The Power of Thank You Notes

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it’s the perfect time to think about how we can use thank-you notes in our businesses and lives to express our gratitude to others.

When to Say Thank You

There are many opportunities in business to say thank you:


  • When a client or associate sends you a referral that results in business
  • When an employee goes out of their way to fix a problem or make a customer happy
  • When a customer makes a large purchase
  • When a vendor over-delivers
  • When someone sends a gift
  • After a speaking engagement or an event when someone has hosted you
  • When someone provides advice that has been helpful, whether face-to-face or in a recommended book or article
  • When someone does a favor or something nice you’d like to reward


Keeping thank-you notes top of mind will help you think of more opportunities to use them.

What to Say in Your Thank-You Note

You don’t have to be a professional writer to make a thank you note sound good—just write from the heart. Let the recipient know what you are thanking them for. Express a detail about the item or activity involved. And then thank them again.


If you are unsure about what to say, write a draft you can edit first. Then transfer the version you are happy with to your stationery. It’s far better to hand-write your thank-you note than to use a computer-generated one.


Personalized stationery for thank-you notes is a nice touch. This personalization adds a formal and professional feel to your thank-you note, enriching the experience for the recipient.


Sending gift baskets can be a good idea, but sending a hand-written thank-you note alone can be the most powerful action you can take, especially if it’s not expected.


While many businesses send holiday cards each year, thank-you notes can be far more powerful. If your budget is limited, you might want to replace your holiday mailing with thank-you notes instead.


One thing you should be sure to avoid: Making your thank-you note an ad for your company. If you want to send promotional items such as t-shirts, mugs, or other items, do NOT do it with your thank-you card. Sending thank-you notes is not a marketing event; it’s a time for gratitude. Offering promotional items can be a welcome gesture—just don’t do it at the same time.


Helping others feel gratitude is the fastest way to experience your own happiness. Sending thank-you notes is not only good for business, but it’s also good for our health and wellness.

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