How to Start and End a Message

The first and last lines carry more weight than their length suggests. The opening tells the reader why you are writing and the closing decides what emotional note remains after the message ends.

Open with the occasion when clarity matters

For birthdays, congratulations, thank-you notes and invitations, a direct opening usually works: name the reason for writing, then add the personal part. This avoids a long build-up and makes short messages feel complete.

Open with acknowledgment in difficult moments

For sympathy, illness, disappointment or conflict, begin by recognizing what happened rather than searching for a clever introduction. Clear acknowledgment can feel more caring than a polished sentence that avoids the actual situation.

Use warmth in proportion to the relationship

“I’ve been thinking about you” may fit a close relationship. “I wanted to send my congratulations” may fit a colleague or client. Neither is universally better; the right opening matches the distance between sender and recipient.

Choose a closing that completes the purpose

A closing can repeat the good wish, offer support, express appreciation, look ahead or simply sign off. Avoid introducing a new topic in the final line. The close should feel like the natural end of what you already said.

Common closing styles

Affectionate closings include “With love” or a private sign-off. Warm general closings include “Thinking of you,” “Warmly” and “Best wishes.” Professional messages often work with “With appreciation,” “Congratulations again,” or a straightforward name. Sympathy messages may close with presence rather than optimism: “Thinking of you and your family” or “With deepest sympathy.”

Read the opening and closing together

If those two lines sound as if they belong to different relationships, revise. A formal opening followed by an intensely intimate closing can make an otherwise good message feel inconsistent.