Every now and then I receive an email complaining about people forgetting commas in salutations or asking if a comma is needed at all in a salutation. Here are some general rules when sending a letter or email.
Formal Correspondence
When you are writing a cover letter, an email, or something else you would consider formal to clients, you stick with a straightforward greeting and a colon. Some examples:
- Dear Mr. Sandbottom:
- To Whom It May Concern:
- To Ms. Colette Browning:
Less Formal Correspondence
Most other items fall in this category. Generally, you use a greeting, a comma, and then whatever ending punctuation seems most appropriate. For example:
- Hello, Monica.
- Happy Birthday, Brian!
- Hi, Sandy,
- Good Morning, Fuzzy!
- Can’t wait to see you tomorrow, brother!
- Hey there, Donna,
I hope this helps!
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
Symitar Documentation Services
Editor's Corner 
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