Writing and Using Customer Thank You Cards

Personally thanking valued clients is a simple and powerful marketing tool
By Meagan Francis, Director Studio 4b 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:

1. Hand-write a personal note on a high-quality blank or pre-printed card
2. Keep the message brief, warm and personal
3. Including a thoughtful gift can be a memorable way to thank a preferred client.

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  FindGift.com offers gifts in a variety of types and price ranges, all perfect for saying thanks.

• 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.