Thank-you note countdown: 4-3-2-1
Ask a group of people how many of them like to write thank-you notes and you will see a few hands hesitantly go up in the air. Ask the same group, how many like to receive thank-you notes, and you’ll find a sea of waving hands.
Consistently, the comments from those who are not so quick on the draw when it comes to putting the pen to the paper are:
- I don’t have time
- I don’t know what to say
- My handwriting is bad
- …and the list goes on
Try breaking down the note writing process into these 4 easy steps:
Thank-you notes in 4-3-2-1:
4 – minutes. It only takes, on average, 4 minutes to write a thank-you note. That’s no time at all!!! Keep some note cards handy in your brief case or handbag, for the next time you find yourself with a few extra minutes.
3 – lines. In addition to the Salutation and Signature, you really only need (at a minimum) 3, sincerely written, lines to communicate your appreciation.
- Line 1, Thank the person for the gift (naming the gift).
- Line 2, Talk about how much you appreciate the gift and/or how you plan to use it. If you are not ‘in love’ with the gift, no need to fret, just focus on being grateful for the thought/gesture.
- Line 3, ‘Wrap it up’, thanking them again, telling them how much you appreciate their friendship, or how much you look forward to seeing them again.
2 – days. I know, I know, technically more time is completely acceptable; but anything past 2 days and what are the real chances of getting the note into the mail.
1 – real stamp. There is something special about receiving a personalized note in the mail, hey – it’s not a bill!!! And there is something nostalgic about a real postage stamp. When you run it through the postage meter, it just looses a little bit of that ‘special touch’.
We all know the importance of a thank-you note… Look at writing a note as an opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face and make their day, not as a chore in the midst of yours.
4 – minutes
3 – lines
2 – days
1 – real stamp
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‘Thank you’… and Happy Monday!
