Gratitude may be the key to getting more replies in your inbox.
That’s according to a comprehensive study of over 350,000 emails analyzed by the software company Boomerang.
The research reveals that three very common words—“Thank you in advance”—significantly increase the likelihood of receiving a response.
The Most Effective Email Ending
The study measured which email closings most often led to a reply.
Among the eight most commonly used sign-offs, “Thanks in advance” was the most effective.
Emails that ended with this phrase received a response 65.7% of the time, compared to an overall average response rate of 47.5%.
Other expressions of gratitude—such as “Thanks” or “Thank you”—also outperformed more formal endings like “Best regards” or “Kind regards.”
According to Boomerang, this effect may be due to the way gratitude creates social value and a sense of obligation in the recipient.
It adds a personal touch—and makes the message harder to ignore.
How to Use It—With Care
That said, not every email should end with “Thanks in advance.”
In messages that don’t include a clear request or call to action, it can come off as excessive or insincere.
But in emails where you’re asking for help, a reply, or a decision, this small change can make a big difference.
So next time you send an important message and are hoping for a reply—try ending with “Thank you in advance.”
It costs nothing, and it could significantly increase your chances of getting a response.
