How to Sign Your Emails
What’s the proper way to sign off in an email? Unfortunately, there is no universally correct way. The best signature may be none at all.
What’s the proper way to sign off in an email? Unfortunately, there is no universally correct way. The best signature may be none at all.
Because:
“Sincerely,” is too formal.
“Yours,” is anachronistic.
“Best,” is often seen as antiseptic or rote.
“Cheers,” is weird unless you’re writing your email from inside a pub.
“Thanks,” can work, if you are actually asking the person for something in the email. It’s not a good all-purpose closer, though.
“Love,” of course, is all you need. But only if you’re writing to someone you actually love.
Confused? In a lot of cases, signing off with just your name is fine. Don’t overthink it, don’t overload it.
Speaking of overloading: There’s no need to include long, intricate automatic email signatures, especially with graphical elements or admonitions to “Think before you print,” or to “Delete this email if you are not the intended recipient.” It’s 2021. They’re not needed anymore. They never were.
Summary: By default, just sign your name.
-Rafe
This is Part 2 of the Caller Calls Back series on Farewells. Last time: It’s OK to Wave at the End of a Zoom Call. Next: How to say goodbye in a text message.