The Importance of Closing Your Thank You Email Appropriately

Dear readers, have you ever wondered whether it is appropriate to end a thank you email with a simple “Thanks” or a more formal “Thank you”? This is a common question that many professionals face, especially in today's fast-paced and often more relaxed digital communication world. In this article, we will explore the nuances of these closings and provide guidance on when to use each phrase, ensuring your emails are both professional and effective.

Formal vs. Informal Closings

The appropriateness of a closing in a thank you email can vary widely depending on the relationship between the sender and recipient, as well as the overall context of the communication. Here’s a breakdown:

1. When to Use “Thanks”

For emails to peers, friends, or colleagues, a simple “Thanks” is often sufficient and perfectly appropriate. Moreover, in a highly informal or relaxed working environment, or even in a personal communication, a brief closing can be effective. For example, if you’re thanking a friend for their support on a personal matter, a courteous but simple “Thanks” is fitting.

2. When to Use “Thank You”

For more formal or professional situations, a more formal closing such as “Thank you” is generally preferred. This option is commonly used when addressing clients, superiors, professors, or anyone in a position of authority. In official communications, especially those related to business deals, project progress, or formal inquiries, a more polite and formal closing such as “Thank you” or “Thank you very much” conveys professionalism and respect.

Individual Perspective: Relaxed Communication

Some individuals, like Jeff, believe that saying “thanks” is unnecessary and somewhat informal. He argues, ‘It depends on the person whom you want to thank. If you are sending the email to your peers, friends, or co-workers, a mere “thanks” is okay because here you simply have the person who reached out to you and sent you an email. Why would you have to say thank you, as long as they reached out to you and you get millions of emails a day, you have to say thank you to all no, just another day that we deal with in this technological world.’

Jeff further states, ‘Unless they say it first to you, if you send them one, even then, I would not say thank you. I would say welcome if they said that to you, you keep your chin high, and keep a smile on their face and rise for the stars, just my opinion.’ This perspective emphasizes the importance of a relaxed and friendly tone in personal or less formal settings.

General Guidelines for Closing an Email

Whether you opt for “Thanks” or “Thank you,” it is essential to consider the content and tone of your email. Here are some additional guidelines to help you decide:

3. Tailoring the Closing to the Content

The content of your email should guide your choice of closing. If your message is concise and to the point, a brief closing is usually sufficient. For more comprehensive or detailed emails, a more formal closing such as “Thank you” or “Thank you for your attention” is suitable.

4. Context of the Communication

The context of the communication also plays a role. For example, in a formal business or academic setting, a more formal closing is expected. In a casual or personal setting, a less formal closing is more appropriate.

5. Alternatives to “Thanks” and “Thank You”

There are several alternatives to consider. For instance, you could choose to close with:

Cheers (for a friendly email) Best regards (for a more formal email) Appreciate it (for a casual or professional email) Warm regards (for a formal email) Respectfully (for a more formal email)

The suitability of each alternative should be determined by the content of the individual email and the context that surrounds its sending.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether to end a thank you email with “Thanks” or “Thank you” depends on the relationship between the sender and recipient, as well as the overall context of the communication. While both options are acceptable, the choice can affect the perception of your professionalism and politeness. Always consider the audience and the tone of your message to ensure that your email is clear, concise, and effective.