Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
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Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
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Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#2Note to self: avoid “thanks” on most business emails —- I don’t need to get more email back (for most things, anyways).
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#3Doesn't "thanks" imply a request was made, and "best" imply the end of a conversation? Did they just analyze a bunch of emails blind?
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#4Doesn't "thanks" imply a request was made, and "best" imply the end of a conversation? Did they just analyze a bunch of emails blind?
Indeed. The top-rated variation is “thanks in advance.”
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#5This is an excellent example of why inferring causation from an observed correlation requires great care. Note that the study did not randomly assign valedictions to emails and observe the causal impact on response rate. Rather, they observed a correlation between the sign-off chosen and the response rate.
"Thanks" garners many responses because people use it in emails that make reasonable requests with a good chance of response.
My favorite valediction is still "I am, &c.," which is short for "I am your humble and obedient servant". Not sure whether my colleagues appreciate it as much as I do...
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#6Me, when I started my career:
Dear Bobby,
Thank you for your email and response. I appreciate your prompt reply as always.
Following the meeting with Jane at 2:00 P.M. PST, it is of my professional opinion that we…
…
Let me know when you get a chance for your thoughts and again appreciate your time.
Thanks,
Me
—
Me, today:
Bob - Yes! Let’s rock and roll. Talk soon.
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#7I hate it when people use thanks for everything. What, you're thanking me for reading the email announcing the re-org? It reads as mindless and weird.
I'm a "best" guy. It's never inappropriate. Whether I'm promoting you, firing you, reporting up on progress or problems, "best" always works.
(I'm not saying it's the best closer in all situations, but if you hate thinking about closers, it's the best generic choice. And the best boss I ever had always used it.)
Best,
Some guy on the internet
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#8Nothing worse than seeing "thanks, John" at the end of an email because it's a signature that's auto applied. And it stands out because the font/size/color don't match the body of the email
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#9“Thanks” has become such a disingenuous generic ending on e-mails that I’ve stopped using it altogether. And it hasn’t seemed to reduce my replies or cause people to think I’m “not nice.” I end every single e-mail with “-NW” and if I want to say “thanks” I do it in a real way in the body of the message.
Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies
#10This is an excellent example of why inferring causation from an observed correlation requires great care. Note that the study did not randomly assign valedictions to emails and observe the causal impact on response rate. Rather, they observed a correlation between the sign-off chosen and the response rate. "Thanks" garners many responses because people use it in emails that make reasonable requests with a good chance…
>"I am, &c.,"
I've never heard that before, is it cultural/regional? (Compared to US)