Stop Signing Emails “Best” – Try These Instead

You’ve written the perfect response to an email that didn’t quite sit right.

Measured. Thoughtful. Maybe just a little spicy.

You’re ready to hit send…

…and then you end it with “Best.”

Absolutely not.

This article is for you.

Why Sign-Offs Matter

The email sign-off may seem small, but it seals the tone of your message. It’s the final line someone reads — and it often leaves more of an impression than you think.

Simply put: your sign-off is the aftertaste of your entire email.

You can’t spend five paragraphs crafting the perfect response just to close it like you ran out of personality.

Pick Your Level of Chaos

Here are sign-offs to consider — organized by mood and risk tolerance.

Plain / Old School / Boring

These are safe. They won’t offend anyone. They also won’t stand out.

• Thanks

• Best

• Regards

• Sincerely

Reliable? Yes.

Memorable? Not even a little.

Playful but Safe

These step slightly outside the norm but can still survive in most corporate environments. Some people won’t love them — but they won’t escalate to HR either.

• Hakunah Matata

• Lukewarm Regards

• Out Pizzaing the Hut

• Surviving and Thriving

• K, bye

• Thrivin' and Vibin'

• From the Trenches

• You just got a letter, I wonder who it's from

A little personality never hurt anyone.

Slightly Unhinged

Use these with coworkers you know well. Perfect for breaking tension, surviving deadline season, or adding humor when morale is questionable.

Forwardability factor? Medium.

• All blues, no clues

• From the window, to the wall

• See you Next Tuesday

• “Allegedly”

• More Frazzle, Less Dazzle

• Ballin' and Bawlin'

• Yeeing my last Haw

• No Cheer, All Tears

• Too Stressed to be Blessed

These say, “I’m coping,” without actually saying it.

Fully Unhinged

Proceed carefully. Only use if you either trust the recipient completely or accept the consequences.

Forwardability factor? Extremely high.

• Thots and Prayers

• Watch your back

• Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath

• Your days are numbered

• Blessing the hours you have left

• Disrespectfully, no thanks

You’ve been warned.

How to Choose the Right Sign-Off

Before you hit send, ask yourself:

• Who is receiving this?

• Could this be forwarded?

• Does this match the tone of the email?

Context is everything.

Personality Is Not Unprofessional

There’s always a time and a place. Read the room. Know your audience. Understand your workplace culture.

By all means, don’t let your job strip away your personality.

But also make sure your personality doesn’t create an environment someone else has to recover from.

You don’t need to end every email with chaos.

Just don’t let “Best” carry the emotional weight of your entire personality.