SIGN OFF
Our new column seeks to answer some of the
disagreements you might encounter in the working
world. In this edition, we ask: What's the best
sign-off for professional emails?
by Dani Wright and Kerri Donaldson
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.
62 R o m a n S a m b o r s k y i / S h u t t e r s t o c k
B C B U S I N E S S . C A
M A R C H 2 0 2 5
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.
