The Right Signature for Your Next Email

Host Bee on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Tip of the Week: Selecting The Perfect Email Sign Off!

How would we get along in today’s world without email? I run committees, plan events, chat with friends and organize just about everything through email! Truly, I can’t imagine life before its advent! One thing that I’ve noticed, however, is the varied way that writers end their emails. We write emails that are long or short, serious or frivolous, and each one requires an appropriate sign off. Here’s a short guide to choosing the right signature for your next email!

Love - this closing is only for close friends and relatives, spouses and your children

Cheers – best for friends, family and perhaps a close business colleague

Sincerely yours or Truly yours - works in any business situation

Warmly – conveys affection without going overboard

Best - sounds friendly and likeable and works well for group emails in which both good friends and acquaintances are among the recipients, but not for a business setting (think here: PTO!)

All the best - adds a bit more gratitude and/or appreciation to just “Best”

Thanks very much – is perfect in almost any situation as long as you’re actually thanking the recipient

Kind regards - this signature is businesslike and warm at the same time, and is best used with someone you’ve corresponded with in the past

Some to avoid – “Ciao” (unless you’re Italian), “Later” (unless you’re a teenager) and “Talk Soon” (unless you really plan to talk soon)