How to End an Email Professionally and Friendly: Expert Tips with Examples

When it comes to ending an email, finding the right balance between professional and friendly can be a tricky task. A professional email closing is essential to leave a lasting impression on the recipient. Adding a friendly touch can make the recipient feel valued and appreciated.

Here are a few tips to help you understand how to end an email professionally and friendly:

Keep it Professional

While it’s important to add a friendly touch to your email, it’s equally essential to maintain a professional tone. Always keep in mind the nature of your email and the relationship you have with the recipient. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, or emoticons in your email closing, as it can come across as unprofessional.

Add a Personal Touch

Adding a personal touch to your email closing can help you build a stronger relationship with the recipient. You can use the recipient’s name or reference something you discussed in the email to add a personal touch. For example, you can use an email closing like:

  • Thank you, [Recipient’s Name]
  • Looking forward to hearing from you, [Recipient’s Name]

Adding a personal touch can help you establish a connection with the recipient and make them feel valued.

Avoid Overused Email Endings

Using overused email endings can make your email appear generic and unremarkable. Avoid using email endings like “Best” or “Thanks” as they are commonly used and can come across as impersonal. Instead, use unique email endings that are relevant to the nature of your email and the relationship you have with the recipient.

Choosing the Right Email Sign-Off

When it comes to ending an email, choosing the right email sign-off is important. It can leave a lasting impression on the recipient and can set the tone for future communication. In this section, we will discuss how to choose the right email sign-off for your professional emails.

Using Professional Email Sign-Offs

Using a professional email sign-off is essential when communicating in a business setting. Here are some of the most common professional email sign-offs:

  • Sincerely
  • Regards
  • Best regards
  • Kind regards
  • Yours truly
  • Respectfully
  • Respectfully yours
  • Warmly

These sign-offs are appropriate for most professional emails, as they convey professionalism and respect.

Avoiding Unprofessional Email Sign-Offs

Using unprofessional email sign-offs can damage your professional reputation. Here are some email sign-offs to avoid:

  • Cheers
  • Later
  • Thx
  • Take care
  • Ciao
  • XOXO

These sign-offs are too casual and can come across as unprofessional. Avoid using them in your professional emails.

Crafting a Professional Email Signature

In addition to choosing the right email sign-off, crafting a professional email signature is also important. Your email signature should include your name, job title, company name, and contact information. You can also include a link to your professional social media profiles, such as LinkedIn.

Here are some tips for crafting a professional email signature:

  • Keep it simple and clean
  • Use a professional font and color scheme
  • Include a call-to-action, such as a link to your website or blog
  • Avoid including personal information, such as your favorite hobbies or interests

By following these tips, you can create a professional email signature that will leave a positive impression on your recipients.

Incorporating a Call to Action

When you want your email to prompt a response or action from the recipient, it’s important to include a call to action (CTA). A CTA is a statement that encourages the recipient to take a specific action, such as replying to your email, clicking a link, or scheduling a meeting.

Here are some tips for incorporating a CTA into your email:

  • Be clear and specific: Your CTA should be concise and easy to understand. Use action-oriented language and avoid vague statements like “Let me know what you think.” Instead, try something like “Please reply with your feedback by Friday.”
  • Make it relevant: Your CTA should be relevant to the purpose of your email. If you’re following up on a sales call, your CTA might be to schedule a demo or consultation. If you’re sending a newsletter, your CTA might be to read an article or visit your website.
  • Use a friendly tone: Even if you’re making a direct request, you can still be friendly and polite. Consider using phrases like “I would appreciate it if…” or “Could you please…”
  • Provide context: If your CTA requires additional information or context, be sure to include it in your email. For example, if you’re asking the recipient to schedule a call, provide some suggested dates and times.
  • Use a clear format: To make your CTA stand out, consider using a larger font, bold text, or a different color. You can also use a button or hyperlink to make it easy for the recipient to take action.

Remember, a well-crafted CTA can be the difference between a successful email and one that gets ignored. By following these tips, you can create a clear and effective call to action that encourages the recipient to take action.

Ensuring a Positive Impression

When it comes to ending an email, it’s important to leave a positive impression on the recipient. This can help ensure that you receive a positive response, and can also help build a professional relationship with the recipient.

To ensure a positive impression, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, make sure that your closing is appropriate for the tone of the email. If you’ve been writing in a formal tone, a casual closing like “Cheers” might not be appropriate. Similarly, if you’ve been writing in a more casual tone, a formal closing like “Yours sincerely” might feel out of place.

Second, make sure that your closing is friendly and inviting. You want the recipient to feel like they can respond to your email, so make sure that your closing is warm and inviting. This can be as simple as adding a “Have a great day!” or “Looking forward to hearing from you!” to the end of your email.

Finally, make sure that your signature is professional and includes all of the necessary information. This can include your name, title, and contact information. Having a professional signature can help build your credibility and make it easier for the recipient to get in touch with you if they need to.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that you leave a positive impression on the recipient and increase your chances of receiving a positive response.

More Unique Closing Lines for a Professional Email

In addition to the common closing lines such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” and “Thank you,” there are several unique closing lines that can add a personal touch to your professional emails. Here are some more options to consider:

  • “Looking forward to hearing from you soon”: This closing line expresses your eagerness to receive a response from the recipient and keeps the conversation going.
  • “Have a great day ahead”: This closing line is a friendly way to wish the recipient a good day and can help build rapport.
  • “Warmly”: This closing line is a more personal and informal way to end an email, and it can be used when you have a good relationship with the recipient.
  • “All the best”: This is a versatile closing line that can be used in both formal and informal emails, and it conveys a sense of goodwill.
  • “Cheers”: This closing line is a casual and friendly way to end an email, and it can be used when you have a good relationship with the recipient.

When choosing a closing line, it’s important to consider the tone of your email and the relationship you have with the recipient. If you’re sending a formal email to someone you don’t know well, it’s best to stick with a traditional closing line. However, if you’re emailing a colleague or a friend, a more unique closing line can help build rapport and strengthen your relationship.

In addition to the closing line, you can also consider adding a brief sentence or two to personalize your email further. For example, you could mention something you discussed in a previous conversation or offer to follow up on a specific topic. This can help make your email more memorable and show the recipient that you value their time and attention.

Remember, the closing line is the last thing the recipient will read in your email, so make sure it leaves a positive impression. By choosing a unique and personalized closing line, you can help make your professional emails more engaging and memorable.