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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Many people (including me) dislike ‘Best’ as a sign off, although I think it’s more common in the States.
As a word by itself, it doesn’t mean anything: Best wishes? regards? intentions?
It seems the writer can’t be bothered to think of (or type) something meaningful, so it comes across as being dismissive.
Thanks to someone at Cognitive Daily who thought of most of the above.
Hey, Richard:
Thanks for stopping by! I’ve always view best as something “sending their best wishes”, I’ve never thought much more about it than that or think they couldn’t be bothered to type further. IMNSHO, “Best” is better than no sign off at all!
Maybe others will pipe in on what they think of signing off using “Best”….
When I worked at a hair salon as a receptionist (for one day) they trained us to end every call or voice message with “Hope you’re doing well and see you soon”… although kind of fake (potentially)… the ‘hope you’re doing well’ part has kinda come in handy in some emails :P
Hey, Emily:
Thanks for stopping by! I agree! Adding a little personal touch and concern is what makes us human and to build long term relationships. I use “Hope this finds you well!” at the beginning of e-mails when I am contacting folks I’ve not communicated with in a while.
It is all about making those minuscule efforts to let others know you care and will be a pleasure to communicate with!
Hi there, could you please help me. my gmail is all messed up. i try to put my
Hey, Karen:
Your comment was cut off so I don’t know what you need assistance with. Although I don’t use Gmail and your request is not really an “e-mail etiquette” issue, I did do a search for you and here are some resources that can help you determine what is up:
HTH!
Hi Karen,
Hope all is well with you.
While “HTH!” may be acceptable in a forum, I do not believe that it would be proper etiqette in an email. There are way too many abreviations used today to expect that someone knows exactly what you mean. IMHO all acronyms are off limits in a work email. How would you know if the “H” in IMHO is for humble or honest?
What are your thoughts?
Best regards,
David
Hey, David:
I agree and rarely use acronyms in e-mails for the reasons you state. I do however use them when I am certain the other party knows what the acronym means. Just like everything to do with E-mail Etiquette, you need to use your discretion as to what is the best approach for each e-mail (tone, intent, recipient, familiarity, formality, etc.).
I meant to ask the above of Judith. Sorry Karen
So where is the list?????????? A total waste of time!!
Fred:
Really? See above, and click on E-mail Sign-Off Considerations — unless of course, that too is a total waste of your time.
Who would visit a site, not read the entire article and feel the need to take their time to tell the site owner that the article is not worth their time to click on a single link? Wow….
But that is why I have been doing this site for over a decade, to help folks like you realize how their actions or lack there of effect how they are perceived. I think you may benefit from taking my entire E-mail Etiquette 101….
Hello – I’m from Argentina and almost all the emails I send at work are written in english; I’ve figured some rules by just reading the emails I got but today I got doubtful with using “Best” for signoff, for what I read here it seems to be fine… anyhow, my question is related to using a single letter (initial) to sign the emails, I usually just say…
Thanks,
E.
Does this sound OK to you?, is this applicable to any situation or just OK for people I already know?.
Thanks,
E.
(You see?, I’m used to!, hehe..)
Hey, E:
In business e-mails it is all about formality and professionalism. This is where you have to use your discretion. Based on your last question it seems you do know the answer! ;-)
For coworkers or those inside your company, I can see where the “E.” would work. But for customers, clients and outside associates, I would type your full name.
I have an entire site on the topic of Business E-mail Etiquette — check it out!
HTH and thanks for stopping by!
Judith,
I have recently stumbled upon your website in a search for a way to let my creativity shine through in a pretty corporate workplace. More specifically, I was looking for a creative and also PC way to sign off on my emails. I have been just using “thanks” and my name . Am I looking for something that does not exist or am I just going to have to think harder? I have looked at several links/websites and have not found anything that seems like it will fit. Can you advise or am I wishing for the white elephant, so to speak?
Thanks,
ADES
Hey, Ades:
You may be looking for something that doesn’t exist — yet — until you begin to use it! Instead of looking at lists of what others have done, why not spend some time at http://thesaurus.com/? What are you known for? Do you have a special skill that can be parlayed into a sign off.
You are not alone in your desire to be unique by not wanting to use cookie-cutter sign offs. I do get asked about this all the time. With that said, in business those staples are in place for a reason and we have to be careful about being too far outside the box, right? But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done if you are creative enough…. ;-)
Maybe others will pipe in with suggestions… Thanks for stopping by!
This was very helpful. thank you!
Cheers,
Kaci
Hey, Kaci:
Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by!