65.7% response rate: these two closing words guarantee faster replies to your emails

65.7% Response Rate: These Two Closing Words Guarantee Faster Replies to Your Emails

If you’ve ever wondered why your emails disappear into the cavernous void of someone’s inbox, never to be seen or replied to again, you’re definitely not alone. Whether you’re applying for a job, trying to reach an important client, or simply hoping for a quick answer to your burning questions, one thing’s certain: every little detail matters. And as it turns out, there are precisely two words that can make all the difference when it comes to getting the reply you crave.

Why Do Some Emails Get Lost in the Shuffle?

Between an overflowing inbox and a mountain of priorities competing for everyone’s attention, it’s almost inevitable that your message could slip through the cracks. But what separates an email that gets a response from one that’s quietly ignored? According to a study conducted on over 350,000 emails and validated by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the secret doesn’t lie only in your subject line or the body of the message—it’s in your closing words.

That’s right: the way you end your email can boost your chances of getting a reply, or condemn your message to the dreaded black hole of neglect. Eight specific closings were analyzed in this study, and the results speak volumes (no, not just in unread notifications): some closings get more love than others.

The Closing Words That Get Results

Ready for the big reveal? Let’s take a look at how common email sign-offs ranked in terms of effectiveness for eliciting a response:

“Best regards”: 52.9% response rate (sadly, the least successful of the bunch)
“Regards”: 53.5%
“Sincerely”: 53.9%
“Thank you very much”: 57.9%
“Thank you”: 63%—classic, and still pulling its weight
“Thank you in advance”: 65.7%—the undisputed champion!

On average, emails without any of these gratitude-laced closings received only a 47.5% response rate. That’s a pretty big gap. The numbers show, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that expressions of gratitude don’t just make you look polite—they actually encourage people to reply.

Why Does Gratitude Open Doors?

The findings didn’t stop at big data. In research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology by Adam M. Grant and Francesca Gino, 69 university students were separated into two groups. Every participant received an email requesting their help with drafting a cover letter. One group got emails concluding with a thankful phrase, while the other received messages ending on a neutral note.

The results? Call it the power of “thank you”: emails containing an expression of gratitude doubled the likelihood that someone would reply. Yes, doubled! The researchers concluded that even a simple message of thanks creates a sense of recognition and nudges the recipient to act promptly—no mysterious mind tricks necessary.

It seems that when someone feels appreciated, they’re more inclined to return the favor. Who knew that appreciating others could be the best productivity hack out there?

The Practical Takeaway

So, what’s the lesson here for all the would-be job hunters, client charmers, and efficiency enthusiasts? If you want your message to stand out amid a sea of emails and actually get a meaningful answer, pay attention to those final words. The data speaks clearly: close your emails with “thank you in advance”—or its translated equivalents—and you’ll greatly increase your odds of a speedy reply.

In a world where digital communication often feels impersonal, using a dose of gratitude isn’t just about manners: it’s about results. Next time you hit send, remember—those two magic words are more than a sign-off. They’re your ticket to the top of the reply pile.

65.7% response rate: these two closing words guarantee faster replies to your emails