A site visitor writes:
I struggle with e-mail closings, as well as greetings. You did address the need for a Hi, Hello, etc. in one of your e-mails, are there other appropriate salutations? I would also appreciate list of closures to choose from. Perhaps you could ask your readership for contributions to create a list?
I do have an article on my Web site for your review titled E-mail Sign-Off Considerations that you may find helpful. The article includes a healthy list of suggestions you can use.
As far as greetings, Hi, Hello, Howdy, G’Day and Dear — just about cover it all. I’ve encountered many a creative greeting and sign-off over the years. Too many to track or list, so I stick with the basics when giving advice on these topics.
Plus if you use something unique or different, it should be unique or different to you alone. Using another person’s sign-off or greeting that reflects their personality may not have the same effect if you use it. Your choice of e-mail greetings and closings should reflect the tone and formality of your e-mail as well as your personality.
Maybe some of my readers will jump in with their most creative, funny, helpful and recommended greetings and closings and share their favorites with us?
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I agree with Judith in that “Best” may not be the most personal or original closing line, it is better than having no sign off at all. I prefer to use other closings.
I agree with Judith and Stefanie as well. Throughout my professional career I have seen individuals use “thank you” as a closing when the subject of the email does not require thanking the person. I use “Best” as a closing for my professional emails instead of “thank you” when it is not necessary to thank the person. I feel using “thank you” inappropriately is less personal than “best”.
I like the sound of “Hope you’re doing well”, for someone who you email occasionally. However, with multiple emails going back and forth, that seems a little annoying. Great post!
Hey, Neil:
I would think it would go without saying that if it is an ongoing conversation going back and forth, that you would not start every reply with the same greeting… “Hope you’re doing well” would only apply to the initial contact, right?
Dear Judith,
First of all thank you very much for your website. I think it’s very helpful.
I have a question about the proper closing. Very often, especially in forums, I come across a closing ‘Friendly greetings’ of, even worse, ‘Friendly greetz’.
But I never saw this kind of closing in any studybook. Is this proper English?
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Best wishes,
Victoria
Hey, Victoria:
“Friendly greetz” is slang and is not proper English. Depending on the venue typing in this manner may not leave a good impression — for example in venues where you are discussing business and/or professional topics. For me, (and I get scolded about my opinion on this), when onliners abbreviate words by misspelling or removing characters it looks lazy. If it weren’t lazy why not type the extra 3 characters? HTH!
Hello Judith,
Thanks for your quick reply.
So as understand it is not appropriate to use it in formal occasions, but what about family and friends (informal communication)?
Thank you!
Victoria
Hey, Victoria:
It is recommended to never use slang in formal business/serious e-mails. If you want to type with that style to family and friends that is your choice.
Thank you very much, Judith!
Hi Judith, very helpful website.
I was wondering why people use only ‘capital letters in bold’ when writing business emails in the office.
I start my letters with:
Dear sirs, Dear madam, dear (first name), or Just (first name) as if i am just talking to the person,
As a closing sentence I use depending the request in the mail:
1. Looking forward to your reply
2 Looking forward to your cooperation
3. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me or ask,
4. looking forward to your updates
and close of with: a. Best regards, b. cheers, c. friendly greetings,
I hope I could have of any help on your website, keep it up!
Hey, Hilary:
You have great e-mail etiquette — good job! ;-) Some folks use caps for emphasis while others are lazy and don’t want to hit the cap lock. Using all caps (upper case) selectively is okay, but to then bold those words adds to the emphasis which can be overstated and misinterpreted. That is why I always suggest choosing the right words for emphasis instead of relying on formatting.
By e-mailing as you do you set a great example for others — keep up the great work!
I definitely would not agree so harshly with Fred, because it’s interesting just reading the comments, but I do have to second his request for a more obvious point to that link! I still can’t find it, but will click the link in your response. It appears once you get to this page, for someone without a sharp eye, that there is only your original text and these comments, but no list.
Em…
This post was answering a site visitor’s questions on the topic of greetings and closings. I replied to their request by pointing to my previous article on this site that is in the very first sentence of this post: