E-mail sign offs
Ending an email, especially a work-related one, can be more difficult than knowing how to address your in-laws.
In fact, sometimes, I opt for no sign-off, rather than risk looking unprofessional, or, sounding too familiar with someone at work. Or, many time, I end an e-mail with “thanks”, if, indeed I’m thanking the recipient.
Two business communication professionals discuss e-mail sign offs in this Entrepreneur.com What Your Sign-off is Really Saying, and, I think I’ve encountered each one they named, and, possibly more. I’m also busted for the times I opt for no closing at all other than an electronic signature.
I think I see “Regards” used the most in business e-mails, and, I haven’t had a “Ciao” in a long time.
What email sign offs do you use? What do you hate to see?
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2 opinions for E-mail sign offs
JayMonster
Jul 3, 2007 at 11:32 am
I disagree with their sentiment. And thus, I generally don’t for business e-mails (even most personal ones, now that I think about it), although with business correspondence, in replace of that I typically have a “signoff” paragraph, something along the lines of:
In the end I think it is also based on the type of e-mail you are sending. If you are sending a formal letter or proposal, and only doing so via e-mail because it is quicker, then by all means, the standard rules of letter writing apply. Otherwise, I don’t believe the ending is really needed.
Jane
Jul 5, 2007 at 6:51 am
I’m pretty compulsive about ending my emails with “Regards.” Client emails, that is. I have an associate who came up with a great signature sign off: “Be well.”
“Thanks” is common, although I read some where that it’s rude and/or insincere to thank some one in advance. You’re basically nudging the recipient to do something, but couching it in a pleasantry, according to what I read.
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