Thank you letters

Thank-you letters, graciously and sincerely written, are essential in the business world. Whether a former boss has provided you with a reference, a business contact has recommended you to their employer, a colleague has helped you with a project, or a potential new boss has just interviewed you for a position, it is important to take the time to thank everyone who helps with your career, job search, or business.

Note

Thank-you letters are a great way to express your appreciation for people’s help.

They can also help you in a number of other ways. A thank-you letter can help you maintain contact with someone in your network. It can help you remind a hiring manager why you are a good fit for a position. It can also show your supervisor that you are professional and polite.

Make sure you know both what to say in your letter, and also whether to send your note as an email, letter, or card. Saying the right thing using the right format will impress your recipient, and make them feel appreciated.

Email vs. Paper vs. Notecard Thank Yous

How you send your thank-you letter depends on many factors.

Email Thank-You Messages

Physical thank-you letters can take the form of an informal, handwritten note or a formal, typed letter. How you write the letter should show your understanding of the company and the person you are thanking.

If you know you have time to relay your thanks by mail, a written thank you shows that you’ve taken an extra step to show your appreciation.

More traditional companies often prefer either a typed letter or a handwritten note. However, if you want to really personalize your message of thanks (for example, if you are thanking a coworker whom you’ve worked with for years), consider a handwritten card.

What to Include in a Thank-You Letter

No matter what form you use to send your thank-you note, there are certain components you should always include.

Address the person appropriately. At the start of the letter, address the person with a proper salutation, such as “Dear Mr. Lastname.” or “Dear Firstname.” If you know the person well, use the person’s first name. Otherwise, address him or her as Mr., Ms., or another appropriate title.

Say thank you. Get to the point of your note quickly. Say the words “thank you” in the first sentence or two, so the person knows why you are writing. If you are sending an email, include the phrase “Thank You” in the subject line as well.

Give (some) specifics. Make sure you specify what you are thanking the individual for. Go into a bit of detail, so the person understands exactly what you appreciate. For example, if you are saying thank you to someone who gave you job advice, explain what you found to be most helpful. If you are saying thank you after a job interview, remind the person of a particular moment from the interview (or remind them why you are a good fit for the job).

A bit of detail shows the person what you really appreciate, and why.

Say thank you again. Before signing off, reiterate your appreciation.

Sign off. Use an appropriate closing, such as “Best” or “Sincerely.” Then end with your signature (handwritten and typed if it is a letter, handwritten if it is a card, and typed if it is an email).

Send it as soon as possible. Write and send your note as soon as possible. Don’t delay in sending your thanks, especially after a job interview. Not sending a thank-you letter after an interview can hurt your chances of getting hired.

Be positive but sincere. Express your gratitude, but don’t go overboard. People can tell when a thank-you note is insincere. For example, if you are thanking an employer after resigning from a job, you should express your thanks, and focus on what you liked about working there. However, don’t lie and say you loved everything if you didn’t really. Focus on the positives, but don’t lie.

Personalize each letter. Personalize each thank-you letter you send. For example, if you send thank-you notes to everyone you interviewed with for a job, add something to each note about your specific conversation with each person. Don’t simply copy and paste the same message for each person—this will come across as insincere.

Keep it brief. Thank-you notes should be short. Keep your note no longer than a couple of concise paragraphs.

Proofread and edit. A thank-you note in the workplace must be professional. This means it should be well written and error free. Proofread your letter carefully before sending it.

Sample General Thank-You Letter

A printed letter, sent by mail, will have your contact information as well as that of your recipient at the top of the page:

General Thank-You Letter (Text Version)

Cedric LeeAccount ManagerAcme Rental123 Business Rd.Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee:

I hope you are well. I just wanted to say thank you so much for writing me a letter of reference for the job at Acme Retail.

I really appreciate you taking the time to write the letter. I am happy to announce that I have a second interview with the company next week! I will let you know how it goes.

Again, thank you so much. I greatly appreciate your assistance with my job search.

Jason Jones (signature hard copy letter)

Email Thank-You Sample

When sending an email letter, as opposed to a traditional mailed one, there is no need to include your return address or your address at the beginning of the message. Simply list your contact information in your signature.

Subject: Thank you!

Dear Ms. Lee,

I would like to thank you for the invaluable support you provided to me during my recent career search.

I’m happy to report that I have just accepted a new position with ACME Auto! Again, thank you so very much. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Photo: Geber86 / Getty Images

Saying thank you can go a long way. A thank-you note or email message, in addition to showing your appreciation, can boost your career, help you get a job offer, and cement a relationship with a client, vendor, or networking contact.

The Value of Thank-You Notes

When writing other business and work-related thank-you emails and letters, keep in mind that every time you say thank you, you are not just showing your appreciation—you are also reminding the person you are writing to of who you are. These letters are great relationship builders.

Here’s information on when to say thank you and whom to thank, different types of professional thank-you letters, and when to use them. Also see sample thank-you letters, thank-you notes, letters of appreciation, and thank-you email messages for a variety of professional, business, and employment-related circumstances.

Thank-You Letter Examples and Templates

It is a good idea to read thank-you examples or templates before writing your own. Examples can help you see what kind of content you should include in your message. Examples can also help you with the layout and format of your letter. Consider reading sample thank-you letters and a formatted email thank-you message to help you prepare your own note.

Thank-you letter templates can also help with the format and structure of your letter. You can select a thank-you letter template and fill it in with information related to your situation.

While examples, templates, and guidelines are a great starting point for your thank-you note, remember you should always be flexible and tailor your correspondence to the circumstances.

Do be sure to take the time to personalize your message so it reflects your sincere appreciation and the reason why you are writing.

Professional Appreciation Letters

It is important to thank everyone who helps with your career, your business, or a job search. Showing appreciation for people is a great way to maintain relationships with employers, colleagues, vendors, and networking contacts.

Here are sample appreciation letters to send to contacts who have provided you with assistance.

Business Thank-You Letters

Thank-you letters are important for a variety of business-related circumstances. Review business thank-you letter samples for professional and employment-related scenarios, including thank-you letters for employees, employers, colleagues, clients, and networking contacts.

An email thank-you message is a great idea when you want to send a short note of appreciation as quickly as possible. This is particularly important after a job interview.

Read here for email thank-you letter examples, with a focus on emails for employment-related situations, including job interviews and more.

Employee Thank-You Letters

Sending a thank-you letter to an employee is a great way to recognize someone’s hard work, boost morale, and maintain strong relationships in the office.

Read here for examples of thank-you letters and email messages to send to an employee who has done a good job. Also, read example thank-you letters to a boss, to team members, to colleagues, and to others in the workplace whom you wish to thank for their assistance or performance.

Job Interview Thank-You Letters

It is important to say thank you to an employer after an interview. This is a great way to emphasize your interest in a job, remind the employer why you are an ideal candidate, and address any remaining concerns that came up during the interview.

Read here for a list of sample thank-you letters, and more tips on when and how to send an interview thank-you letter.

Handwritten Thank-You Notes

It takes some time to write and mail a handwritten thank-you note. However, many executives surveyed prefer handwritten notes to email messages. If time permits, mailing handwritten thank-you cards can make a great impression.

Networking Letter Samples

Saying thank you after meeting or receiving help from a contact is a great way to maintain your network. Here are sample job search and career networking thank-you letters including a thank you for an introduction, a thank you for a referral, and more.

Thank-You Letters for References and Recommendations

Always write a thank-you note for the people who write letters of recommendation or provide references for you. This is a great way to show your appreciation for help with your job search.

Here are sample thank-you letters for people who provided you with references and letters of recommendation.

Thank-You Letter Writing Tips

Review tips for writing and sending professional thank-you letters, notes, cards, and email messages, including whom you should thank, when you should say thank you, and the best way to send thank-you notes and emails.

Sample Professional Thank-You Letter and Template

Review a sample professional thank-you letter, and download a template to use as a starting point for your own letter.

Bob Smith3 Oak StreetAnytown, CA 12345

Dear Mr. Smith,

I want to thank you for being a loyal CBI Designs customer. As one of our first clients, you helped our company get off the ground. It was a real pleasure helping you bring your vision to life in what was then your new home.

Since then, we’ve worked together on numerous home renovation and design projects, and I’m always excited when I see that you’ve emailed with ideas.

In addition, I’m grateful to you for recommending other customers. You’ve helped make my part-time hobby into a full-time job, and I can’t thank you enough.

Eva WhiteCBI Designs

Download the Letter Template: Professional Thank-You Letter Sample

Photo: Bailey Mariner / The Balance

It’s always a good idea to say thank you. Just as you would send a friend a thank-you note or email for lending a hand or doing you a favor, it’s also a kind gesture to send a quick note to colleagues who help with something work-related.

Whether it’s a co-worker or someone you manage, a note of appreciation is always welcome. Your thank-you note does not need to be formal or lengthy—just make sure it includes your gratitude.

If you want to do something extra special—and if it’s appropriate in your company—you can copy the person’s manager on the note or email.

That way, the manager (who most likely has the power to give raises, bonuses, and promotions) is aware of your colleague’s help as well.

How to Write Your Thank-You Note

Depending on the circumstances, you might want to send a letter, card, or note by mail to thank your colleague for the help he or she gave you on a project. Sending a paper thank-you note can be a nice touch, and will show you spent some extra time preparing your correspondence.

A card to put on a bulletin board or desk is a lasting reminder of appreciation, and also serves as a hard copy record for the person’s files. If you are handwriting your note, remember to include the date on the top right side of the note.

Email is also a perfectly fine way to express appreciation. However you decide to send your thanks, your letter will contain the same elements.

What to Include in a Thank-You Note

You should begin with a salutation. Depending on your relationship, you might choose “Dear” or “Hi” since this is an informal note between colleagues. As in all business correspondence, don’t use abbreviations or slang. The note can be informal, but all work-related correspondence needs to maintain a professional tone.

Body of Email or Note

The body of your letter should mention a few ways that the person’s expertise was valuable to your project—you can mention how much you appreciate the time the person took out of his or her busy schedule to offer assistance.

If there’s something specific that the person did to make the project a success, be sure to mention it.

Sample Thank-You Emails

Here are sample email messages or letters that thank an employee for help with a project. Use these examples as a guideline when creating your own letter or message, and include specific details about how the person helped out.

Thank-You Letter for Help With a Project #1

Thank you very much for offering your assistance on the upcoming Human Resources project. I really appreciate your willingness to help out outside your current position.

It is helpful to have someone who has had experience with similar issues on previous projects to offer guidance and direction. I know HR is happy to have you helping with this project.

Let me know if you need anything from me. I can make someone available to help your team out while you spend a few days with the Human Resources staff.

Sample Thank-You Letter for Help With a Project #2

Subject: Thanks for Your Assistance

I wanted to thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to help the Finance department get the year-end accounting completed.

I know the work wasn’t part of your normal responsibilities, but your assistance was invaluable in helping my department get everything done in a very timely manner.

Your expertise and enthusiasm were both appreciated during a time that can be stressful for all concerned!

We sincerely appreciate your efforts and thank your manager as well for sharing some of your schedule with the Finance department.

cc: James Bridgton

Sample Thank-You Card

Thank you so much for coming in all those extra hours last week to help me get the new shop set up. I can’t believe how much more space we have for display, and the new kitchen is going to make it so much easier to meet the demand for wedding cakes this summer!

You are always such a help, and I appreciate your support in every way. I am so happy to have you as my assistant, and I’m looking forward to working with you as we move into the next phase of our growing business.

Key Takeaways

• It’s always a good idea to send a thank-you message to colleagues who help with something work-related.
• Your email or note can simply express your gratitude. It doesn’t need to be formal or lengthy.
• If it’s appropriate in your company, you can copy the person’s manager on the note or email.

​​There’s an art to writing a thank-you letter. It goes beyond saying, “Thanks for _____. I really appreciate it.” We’ll show you some thank-you letter examples and templates that will help you express your gratitude in style.

We’ve all seen the movie and television trope where one character realizes that another has helped them and has a profound realization. The helped person usually says, with feeling, “Thank you. I don’t say it often enough.” But you don’t have to wait for that wind-beneath-my-wings moment to show your appreciation for someone. In fact, you don’t need an epiphany at all, just some common courtesy and the desire to make a good impression.

Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your shines? Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from mistakes. It even your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write.

Thank you letter types and templates

You don’t need an excuse to send a thank-you letter—just a reason to be grateful. Here are a few different situations where sending a thank-you is good form, along with some templates to help you write the perfect expression of appreciation.

Job interview thank you letter

You did it! You wrapped up an awesome interview for a job you’re eager to land. Now that you’ve made a first impression, it’s time to send a thank-you note so that you’ll make a lasting one.

Don’t forget to use your thank-you letter as an opportunity to highlight why you’re the best candidate. Just keep it subtle. Remember, your goal is to express gratitude, not make a full-on sales pitch.

Here’s a tip: Consider the company culture when you decide on the format for your thank-you letter. A structured, formal office like a law firm would be most impressed by a handwritten thank-you note. A Silicon Valley tech startup might see you as a trendsetter if you sent a quick thank-you video as an email attachment. For most situations, an email to the interviewer is a foolproof option, especially if you know the company plans to make a quick hiring decision.

Your thank-you doesn’t need to be formal. In fact, it should be sincere and personable. The goal is to thank the interviewer for his time and reiterate your interest in the position. We covered it in detail in our article How to Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview, According to Experts

Dear Ms. Kingston,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to chat about the content marketing manager position at Really Big Corporation. It was a pleasure connecting with you and hearing how energized you are about the company’s content marketing and growth goals. Because of my background in influencer marketing, I was particularly interested in your innovative ideas for influencer outreach—they sparked some ideas of my own and left me with the sense that we’d make an excellent collaborative team.

You mentioned that you’ll be taking some time to make a hiring decision, so I’ll do my best to wait patiently despite how excited I am to be considered. Meanwhile, let me know if there’s any further info I can provide. Thanks again for choosing me.

All the best,

Saying thank you to a colleague

Is formally thanking a colleague who goes above and beyond required by office decorum? Not really. And yet, it’s a professional gesture that won’t go unnoticed. If you’ve ever felt unappreciated after helping a coworker succeed, especially if you were the unsung hero, then you already understand why a thank-you note for a colleague is a powerful tool for cementing working relationships.

Thank you for helping me put the final touches on the launch announcement video. You gave up some of your weekend to make it happen, and I just want you to know how much I appreciate your creative talents and energy. Your contributions made a difference, and we not only hit our deadline but created something awesome.

Thanks again. We crushed it!

Thanking friends and family

Sometimes, we forget to thank the people closest to us for the things they do or give to us. When a heartfelt face-to-face thank-you isn’t possible, a brief letter, card, or email is an excellent way to show that your friends’ and family members’ contributions haven’t gone unnoticed.

Thank you for your help with the family reunion—you’re my hero! The time you put into booking the hall and sending out invitations to family members, not to mention organizing the potluck, took much of the strain off me this year. I learned that, when I have someone to help me, the Nolan family reunion is not only manageable but fun. If you hadn’t jumped in to save the day, I might have ended up canceling it altogether and missing the chance to reconnect with everyone.

I’d love to take you out for coffee next time you’re in town as a small token of gratitude for all you’ve done. Give me a call!

If someone has given you a gift, done you a favor, or helped you in a significant way, you should consider sending them a thank you letter.

A thank you letter shows someone that you appreciated their time, energy, and care about their role in your life. It’s a polite way to express your gratitude for their kindness.

But it can be a chore to write a thank you note, especially if you don’t know how to start. Done wrong, it can come across as meaningless or generic.

This article will give you a step-by-step guide to write the perfect thank you letter, along with templates that you can use for any occasion.

What Do I Need to Include in My Thank You Letters?

There are four steps you should use to write a thank you letter.

We’ll get into advice for specific types of letters soon, but these four rules apply to them all.

Express Gratitude for the Specific Action That You’re Writing This Letter About

Say one of your family members gave you a new pair of pajamas for Christmas. It’s better to say “Thank you for the pink pajamas you gave me for Christmas” than simply “Thank you for the Christmas present.”

Be as specific as possible. Try to avoid generic phrases like “Thank you for the present” or “Thank you for the kind favor,” so it doesn’t feel like a sample thank you note.

Add a Specific Detail Showing What That Kindness Means to You

Show them that the gift they gave you or the favor they did to you impacted your life in a meaningful way.

For example, if you received a beautiful new notebook as a gift, an author might use this step to write “I can’t wait to use this notebook to write my next novel,” while a college student might use this step to write “This notebook will help me keep all my class notes organized.”

Everyone likes to feel like they’ve made a difference in someone’s life, and it’s important to show the impact that this gift of favor has made on you, specifically.

Express How Much Your Relationship with This Person Means to You

It’s important to mention your relationship and how glad you are that this person is in your life. It can be as simple as “Thanks for being such a great friend” or “I’m really glad you’re my uncle.”

If it’s a professional note, you can also mention that you’d like to continue the relationship in the future, such as “I look forward to working with you again.”

Close with a Final Word of Appreciation or Reciprocation

This step brings everything full circle with a final note of gratitude. If it’s appropriate, you can offer to reciprocate the kindness sometime by offering them a favor in the future.

Otherwise, you can just thank them again. End on a note that’s short and sweet.

What Are the Best Templates I Can Use to Write a Thank You Note?

We’ve compiled thank you letter examples for various situations. Feel free to tweak them as needed to fit your specific circumstances.

How Do I Write a Thank You Letter for a Gift?

If someone gave you a gift, here’s how you can use the four steps:

• Step 1: Thank them for the gift that they gave you and mention the occasion they gave it to you for.
• Step 2: Add a specific detail showing what that gift means to you.
• Step 3: Comment on your relationship with the person who gave you the gift.
• Step 4: Thank them again, or offer to use the gift to do something kind for them.

• Example 1: “Thank you very much for the baking kit you got me for Christmas. I’m excited to try out a new recipe next weekend. Thanks for being such a wonderful cousin. Maybe the next time you visit, I can welcome you with your favorite cookies!”
• Example 2: “Thank you very much for the silver earrings you gave me for my birthday! I wore them to school yesterday and received lots of compliments. You’re a really great friend. And of course, you’re welcome to borrow them anytime you want!”

What Should I Write in a Thank You Letter for a Favor?

If someone did you a favor, here’s how you can use the four steps:

• Step 1: Thank them for the specific favor that they did for you and the day they performed the favor.
• Step 2: Add a specific detail showing what that favor means to you or what impact it made.
• Step 3: Comment on your relationship with the person who did the favor for you.
• Step 4: Thank them again, or, if applicable, offer to reciprocate the favor in the future.

• Example 1: “Thank you for letting me borrow your car last Tuesday. Mine is still in the auto repair shop, and without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to get to my job interview on time. I’m really lucky to have you for a neighbor. Call me if you ever need to borrow my car.”
• Example 2: “Thank you for helping me clean up after the party last Saturday. It would have taken me all night to wash all those dishes alone, but with your help it got done in no time. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. I hope that I can return the favor if you ever need it.”
• Example 3: “I want to thank you for your hospitality in letting me stay at your house last weekend. I especially enjoyed the chess games we played together each night after dinner—I’ll have to teach my daughters how to play now! It was a delight to see you and your family again. You’re always welcome to stay with us if your work brings you to California.”

How Should I Write a Thank You Letter for a Customer or a Client?

If someone hired you for work or bought one of your products or services, here’s how you can use the four steps:

• Step 1: Thank them for the specific product or service that they purchased from your business.
• Step 3: Tell them how much their business and patronage means to you.
• Step 4: Thank them again, or give them an offer of support or a promotional deal.

• Example 1: “Thank you for trusting Haircut Emporium to cut and style your hair. It’s our mission to help every client feel confident and beautiful and we’re happy we can do that for you. We look forward to seeing you again. As a token of appreciation, we’re enclosing a coupon for 15% off your next haircut.”
• Example 3: “I want you to know how much we enjoy serving your catering needs. We love catering special events and it was a pleasure to serve you this time. Your wedding was absolutely beautiful and we were happy to see the guests enjoying our food. Once again, thank you for your business.”

Depending on the type of business you’re in, you may find yourself sending the same thank you notes to multiple clients or customers. While it may not take long to type an individual message, if you’re sending it to say 50 clients, it can get tedious.

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Should I Write a Thank You Note for a Referral Letter?

You can send a thank you note if a teacher, employer, or colleague wrote you a recommendation letter or referred you for a position during your job search.

Here’s how you can use the four steps in this situation:

• Step 1: Thank them for the referral or recommendation.
• Step 2: Tell them what the outcome of the referral or recommendation has been and what you hope that will mean for your career.
• Step 3: Express your appreciation for their role in your professional journey.
• Step 4: Thank them again, or offer to keep them informed of results.

• Example 1: “Thank you for taking the time to write me a letter of recommendation for my application to law school. It’s my dream to become a criminal defense lawyer, and I couldn’t achieve that dream without your help. You’ve been a wonderful professor to all of your students, and I deeply appreciate your help and support. I’ll inform you of the results as soon as I hear back from the law schools I’ve applied to.”
• Example 2: “I can’t thank you enough for referring my services as a babysitter. Thanks to your referral letter, I’ve been hired by a wonderful family with two little girls. I will miss your family very much. Tell the kids I say hi.”

Should I Send a Thank You Letter After a Job Interview?

It’s good practice to send a thank you letter to your hiring manager after a job interview.

• Step 1: Thank them for the job interview.
• Step 2: Tell them what you learned from the interview.
• Step 3: Express your appreciation for the company culture, or something else that makes you excited to work here.
• Step 4: Thank them again, and mention that you’re looking forward to the next step.

How Do I Sign Off a Thank You Note?

Your sign-off depends on the recipient of your thank you note.

If you’re writing to a hiring manager, client, or other professional, you may want to use Yours sincerely. Or is it Yours faithfully?

If your note is more casual, you could write Thanks again or just Thank you.

Those are our favorite templates for writing thank you notes.

You can even add a personal touch by using a handwritten note.

Customize your thank you notes as much as you can to fit your specific situation, and they’ll be sure to impress your friends, family, clients, and colleagues.

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Many people say «thank you» using text messages or chat these days, but nothing beats writing an old-fashioned thank you letter. It’s a meaningful way to express gratitude when you received a gift or where the recipient of someone’s thoughtful action. Address your letter warmly and make it personal and sincere.

• If you choose to handwrite it, use a pen with black or blue ink. Write in either print or cursive, as long as your writing is legible.
• If you go with stationery, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Look for heavier-weight paper made with cotton or another high-quality material. It’s fine to use stationery with a design or your initials.Packs of thank you cards are sold in stationery shops and drug stores. Consider getting more than one so you’ll have cards on hand for next time.
• If you go with stationery, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Look for heavier-weight paper made with cotton or another high-quality material. It’s fine to use stationery with a design or your initials.
• Packs of thank you cards are sold in stationery shops and drug stores. Consider getting more than one so you’ll have cards on hand for next time.
• For example, if you’re sending a thank-you note to your boss, and the workplace setting is pretty formal, you might want to choose high-quality business stationery, type the letter and format it according to the standards for a professional business letter.
• If the note is for a friend, you can show a little more personality. Write your note on a funny postcard, or make your own cool stationery.
• Know when it’s appropriate to send an email. While sending a thank-you text message never quite has enough oomph to show how grateful you are, sometimes it’s fine to send an email. This is especially true if you’re not writing the note in thanks for a physical gift. For example, if your aunt lent an ear when you were upset over breaking up with your boyfriend, you might want to send her a thank-you email in gratitude for her patience and understanding.
  However, if you need to thank someone for giving you an actual gift or for dedicating a significant amount of time toward helping you, it’s better to send a real letter. People realize that it takes effort to write and mail a letter, and that extra time will be appreciated.If you send an email, it should be as well composed and thoughtful as a regular letter would be. In fact, you might want to take even more time making sure it’s well written, since you’re not going to the trouble of sending it by snail mail.
• However, if you need to thank someone for giving you an actual gift or for dedicating a significant amount of time toward helping you, it’s better to send a real letter. People realize that it takes effort to write and mail a letter, and that extra time will be appreciated.
• If you send an email, it should be as well composed and thoughtful as a regular letter would be. In fact, you might want to take even more time making sure it’s well written, since you’re not going to the trouble of sending it by snail mail.

• For example, if someone bought you a $100 wedding present, in addition to flying to your wedding and taking time off work to attend, they deserve a full-blown thank you letter on nice paper or a big thank you card.On the other hand, if you were the recipient of a $5 Secret Santa stocking stuffer, a short, quick note will do.
• For example, if someone bought you a $100 wedding present, in addition to flying to your wedding and taking time off work to attend, they deserve a full-blown thank you letter on nice paper or a big thank you card.
• On the other hand, if you were the recipient of a $5 Secret Santa stocking stuffer, a short, quick note will do.
• Start halfway down the card if you want. Are you having trouble coming up with enough to fill a whole thank you card? If you bought the type of card that comes folded in half, you don’t have to fill up the entire blank space. Instead, you can start on the right half or bottom half of the card and write a letter that fills just half the card. It looks more proper than trailing off and leaving a lot of black space, or super-sizing your handwriting to fill it all up.
  Of course, take the above rule regarding the length of the letter into account. If the recipient deserves a two-page letter, you’d better match the length to the size of the gift and fill up the entire card.
• Of course, take the above rule regarding the length of the letter into account. If the recipient deserves a two-page letter, you’d better match the length to the size of the gift and fill up the entire card.
• That said, it’s never too late to send a thank you note. Even if you send it months later, out of the blue, it’s better than never sending one at all. If you wait this long, though, make it a good, long letter!

Sample Thank You Letters

Here are a range of sample thank you letters to give you ideas for how to approach your writing.

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• How should I write a thank you note to my teacher?
  Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.
• How do you write a thank you card after a funeral?
  Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.
• How could I ask for a support letter in return?
  Put your return address in the right corner of the letter. At the bottom, write something like: P.S. Kindly write me back.

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• Thanks should be expressed for material and immaterial things. Someone who helped set up or clean up should be thanked just as much as the person who threw the party.
• Send a thank-you note as soon as possible so the recipient does not feel that you have forgotten her or him. But if time has passed, remember that sending thanks for significant gifts is done «better late than never.»
• If the letter is to a good friend, you can include an inside joke or a bit of news for a more personal touch.

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• This is your time to be as sincerely thankful as possible. Adding a few lines that reference a conversation you had with the customer is appropriate.Do your best to avoid sounding rote, or making it seem like the same thank-you note is going out to a hundred people.
• This is your time to be as sincerely thankful as possible. Adding a few lines that reference a conversation you had with the customer is appropriate.
• Do your best to avoid sounding rote, or making it seem like the same thank-you note is going out to a hundred people.
• Mention that you hope the customer is happy with his or her purchase, and that you’re available if he or she has any questions or concerns.Ask the customer whether there’s anything you can do to increase his or her satisfaction.
• Mention that you hope the customer is happy with his or her purchase, and that you’re available if he or she has any questions or concerns.
• Ask the customer whether there’s anything you can do to increase his or her satisfaction.
• If you’re writing your thank-you note on a card, be sure to mention your business name.If your thank-you note is written on letterhead, your company logo will be visible, so it’s not necessary to mention your name in the letter.If your thank-you note is in the form of an email, your company name and logo should appear beneath your signature.
• If you’re writing your thank-you note on a card, be sure to mention your business name.
• If your thank-you note is written on letterhead, your company logo will be visible, so it’s not necessary to mention your name in the letter.
• If your thank-you note is in the form of an email, your company name and logo should appear beneath your signature.
• Use the right closing. It should be in keeping with your established relationship with the customer and the personality you want to project for your business. Try a proper closing like «Warm regards,» or «Best regards,» before you sign your name.

• Resist the temptation to pitch your business again. You’re writing the letter to thank your customer for doing business with you, so it’s no longer necessary to subject the person to advertising. Assume good rapport at this point. Make the customer feel like an insider.
  Phrases like «we hope to do business with you again soon» sound like tag lines; best to leave these out. Don’t say something you wouldn’t say to an acquaintance.Don’t include a product pitch, a mention of an upcoming sale, or anything else that could be construed as an ad.
• Phrases like «we hope to do business with you again soon» sound like tag lines; best to leave these out. Don’t say something you wouldn’t say to an acquaintance.
• Don’t include a product pitch, a mention of an upcoming sale, or anything else that could be construed as an ad.
• Mail the letter with a real postage stamp. Even if you’re mailing dozens of letters, it’s better not to use a postage machine. That’s a giveaway that this thank-you note is one of many, and it will make the customer feel less special. In fact, it may mean your thank-you note will end up in the junk mail pile.
• Address the letter by hand if possible. Again, the more personalized you make the thank-you note, the better it will be received. If you don’t have time to address envelopes, have someone else do it. Even if you’re not the person actually writing out the address, the customer will be impressed to see handwriting.
• Provide your contact information and be open to communication. Make sure your phone number and address are included in the correspondence, and give the customer warm encouragement to get in touch for any reason. If your customer does contact you, be ready to meet his or her needs promptly.

• Write the letter by hand. Printing out a standard form letter is akin to sending your customer an advertisement flyer. Instead of making your customer feel special and appreciated, it might have the opposite effect and cause annoyance. Plan to write out thank-you notes individually in your own handwriting.
  Use your best handwriting so the letter is legible.If you have too many thank-you notes to write to be able to write each one out by hand yourself, ask another employee to help you out. It really will be worth the time it takes to write out letters individually.If it’s impossible to write the notes by hand, you’ll need to find a different way to personalize them. At the very least, the customer’s name and your true signature should be included in each thank you letter.In some cases it might be appropriate to write a thank-you email, rather than sending a handwritten note. This can be appropriate when you have an established personal relationship with the customer. The key is to make sure it’s personalized and sincere. If there’s any chance your email could be mistaken for an advertisement, send a handwritten note instead.
• Use your best handwriting so the letter is legible.
• If you have too many thank-you notes to write to be able to write each one out by hand yourself, ask another employee to help you out. It really will be worth the time it takes to write out letters individually.
• If it’s impossible to write the notes by hand, you’ll need to find a different way to personalize them. At the very least, the customer’s name and your true signature should be included in each thank you letter.
• In some cases it might be appropriate to write a thank-you email, rather than sending a handwritten note. This can be appropriate when you have an established personal relationship with the customer. The key is to make sure it’s personalized and sincere. If there’s any chance your email could be mistaken for an advertisement, send a handwritten note instead.
• Choose stationery for your thank-you letter. Both thank-you cards and company stationery are appropriate for a business thank-you letter. If you have just a few notes to write, an elegant thank-you card, such as the kind you buy in a stationery shop, will make your customers feel that they are a top priority. Otherwise, use heavy-weight paper printed with your company’s letterhead.
  Avoid using regular printer paper for a thank-you letter.Nice stationary really adds an extra touch.Choose thank-you cards that would be appropriate to send in any business setting. If your business is quirky and fun, it’s fine to use colorful cards that represent your company the way you want it to be represented. Avoid using cards with inappropriate or overly personal images or messages.
• Avoid using regular printer paper for a thank-you letter.
• Nice stationary really adds an extra touch.
• Choose thank-you cards that would be appropriate to send in any business setting. If your business is quirky and fun, it’s fine to use colorful cards that represent your company the way you want it to be represented. Avoid using cards with inappropriate or overly personal images or messages.
• Small gift ideas include bookmarks, magnets, candy, a t-shirt, or a gift certificate.The gift should not exceed a $25 — $50 value. Some companies have ethics policies that actually disallow them from accepting expensive gifts.
• Small gift ideas include bookmarks, magnets, candy, a t-shirt, or a gift certificate.
• The gift should not exceed a $25 — $50 value. Some companies have ethics policies that actually disallow them from accepting expensive gifts.

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