Business success in a small company often hinges on making personal connections. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced, technology-centered world, many of us forget to express thanks to the people who support our business with a personal note, rather than an email or voicemail message.
Customer thank-you notes aren't just a great way to show appreciation — they can be a valuable marketing tool. It doesn't take a lot of effort to write a personal, sincere thank you note to a client, but it will help you and your organization stand out. When sending a thank you note to a customer, keep these ideas in mind:
- Hand-write a personal note on a high-quality blank or pre-printed card
- Keep the message brief, warm and personal
- Including a thoughtful gift can be a memorable way to thank a preferred client.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Hand-write a message on an elegant blank or pre-printed card.
High-quality blank cards, or those pre-printed with a standard message like "thank you for your business" and your company name and logo, are a versatile and memorable way to show appreciation. Write a brief but warm personal message and include your signature and a business card.
I recommend: Crane's,
Nisa Business Greeting Cards and
Cronin & Company all offer a variety of business-appropriate thank you notes in a variety of colors, paper weights and styles.
Cards Direct sells a variety of cards you can customize with your company's logo or a pre-printed message.
eBusiness Thank You Cards can link you to supplies of discount cards, unique cards and oversize cards.
Use software to help you come up with the right words
It's not always easy to know what to say in a thank you note. Programs that give you samples of language you can use can make showing your appreciation simple.
I recommend: 3001 Business & Sales Letters by Write Express provides sample letters you can use for nearly any business correspondence, including great ways to say thanks.
Consider a gift.
For loyal clients, a small token of appreciation can make a big impact.
I recommend: FindGift.com offers gifts in a variety of types and price ranges, all perfect for saying thanks.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Be prompt. The best time to send a thank you is within a few days of whatever your thanking the person for.
- Thank unhappy customers. A customer who complains is giving you the opportunity to make things right and win back his or her loyalty.
- Be appropriately formal. If you are on a first-name basis with the person you're thanking, use it; but if you aren't sure, stick to the less-familiar "Dear Ms. or Mr."
- Consider timing. Many businesses send annual thank-you cards around the holidays, but yours is less likely to be lost in the shuffle if you choose another time of year.
The official source of Writing and Using Customer Thank You Cards is
the Thank You Cards page at Business.com
Subscribe to
Try our free weekly WhatWorks newsletter, with business how-to advice
& resources from Work.com.
Related Resources from Business.com
Recommended Solution Providers 
Best Sites to Learn More
Comments
Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please 
