How Important are Email Sign-Offs?
Very! Those you communicate with will be looking at your email to determine your overall meaning and intent.
Look at how you sign off your emails as the frosting on the cake. Your sign-off is your opportunity to ensure that our email’s overall intent and tone is solidified. And to avoid any assumptions due to lack of clarity.
Sign-offs Should Match Your Tone
For example, if you send a rude or angry email and sign off with “Have a nice day!” then it is clear that you intended to be sarcastic. This will lend to how you are viewed. Snarky much?
If you need someone’s help and sign off, “Thank you in advance for all your help!” your chances of getting the help you want are better than if you left that little sentence off. Folks tend to want to help those who appreciate them.
Your sign-off can confirm, instill and portray the overall demeanor behind your message. To be efficient and save time, I have my sign-offs in the automatic signature file appended to the end of my emails.
Most folks stick with these standards followed by their first name as a “sign-off”:
Fit Your Personality and Goals
But your sign-off need not be standard! Nor does your sign-off have to be a word or phrase above your name, as shown above. You can have a phrase instead (or in addition to the above) to add to your email’s overall tone and intent.
For example:
How about when you are breaking bad news or not able to give the answers you know the other side is looking for? Sign-offs can also include the very last “note” on your message:
Your sign-off is the last thing read before your name and provides the opportunity to make sure that the sentiment of your email is clear. You can always add that additional statement to avoid any potential for misunderstanding.
Worth the Effort
This effort makes sure that your message is not open to interpretation or the recipient’s speculation. Especially when making important requests or when you are in need of the other side’s help. An effective sign-off can enhance the potential of you receiving the type of response you desire.
