Cheers!
Today Lifehacker linked to an article in the New York Times about e-mail sign-offs — you know, those words and phrases like “Sincerely” and “Best regards” that we use to close e-mail messages. The article suggested that “Best” is a brush-off. Many Lifehacker commenters feel that “Cheers” is cheesy. “xoxo” was deemed inappropriate.
I use “Cheers” for editors and acquaintances, and friends get “Hugs.” If I need to thank someone I sign off with “Thanks,” and if I need to be formal I go with “Best regards.” I can’t stand it when people sign off with “Blessings,” and I had one business acquaintance who always closed with “Grins,” which for some reason always brought to mind the image of a leering maniac.
Now I’m wondering if “Cheers” is a bad choice for editors, given the cheers-hate on Lifehacker. Maybe it sounds too fake, or overly cheery, or phonily (is that a word?) British.
What sign-off do you use for editors? Did you spend a long time contemplating your sign-off, or did it come naturally to you? Do you use different sign-offs depending on whether you’re querying a new-to-you editor or you’ve worked with her before? [lf]
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Nov 29, 2006 Personal yammerings
How funny! I’m a ‘Best’ girl myself. I like the uncertainty as to what it pertains to. Clearly it can be short for Best Regards, Best Wishes, or Best to End it Right Here and Now!
I don’t think “Cheers” is cheezy! I usually use “Sincerely” for the introductory note, and “Yours” or “Thanks” after that, depending on the content.
Ever your faithful servant,
Kristen
http://www.inkthinker.blogspot.com
I usually use “Thanks for your time” or “Sincerely” or “Looking forward to hearing from you”, depending on the context. With friends or editors with whom I’ve already establishing a continuing correspondence, I tend not to use any signoff at all except for my name.
Heh. I use “cheers” all the time. So does my husband, who’s the most sincere non-Anglophile I’ve ever met.
Linda, I’ve never gotten a “hugs” from you.
cheers,
di
Ooo, I like “Thanks for your time” — I’m going to steal that. I am strictly a “Sincerely” girl when it comes to new-to-me-editors. And I’ll stick with it until I feel comfortable with “Best.” I have always liked that Linda uses “Cheers,” and it’s stuck to the point where, if I’m feeling cheery, I’ll use it with editors I already know.
Generally speaking, I try to go with what feels most natural, rather than a hard and fast rule. Like if I was signing this to you right now, I’d probably say…
Happy Holidays,
Christina
P.S. And I have used a rare emoticon with editors I feel extremely comfortable with. Like my current book editor. But very rarely. And it always causes me to pause before I hit “Send.”
If I’m emailing an editor I’ve worked with before, I sign off with “until later.” If the recipient is a new editor, a simple “thanks” or “thank you” seems appropriate to me.
I’m a “Regards, Barb”
No best, just that…
A few times I’ve wanted to end an e-mail, “Bollocks to you.” Now that’s a fine Anglo send-off.
Joel, I like “Until later”! Polite, but with the threat of more contact to come. ;-> I’m going to totally steal that.
I like “Regards.” I hate “All best.” Like it’s so hard to type the three little letter and space for “the”? It smacks of laziness to me.
Here’s to you,
Kristen
http://www.inkthinker.blogspot.com
Someone just sent me an e-mail and signed off “Fondly.” I kind of like that. Very Emily Dickinsonian.
I use “best wishes”, “cheers”, “best”, “many thanks” or even “xx” depending on the situation.
“Best wishes” is used for new work contacts and contacts I don’t know well.
“Cheers” is for friends and editors who respond to my emails casually.
“Best” is for editors who respond to my emails formally.
“Many thanks” is for work relationships that err on the formal, but have some familiarity – signing off with “best” starts to look a little silly when you’re sending the same person several emails in one day. “Speak soon” also works well in this situation.
And “xx” – well, I agree that it’s inappropriate in a professional setting, but if an editor uses it on me, I’ll use it back on them. I also use this on friends I don’t think will take it the wrong way. I think it’s a young person’s/women’s and teen mag thing. Generally speaking, eds will only do this once they’ve worked with you a bit though. I remember being shocked when an editor I’d just pitched for the first time responded with “xx”.
How funny this topic. Yes, I struggled with it. I was strictly sincerely until I started get all other types of sigs. All the best, regards, cheers, etc. I’m starting to use: warmly and my name. Stole it from an e-zine marketer and kinda like it.
Warmly,
Karin
I have a dear friend who signs everything “Until Soon”–I stole that from her for almost everyone except new-to-me editors and clients. I use “sincerely” or “best regards” for them.
Julie Anne
I agree that ‘cheers’ sounds affected unless you’re speaking the Queen’s English. Most times, I just go with ‘Thanks!’ Oddly, it’s always with an exclamation point. Occasionally, if someone’s gone out of their way, I’ll hit them with a ‘Thanks so much for your help — I really appreciate it.’ Family, friends and sources I’m finishing up with all get ‘Take care!’ I guess, now that I think about it, I just write what I would say if the exchange were happening in person …
I’m based in Australia and “Cheers” is very common here as a closer. For something slightly more formal I usually go with “Kind regards”.