Ending an email might seem insignificant, but a poorly chosen closing can undermine your entire message, impacting how you're perceived by the recipient. While this guide explores how to end an email unprofessionally, it's crucial to understand that professionalism is key to successful communication. We'll examine unprofessional closings to highlight what to avoid, ultimately helping you craft effective and polished email endings.
Why Professional Email Closings Matter
Before diving into the "how-to" of unprofessional endings, let's quickly address why professionalism is vital. Your email signature is your digital handshake. A careless closing can signal:
- Lack of respect: Casual closings can disrespect the recipient's time and the context of your email.
- Unreliability: It might imply you're disorganized or don't pay attention to detail.
- Damaged credibility: A poorly chosen sign-off can negatively affect your professional image.
How NOT to End an Email (Examples of Unprofessional Closings)
Here are some examples of email closings to avoid, along with explanations of why they're inappropriate in most professional contexts:
1. Too Casual & Informal:
- "Later," "TTYL," "Cya," "Talk soon": These are far too informal for business communication. They lack the formality and respect expected in professional settings.
- "Cheers," "Best," "Have a good one": While seemingly harmless, these closings can be too casual depending on your audience and relationship with the recipient.
2. Abrupt and Rude:
- No closing at all: This is incredibly unprofessional and shows a blatant disregard for proper etiquette.
- Sudden ending with no goodbye: Similarly, abruptly ending your email without any closing remark is rude and dismissive.
3. Overly Familiar or Overly Enthusiastic:
- Excessive exclamation points!!!!: Using too many exclamation points can appear overly enthusiastic or even desperate.
- Overly affectionate closings ("Love," "XOXO"): Unless you have a very close personal relationship with the recipient, avoid affectionate closings.
4. Inappropriate Jargon or Slang:
- Using slang or industry-specific jargon that the recipient may not understand. This can create confusion and make you seem out of touch.
The Professional Way to End an Email
Instead of the unprofessional options above, stick to these professional closings:
- "Sincerely,"
- "Regards,"
- "Best regards,"
- "Respectfully,"
- "Thank you," (Especially effective if you're requesting something)
Remember to always include your full name and title below your closing.
SEO Considerations for this Topic
This blog post targets search terms like "unprofessional email closings," "how to end an email badly," "worst email closings," "professional email etiquette," and "email closing mistakes." By addressing both sides of the coin (unprofessional vs. professional), we broaden our reach and provide value to a wider audience. Internal linking to other relevant blog posts on email etiquette would also strengthen SEO. Off-page SEO strategies like guest blogging and social media promotion would further boost visibility.
By understanding what not to do, you'll be better equipped to craft professional and impactful email closings that strengthen your professional image and increase the chances of a positive response.
