We’ve all experienced it: sending an important email only to be met with radio silence. You review every aspect of your message—the subject, the recipient—only to find nothing wrong. A recent study suggests that the issue may lie in how you close that email. Many default to formalities like “regards” or “sincerely,” without considering that the final words can influence the recipient’s likelihood to respond.How you phrase your conclusion can significantly affect your response rate.
The Experiment that Changed Everything
A groundbreaking study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, analyzed hundreds of thousands of email interactions. In 2017, Boomerang delved into over 350,000 email threads from various online communities to discover if email closings impacted response rates. Their findings were compelling.
Key Findings on Email Closings
The research revealed that email closings expressing gratitude significantly outperformed standard formulas. On average, emails that included a “thank you in advance” saw response rates soar to an impressive 65.7%. In contrast, neutral closings like “kind regards” only achieved around 53.9%.
A Closer Look at the Data
Among all the studied closings, the expressions of thanks not only outperformed the usual formalities but did so by a considerable margin. The average response rate across the analyzed emails was 47.5%. Emails that closed with gratitude outperformed this baseline considerably, solidifying the message that how you conclude an email is crucial.
The Psychology Behind Gratitude
Why does “thank you in advance” work so effectively? The phrase activates a psychological mechanism that establishes an implicit expectation of commitment from the recipient. It serves as a subtle yet powerful trigger for action. Previous studies have also demonstrated that expressions of gratitude foster prosocial behavior, encouraging individuals to offer assistance more willingly.
Real-world Applications of these Findings
In experiments, university students were significantly more inclined to help when they received emails featuring expressions of gratitude. The implication here is striking: polite acknowledgments not only reflect courtesy but create a sense of social value and expectation, prompting more favorable action from the recipient.
Conclusion: Elevating Your Email Game
Integrating gratitude into your email closings could lead to a remarkable improvement in response rates. The study from Boomerang indicates that emails with some form of thanks achieved a response rate of 62%, considerably higher than the 46% average for those that did not include a parting note of appreciation. While the research predominantly focused on open-source and academic communities, the underlying principles hold valuable insights for any professional correspondence.
In summary, don’t overlook the final words of your emails. The simple act of expressing gratitude might just be the key to unlocking more timely and constructive responses.
Image Credit: Unsplash (Stephen Phillips)