It’s not easy to get people’s attention these days. One thing that seems to work every time is to do something out of the ordinary. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, innovative or earth shattering, it just has to be unusual. It is a bonus if it is also proper, polite and respectable. Here is an example I’ll give you for free: thank you notes.
Background
Thank you notes were around before the time of Christ. Options have changed over the years with technology, but the hand-written note is still the most impactful. There are a few situations where hand-written thank you notes are still expected and utilized, such as graduation and wedding gifts. Strangely, they are generally forgotten in the business world.
Kenny Tomlin, our CEO, recently received a thank you note following a job interview. It made such an impression that it became a common topic of conversation. In the end, the candidate got the job. What about a thank you note following a sales call? The result can be equally effective.
How to Write a Thank You Note
This is a simple formula for a good thank you note:
- Greet the recipient
- Express your gratitude
- Say something about the subject (gift/meeting/interview)
- Address the past and point to the future
- Repeat your gratitude
- Close
Have a killer case of writer’s block? Thank-You-Note-Samples.com has some great templates available.
Equipment
Use a decent black pen and write neatly. If you make a mistake, start over. If you have sloppy handwriting, it could work against you instead of helping you, so take your time.
What do you write on? You NEED proper stationery. A piece of notebook paper just doesn’t cut it. There are thank you notes available from dozens of quality stationery brands for all occasions, including business.
A great stationery resource is a store named Ebeez in Fayetteville, AR. They have a knowledgeable, friendly staff and the largest selection of stationery in Arkansas. You can reach them at (479) 521-4995.
Conclusion
Hopefully this served as your epiphany to the value of thank you notes. You now have know-how to equip yourself and access to quality templates. The next step is to make the effort and spend 5 minutes seeing if an age old tool can improve your business results. I’m anxious to hear your results.