45 Cool Email Sign-Offs That Generate Replies (2023)

Email sign offs might seem trivial to you, but are they really?

While it’s important to compose a well-crafted message body, the way you close a business email is equally important if you want to leave the reader with a positive impression.

Does “best regards” sound out of date? Is a simple “thank you” too simple maybe? How about just skipping the whole sign-off thing? Definitely no! Learn why and how email sign-offs make a world of difference and how you can use them to increase your response rates.

Why your email sign off matters

The way you sign off in your email signature has an impact, whether you want the reader to take some sort of action or not.

According to a study of over 350.000 email threads by email productivity software provider Boomerang not only does a simple signoff at the end of your email improve the overall average response rate but using one that offers a sense of gratitude significantly improves the chances that someone will write back.

Moreover, emails that closed with a variation of “thank you” got significantly more responses than emails ending with other popular closings.

Source

No matter what you choose remember that an email sign off is the last impression you make on your reader. It’s the last thing they read and it determines how quickly they will respond – or whether they will respond at all.

Think of it as the end of a conversation. Would you ever turn and walk away without another word after meeting a new business contact? No. Then why be rude in your emails?

Choosing the right one

In 2016, HuffPost and YouGov polled 1.000 readers about which is the most commonly used sign off and which is the most annoying one.

The results showed that only 17% of emails receive formal emails. The most commonly reported sign offs used by respondents were:

• Thanks (62%)
• Just a name (46%)
• Sincerely (44%)

As for annoying email sign offs, 41% of respondents think that emails are too informal to worry about your verbiage. Nevertheless, there are a few words that take the cake:

• Xoxo (24%)
• Peace (21%)
• Cheers (13%)

Email Sign-off Types

With email being one of the primary communication tools today, there are many different messages that you send during the day.

There’s the business email, the internal email, the semi-formal email, the friendly email, and the list goes on and on and on.

The Formal Business Email Sign Off

1. Regards

It can’t get any more professional! It works because it doesn’t set any expectations, but be careful when using it. Keep in mind though that it doesn’t sound especially kind some times. If used on the wrong occasion you might come across as not caring about the receiver or the opportunity you are writing about.

2. Best regards

A safe choice when you want to sound friendly towards someone you don’t know well.

3. Warm regards

Another polite way to end your email. This is one of the best email sign offs to use when more warmth is required.

4. Rgrds

Abbreviation of “regards” (duh) but it only seems lazy to me TBH. Come on, you can do it. You can type 2 more letters.

5. Yours sincerely

A classic letter closing we learned at school, perfect for a professional email to. It might come off as stuffy though, so I would advise you to avoid it if you’re a small business and go for something a little less formal.

6. Best wishes

This one is a great formal way to end your email with just the perfect touch of friendliness. Make sure you only use it when it fits well with the whole tone of your message.

7. Cordially

This one adds an extra touch of formality and professionalism. I would suggest only using it if you’re emailing a new contact.

8. Respectfully

Very formal and even a little stiff, but a standard way to close a business email, especially if the receiver is in charge.

The Friendly Business Email Sign Off

9. Best

This email sign off is like a perfect closing passe-partout. It’s one of the most common email closings, formal and cheerful at the same time, but avoid using it if you want to give to your message a more dynamic and attention-grabbing tone.

10. My best

Not too different from the above, but sounds a little more personal, if that’s what you want to achieve.

11. All the best

Suitable for both professional and more informal emails, “all the best” is a kind sign off, breeze but not too casual. Perfect for business emails with a relaxed tone.

12. As ever

If you’re writing an email to a colleague or someone you have an ongoing business relationship with, then this is the best email sign off. It’s friendly, while at the same time reassuring the receiver that things are fie between you too.

13. Cheers

Yeah, I know we said how it’s one of the most “annoying” email sign offs, but maybe you can pull it off! It’s got a cheerful vibe that fits well in emails to people you know well, but it can always seem a bit pretentious if you’re not British or Australian.

14. Peace

I actually roll my eyes when I see this one, but maybe this retro sign off works for you. Certainly has something to say about its sender.

Talk soon

Short and informal enough, but would only use it if I actually expect to talk to the person soon.

The Thankful Business Email Sign Off

15. Thanks in advance

We’ve already covered that one. Gratitude + expectations= highest response rates! However, thanking someone in advance may come across as too demanding, so use it wisely.

16. Thank you / Thanks

A simple thank you is genuinely grateful no matter what. Whatsmore, it can convey a tone of expectancy so use it when you want to imply that you expect the reader to take an action. Adding an exclamation point is a common practice and makes your email sign-off sound more sincere and enthusiastic.

17. Thank you! / Thanks!

In the right context, adding just one (please) exclamation mark seems to me like a frank, warm thankful sign off.

18. Thx

Another abbreviation which I’m not fond of, but I guess it makes sense when you’re replying to an email from your phone.

19. I appreciate your (help, input, feedback, etc.)

This one takes gratitude to the next level. Use it when you want to emphasize your appreciation for something the reader has done for you.

The Emotional Email Sign Off

20. Hope this helps

If you’re sending an email with some useful, or potentially useful information, then this is a great sign-off for you.

21. Have a great day

This one is my favorite! It’s actually semi-formal so keep it for the right occasion. Chances are it will put a smile upon your reader’s face.

22. Take care

You’re probably seeing this more and more due to the whole coronavirus thing. But it also makes for an excellent informal way to end an email, regardless of the circumstances. It’s friendly and conversational and great for using it to people you actually know.

23. To an amazing (time/week/weekend/rest of the week)

Positive and feel-good, this email sign off is great for people you know well and want to cheer them up.

The Complimentary Email Sign Off

24. Stay awesome

Who doesn’t love a little flattery? Charm your reader with some good words and they most probably will feel obliged to reply!

25. Great working with you

If you’re sending an email to someone you did business with, it’s always a good practice to let them know you enjoyed working with them. This way you keep the door open for future collaboration.

26. Keep up the good work

Happy for someone’s work for you? Give them a pat on the back with an encouraging email sign off with just the right mix of flattery.

27. You’re an inspiration

Say it only when you mean it. Save it for someone that has done something inspiring or helped you look at things in a different way.

28. Congrats

A great “pat on the back” kind of email sign-off. It’s obvious when to use this one.

The Appreciative Email Sign off

29. Thank you for [something specific they did to help you]

Saying “thanks” is one thing. But expressing your gratitude is totally different. If you feel like someone helped you on something specific, just say it.

30. Thank you for taking the time to [what they did for you]

Showing someone that you appreciate their time and help goes a long way. Instead of a generic “thank you”, go the extra mile with this email sign off.

31. Thanks for the consideration

Looking for a way to tell your reader that you appreciate their interest in your product or service? That’s the one!

32. Much appreciated

A good choice if you need to express your genuine appreciation for something the recipient has done for you.

The Unique Email Sign off

33. Looking forward to chatting more about this

Keep the option for further communication open and add a little enthusiasm with a chatty way to end your email.

34. Let me know how things go

If you want to make sure the recipient will answer back then maybe you should create the right chance. Like signing off this way.

35. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Pitching an article, an idea, anything? Let your reader know you are open to questions and make them feel more comfortable.

36. Hope your week’s off to a good start

Everyone hates Mondays. Make your recipient’s Monday a little better with a friendly, cheerful sign-off.

37. Thanks for reading this whole email. Here’s a picture of a kitten.

Reward your readers and make them smile. Super combo.

38. Virtually yours

You gotta love this one.

39. One step closer to Friday

Let’s admit it. Friday is what we all wait for the whole week. Cheer your reader up by reminding them the holy day is close.

40. Congrats on reading this whole email

Lengthy email? Your receiver deserves some recognition!

41. Let me know if you want to chat about this over coffee

I particularly love this one. It strikes me as warm and friendly, while also making a kind suggestion for a casual business meeting.

42. So long, and thanks for all the fish

If the person reading your email

The Creative Email Sign off

If you’re looking for something more unique that will make your reader remember you, we’ve got your back!

42. Movie quotes

Won’t hide it, this one hits a soft spot here. Movie quotes are awesome, so why not use them as email sign offs too?
Ok, “May the force be with you” might be a little boring, but how about “I’ll be right here” from E.T. or maybe “After all, tomorrow is another day” from Gone with the wind?

43. Literature or philosophy quotes

Books are a great friend, even when it comes to email sign offs. “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” by William Shakespeare and “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” by George Eliot are some stellar examples of how literature can help you shine in your reader’s inbox.

44. Jokes

Humor is a surefire way to make your email sign-off unique. Say something funny to close your message to make a strong impression on your reader, but make sure you know they will find it funny. You wouldn’t want to insult them, would you?

45. Emoticons

Smiley faces, winks and the likes, they are all becoming widely popular by the time. For some it might brighten their day, others might consider them rude. There’s even a study for using them in work email which you should probably read before hitting those symbols. Whatever you do, make sure you only use them with people you know well.

How They Do It

Email marketing has its fair share of creative (and effective) sign-offs.
Whether it’s a welcome email, an announcement, or a weekly blog digest, the right closing helps you connect with your reader and urge him to make an action, whether that’s checking out your latest e-shop additions, reading your new blog post, or signing up for your webinar.

Need some inspo? Let me just bring my inbox to you.

Tips for the perfect business email

When composing your email sign off there are a few things to keep in mind:

Stay professional

Not all emails are the same! Adjusting the tone you use in your closing is as important as the tone you use in the rest of your email so make sure you use the appropriate closing and avoid casual sign offs like “Cheers”.

Show gratitude (when appropriate)

Remember that Boomerang study we talked about a little earlier? Well, it’s clear that gratitude can go a long way., if you consider that “thanks in advance” had the best response rate, at 65,7 %.

And it’s easy to understand why. Its effectiveness isn’t only due to the kind tone but also to the fact that it’s addressing a yet-to-be-written response, which perhaps encourages the receiver to reply.

Ending your email like a champ

We’ve talked about email sign offs, but I know and you know that it’s not the only thing that matters in your email ending.

So let’s perfect it once and for all.

After your breathtaking email sign off you should include:

Your full name

Always end a business email with your full name, unless the recipient knows you well.

This way, your recipient is clear on your identity and is less likely to confuse you with other contacts who have the same first name.

Also, closing an email with just your initials not only is rude but can also confuse the reader. Always include your first and last name, especially in the first correspondence.

Your professional title

For business emails, it is highly recommended to include your professional title when closing. It can prove very helpful, especially if you don’t know the recipient well.

Contact information

Obviously, you don’t need to include your email. But it’s important to give your reader some additional methods of communication, such as your mobile or office number.

Social media

We see this more and more, and in my opinion, it’s as essential as your full name. Adding your LinkedIn account, Facebook, or any other social media that suits you is a great opportunity to introduce yourself and offers extra avenues to continue your business relationship.

That Zest email closing is exactly what I’m talking about.

Over and out

Believe it or not, your sign off matters. It leaves an impression on whoever receives your email and even motivates them to action.

So use the list I’ve created wisely and remember: different emails call for different email sign-offs.

What’s your personal favorite?