Introduction:

Email communication has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Sometimes, sending an email requires special attention to the recipient or a specific person among the recipients. In such cases, the use of ATTN (attention) can help direct an email to a specific individual effectively. This article will discuss three ways to incorporate ATTN into your emails for better target addressment.

1. Use ATTN in the Subject Line:

One of the most common methods to add ATTN in an email is by adding it to the subject line. When you want an email to be specifically attended by a certain person, write “ATTN: [Recipient’s Name]” at the beginning of the subject line.

Example:

Subject: ATTN: John Smith – Meeting Request for Next Week

In this example, “ATTN: John Smith” clearly indicates that the email is meant for John Smith’s attention among all recipients.

2. Include ATTN in the Recipient Field:

Another way to add ATTN to an email is by including it in the recipient field alongside the recipient’s email address. This method works best when you are sending an email to a generic group or department email address and need one specific individual’s attention.

Example:

To: [email protected] (ATTN: Jane Doe)

In this instance, by adding “(ATTN: Jane Doe)” beside the department’s email address, you’re directing the attention of a specific person within that department or group.

3. Use ATTN in the Body of Your Email:

If you’re unable to use ATTN in either of the methods mentioned above, you can include it in the body of your email instead. This can be done by placing “ATTN: [Recipient’s Name]” as a header or at the beginning of your message.

Example:

Dear Accounting Department,

ATTN: Jane Doe

I am writing to inquire about the status of my invoice (#12345)…

By starting the email with “ATTN: Jane Doe,” you make it clear that the message is specifically for Jane Doe even though it is addressed to the entire department.

Conclusion:

Incorporating ATTN into your email communications can help ensure that your message reaches the intended recipient and receives their immediate attention. Whether you choose to integrate it into your subject line, recipient field, or email body, using ATTN is an effective technique for directing your email to a specific person.