Endings are important… They can make or break your letter.
What you write at the end of a letter will set the stage for whatever comes next. Be it an email follow-up, another conversation, or silence. If you do not do it well and fail to impress people with your words (or lack thereof), they may not want to talk to you again or give you what you are asking for in return. It is time we put an end to bad endings and start ending our letters right!
So, let’s take an in-depth look at exactly How to End a Letter to Make a Lasting Impression every time!’
Contents
Why Is It Important To Write A Good Ending?
The ending of a letter is what the reader will take away from your correspondence. If you do not have anything impressive to say, it is likely that they will not be interested in working with you.
However, if you close your letter well and leave the reader feeling good about who you are, what you are asking for, and what will happen next, they will be more likely to respond positively.
What Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make When Ending Letters?
The most common mistake people make when ending a letter is not saying anything at all! This can be very frustrating for the reader, especially if the letter was long. Other mistakes include being too informal, not doing anything with your closing besides sign-off. Or even worse, taking up all the space with your closing.
Tips On How To End Your Letters Well
Now that you know what not to do, let’s focus on how to end your letters well. There are a few things you can do to make a good impression, including:
- Be warm and friendly without being too informal.
- Always give the reader closure by either telling them what will happen next or asking them to respond.
- Make sure you sign off professionally and leave the reader with something they can remember about you.
- Make sure to end with a question if you want the reader to be encouraged to reply to you. This will show that you are interested in what they have to say and will inspire them to respond.
- Make sure you sign off with your name, even if this is a casual email.
- Use space effectively in your closing. The reader should see that you are ending the letter and then find your signature below it. Do not use all of the space at the bottom of the page for your closing!
Ending a letter well is important for both personal and professional reasons. By making the reader feel good about working with you, they will be more likely to give you what you want. If they do not, it is likely that the first impression will not be good enough for them to take another look at your request.
Examples Of Good Letter Closings
There are many things you can say at the end of your correspondence, so let’s look at some examples.
Common Closings for Letters or Emails
- Sincerely -This is a formal but personal way to end your letter. It shows that you are being respectful of the reader and treating them as an equal, not just a name on a piece of paper.
- Best -This is a casual but friendly way to end your letter. It shows that you are interested in continuing your relationship with the reader positively.
- Thank you for your time -This is an effective closing, especially if it comes at the end of a formal letter. It shows that you appreciate the reader’s time and makes them feel appreciated.
- Looking forward to hearing from you -This is a personal closing that can be used in either formal or casual correspondence. It shows that you are interested in what the reader has to say and can leave them feeling hopeful about your future relationship.
- Regards -This is a formal closing that can be used in business or personal letters. It shows respect for the reader and leaves them with a polite reminder to contact you if they need anything. If you are replying to a British person, however, using “Kind Regards” instead of only “Regards” is much more appropriate. “Regards” on its own is seen as too abrupt and, well frankly, a bit passive-aggressive.
- I hope to hear from you soon -This is a personal closing that shows the reader how much it means to you for them to respond.
Common Closings for Personal Letters or Emails
- Take care -This is a personal closing that shows the reader that you care about them and want them to be safe.
- Talk to you soon -This is a casual closing that shows the reader you want to keep in contact with them and continue your relationship.
- Let’s chat -This is a casual closing that shows the reader you want to keep in contact with them and continue your relationship.
- Fondly -This is a personal closing that shows the reader you care about them and want to keep in contact with them.
- Peace -This closing is a little different but will work well with friends who know you.
- Gratefully – This is a perfect response when asking a friend to do something for you or ending a thank you letter.
- Yours truly -This is a formal but personal way to end your letter. It is respectful but only appropriate for close friends and family.
Formatting The End Of A Letter
When formatting the end of your letter, you will want to make sure that it looks professional and respectful. Here are some tips:
- Leave at least four lines of space at the bottom of the page for your closing.
- If you are going to sign your name (which you should), put it on the last line below your closing.
- If you are emailing your letter, make sure to include your contact information in the signature block.
- Avoid using all caps.
- Do not forget to proofread before sending! A typo could make your letter look unprofessional and disrespectful, which is the exact opposite of what you are going for.
How To Write A Winning Letter!
We’ve talked about the closing above, but what about the letter itself? For that, we’ve found these superb guides on perfecting your letter writing skills!
Why don’t we start on a more personal note, take a look at The Art of the Personal Letter, as well as How to Say It: Choice Words, Phrases, Sentences, and Paragraphs, or maybe you’d like to know How to Write a Love Letter, or even try using Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion all available online in 2023.
Next, let’s get down to business with The Encyclopedia of Business Letters, and Business and Academic Letters and Emails: Email and Letter Writing Book, the Model Business Letters, Emails and Other Business Documents, or perhaps the 300+ Successful Business Letters for All Occasions and the Business Email: Write to Win. Business English & Professional Email Writing Essentials.
We also recommend reading Business English Writing: Advanced Masterclass, the Business Letter Handbook, Effective Business Writing, or how about The Book of Letters: How to Write Powerful and Effective Letters for Every Occasion, and lastly, The Complete Book of Contemporary Business Letters to help you master you skill completely.
Final Thoughts?
So, there you have it, a few examples of how to end a letter and make a lasting impression. You now have all the tools to end a letter both professionally and personally.
Just remember to take your time, proofread everything, and use a closing that feels appropriate for the situation.
Good luck with your letter writing!