Do’s and don’ts of writing the perfect thank you note

A handwritten letter is a special and personal way to express your gratitude. Thank you cards can show your appreciation for a gift or show a client that you’re grateful for their business. A letter may be a simple gesture, but it has a powerful impact. Whether you’re writing a thank you letter to a client, friend or family member, there is certain etiquette that must be adhered to.

Do handwrite it
It may be faster to simply type up a thank you email, but that’s not nearly as personal. Take the time out to write a quick handwritten note to offer your sincere thanks.

Don’t use inappropriate stationery
If you’re writing up a professional business thank you letter, it wouldn’t be appropriate to use a ripped out piece of lined paper. Instead, you should opt for personalized stationery with your business logo or name at the top. This will give your company a more professional and trustworthy reputation. If you’re writing a letter to a friend, it would be OK to use more informal stationery.

Do send the note in a timely manner
Having a timeline to send out your thank you notes is important. For instance, it wouldn’t be appropriate to mail out your thank you notes to wedding guests a year after the big day has passed. Instead, be sure to send them out within a few months after the nuptials. The same goes for any other event, like a birthday. However, if you do lose track of time, send a thank you card anyway. Better late than never!

Don’t ramble
The key to writing a great thank you note is to keep it simple. It’s easy to tell the recipient how much you appreciated their gift or gesture without going on and on in your letter. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t inject your personality into your writing. Be concise, yet personable, in your letter.

Do slow down
What good is a handwritten thank you note if the recipient can’t read what you wrote? Make sure to take your time when writing out your letter. Going through the process too quickly can cause you to produce hard-to-read sentences and even misspelled words.

Don’t forget formality
Writing a thank you letter to a client or business associate warrants a “Dear Ms. or Mr.” salutation. Only use the recipient’s first name if you’re on a first-name basis or if you’re writing to a friend or family member.