BC Business
In this edition of trying to solve your work-related disagreements, we tackle the great email signature debate
Emails have a special place in our professional hearts. Writing the words is one thing, but when it comes to the dreaded sign off, it’s tricky to find a phrase that’s not too formal, not too casual—but just right. So, we posed the question to two of our editors, Dani Wright and Kerri Donaldson: what’s the best way to sign-off on a professional email? We sincerely hope their insights resolve your sign-off problems.
DW: “Cheers” or “Thanks”
Just because we’re being professional doesn’t mean we need to be cold. Bring a little warmth to your emails by signing off in a way that’s both respectful and just casual enough to remove that pesky exclamation point while still coming across as enthusiastic (and yes, I’m saying this as a millennial woman). “Cheers” comes in at number one for me because I believe you should be doing the thanking in the body of your email rather than as a sign-off, but when making a request “Thanks” is still appropriate, especially internally.
KD: “All the best” (or simply “Best”)
This sign-off strikes the perfect balance between professional and approachable—no awkward possessives (I’m looking at you, “Yours truly”) and nothing overly personal (it’s a business email, after all). “All the best” offers well wishes and good vibes in one tidy package. Plus, it avoids the trap of sounding overly cheery, which can come off as insincere—or worse, tone-deaf—depending on the email’s content. As a final touchpoint, “All the best” acts as a palate cleanser, no matter the message. Bonus points for the minimalist “Best,” which says everything by saying almost nothing—because let’s be real, time is money.
Tie Breaker: “Regards”
The way you sign off an email is more than just a quirky personality trait: it’s the final opportunity to lay out your desired intention to whomever you are communicating with. There are many variables at play here—whether you feel gratitude or respect, or whether you’re merely responding in acknowledgment—so if you’re looking to have a go-to sign-off, it’s best to remain neutral and, again, let the body of your email do the talking. “Regards” allows for all of that in one word.