Cards are one of the last things people think about when sending a gift, but in business, a professional thank you message can make all the difference.
Whether you're thanking a longtime business partner for their loyalty, congratulating a colleague on a job well done, or celebrating the sale of your client's home, a personalized business thank you message communicates that you care.
Crafting the perfect greeting that's sentimental, humorous, thoughtful, poignant and respectful isn't exactly obvious. If you're tired of writing the same old thing, or you find yourself not knowing what to say, use our tips to create a heartfelt thank you message to your colleagues, clients or employees. Or better yet, use one of our trusted templates to get your message off the ground.
Table of Contents: How to Write A Thank You Message for Business
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Step 1: Choose Your Story & Be Authentic
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Step 2: Pinpoint the Sentiment
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Step 3: Choose the Right Tone
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Step 4: Write Your Story
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Step 5: Choose the Right Time
10 thank you message examples:
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Onboarding a new client
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Thanking an existing client
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Thanking an employee for a job well done
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Employee birthday message
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Project wrap-up thank you message for your team
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Client referral thank you message
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Happy holidays thank you message
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Happy New Year' thank you' note
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Thank you message for a home buyer
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Thank you message for a home seller
Step 1: Choose Your Story & Be Authentic
Stories are powerful because they elicit emotions. Researchers have found the brain is stimulated by memories and words that create a picture in the mind or discuss details such as smell, sound, or taste.
Stories help you share your feelings without being cheesy. Without a story, a card can feel lifeless. A story is a hook for the receiver to connect with and a starting point to share your emotions.
Look for a story that can relate to the reason you are sending the card and will create an emotional connection. Some great places to start include:
Achievements
People work hard to reach their personal and professional goals. Everyone needs a bit of acknowledgment, especially in professional environments. Sharing how you feel proud or inspired by their achievements is a gift in itself.
Qualities
While achievements are about what someone does, qualities are about who they are. So look for stories that highlight qualities that they or others value.
Fond Memories
Share a great memory and the impact it had on you. There's nothing like a little nostalgia to pull the heartstrings.
Step 2: Pinpoint The Sentiment
Now that you have your story tailor your message to the occasion the card is being sent for. What feeling do you want to share with the receiver?
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Are you grateful? Expressing thanks is perfect for almost any occasion.
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Are you proud? Sharing your appreciation for someone else's achievement is an excellent sentiment for cards.
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Are you sad? Do you want to send condolences or support in troubled times?
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Are you excited? Celebrating birthdays, work anniversaries, and professional milestones all bring excitement to a message.
Step 3: Choose the Right Tone
How you address your client sets the tone for your thank you card. Whether your company brand is formal or less so, addressing your client personally is a great starting point.
If your company brand is more formal, be sure to begin your message with "dear." From there, it's up to you to include the last name or even a title. "Dear Jodie," for example.
If your company brand is less serious, you may want to skip the "dear" and address the recipient by name. "Hi John," or "John."
Step 4: Write Your Story
It's always best to start with a draft. This will help you refine what you want to say and how you want to say it.
Trying to perfect something as you write it can be time-consuming. It can be helpful to write your draft without editing it first. You'll better understand what you want to say by getting to the end. Once it's complete, you can go back and refine it.
When you edit, keep these tips in mind:
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Write as you talk. Read what you have out loud and see how it sounds. Would you say it?
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Be yourself and try to avoid using cliches.
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Keep your stories to the point and avoid rambling into other subjects.
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Don't repeat yourself.
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Shorten and delete where it will make your points more straightforward.
Step 5: Choose the Right Time
It's always a good time to say thank you, but in business, it's best practice to send your thank you gift and note as soon as the client, colleague, or partner has helped you. But if this isn't the case, remember that people enjoy receiving thanks even if it's late, so don't hesitate if a considerable amount of time has gone by.
Now that you have a framework, get inspired by the following thank you messages we’ve carefully crafted.
Thank you message for a new customer
Any new business partnership is something to celebrate, and if you want it to last for the long term, your very first steps have the potential to set the tone for years to come.
Whether you've just landed a new account or signed on a new client, it's always best practice to show how much you value their business from day one. Kicking off the onboarding process with a heartfelt welcome or thank you note sets the right tone for the partnership and positively impacts long-term client engagement and retention.
A welcome or thank you note for a new client or partnership might sound like this:
We're excited to have you on board and wanted to thank you for choosing us. The very best experience is what we strive for, so please know that we greatly value your feedback. We can't wait to start working together!
Showing appreciation for an existing client
While it's important to show appreciation toward new clients, it's also important to nurture those already by your side. Whether they've sent business your way or have worked alongside you for years, thanking your existing customers or clients bolsters trust even further and lays the groundwork for a long-lasting partnership.
Since your relationship with an existing client is likely to have more depth than a new one, it's best to personalize this business thank you message to your specific client relationship.
Thank you for being such a loyal client for over [#of years] years already! We know how competitive our market can be, so we wanted you to know just how appreciative we are of your commitment to our team.
Recognizing an employee's great effort
When you spot an employee putting in that extra effort or handling tough times easily, it's time to show appreciation. But crafting the perfect thank you message can be challenging during the ever-growing hectic workdays.
Sending a quick thank you note shows that you've taken notice of their commitment and will likely encourage them to show up with the same effort during the next stressful period. For example, your note might sound like this:
I wanted to let you know how appreciative I am of the extra effort you've shown recently. You've truly demonstrated how valuable you are to us. We are incredibly grateful to have you on our team, and you remain an inspiration to us all.
Birthday message for an employee
Everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday, and showing appreciation to your employees on their big day is a simple way to show you care. For example, a professional birthday message might look like this:
What would we do without you –your energy is a gift to our team! We enjoy learning from you and feel grateful to be involved in your career journey. Thank you for spending another year with us. Happy birthday!
Thanking your team for completing a difficult project
No one enjoys putting in long hours and sacrificing personal time, but sometimes it's required to get the job done! When employees go the extra mile to hit targets and deliver projects on time, it's time for you to recognize their commitment to the company. Here's what your thank you message might look like:
Wow, team!
Congratulations on the success of {project name}! Your dedication and commitment to the project remain an inspiration to us all. You should be proud of the results you delivered. Keep up the excellent work!
Thanking someone for a client referral
It's always a good day when clients refer you to friends, family, or colleagues! When word-of-mouth referrals are the gold standard of marketing, it's vital to thank anyone who contributes to the success of your business.
A thank you message displays your appreciation for the gesture and strengthens your relationship with your client, employee, or business contact. You may even decide to send a small gift along with your note.
A professional thank you message might sound like this:
I want to express my gratitude for your referral of [name] to [your business name]. We appreciate your glowing review and are happy to have your continued support. It was wonderful to hear how much you enjoy our partnership.
Happy New Year note to a business partner
Saying thank you is always a great way to start a fresh chapter! Kick off the new year by showing appreciation to your team, colleagues, clients, or customers with a simple note.
As we step into a new year, we want to thank you for all the support you showed us along the way. May the upcoming year be filled with success and wealth as we continue building great projects together.
Thank you for being a loyal partner!
Happy holidays thank you message
What better time than the holiday season to reflect on your accomplishments and spread some festive cheer? It's the perfect time to nurture your client, employee, and vendor relationships. We suggest sending a holiday-themed box of locally-sourced gourmet goodies and a warm note that expresses your gratitude for the connection. A professional thank you message might sound like this:
During this special time of year, we want you to know how much we appreciate you. May your holiday season be filled with the love and warmth of friends and family. We look forward to building on our success in the new year. Happy holidays!
Thank you message for a home buyer
A lot of trust and emotion goes into buying or selling a home. When clients entrust you with a sale or a search, your work doesn't end when the deal is done. In fact, it's only just begun!
As a real estate agent, saying 'thank you' remains a crucial component of a long-lasting, client-realtor relationship. After weeks or even months of getting to know your clients, marking the occasion with a housewarming gift box is a lovely gesture that they're sure to remember for years down the road. Nurture your connection further by accompanying your closing gift with a thank you message that may sound like this:
Congratulations on your new home! Thank you for placing your trust in us. I hope my team and I were able to make this experience a great one. I wish you all the best in this new chapter, and please know that I am here to answer your questions.
Thank you message for a home seller
Parting ways with a beloved home is never easy, but a thank you message makes the process a little less painful. If you're a realtor, don't miss this opportunity to thank your client for trusting you with the sale and wish them all the best in the future.
Thank you for trusting me with the sale of your home. I'm so glad we achieved a great result! Please feel free to get in touch with any additional questions, and know that I am always here to help you with any of your real estate needs.
Congratulations!
You are now ready to write a professional thank you message that oozes authenticity. Can you think of a few people who deserve a gift and a card right now?
If a thank you card simply won't do, consider exploring our award-winning gift boxes of locally-sourced treats – the ultimate show of appreciation! And if you're giving thanks to a large group, our branded gift options allow you to add your logo to any of our boxes, or go the extra mile with custom packaging, greeting cards, and branded promotional products. The sky's the limit! What's more, order 25 or more gifts by November 1st and receive free co-branded packaging or free branded cards. Or get both for $2.50.