Email Sign-Offs and What They Imply: What Your Choice Says About You

Alexander De Villiers

Email sign-offs—the seemingly simple act of concluding an email—carry more weight than you might think. They can subtly hint at your personality, your workplace status, and how you perceive your relationship with the recipient. Whether you end with a crisp “Kind regards” or a casual “Cheers”, each sign-off carries its own flavour and implications. Here’s an exploration of some popular email sign-offs and what they might reveal about you, along with intriguing statistics to give us a bit more context.

Best regards: This sign-off is a stalwart in the business world, often seen as a safe and friendly option that balances professionalism with warmth. While specific statistics on its usage aren’t readily available, “Best regards” and its variations are commonly recognised as popular choices in professional settings.
Cheers: Favoured heavily in South Africa, the UK and Australia, “Cheers” is informal and friendly. It reflects a laid-back and approachable persona, often associated with individuals in creative fields.
Warm wishes: Adding a personal touch, this sign-off is often used when the sender wishes to convey kindness and genuine concern for the recipient. It’s akin to a warm blanket in the cold, formal world of email, preferred by those who aim to leave a comforting, personable impression.
Sincerely: Traditionally the gold standard of email endings, “Sincerely” has become less common, now reserved for more formal correspondence such as job applications or initial communications. It suggests a traditional approach, and data suggests that emails ending with “Sincerely” have a response rate 12% lower than more colloquial sign-offs, which could reflect its perceived stiffness.
Kind regards: A softer cousin to “Best regards”, this sign-off is slightly warmer and very common in professional settings where you have some prior relationship with the recipient. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to be polite without coming across as too stiff.
Looking forward: Ideal for emails where ongoing collaboration is involved, this sign-off can imply eagerness and a proactive stance. While specific data on response rates for this sign-off wasn’t verified, proactive sign-offs are generally well-received for their positive tone and forward-looking nature.
Yours faithfully: A throwback to more formal times, used predominantly when the recipient is not personally known to the sender. It’s a relic in everyday emails but still holds its place in certain formal and traditional sectors.
Talk soon: Informal and with a hint of immediacy, this sign-off is typically used when the sender expects to communicate with the recipient in the near future. It’s friendly and implies a relaxed communication channel, often seen in startups and more informal business environments.

Each of these sign-offs serves as a tiny window into your professional persona and how you perceive your relationship with the email recipient. Whether consciously chosen or not, the way you sign off can affect the tone of your emails and potentially the strength of your professional relationships. So, next time you conclude an email, consider what your sign-off is communicating!

At Coco Corporate, where our culture thrives on respect and gratitude, we understand the value of clear communication—both internally and with our esteemed clients. Our founder prefers to conclude with “With gratitude,” a sentiment that mirrors our appreciation for our team and clients alike. In crafting thoughtful email sign-offs, we reflect our company ethos: placing a premium on meaningful interactions that respect and acknowledge the importance of every conversation.

Reflecting our commitment to these values ensures that each interaction is not just a transaction but a building block in a lasting relationship. As you consider your next email, remember that its closing words are not just a sign-off but a reinforcement of the professional image you wish to project and nurture.

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