In the sender area, your name displays. Sometimes introducing oneself first is OK, but in most circumstances, stating what you can do for the receiver (or what you desire) first is the ideal strategy. It gives the reader some context and establishes a friendly relationship before they get to the business of the message. Email marketing has become a huge part of business today and for good reason. It is simple, efficient and can reach a large audience at very little cost. The only limitation is that you cannot talk directly to someone who does not exist yet. Everyone else receives your message even if they have not signed up for your newsletter or requested any information from you. They just get in the way of how effective email can be! The best way to use email effectively is to let it lead the conversation. This means responding to emails that people send you rather than simply sending out broadcast messages. It also means not being too salesy about your emails - interesting information mixed in with helpful tips and resources is more likely to gain readers' trust and keep them coming back for more. So yes, you can start an email with "Hi" or "Hello". However, the most effective emails are those that introduce themselves first so there is no confusion about the relationship between you and the recipient. Then they get into the meat of the message.