening of "I would like to introduce myself...".

[xjay1337]

waddup fam, its your boy, mitchT, here to drop some graphic design knowledge on yo fine ass.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmhmm. the way i hope the pen is simply devine.

[C0ffin D0dger]

[MitchT]

I should probably ignore this thread for now and bump it this evening when the adults are online.

[anomie]

MitchT said:

Starting "Dear Sir/Madam" sounds excruciatingly old fashioned in a sector populated mostly by young, agile folk who don't believe in dress codes and excessive formality, so how should I start my messages to appear respectful while not looking like a relic?

Creative staffers might be young, agile, etc... but those people are not necessarily the ones in HR. Starting with a degree of formality demonstrates that you are aware of professional communication standards in the event that you may need to engage with clients/stakeholders who will expect that sort of thing. I think Dear Sir/Madam or To Whom it May Concern are really your only options for a "cold" opening.

Another possibility is that you find out who a named contact is via the website ("meet our team" section?) or linkedin and address it to a specific person.

It you feel you could go casual and get away with it then something like "Hi There".... But I think especially if you are approaching an Agency and not some young hip start-up directly you should go more formal in order to demonstrate that you know how to comport yourself professionally.

[Audicab]

Why not phone the agency to find the right contact or introduce yourself and follow it up via email. If you don't want to speak to them go on LinkedIn and find the name of the most suitable person.

[trowelhead]

What's poppin' fam?

[Andehh]

Good Morning, Good Afternoon,

etc etc etc?

[57 Chevy]

Hi,

[xjay1337]

Make sure you write the opening E-mail listening to Wiley's new Album.

[Sheetmaself]

Open a fake email address.
Pen an email.
See who responds
Direct your email to this person
Hope they never ask how you got their name.

[Hoofy]

Andehh said:

Good Morning, Good Afternoon,

etc etc etc?

Always seems a bit... scammy. And usually sent from Africa or India.