Reach Partners
  • Home
  • What We Do
    • Case Studies
  • How We Do It
  • Who We Are
  • Blog

How to Write a Meaningful Thank You Note

12/18/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
It’s no secret that gratitude is part of our DNA at Reach Partners. That said, the holidays bring new emphasis to something I feel strongly about even when it’s not the season of gifts: the thank you note.

The most important thing about a thank you note is that you send one. Did somebody go out of their way to help you? Send a thank you note. Was somebody a pleasure to work with? Send a thank you note. Did somebody bake you special treats? Send a thank you note.

Nobody can argue with the ease of sending a thank you note by email. And we believe there is value in quick shout-outs of gratitude via Twitter and Facebook.

Yet when it comes to saying thanks, email can’t replace the personal touch or lasting impression left by a handwritten note.  It takes time to address an envelope, find a stamp, and deliver it to the mailbox. I believe that effort is noticed and appreciated by the recipient.

Here are some additional tips for writing a meaningful thank you note:

  • Use a notecard that aligns with your business or personal brand. The card doesn’t need your logo on it, but it should feel like it came from you. (As a person, you may want to use a cat-themed notecard; that might not work for your business correspondence.)  Reach Partners has blank note cards that can be used for all sorts of notes, including thank yous.

    We also took the advice of author Bob Burg and have branded notecards. Our logo is printed on the front; our photos and contact information are printed on the back. These work well when thanking people who meet us for a networking lunch or coffee.  Instead of including a business card, which sometimes feels a bit cheesy, our information is right there for the gleaning.

  • Keep the message simple and short. You don’t have to go on-and-on about the wonderful time you had. You don’t have to fill the entire notecard.  As designers will tell you: white space is okay.

  • Stay authentic. Your words should come from a place of gratitude. Write something specific, but don’t say something you don’t mean. For example, if you suggest getting together for lunch when you have no intention of following up, skip the mention. And, please, don’t use the thank you note as an excuse to ask for an additional favor.

  • Use your computer’s spellcheck and grammar check tools. Go ahead and type your note in a Word document before handwriting it. For those of us who are spelling challenged, these tools can help us feel more confident about our message. Don’t let fear of a misspelling or misuse of a whatchamajigal phrase stop you from expressing your thanks.

  • Send the note the same day or day after, if possible. I also recognize that life happens. If you don’t get the note out quickly, still send it. A late note is better than none at all. No excuses are needed.

  • Confirm the recipient’s mailing address before writing the note. Some people don’t share their mailing address publicly. If you can’t find a mailing address, go ahead and send an email, or a message via Facebook or LinkedIn. 

Who will receive your next handwritten thank you note?

Anita
2 Comments
kate hansen link
9/1/2021 02:49:12 pm

I like how you said to write something you mean. My friend helped me out with a family issue a couple of weeks ago, and I want to look into sending her a thank you note soon to show my appreciation. I'll make sure to keep these tips in mind once I get a thank you card to send to her.

Reply
Anita Hoffarth
9/1/2021 04:48:10 pm

I'm glad these tips helped and also grateful you had a friend who could help when you needed it.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Reach Partners

    Categories

    All
    Anita
    Beauty
    Communication
    Connection
    Empathy
    Events
    Facilitation
    Gratitude
    Integrity
    Meeting
    Partner Stories
    Possibility
    Project Management
    Rachel
    Resources
    Strategy
    Team

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

Join our newsletter
CONTACT US
Reach Partners, Inc
3330 Fiechtner Dr. Suite 100
​Fargo, ND 58103-2321
701-271-8170
Copyright (C) 2022  Reach Partners Inc.
  • Home
  • What We Do
    • Case Studies
  • How We Do It
  • Who We Are
  • Blog