Better Business Letter Closings and Sign-offs
For choosing business letter closings, the key is to be specific and to finish your letter strong. Leave the reader with a clear understanding of the sentiment you’re trying to convey. Using a similar tone throughout the letter that matches your closing language will confirm what you are trying to get across.
As your closing can leave the last impression on your reader, it’s essential to give it some focused thought and not just rubber-stamp it with the same finish for every letter. In the same way that a writer focuses on a letter’s opening, put some time into the closing and make it work for your communication.
Business Letter Closings Examples
1.) Thank you, – Here’s a closing that is safe. It covers all that you are trying to get across in your letter without being too formal or personal. It is simple and won’t confuse the reader.
2.) Regards, – This closing is dependable. It won’t leave the reader feeling awkward. It is a safe and neutral closing.
3.) Best regards, or simply “Best,” – With a bit more of politeness to it than “Regards,” this is a safe choice in nearly all situations.
4.) Kind regards – This is a soft closing. Use it if you know the reader. Leave them thinking that you chose this closing, particularly for this situation.
Tried and true suggestions for closing a letter or email
5.) Sincerely, – This valediction gets to the point. It is simple and has an “I mean it” vibe. It is a kind and safe closing.
6.) Thanks again – When using this salutation, make sure you haven’t used it already in your letter. Using it more than once might give them the feeling that you are desperate.
7.) Appreciatively – This can be used in replace of “Thanks again” or “Thank you.” If you thanked them in the letter once, use this salutation to avoid repeating it. This closing is to thank the reader for taking the time to read and acknowledge your letter.
8.) Respectfully – This must suit the situation. It is much stronger than “Thank you.” Use if you are writing to a boss or management. Choosing this salutation gives the reader the idea that you are grateful that they took the time to read the letter.
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Appreciative email signoffs
9.) Thank you for your time, – You are considerate of them reading your letter, and you want them to know that. Use for management.
10.) I hope to hear from you soon, – Again, showing excitement and you are eager to hear back from them, that you are ready now!
11.) Thanks for your attention,
12.) Your time is greatly appreciated, – Acknowledging that they are of importance and their time is valuable.
13.) Thanks in advance for considering me for this position,
14.) Please feel free to follow, – up with any questions or concerns you may have. Here is my contact information 555-555-5555.
15.) Respectfully yours,
16.) Most sincerely,
17.) Respectfully,
18.) Cheers,
19.) Sincerely yours,
20.) Thank you for your consideration.
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Formal letter closings
When choosing a close for a formal letter, you want the reader to feel respect throughout the communication. Picking a casual closing might come across as disrespectful, and you aren’t valuing their time reading your letter. Use etiquette and clarity when closing a formal message.
If you don’t use a formal salutation, it might seem unprofessional and generic. It will stick out. You want it to retain the same tone throughout. Make them feel appreciated that they are reading your letter and again aren’t wasting their time.
When addressing a formal letter to someone, keep in mind who your audience is. Are you addressing a colleague, friend, or the whole department? Do you know the recipients’ names, and do you have the correct spelling? All of these factors come into play in a formal letter. Your closing salutation should have meaning behind it and should be specific, leaving an impression on the reader.
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Examples of formal letter closings
21.) I can’t wait to meet you at the conference on Monday, August 9.
22.) Thank you for considering me, Mr. Tinsley. I look forward to hearing from you when you get back from your conference next week.
23.) I look forward to hearing from you should you need further information from me.
24.) If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. My phone number is 555-555-5555
25.) I look forward to a successful working relationship in the future.
26.) I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
27.) It is always a pleasure doing business with you; thank you.
28.) Looking forward to our successful partnership.
29.) I look forward to your reply.
For entire department formal closings
30.) Kind regards,
31.) Best wishes,
32.) With appreciation,
33.) Sincerely,
34.) With best wishes, and
35.) Respectfully yours.
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Email and text closings
An email and text sign-off should leave a positive impression on the reader. They should write and sound like a conversation, and you want the email and text closing to feel the same way. Keeping the same tone throughout so as not to confuse the reader.
When using your name in the end, be sure to use your full name to make it clear to the reader who you are and not to get confused with another “Tom.” If you are corresponding about an important topic, such as a job opportunity or a new project coming up, use the “business letter” salutations’ I discussed above.
Email, text, and business letter closings examples
36.) Sincerely,
37.) Best,
38.) Regards,
39.) Kind regards,
40.) With gratitude,
41.) Respectfully,
42.) Thank you,
43.) Many thanks,
44.) Warm wishes, and
45.) Most sincerely.
Personal letter closings
Your letter should be closed using your own words, write something that comes to you, and is intimate to the reader. Whether it is a friend, family member, or colleague, you don’t have to have to use professional closings. Have fun with it. Use your creativity and come up with your own. The reader won’t expect a fun closing, and it might be something that they remember because it is unique.
Standing out in a personal, intimate closing is a good thing in this matter. After all, it is going to someone you know fairly well. It should feel like a conversation, comfortable and smooth. The closing should mimic the letter, as always. Using the wrong salutation can throw off the whole meaning of the letter.
Personal closings examples
46.) As ever,
47.) All best wishes,
48.) Peace and love,
49.) I will be thinking of you,
50.) Kind wishes,
51.) Always in my thoughts,
52.) Enjoy,
53.) Be good,
54.) Faithfully,
55.) God Bless,
56.) Thank you for your recommendation,
57.) Warm regards,
58.) Farewell for now,
59.) Peace, love, and happiness,
60.) Kind thanks,
61.) Be well,
62.) I look forward to hearing from you shortly,
63.) Until next time,
Letter closings
64.) Forever yours,
65.) Many thanks,
66.) Looking forward to seeing you again,
67.) In appreciation,
68.) Kind regards,
69.) Yours truly,
70.) Most sincere,
71.) Wishing you the best,
72.) Peace and blessings,
73.) In sympathy,
74.) Take care,
75.) With love,
76.) Hope this helps,
77.) Warmly,
78.) I can’t wait to hear from you,
79.) Take it easy, and
80.) Thank you for your time.
Salutations to avoid
Avoiding using these salutations for business and formal closings. Using these, you might not be taken seriously. If they are generic and not thought out, the reader will push your letter aside to read the next one.
You don’t want the reader to bypass your message by choosing the wrong closing. These closings are immature, childish, and plain rude. Most readers, whether personal, business, or formal, won’t take your letter to heart and will just put it in the “pile’ with the rest of them.
Business letter closings examples to avoid
81.) Very truly yours, – Pen palish. You can do better.
82.) Initials – cold, rushed. Are you sending a message that you don’t have time for this person?
83.) Always,
84.) Bye for now – leaving them hanging, no closure.
85.) TTYL,
86.) Peace,
87.) Ciao,
88.) Cheers, – too “high five” ish
89.) XOXO, – seems hurried; why not just write it out?
90.) Yours,
91.) Smile!
92.) See ya, – Can’t help thinking the kid’s line, “Wouldn’t wanna be ya,” is coming after this.
93.) Goodbye, and
94.) Enjoy.
Don’t use these business letter closings ideas
95.) Thinking the best for you,
96.) You’re always on my mind,
97.) More later,
98.) Waiting for you,
99.) Until next time,
100.) Keep Smiling,
101.) Wishing you the best,
102.) Till we meet again,
103.) Take good care, – It seems like you won’t be conversing with the reader anymore, like an ending to a conversation, a final goodbye.
104.) Godspeed,
105.) Adios, – Not wanting to be taken seriously, childish
106.) Be good – Telling the management or boss how to behave seems a bit like overstepping.
107.) I will be thinking of you – Too personal for business or formal, especially if you have only met the reader a few times. It sounds desperate for them to reply and that they are on your mind until they respond to your letter.
108.) Cordially, – Seems a bit distant.
Final thoughts on business letter closings and email closings
A.) Short is key. Try not to list a bunch of links under your name for contact information. Using too much information with your links can make the reader think that you are dying to have them look at them. If too much information is given, usually nothing is in focus. This can make the reader overlook some of the more important parts of your communication.
B.) Place a call-to-action at the end of your message. If there’s a call to action – maybe you want the reader to respond to a question – try to include that request towards the end of the communication. Otherwise, it might be forgotten by the time the reader gets to the end of your communication – especially if your letter or email is long.
C.) Wording choice for subject headings is critical in emails. The more descriptive you can make the subject heading in an email, and the more it matches the email’s content, the better chance for the writer to get the desired response. When you edit and review your email, look for consistency among the subject heading, the email’s content, and the closing. If all three work in unison, communication is more likely to be effective.
D.) Don’t be afraid to take a chance. It gets a little boring if writers close each communication in the exact same way. Try something new! Ask yourself, “Does this sign-off match my intention and the content above?”
All the best,
By Sara Williams
Sara is a writer and business owner based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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