Email sign-off choice boosts response rates, study finds

A productivity firm, Boomerang, analyzed more than 350,000 email exchanges and found that the closing line dramatically affects reply rates. Messages ending with a genuine thank‑you received responses from about 62 % of recipients, while those concluding with the generic German phrase “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” (equivalent to “Best”) earned only about 46 % replies. The highest‑performing sign‑off was “Thanks in advance,” which achieved a 65.7 % response rate. Researchers attribute the effect to reciprocity: a specific expression of gratitude signals an unfinished favor and prompts the recipient to act. The study recommends replacing bland closings with concrete thanks, such as “Thank you for reviewing this” or “Thanks for the quick approval yesterday,” to increase email effectiveness.