How to End an Email with Sincerely: Tips and Examples
When you write an email, you want to leave a good impression on your recipient. One way to do that is to choose an appropriate sign-off that conveys your professionalism and respect. Sincerely is one of the most common and versatile ways to end an email, but it’s not always the best option. In this article, we’ll explain when and how to use sincerely in your email closing, and provide some examples of alternative sign-offs you can use in different situations.
When to use sincerely in an email
Sincerely is a formal and polite way to end an email that shows you are sincere and respectful. It is suitable for most types of emails, such as business correspondence, job applications, customer service inquiries, and academic communications. However, sincerely may not be the best choice for every email. Here are some scenarios where you may want to avoid using sincerely:
- You are writing to someone you know well or have a close relationship with, such as a friend, family member, or colleague. In this case, sincerely may sound too distant or cold, and you may want to use a more friendly or casual sign-off, such as “Best regards”, “Cheers”, or “Take care”.
- You are writing a very informal or casual email, such as a personal note, a thank-you message, or a social media comment. In this case, sincerely may sound too formal or stiff, and you may want to use a more relaxed or expressive sign-off, such as “Thanks”, “Have a great day”, or “Keep in touch”.
- You are writing a very urgent or emotional email, such as a complaint, an apology, or a request for help. In this case, sincerely may sound too bland or generic, and you may want to use a more specific or emphatic sign-off, such as “Sincerely yours”, “With gratitude”, or “Respectfully”.
How to use sincerely in an email
If you decide to use sincerely in your email closing, here are some tips on how to do it correctly:
- Always capitalize the first letter of sincerely, and follow it with a comma.
- Leave a blank line between the last paragraph of your email and your sign-off.
- Write your full name after the comma, and align it with the left margin of your email.
- If you have a professional title or affiliation, you can add it below your name on a separate line.
- If you have a signature block with your contact information or logo, you can add it below your name and title on another separate line.
Examples of how to use sincerely in an email
Here are some examples of how to use sincerely in different types of emails:
Example 1: Business correspondence
Subject: Follow-up on invoice #123456
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to remind you that the payment for invoice #123456 is due by May 15th. Please find the invoice attached for your reference.
If you have any questions or concerns about the invoice, please do not hesitate to contact me. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Account Manager
ABC Company
(123) 456-7890
jane.doe@abccompany.com
Example 2: Job application
Subject: Application for Marketing Manager position
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Manager position at XYZ Company. I have over five years of experience in digital marketing, and I believe I have the skills and qualifications that match your requirements.
In my previous role as a Marketing Coordinator at ABC Company, I was responsible for planning and executing online campaigns that increased brand awareness, website traffic, and sales. Some of my achievements include:
- Launching a successful social media strategy that grew the company’s followers by 50% in six months.
- Creating engaging content for the company’s blog, newsletter, and landing pages that generated over 100 leads per month.
- Analyzing data and metrics to optimize the performance and ROI