Adding a closing like “Regards” or “Sincerely” before your name is a polite way to end a message. Created with Sketch. All of that said, here is a list of common and not-so-common email sign-offs, with commentary and notes from the experts. Maybe OK for some formal business correspondence, like from the lawyer handling your dead mother’s estate. While this sort of sign-off may work for very brief, informal emails, it’s too cold and detached for most, particularly when you’re connecting with the recipient for the first time. Do you reveal your enthusiasm with an exclamation point? Mark Hurst, 40, author of Bit Literacy: Productivity in the Age of Information and E-mail Overload, says the function of a sign-off is to signal the end of a message, so the recipient knows it didn’t get short-circuited. It reassures your contact that things are as good between you as they’ve ever been. However, it might be a perfect ending to a stern email looking to follow up on missed deadlines, late payments, or a professional ghosting. There is such a thing as being too informal with a business email. Use this only if bears are known to lurk by the Dumpster outside the recipient’s office. Probably not a good idea for an initial email. Include your title and contact info, but keep it short. With this and other strange sign-offs in mind, Miguel suggested I tackle the subject of how best to conclude an email. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. What works for a friend or close colleague won’t work in a strictly professional correspondence with a distant acquaintance or someone you’ve never met before. I’m a senior editor in charge of Forbes’ education coverage. Christmas Greetings for Employees. 64.8k 8 8 gold badges 153 153 silver badges 283 283 bronze badges. Although this sign-off tends to happen more by default when the sender forgets to add an actual signature, we thought it was worth mentioning the ubiquitous . Very Truly Yours – Lett likes this for business emails but I find it stilted and it has the pen pal problem. 1… Created with Sketch. Best Regards – More formal than the ubiquitous “Best.” I use this when I want a note of formality. I've rounded up 40 different email greetings you can use to kick start your message. The downside is that it can be safe and dull, especially if you want your message to be dynamic and attention-getting. Created with Sketch. Created with Sketch. Let us know in the comments. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. “This is not a closing. Employees like you are the blood fuel of a company. If you get a lot of email, you know that nearly everyone uses this sign-off. High five from down low – A colleague shared this awful sign-off which is regularly used by a publicist who handles tech clients. I got my job at Forbes through a brilliant libertarian economist, Susan Lee, whom I used to put on television at MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. But, just like thanks in advance, it can convey a tone of expectancy. Created with Sketch. At least they work well on my Dell desktop when I want to load a contact into Outlook. For more help, check the best email greetings to use. Only add a blanket message to the top of your email signature if it’s an apology for potential typos (see example #8 below) or an important notice. 4. 3. Don’t worry about what time your recipient will read your email. email greetings valediction. But first, Geisler’s quote. REᗡЯUM. Created with Sketch. May your life be filled with sweet memories, warm relations, and faithful friends. A recent study by the email app Boomerang rated cheers as the most likely sign-off (that isn’t a thank-you) to get an email response. It’s weird and off-putting. Can You Truly Focus When Current Events Distract You? It’s just a word or a short phrase, followed by your signature, and yet finding the right tone to close your email often requires a surprising amount of thought and finesse. Sent from my mobile. Here are five examples of how to end an email, based on where you are during the hiring process. What are some expressions that can be used to end an email? Make sure a closing matches with a greeting. It’s a thank-you,” she insists. “I don’t believe emails are conversations,” she says. Thanks for your consideration – A tad stilted with a note of servility, this can work in the business context, though it’s almost asking for a rejection. It has merits, of course. The informality of social media conversations and abbreviations do not extend to emails in the workplace. I disagree. Typos courtesy of my iPhone – Slightly clever but it’s gotten old. Dear Sir/ Madam, 2. Do This Instead. Be well – Some people find this grating. [:-) – I’m a sucker for variations on the smiley face made with punctuation marks, though I suspect most people don’t like them. Once you’ve completed the body of the email, hit the “Enter” key once or twice to create a space between the final line and your signoff. Regards – Fine, anodyne, helpfully brief. But maybe I should restore it. I am so happy to have a dedicated, honest employee like you. Do you really, truly belong to the recipient? Do you find yourself as stumped as I do? . “Warmly” is a nice way to end an email and bring, well, a warm and fuzzy feeling to your recipient. Looking forward to your reply Warmest Regards – As good as Warm Regards, with a touch of added heat. Sincerely Yours – Same problem as “Sincerely,” but hokier. Cheers, mate! While informal greetings are perceived as being friendlier, you can be too casual. But make it minimal. Created with Sketch. Hugs – It’s hard to imagine this in a business email but it’s great when you’re writing to your granny. In most business emails, you’re doing the person a favor by sharing your vital information. What about : Yours sincerely/sincerely/best regards/regards/greetings ?? The ending shouldn't be too formal, but also not too "popular". You may opt-out by. . The same goes for automated message on other devices. Make sure your greetings corresponds with your own timing. When you’re struggling with how to end an email, it’s best to consider the context. By Monica Torres. Peace – Retro, this sign-off wears its politics on its sleeve. Not appropriate for a business email. But not signing an initial email or using only the formal signature you’ve created to append to your outgoing emails comes off as impersonal. Lastly, for your email to make sense (and therefore make an impact), the greeting should be in keeping with the rest of your message. Created with Sketch. Below is their combined wisdom and some commentary of my own. It works well if your email is friendly and conversational but, unless you’re actually British or Australian, it may come off as affected in more formal settings. ;-) – I’ve gotten emails from colleagues with these symbols and I find they brighten my day. Avoid oversized corporate logos. Related Reading. It’s not unusual to finish an email with these salutations, followed by your name: Yours sincerely, (When you know the reader.) Sincerely. Think of it as an email for first impression for a potential client. Knowing the best letter closings and how to end an email in a professional and cordial way helps keep the working relationship and flow of communication healthy and effective. Thanks for reading CFI’s guide to how to end an email. Save it for when you actually mean to imply, “I expect you to do this.”, 9. My mission with education is to explore the intersection of education and business. Warmly – This is a nice riff on the “warm” theme that can safely be used among colleagues. It doesn’t bother me but others might recoil. Are you writing a cover letter? The “lots of” makes it even more inappropriately effusive than the simple, clean “Love.”. Best conveys best wishes in a cheerful, pithy way. Created with Sketch. She says it came from an episode of the animated cable TV show Family Guy, about a song from the 1960s. Sent from Jack’s typewriter, Rm 237. Maybe it’s because this sign-off expresses gratitude but also sets an expectation—you’re saying that you’ll be grateful when (not if) the person you’re emailing comes through. I'd spent the previous two years on the Entrepreneurs team, following six years writing for the Leadership channel. XOXO – I’ve heard of this being used in business emails but I don’t think it’s a good idea. Unfortunately, autocorrect is responsible for the content. Yours Truly – I don’t like this. Many thanks – I use this a lot, when I genuinely appreciate the effort the recipient has undertaken. For them, this sign-off may work. With closer friends and family you may close your letter with: More formal : “Affectueusement”, “affectueuses pensées” I’ve been at Forbes since 1995, writing about everything from books to billionaires. Thank you – More formal than “Thanks.” I use this sometimes. 5. Lett would not approve. -Your name – Terse but just fine in many circumstances. Land a great job, handle your boss and get ahead today. This is a fine choice for people you’ve built an ongoing working relationship with. Some people get creative with this signature. I think it’s old-fashioned. Lengthy disclaimers – We’ve all seen these and ignored them, though I understand that many companies require them. – I wonder how prevalent this is in the UK. Jokes aside, You wouldn’t think that your email greeting would be that complicated to write. That’s true even if you have an email signature. Why not type three more letters? Sent from my iPhone – This may be the most ubiquitous sign-off. Below Geisler’s title and above her cell phone number was this mystifying quote: “The Bird is equal to or greater than the Word,” attributed to someone named, simply, “scientist.”. There’s never really a wrong time to express appreciation when someone has helped you out. Better to use the automated message. Hello Claire, 3. Warmest Regards – As good as Warm Regards… Dear Dr Smith, (note: First names are NOT used. Sign up here to get top career advice delivered straight to your inbox every week. -Initial – Good if you know the recipient and even fine in a business context if it’s someone with whom you correspond frequently. Who doesn’t know that printing uses paper? Email farewells. When applying for a job: Thank you for considering me for this position. But in the right context, it can be fine. You’re not thirteen, and this isn’t a conversation happening in a messaging app. FOR MORE INFORMATION. It works well if your email is friendly and conversational but, unless you’re actually British or Australian, it may come off as affected in more formal settings. Ending an email is tricky. EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, Michigan Economic Development Corporation With Forbes Insights, Welcoming Free Speech On College Campuses While Encouraging Different Perspectives, Los Angeles: The County That Cried Wolf On Schools, Concordia University-Chicago Becomes Latest University To Put Academic Programs On Chopping Block, How Will Biden’s Proposed Education Secretary Try To Narrow Gaps? What weird, funny, offensive or elegant sign-offs have I missed? Dear Sir or Madam, 3. Because, let's face it- … In a range of topics, here are some more links for you: Apologizing via emails; Writing status updates: tips and phrases; 12 ways to regain control of your … All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Depending on the circumstances, you may wish to set a formal, serious tone, or something informal to the point of being lighthearted. On the surface, take care sounds pleasant, but on closer examination, it seems to imply that the recipient should be wary of potential dangers. I’ve rounded up 40 different email greetings you can use to kick start your message. Warmest – I use this often for personal emails, especially if I’m close to someone but not in regular touch. Warm Regards – I like this for a personal email to someone you don’t know very well, or a business email that is meant as a thank-you. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common email settings and the tried-and-true sign-offs that work best for each. Keep on keepin’ on; This email sign-off is casual, fun, and best used in settings that are the same. Although greetings in emails are much more flexible and light than traditional letter greetings, closing sentences and farewells in English emails remain quite similar to traditional letter forms. I also don’t like people telling me to cheer up. And that would mean more business opportunities for you. A simple thanks is also a solid choice when you want to express gratitude. In haste – Also good when you don’t have time to proofread. No you didn’t. Cheers! Your recipient is likely to hear an implied “You’d better write back.”. – This rubs me the wrong way because I used to have a boss who ended every email this way. Best conveys best wishes in a cheerful, pithy way. This seems more of a end of email statement such as “To your continued success!” rather than an email sign-off. Farhad Manjoo, 35, Wall Street Journal technology columnist and until recently, the voice behind a Slate podcast, “Manners for the Digital Age,” puts it well: “An email is both a letter and an instant message,” he observes. Created with Sketch. 05/05/2020 07:42pm EDT. Sign off the email. Take it easy bro – Richie Frieman, 34, author of the new book Reply All…And Other Ways to Tank Your Career, says he regularly gets this from a web designer in Santa Cruz, CA. Two Fun Ways To Start Your Cold Emails Have some fun with your email greetings to break the norm and catch your recipient’s attention. I use it too. Warm Regards – I like this for a personal email to someone you don’t know very well, or a business email that is meant as a thank-you. Email Closing Example 2 - With Proper Closing Contrast that with the experience of receiving a similar email, but with the proper closing information included. Forbes’ in-house legal counsel, Kai Falkenberg, says she knows of no cases that have relied on legal disclaimers, though she says they might serve as persuasive evidence in a trade secrets case where a party was attempting to keep information confidential. If you started an email with “Dear,” it’s pretty strange to use “xoxo” as an email ending. My best to you – Lett also likes this one. I polled colleagues, friends and four people I’d consider experts, including Cynthia Lett, 55, a business etiquette consultant in Silver Spring, MD. It came from Melissa Geisler, who works in digital sports programming and production at I offer four rules and a long list of potential sign-offs. The tone, purpose, and style of your email must be reflected in the way you address the … Most experts agree that text messaging abbreviations are not ever a good way to start or end a business email. We live in a world where people frequently email from mobile devices, so excluding a signature certainly isn’t a no-no as an email chain progresses, particularly if your recipient also drops the more formal sign-off. Much as I respect Geisler’s attempt at levity, I think it’s a mistake to leave people guessing about what you want to say. It used to bother me but I realize that it explains brevity and typos. Before the official sign off of a letter or email, it can be nice to politely wrap up with a short sentence. Formal 1. The email closing should always align with the overall tone of your message and the salutation you’ve chosen. Created with … “That was me trying to have a little fun,” she says, adding that she has since changed her signature to add Yahoo’s new logo, and abandoning the quote, which she hoped recipients enjoyed while it lasted. Forbes Leadership editor Fred Allen uses it regularly and I think it’s an appropriate, warm thing to say. 04/01/2019 02:22pm EDT | Updated November 21, 2019. Consider the Context of the Message. Dear Mum, (note: salutations are followed by a (,) comma, exception: ’To whom it may concern:’) Read more: How to introduce yourself in English: Tips and Phrases Other Ways To Say NICE TO MEET YOU! Thx – I predict this will gain in popularity as our emails become more like texts. Here Are Some Clues, Some Good News To Close Out 2020: Globally, The Numbers Of Girls Enrolled In Primary And Secondary Education Is Equal To That Of Boys, The Gordian Knot, Part 2: Higher Ed’s Enrollment Challenges, Thinking Beyond The Pandemic, Why A Classroom Connection Matters For The Department Of Education, Biden Makes His Pick For Education Secretary, Subscribe To The Forbes Careers Newsletter. Looking forward – I use this too. I thank you in advance. Created with Sketch. So, learn here how to end an email professionally. I wouldn’t sign off this way unless I were writing to my kid. In February 2018, I took on a new job managing and writing Forbes' education coverage. Ending an email with "cordially" might feel a little too cordial for you. Among my favorite stories: South Africa’s first black billionaire, Patrice Motsepe, and British diamond jewelry mogul Laurence Graff, both of whom built their vast fortunes from nothing. Lett likes this for business correspondence. Pardon my monkey thumbs – Same problem here. It expresses humility and regard for the recipient. Take care – In the right instances, especially for personal emails, this works. This does not start the correspondence on the right foot!