Is “Thank you for reaching out to me” formal for business correspondence?
Thank you for reaching out to me
This phrase is typically used in response to someone who has contacted the speaker. The hearer might be an understudy or a client; more often, they are somebody on the speaker’s informal network of friends and family.
The many uses of “reach out” typically imply some kind of extended contact. One would not, for case, say “I just wanted to reach out to you,” when they mean that they only wanted to send a brief e-mail message. Similarly, “reach out” does not refer to a single action, but to the process of establishing contact.
The phrase “reach out” is also occasionally used in an informal sense that means simply “to make contact with somebody.” This usage is actually more common than the formal one, as the words typically associated with this meaning are not very commonly heard.
Those who do use this informal meaning do so typically in their speech or writing; it is not used casually in conversation by most people.
The phrase “Thank you for reaching out to me” is also typically used in formal communications. The words “Thank you” are not an optional part of this phrase; the speaker must use them. In some cases, it is better to be more specific about why the listener is being thanked, but this is not necessarily so.
A simpler, more formal way of saying this would simply be “thank you for making contact”
that said, it’s not considered grossly informal and would pass in most situations.
In some cases, the speaker may want to be less formal. In this case, a more appropriate phrasing maybe “Thank you for contacting me” or “Thank you for reaching out”.
As this phrase has a more specific meaning than the formal version, it is also better to use it when it is exactly what you mean. If the listener knows that they reached out and are not being thanked for something else, then generally speaking it should be used.
What to Say When Someone Says “Thank You for Your Email” If you receive an email or phone call which starts with “thank you for your email” or “thank you for reaching out to me,” politely thank the person for contacting you.
They are trying to let you know they are interested in your story, pitch, or idea. If the person has a specific question, address it directly. If you have a question, ask the person for feedback, clarification, or help.
Example in a sentence
Thank you for reaching out to me regarding this opportunity.
Thank you for reaching out to me regarding my inquiry about the current price of the new product
Hello! Thank you for reaching out to me in regards to my life coaching services. I am so happy to hear that you’re interested in learning more about how I can help you reach your goals or to hear what I believe is the best approach for you to take. If you could please email me at ***@**** with a brief introduction of yourself, what you’re looking to get out of coaching, and some of the goals you want to accomplish- I can then review your message and get back to you as soon as possible to discuss a strategy. Thank you, ***
Dear __________, Thank you so much for reaching out to me. It is great to hear from you, and I wanted to take a moment to reply. I always enjoy talking with people who are interested in learning more about my company and the work we do. For those who are new to the business, I am the founder of _______________. To find out more about what we do, please visit our website. Additionally, I would be happy to schedule an appointment with you to discuss your needs. Sincerely, _______ Thank you again for reaching out to me. I hope that you find my response helpful.