How To Write an Effective Thank You Note for Any Occasion

A thank you note has two big things going for it:

• It’s a simple way of showing gratitude towards someone who has done something kind for you.

• It keeps the communication loop open between you and that person.

When Are Thank You Notes Appropriate?

• WHENEVER YOU RECEIVE A GIFT, SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE. 

• THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE WITH CHRISTMAS, GRADUATION AND OTHER PERSONAL GIFT-GIVING OCCASIONS

• FOR PERSONAL NOTES, YOU SHOULD USE BLANK, HAND-WRITTEN NOTES.

When Are Thank You Notes Appropriate?

• WHENEVER YOU INTERVIEW FOR A JOB, SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE.THIS IS TRUE WHETHER OR NOT THE INTERVIEW WENT WELL; IN EITHER EVENT, YOU SHOULD SHOW APPRECIATION.

• WHY? EVEN IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, IT TAUGHT YOU SOME THING ABOUT YOURSELF.

When Are Thank You Notes Appropriate?

• WHENEVER SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING FOR YOU THAT IS HELPFUL FOR EITHER YOUR PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL LIFE, SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE. 

• THIS IS IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF BUILDING A NETWORK OF PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN REGULARLY CONNECT WITH.

• GREAT WAY TO FOLLOW UP WITH A CUSTOMER

When Are Thank You Notes Appropriate?

• WHENEVER YOU ESTABLISH A NEW PROFESSIONAL CONTACT, SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE. 

• THIS DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD SEND A NOTE TO EVERY PERSON THAT GIVES YOU A BUSINESS CARD. INSTEAD, WAIT FOR ENCOUNTERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY MEANINGFUL.

When Are Thank You Notes Appropriate?

• AVOID SENDING THANK-YOU NOTES TO THE SAME PERSON MORE OFTEN THAN EVERY SIX MONTHS. 

• ONE NOTE IS GREAT; FIVE NOTES IS CREEPY.

How to Write an Effective Thank You Note

• thank you notes can be written on very informal stationary

• always hand write a thank you note• Addressing the thank you note 

– Start off with the word “Dear,” then imagine you walked into a room and saw this person (or these people) without having seen them for a year

How to Write an Effective Thank You Note

• The first sentence Say “thank you for” and state the gift or opportunity you’ve been given. Here are three examples:– Thank you for the gift of $20 on the occasion of my graduation.

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the assistant buyer position.Thank you for the wonderful dinner party you hosted on the 20th.Thank you for the set of kitchen knives you gave to us for our wedding.

How to Write an Effective Thank You Note

• Express a further detailed appreciation of the gift or opportunity by explaining what it meant to you or what you plan on doing with the gift. Continuing with the above examples:– I plan on using that money to help buy textbooks in the fall.

It was exciting and interesting to learn more about your organization and the analyst position.

How to Write an Effective Thank You Note

• Try to build towards a future connection with the note target. Some examples:– I hope you’ll stop in over Thanksgiving break at my parents so we can

touch base and I can tell you all about my first semester in college.I hope to hear from you soon about the position, and I hope that your organization and I can have a long and happy relationship.Marge and I are planning a dinner party of our own in October, and I’ll be sure to call you to check with your calendar very soon.We plan on being back there in August and we hope that we’ll bump into you then.

How to Write an Effective Thank You Note

• The signature • Sign it pleasantly and friendly, no matter

what. • For example: “Thanks again!” and my

name under that.

Sept. 30, 2014

Dear Mr. Hobbs,Thank you for the gift of $20 on the

occasion of my graduation. I plan on using that money to help buy textbooks in the fall. I hope you’ll stop in over Thanksgiving break at my parents so we can touch base and I can tell you all about my first semester in college.

Thanks again,Billy Larson