Ending an email casually can be tricky. You want to be friendly and approachable without seeming unprofessional. The key is to strike the right balance, depending on your relationship with the recipient and the context of the email. This guide provides a brief summary of how to master the art of the casual email sign-off.
Understanding Your Audience
Before choosing your closing, consider your relationship with the recipient:
- Close Colleagues/Friends: You have more leeway for informal closings.
- Clients/Supervisors: Maintain a level of professionalism, even with a casual tone.
- New Contacts: Err on the side of slightly more formal closings until a rapport is established.
Casual Email Closing Options:
Here are some options for casual email closings, categorized by level of formality:
Moderately Casual:
- Best regards: A versatile and widely accepted option, suitable for most casual professional settings.
- Kind regards: Similar to "best regards," conveying warmth and respect.
- Thanks: Simple and effective, particularly if the email involves a request or collaboration.
- Warmly, This option conveys genuine friendliness.
More Casual (Use with caution, depending on context and recipient):
- Cheers: Suitable for colleagues you know well, often used in less formal workplaces.
- Talk soon: Implies a desire for future interaction, suitable for ongoing conversations.
- All the best: A positive and friendly closing, suitable for various contexts.
Things to Avoid:
- Overly informal closings: Avoid slang, emojis (unless explicitly appropriate for your workplace culture), and overly familiar language unless you have an established, close relationship with the recipient.
- Generic closings without context: "Have a good one" or "Later" can seem abrupt and impersonal.
Beyond the Closing:
Remember that the entire email contributes to its overall tone. A casual closing on a formal email can feel jarring. Ensure the body of your email reflects the level of formality of your chosen closing.
Key Takeaways:
- Consider your audience: Tailor your closing to your relationship with the recipient.
- Choose wisely: Select a closing that aligns with the tone of your email.
- Avoid informality: Unless appropriate, stick to professional yet friendly closings.
- Consistency is key: Develop a consistent style for your email closings.
By following these simple guidelines, you can confidently end your emails with a casual yet professional touch, enhancing your communication and building positive relationships.
