Mastering Email Closings: Beyond 'Cordialement'

In the digital age, the closing of an email is more than just a formality; it's a subtle yet powerful way to convey your tone, professionalism, and relationship with the recipient. While 'Cordialement' has long been a staple in professional correspondence, its widespread use has led to a certain blandness. Understanding the subtle differences between various email sign-offs, such as 'Cordialement' and 'Bien à vous', can significantly impact how your message is received.

Choosing the right closing can feel like navigating a minefield. Too familiar, and you risk appearing unprofessional to colleagues or superiors. Too distant, and you might come across as cold or even arrogant. It's a delicate balance, and the phrases we use to end our emails play a crucial role in striking that balance. Some seemingly polite closings can, in fact, be quite misleading if not used appropriately.

The sheer volume of options available can be overwhelming: 'Bien à vous', 'Cordialement', 'Bien cordialement', 'Sincèrement', 'Salutations', and many more. So, how do we conclude our professional emails without appearing rude or overly stiff? According to Jean-Renaud Plas, a consultant specialising in French orthography and grammar, there are three key criteria to consider when crafting your closing: the recipient, the nature of the message, and the overall purpose of the email.

The Era of Efficiency and its Impact on Email Closings

While some argue that we live in an era where efficiency reigns supreme and the content of the email is all that matters, Plas maintains that concluding with a polite closing is essential whenever you're writing to someone. However, he cautions against overusing multiple closings, as this can clutter the message and serve no real purpose.

Deconstructing Common Email Closings

Let's break down some of the most frequently used email sign-offs and understand their connotations:

• Cordialement: This is a versatile and polite closing, suitable for both external and internal communications within a company. It serves as a modern replacement for the more traditional 'Salutations' found in letters. It's a good choice for initial contact via email. 'Bien cordialement' is a variation that simply reinforces the cordiality with an additional positive adverb but doesn't significantly alter the meaning.

• Bien à vous: This closing is gaining popularity and is a less neutral alternative to 'Cordialement'. It can be interpreted as 'at your service' and is well-suited for exchanges between service providers and clients, or between individuals who regularly exchange services or information. It suggests a greater willingness to assist.
• Salutations: 'Salutations' on its own can come across as a bit abrupt. It's often best accompanied by an adjective like 'sincères' or 'cordiales'. While it can be used for initial contact, it's more formal than 'Cordialement'. Overly elaborate traditional letter closings like 'Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur,' are generally considered too much for an email.
• Bonne journée / Belle journée: While 'Belle journée' attempts a touch more originality or kindness, the difference is minimal. These can be used for individuals in a slightly higher position, provided they aren't at the very top of the hierarchy, where 'Cordialement' or 'Sincères salutations' would be more appropriate. It's generally best to wish someone a good day within the body of the email, followed by a more standard closing like 'Cordialement' and your signature. Using these closings alone with someone you have a relatively familiar professional relationship with is acceptable.
• À bientôt: The appropriateness of 'À bientôt' depends heavily on the context and content of the email. If the email is part of an ongoing discussion or anticipates future interactions, it's not necessarily out of place. However, when used alone without a preceding 'Cordialement' or 'Bien à vous', it can sound a bit tired, overly familiar, or abrupt. It's generally suitable for internal communication where the recipient's hierarchical position allows for such familiarity.

Why Move Beyond 'Bien Cordialement'?

While 'Cordialement' and its variants are perfectly correct and polite, their ubiquity means they often fail to make a lasting impression. In a world saturated with emails, a closing that stands out can increase the chances of your message being read attentively and a response being generated. The sheer volume of searches for email closings on Google highlights how much people ponder this aspect of digital communication. 'Cordialement' receives the most searches, followed by 'Bien à vous', indicating a growing interest in alternatives.

Original Alternatives to Consider

If you're looking to inject a bit more personality or effectiveness into your email closings, here are some alternatives:

• “J’ai hâte de savoir ce que vous en pensez!” (I look forward to hearing your thoughts!): This closing expresses enthusiasm and subtly prompts the recipient to provide their opinion. It signals that you value their input and are eager for a response, but in a less demanding way than a direct request.
• “Merci de me confirmer que tout est bon pour vous.” (Please confirm that everything is okay for you.): Ideal for aligning with the recipient. However, its directive nature means it should be used when the relationship allows for such requests.
• “Est-il possible d’avoir votre retour sur ce sujet, si possible avant [Insert Deadline Here]?” (Is it possible to get your feedback on this matter, preferably before [Insert Deadline Here]?): This clearly communicates the need for feedback by a specific time, increasing the likelihood of a timely response while also valuing the recipient's input. A softer version could be, “Sentez-vous libre de m’envoyer votre retour sur ce sujet quand cela vous plaira” (Feel free to send me your feedback on this topic at your convenience), for situations where urgency is not a factor.
• “Au plaisir de vous lire.” (Looking forward to reading from you.): This phrase conveys enthusiasm and works in both formal and informal contexts. Unlike the shortened “Au plaisir,” the full phrase is considered acceptable in professional communication.
• “Qu’en pensez-vous?” (What do you think?): A simple yet effective way to solicit a response. Instead of a generic closing, directly asking for the recipient's opinion is a clear call to action. Adding a “Merci de votre réponse” (Thank you for your response) can further encourage a reply.
• “Dans le cas où vous ne seriez pas le bon interlocuteur, pouvez-vous m’indiquer qui contacter?” (If you are not the right person to contact, could you please let me know who I should reach out to?): This is useful when you're unsure of the correct recipient. It's polite and facilitates the redirection of your query. Again, adding a “Merci” at the end is recommended.
• “N’hésitez pas à me poser vos questions par retour de mail.” (Don’t hesitate to ask me your questions via email.): This is a more polished version of being available (“à dispo”). It anticipates questions and clearly indicates that a response is expected, fulfilling the primary goal of many email communications.

Synonyms to Use with Moderation

For those who prefer sticking closer to traditional closings but want slight variations, here are some synonyms:

• Bien à vous
• Professionnellement
• Respectueusement
• Bonne journée
• Bonne fin de journée
• À bientôt

While these are acceptable, consider the impact of more engaging alternatives to ensure your emails resonate.

What Exactly is 'Cordialement'?

The word 'Cordialement' originates from the Latin 'cordialis,' meaning 'related to the heart,' derived from 'cor,' meaning 'heart.' It is widely used in both formal and informal written correspondence, particularly in professional settings like business letters, invitations, and thank-you notes. It can also be used in informal contexts to convey goodwill. In English, it often translates to 'Sincerely,' in Spanish 'Cordialmente,' in German 'Herzlich,' and in Italian 'Cordialmente.'

Ultimately, the best email closing is one that is appropriate for the context, reflects your relationship with the recipient, and clearly communicates your intended tone. By moving beyond the default 'Cordialement,' you can enhance your professional communication and make a more memorable impression.