Why "Looking Forward to Doing Business with You" Falls Flat

"Looking forward to doing business with you" is a closing phrase that sounds professional on the surface but adds nothing to the conversation. It is vague, presumptuous, and overused.

The phrase assumes the deal is done before the other party has confirmed. In early-stage conversations, it can feel like pressure. In established relationships, it can feel like a formality the writer did not bother to personalize.

The best closings do one of three things: express genuine enthusiasm about something specific, clarify the next step, or acknowledge the other person's contribution. The 50+ alternatives below replace the generic phrase with closings that match the tone, stage, and context of your conversation. Knowing how to end a professional email effectively is just as important as the body of the message.

50+ Alternatives to "Looking Forward to Doing Business with You"

After a Proposal or Pitch

These work when you have just sent a proposal, presented a pitch, or shared pricing and want to close the email on a strong note.

1. "I am excited about the potential here. Let me know how you would like to proceed."

Direct and enthusiastic without assuming the deal is done. Puts the next step in their hands.

2. "I believe this could be a strong fit. Happy to discuss any questions before you decide."

Confident but not pushy. Offers availability without demanding a meeting.

3. "I have laid out everything I think you need to evaluate this. Let me know what would be most helpful as a next step."

Shows thoroughness and invites a specific response.

4. "I think there is a real opportunity here for both of us. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts."

Frames the deal as mutually beneficial rather than one-sided.

5. "If this looks like the right direction, I can have the agreement ready by [date]."

Moves the conversation forward with a concrete action tied to a timeline.

6. "I am confident we can deliver what you are looking for. Whenever you are ready, I am here to move things forward."

Balances confidence with patience. Works for high-ticket deals that take time to close.

7. "I will follow up next [day] to see where things stand. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with any questions."

Sets a clear follow-up expectation. Removes ambiguity about what happens next.

Starting a New Partnership or Collaboration

These work when a deal has been agreed to and you want to express genuine enthusiasm about the working relationship ahead.

8. "I am genuinely excited to get started on this together."

Simple and authentic. The word "genuinely" adds weight.

9. "This is going to be a great collaboration. Let us make it count."

Forward-looking and energetic. Sets the tone for an active partnership.

10. "I appreciate the trust you are placing in us. We will not let you down."

Acknowledges the decision and makes a personal commitment. Works for client-facing contexts.

11. "I think our teams are going to work really well together. Here is to a strong partnership."

Warm and collegial. Works for peer-to-peer collaborations.

12. "Welcome aboard. Here is what happens next: [specific onboarding steps]."

Skips the pleasantries and delivers immediate value. Practical and confident.

13. "I am looking forward to what we can accomplish together. Let us set up a kickoff call for [date]."

Combines enthusiasm with a concrete next step. For help structuring that invitation, our meeting request templates provide ready-to-use formats.

14. "This marks the beginning of something I think will be very productive for both sides."

Measured and professional. Works for formal partnerships.

Expressing Gratitude and Appreciation

These work when you want to thank the other party for their time, consideration, or decision while keeping the tone forward-looking.

15. "Thank you for the opportunity. I am committed to making this a success."

Grateful without being effusive. Shows ownership.

16. "I appreciate you taking the time to explore this with us. Regardless of the outcome, it has been a valuable conversation."

Works even when the deal is uncertain. Shows grace.

17. "Thank you for your trust in our team. We take that seriously."

Acknowledges the relationship, not just the transaction.

18. "I am grateful for the chance to work with your team on this. Let us make the most of it."

Warm and action-oriented.

19. "This has been a great process. I appreciate the thoroughness and transparency on your end."

Compliments their professionalism. Builds rapport.

20. "Thank you for choosing to move forward with us. Here is to a productive relationship."

Clean and professional. Works for contract signings and formal agreements.

21. "I want you to know how much we value this partnership. It is not something we take for granted."

Sincere and specific. Works for renewals and long-term relationships.

For Sales Follow-Ups and Ongoing Conversations

These replace the generic phrase in the middle of a sales process when the deal is still in motion.

22. "I am optimistic about where this is heading. Let me know what you need from me to keep things moving."

Positive without being presumptuous. Offers support.

23. "I think we are close. What would it take to get this over the finish line?"

Direct and action-oriented. Works when you sense the deal is near closing.

24. "I would love to find the right way to work together. What does that look like from your side?"

Invites the prospect to shape the deal. Collaborative rather than transactional.

25. "I am here whenever you are ready to take the next step. No pressure, just availability."

Patient and professional. Works for prospects who need time.

26. "Based on our conversation, I think there is a clear path forward. Shall I outline the next steps?"

Proactive and confident. Takes ownership of moving the deal forward. A strong cold email follow-up strategy pairs well with this kind of closing.

27. "I think we have found a good fit here. Let me know how you would like to proceed, and I will make it happen."

Combines confidence with a service orientation.

28. "Whatever you decide, I have enjoyed this conversation and learned a lot about your business."

Removes pressure entirely. Often prompts a positive response because it feels genuine.

For Formal and Corporate Contexts

These work for legal agreements, executive correspondence, institutional partnerships, and other formal settings.

29. "We are pleased to move forward and look forward to a productive engagement."

Corporate but not stiff. Works for formal confirmations.

30. "We are confident this partnership will deliver meaningful results for both organizations."

Focuses on outcomes. Appropriate for executive-level communication.

31. "It is our intention to exceed your expectations. We are prepared to begin immediately upon your approval."

Formal and action-ready. Works for RFP responses and government contracts.

32. "We value the opportunity to contribute to your organization's goals and look forward to demonstrating our commitment."

Formal without being hollow. Works for institutional relationships.

33. "On behalf of our team, I want to express our enthusiasm for this engagement and our commitment to delivering results."

Suitable for signed agreements and contract kick-offs.

34. "We appreciate the confidence you have placed in our organization and are eager to begin this work."

Clean and professional. Works across industries. Following proper email etiquette reinforces the formality these contexts demand.

35. "We are honored to have been selected and are fully prepared to deliver on the scope outlined."

Formal acknowledgment with a forward-looking commitment.

For Networking and Relationship Building

These work when you are building a professional relationship that is not immediately transactional.

36. "I really enjoyed our conversation. I think there is a lot we can learn from each other."

Positions the relationship as a two-way exchange.

37. "Let us stay connected. I think our paths will cross again in a meaningful way."

Low-pressure and forward-looking. Works for conference and event follow-ups.

38. "I see a lot of synergy between what we are each building. Let us find a way to support each other."

Identifies mutual benefit without pitching anything specific.

39. "It was great connecting with you. If there is ever anything I can help with, do not hesitate to reach out."

Generous and genuine. Opens the door without any expectation.

40. "I have a feeling this is the start of something valuable. Let us keep the conversation going."

Warm and optimistic. Works for early-stage professional relationships. For fresh ways to open your next follow-up, our list of alternatives to "I hope this email finds you well" pairs well with these closings.

41. "I would love to find an excuse to collaborate. Let me know if anything comes to mind on your end."

Playful but professional. Works for creative industries and informal networking.

42. "Thank you for sharing your perspective. I walked away with several ideas I had not considered."

Complimentary and specific. Makes the other person feel valued.

When the Outcome Is Uncertain

These work when you are not sure if the deal will happen and want to close gracefully without assuming.

43. "Whatever direction this goes, I have appreciated the conversation and your openness."

No assumptions, no pressure. Professional and graceful.

44. "I hope we find a way to work together. If not now, perhaps when the timing is right."

Leaves the door open without urgency.

45. "Whether or not this moves forward, I think we have built a good foundation for future conversations."

Focuses on the relationship, not the transaction.

46. "I will leave this with you. If and when it makes sense, I am ready to go."

Clean and confident. No guilt or pressure.

47. "Take whatever time you need. I will be here when you are ready to revisit this."

Patient and respectful. Works for long sales cycles.

48. "I understand there is a lot to consider. I am happy to answer any additional questions that come up."

Supportive and available without being pushy.

For Internal and Team Contexts

These work for intra-company collaboration, new team partnerships, or cross-departmental projects.

49. "I think our teams can accomplish a lot together. Let us set up a working session to get aligned."

Action-oriented and collaborative. Skips the pleasantries for substance.

50. "I am looking forward to what this project produces. Let me know how I can support from my end."

Supportive and enthusiastic. Works for project kick-offs.

51. "Great to have your team on board. Here is the plan for getting started: [next steps]."

Immediate and practical. Sets expectations from the start.

52. "I think this cross-team effort is going to be one of the highlights of the quarter. Let us make sure we set it up for success."

Motivational without being hollow. Works for leadership communication.

How to Choose the Right Alternative

Consider the deal stage. Pre-decision conversations need careful phrasing that avoids presumption. Post-decision conversations can be more enthusiastic and direct.

Match the tone to the relationship. Formal closings for new or external contacts. Warmer closings for established relationships. Direct closings for colleagues and internal teams.

Always include a next step. The strongest closings pair the sentiment with a concrete action: a follow-up date, a document to review, a call to schedule. Sentiment alone does not move deals forward. Our collection of second follow-up email examples shows how strong closings transition naturally into follow-up sequences.

FAQ

When is "looking forward to doing business with you" appropriate?

It works when a deal has been formally agreed to and both parties have confirmed. In that context, it is a simple expression of enthusiasm. It becomes a problem when used prematurely, in first-touch emails, or as a default closing without thought.

Should I always express enthusiasm in email closings?

Not always. Some contexts call for neutral, professional closings rather than enthusiastic ones. Legal correspondence, formal complaints, and situations with uncertain outcomes benefit from measured, respectful closings rather than forced excitement.

Is it okay to use the same closing phrase repeatedly?

With the same contact, no. Repeating the same closing signals that you are not putting thought into the message. Across different contacts, reusing effective closings is fine as long as you personalize the rest of the email.

What if the other party has not committed yet?

Use closings from the "Outcome Is Uncertain" category. Express appreciation for the conversation without assuming a positive outcome. Premature enthusiasm can feel like pressure when the other party is still evaluating.