Sadly, as we turn more to social networks, one of the most overlooked activities is sending a handwritten thank you letter to express one’s gratitude to others. Thank you letters don’t have to be fancy, they just need to be written.
When should you send a thank you letter?
Thank-you letters and notes aren’t just for after you’ve received a Christmas gift from your Aunt Margo. They should be sent in the following situations:
- After an Interview
- After you have received any gift
- After you have enjoyed a meal at someone’s home
- When someone has done you a favor
- After you have stayed at someone’s home on a trip
- When you receive a new account from a client
- When someone has given you support, written a letter on your behalf, etc.
- Any time someone has gone out of their way to do something nice for you.
How do you write a thank-you note that doesn’t stink?
What’s important here is to make the person to whom you’re expressing gratitude know that you appreciate them. When opening the letter, address them the way you would in person – do you use their first name? a nickname? a formal greeting? Use that.
The first thing you want to do when writing a letter of thanks is be sincere. With gifts, do not gush over something you do not like. People can tell that you are lying with your words – and overzealous language often gives this away. Instead, thank the person for their generosity or their thoughtfulness, and find one positive thing to say. If you stayed at their home for a vacation, mention something you did together that you enjoyed. If someone has given you support, explain how much it meant to you.
Not only does overly flowery language signal that you’re being disingenuous, but it also makes it easy for you to get caught up in the process of writing your notes. Plain language is best, here. Keep your notes meaningful by offering why you are thankful for the item – it means a lot to you that they thought of you while you were sad, that client referral turned into a great thing for your business, the recommendation letter helped you get in your top-choice graduate program, the nice dinner provided a great opportunity to visit with them. Be concrete in your expressions of gratitude. A thank-you doesn’t have to be long to be heartfelt.
Why should you send thank you notes?
It is vital to be grateful for the things we receive in life from others – both material and emotional. Take time to show your gratitude by writing a meaningful and heartfelt thank you to those who are special to you. As a special challenge, why not take some time to write a short note thanking someone who has done something you’re grateful for?
