If you’ve ever written an email, you’ve probably, at some point, been faced with a sign-off dilemma.While sign-offs can be tricky no matter the context, the pressure can be particularly intense when sending work emails. What if you scare off a potential client? What if you weird out your boss? What if you come across as rude?Sometimes, figuring out how to end your message is more stressful than actually writing the body of the email.“Sincerely,” “Warm regards,” “Cheers” — all of these phrases could be right in one context and wildly inappropriate in another. And besides, how can you know if the person on the receiving end of your email has a particular grudge against a certain word?According to my very scientific Twitter poll (read: completely unscientific), people have a lot of feelings about email sign-offs, and loathe certain ones for no apparent reason. “All the best is most definitely the worst,” replied one Twitter user. “It’s a combination of it being such a lie with being so generic and lukewarm, it doesn’t mean anything!”Indeed, wishing someone “all the best” can sometimes feel like a platitude. But what about shortening it to “Best”? The latter option, it seems, is less offensive — at least to some Twitter users.So, how exactly should you sign off on a work email?Ultimately, there’s no “right way." Given that you will never be able to please everyone, it’s best to err on the side of neutrality. This means steering clear of overly enthusiastic sign-offs like “Love” or “Thanks a million,” which, hopefully, you would never use in a professional context anyway.The most important thing is to always think about your audience. No matter the nature of your email, take a moment to reflect on what’s most appropriate for that specific email exchange. Even so, there are some sign-offs that are generally a bit safer and less grating to receive than others. And, assuming you’re not trying to burn any bridges, it’s probably best to stick to them if you’re feeling unsure.Ahead, we put together a shortlist of five solid email sign-offs so that the next time you’re writing an important work email, you at least don’t have to worry about how to end it."Best"One of the safest and most widely used sign-offs is "Best."A shortened version of "Best regards" (or maybe even "Best wishes"), this word is a perfect mix of friendliness and professionalism — without trying too hard."Thanks!"One of the most solid go-to sign-offs is a classic "Thanks!" With or without an exclamation point — though the former is certainly more cheerful — this simple word incorporates a lot of the emotions you might want in a strong work email.It conveys gratitude, professionalism, and friendliness, so whenever you’re in doubt, just pop this word before your name and press send."Regards"Regards can sound a bit stuffy to some, but because it’s so neutral, it is a safe bet for professional communications.This sign-off works best with more formal exchanges, however, and might not be a fit for casual conversations."Talk Soon"This sign-off veers more into casual-professional territory, but it can work in your favor in a variety of different contexts.It has a relaxed tone while also inserting a sense of expectation for continued correspondence, which could be great if you’re wanting to keep a conversation going."Warmly"This sign-off may not be appropriate for every recipient, but it can work in professional emails because it’s an unexpected dose of, well, warmth in a sometimes sterile and impersonal setting.Make sure you use it only if it fits well with the tone of your email — it could potentially come off as passive-aggressive if tacked onto the end of a stern note.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?This Is How Much Money Marie Kondo Has Made From Her Tidying EmpireAdvice From A Nice Girl: How Do I Encourage My Coworkers To Speak Up In Meetings?How To Get A Summer Internship In 8 (Pretty) Easy Steps
Ludmila Leiva
Source: Refinery29