When crafting an email, you likely spend time perfecting the subject line, body text, and call to action.
But here’s an often-overlooked truth: Your email sign-off is just as important as your opening.It’s the last thing your reader sees—the final impression you leave.
It’s the final impression you leave with your reader. And if you're ending every email with the same old "Best regards," you might be missing out on a chance to stand out, build rapport, and even improve your response rate.
In this post, we’ll dive into how to end an email. We'll cover:
While it may seem like a throwaway phrase, your email sign-off plays a subtle but powerful role in how your message is received. The closing line of your email is more than just a formality; it can influence the recipient's perception and response.
According to a study by Boomerang analyzing over 350,000 email threads, emails that closed with a warm sign-off like “Thanks in advance” or “Cheers” had higher response rates than those that ended with a cold, generic close.
In contrast, the baseline response rate for all emails in the sample was 47.5%.
Why? Because your sign-off conveys tone, intent, and personality. It humanizes your message and gives your recipient a final “emotional nudge” to engage with you. In a world of robotic outreach, that personal touch makes all the difference.
To make it easy, we’ve broken them down into seven categories, each with examples and use cases.
Use these in formal business communications, client-facing emails, or when writing to senior executives.
Perfect for warm introductions, internal communication, or casual networking.
Use when you're emailing leads, prospects, or new contacts. These are friendly but confident.
These are great when you’re asking for help, receiving a favor, or expressing gratitude.
These feel more intimate, great for colleagues, mentors, or long-term clients.
Use sparingly—great for designers, creatives, startups, or industries where tone is flexible.
For product teams, developers, SaaS founders, and startup culture—these carry a modern tone.
Perfect for offering support, showing empathy, or addressing sensitive matters. These sign-offs convey care and understanding.
Use these when you want to inspire or motivate, whether you're in a leadership role or encouraging your team.
For lighthearted, non-formal exchanges where you want to keep things relaxed and friendly.
Great for special occasions, holidays, or end-of-year messages. These add a festive touch to your email.
When you’re responding to a customer, client, or someone you’re assisting, these sign-offs show that you care about their experience.
These sign-offs work great when you're building new professional relationships or following up on collaborations.
Ideal for more casual, informal interactions with colleagues, friends, or people you're familiar with. These are light-hearted and positive.
Use these when you're offering encouragement or want to inspire the recipient, perfect for coaching, mentoring, or motivational emails.
Great for seasonal greetings or end-of-year sign-offs that reflect warmth and goodwill.
These are ideal when you're seeking feedback or following up after an initial conversation or meeting.
Use these when apologizing, offering reassurance, or acknowledging a miscommunication.
Use when you want to prompt immediate action, such as setting up a meeting or confirming a date.
For a middle-ground approach that’s neither too formal nor too relaxed, ideal for most business settings.
In the age of Slack messages, quick texts, and emojis, the humble email still holds its ground—especially in professional settings.
And while we often spend time perfecting the subject line or fine-tuning the body of our message, one part tends to get overlooked: the sign-off.
But here's the thing—your email sign-off isn’t just a polite way to wrap things up. Psychologically, it plays a crucial role in how your message is received, remembered, and responded to. A good email sign-off does three things:
The sign-off can serve as a subtle amplifier to the core intent of your message. If you’re asking for a favor, a soft, appreciative closing like “Thanks in advance” can increase compliance by triggering reciprocity. If you're delivering results, a confident “Looking forward to your thoughts” reinforces momentum and shows proactivity.
According to research in social psychology, even slight changes in phrasing can influence outcomes. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that expressions of gratitude and confidence increase the likelihood of a response—especially when paired with a clear ask.
It’s not about manipulating the reader. It’s about guiding the emotional tone toward your desired action.
Consistency is key to building trust. A formal email that ends with “Cheers” might feel off, just as a casual note that closes with “Sincerely” can seem stiff or distant.
Your sign-off is part of the narrative arc of your email—it should align with the voice you’ve used throughout. If your email has been warm and conversational, something like “Take care” or “All the best” feels natural. If it's a business pitch or a client update, “Best regards” or “Kindly” might be more fitting.
People are highly attuned to tone shifts—even subtle ones. An abrupt or mismatched sign-off can create dissonance, making your message feel less genuine or polished.
The final words of any message linger in the mind. In psychology, this is known as the recency effect—we tend to remember the last part of what we read or hear more vividly. This is especially true in written communication, where visual and verbal cues are limited.
A thoughtful sign-off can add a personal touch that humanizes the interaction. On the flip side, a lazy or abrupt ending (e.g., no sign-off at all, or just your name) can make the message feel transactional or cold. Worse, it may even come across as passive-aggressive if the rest of the email was requesting something.
Whether you're trying to build rapport, prompt a reply, or simply be remembered positively, your closing words carry more weight than they might seem.
Imagine ending a carefully crafted email with:
“Sent from my iPhone.”
Yikes. That sends a very different signal than:
“Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.”
Your sign-off is part of your brand voice. Choose it wisely.
Before jumping into the full list of sign-offs, here’s a simple framework to help you pick the right one:
If your email is formal, your sign-off should be too. Writing to a lawyer or CEO? “Kind regards” or “Sincerely” works well. Messaging a creative peer? “Cheers” or “Warmly” may be a better fit.
First-time outreach or cold email? Stay professional. Ongoing client relationship or internal coworker? You can be more relaxed or personal.
If you’re asking for help, use something appreciative like “Thanks in advance.” If you’re inviting a meeting, try “Talk soon” or “Looking forward.”
Don’t try to be overly quirky or clever if it doesn’t suit your brand. People can spot inauthenticity a mile away.
When it comes to cold email outreach, every detail matters—including your signature. While many tools focus on flashy designs and interactive features, Smartlead takes a different approach. Their free email signature generator is built with sales and deliverability in mind, prioritizing functionality over flair.
Unlike visually heavy signature tools that can trigger spam filters or lower inbox placement rates, Smartlead’s generator creates clean, plain-text signatures. This helps improve deliverability and ensures that your message actually lands in the inbox—right where you want it.
Smartlead’s email signature generator is designed to give sales reps and marketers what they actually need—professional credibility without compromising performance. Here's what you get:
Smartlead’s email signature generator is ideal for:
Now that you have 70+ options, here are some tips to make sure your closing line hits the mark:
It might sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised how often people forget to include their name at the end of an email—especially in quick replies or follow-ups. Signing off with just “Thanks” or “Regards” without identifying yourself can come off as impersonal or lazy.
At a minimum, include your first name. In professional or external communication, it’s best to use your full name to reinforce credibility and help the recipient place who you are.
This becomes even more important in cold emails, job applications, or outreach to new contacts. Your name is part of your brand—own it confidently at the close of every message.
Your sign-off should be followed by a complete, branded signature block that helps the reader quickly understand who you are, what you do, and how to reach you. At a minimum, include your job title and company name.
If you’re emailing externally or networking, go a step further and add your phone number, website, and even a scheduling link.
If relevant, include a link to your calendar or website.
This one’s subtle but powerful: don’t repeat yourself. If your call to action at the end of the body says “Let me know what you think,” there’s no need to echo that exact phrase again in your sign-off. It creates redundancy and makes the email feel less thoughtful.
Instead, use your closing line to complement—not duplicate—your CTA.
If your message ends with a request, you could sign off with “Thanks in advance” or “Looking forward to your feedback.” A little variation shows polish and attention to detail, both of which leave a strong impression.
While a clever or funny sign-off can inject personality into your email, forced humor is risky, especially when you don’t know the recipient well. Sarcasm, wordplay, or niche cultural references can easily be misread, especially across industries, age groups, or international audiences.
If witty sign-offs come naturally to your voice and your audience is receptive, go for it. But if you’re ever in doubt, play it safe with a warm or professional closing. If it doesn’t come naturally, skip the quirky sign-offs. Humor can backfire when tone is misunderstood over email.
Being clear and sincere will always outperform being clever-but-confusing.
Your sign-off should reflect not just the relationship, but also the timing and intent of your message. For instance, if you're emailing on a Friday afternoon, something like “Enjoy your weekend” adds a thoughtful, human touch. If you're following up after a meeting, “Great speaking with you today” acknowledges the recent interaction and keeps things grounded in the moment.
Matching your closing line to the context shows emotional intelligence. It tells the reader that you're present, paying attention, and genuinely engaging—not just firing off a templated message. This kind of nuance makes your communication feel more personal and relevant.
Your sign-off should align with your overall tone of voice. If your brand is known for being playful and informal, using something like “Talk soon” or “Stay awesome” may feel totally on-brand. But if you’re representing a legal firm or a financial institution, those closings could come off as unprofessional or inconsistent.
The key is consistency. Your sign-off is part of your brand experience. It should feel like a natural extension of the way you write, speak, and present yourself across all channels. Whether it’s formal, casual, or somewhere in between, choose a closing that feels authentically you—and authentically on-brand.
The way you close an email leaves a lasting impression—one that can either reinforce your tone or slightly undermine the message you’ve worked so hard to craft. While there’s no universal “right way” to sign off, there are a few common pitfalls that can hurt your professionalism or reduce your chances of a reply.
Let’s explore the most frequent mistakes people make—and how you can avoid them.
One of the most common mistakes is simply forgetting to include a sign-off altogether. Maybe you're in a rush, maybe you're multitasking—but ending an email with no farewell or even your name can feel abrupt, cold, and impersonal. Especially in a first-touch email or formal context, it can leave your reader unsure of how to respond—or whether you even meant to send it.
Think of your sign-off like the closing line in a conversation. Just as you wouldn’t walk away from a face-to-face meeting without saying goodbye, your email needs that polite conclusion. Even a short “Thanks,” or “All the best,” followed by your name shows professionalism and care.
Another mistake people often make is defaulting to tired sign-offs like “Yours truly,” “Regards,” or even the overused “Best.” While these are technically correct, they often feel impersonal or lack originality. “Yours truly” sounds like it belongs in a letter from the 1920s, and “Best” is so common it barely leaves an impression.
This doesn’t mean you have to be quirky or overly creative. But if you want your message to feel fresh and genuine, choose a sign-off that reflects your tone and audience. Something like “Looking forward to your thoughts” or “Warmly” can feel more conversational and sincere, depending on the context.
You don’t need to spend ten minutes deciding between “Cheers” or “Kind regards.” While choosing the right tone is important, overthinking your sign-off can lead to unnecessary stress—and the difference is often subtle enough that it won’t impact your response rate.
Here’s a better approach: ask yourself, Does this feel natural based on the tone of the message and my relationship with the reader? If the answer is yes, then go with it and move on. Trying too hard to craft the “perfect” sign-off often results in something that feels forced or robotic. Keep it simple. Keep it real.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make—especially in professional or first-time outreach—is using a closing that’s too relaxed or overly familiar. Endings like “Later,” “Catch you on the flip side,” or “Peace” may be fine among friends or teammates, but they can come off as careless or unprofessional in more formal settings.
Your sign-off should reflect the context of your relationship with the recipient. If you’re writing to someone in a traditional industry (finance, law, enterprise), err on the side of professionalism with closings like “Kind regards,” “Warm regards,” or “Sincerely.” Save your more casual, creative sign-offs for peers, startup culture, or personal networks where the tone is more relaxed.
While sign-offs may seem like an afterthought, they’re a powerful part of your communication strategy. The way you end an email can enhance clarity, build rapport, and subtly influence how people respond to you.
To avoid missteps, steer clear of abrupt endings, outdated phrases, and overly casual tone in formal settings.
So the next time you're staring at your screen wondering how to end your message—ditch the default and pick something more thoughtful.
Because every email is a chance to stand out, even in the smallest of details.
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Rajashree specializes in strategizing and planning B2B SaaS product marketing content. As a writer turned researcher, she has a deep-rooted affinity for writing data-driven content. With over 8 years of experience in the industry, Rajashree has documented her insights in a series of blogs covering genres such as SEO, Content Marketing, Lead Generation, and Email Marketing. Rajashree’s strategic approach and comprehensive industry knowledge make her a trusted authority in creating content that enhances brand visibility and supports business growth.
Smartlead's cold email outreach tool helps businesses scale their outreach efforts seamlessly. With unlimited mailboxes, fully automated email warmup functionality, a multi-channel infrastructure, and a user-friendly unibox, it empowers users to manage their entire revenue cycle in one place. Whether you're looking to streamline cold email campaigns with automated email warmups, personalization fields, automated mailbox rotation, easy integrations, and spintax, improve productivity, or enhance scalability with subsequences based on lead’s intentions, automated replies, and full white-label experience, our cold email tool implifies it in a single solution.
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The "unibox" is one of the unique features of Smartlead cold email outreach tool, and it's a game-changer when it comes to managing your revenue cycle. The master inbox or the unibox consolidates all your outreach channels, responses, sales follow-ups, and conversions into one centralized, user-friendly mailbox.
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Smartlead, the best cold email marketing tool, ensures your emails reach the intended recipients' primary inbox rather than the spam folder.
Here's how it works:
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Real-time AI learning refines strategies based on performance, optimizing deliverability without manual adjustments. Smartlead's advanced features and strategies are designed to improve email deliverability rates, making it a robust choice for enhancing cold email campaign success.
Smartlead enhances cold email personalisation through advanced AI-driven capabilities and strategic integrations. Partnered with Clay, The cold remaining software facilitates efficient lead list building, enrichment from over 50 data providers, and real-time scraping for precise targeting. Hyper-personalised cold emails crafted in Clay seamlessly integrate with Smartlead campaigns.
Moreover, Smartlead employs humanised, natural email interactions and smart replies to boost engagement and response rates. Additionally, the SmartAI Bot creates persona-specific, high-converting sales copy. Also you can create persona-specific, high-converting sales copy using SmartAI Bot. You can train the AI bot to achieve 100% categorisation accuracy, optimising engagement and conversion rates.
Certainly, Smartlead cold email tool is designed for seamless integration with a wide range of tools and platforms. Smartlead offers integration with HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Clay, Listkit, and more. You can leverage webhooks and APIs to integrate the tools you use. Try Now!
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No, there are no limitations on the number of channels you can utilize with Smartlead. Our cold email tool offers a multi-channel infrastructure designed to be limitless, allowing you to reach potential customers through multiple avenues without constraints.
This flexibility empowers you to diversify your cold email outreach efforts, connect with your audience through various communication channels, and increase your chances of conversion. Whether email, social media, SMS, or other communication methods, Smartlead's multi-channel capabilities ensure you can choose the channels that best align with your outreach strategy and business goals. This way, you can engage with your prospects effectively and maximize the impact of your email outreach.
Smartlead is the cold emailing tool that facilitates seamless integration with existing CRM systems and other tools through robust webhook and API infrastructure. This setup ensures real-time data synchronisation and automated processes without manual intervention. Integration platforms like Zapier, Make, and N8N enable effortless data exchange between Smartlead and various applications, supporting tasks such as lead information syncing and campaign status updates. Additionally, it offers native integrations with major CRM platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive, enhancing overall lead management capabilities and workflow efficiency. Try Now!
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