Whether you're writing to someone who went out of their way for you
or acknowledging that sweater grandma gave you for Christmas, people
really appreciate thank-you letters. Saying thank you is a powerful
form of communication and one that endures in people's memories, so
it is definitely worth doing.
Writing a letter of appreciation is not difficult; it requires being
prompt, sincere, and thoughtful more than anything else. Here are some
suggestions to help you write a great letter of thanks.
!! Steps !!
Don't delay. Saying thank you to someone should happen soon after
the event, gift, or conversation that causes you to feel
appreciation for what they've said or done. Etiquette rules require
that you observe a three-day rule for sending a thank-you note or
letter.[1] However, it's better to say thank you late than never at
all, so don't give up on sending a letter of appreciation later if
you feel that this is appropriate.
* If you're late penning your appreciation, just get on with it. And
be sincere!
Best buddies Think about who you're writing the thank-you for. How
well do you know this person? Are you thanking your parents or
someone whom you haven't met before? Just how personal should this
letter be? Once you have a good idea about how personal this letter
is, you'll be able to set the tone accordingly.
* If writing for a child, write _on behalf of_ the child and not in
the first person from the child.[2] Kate Spade suggests that by
all means encourage your child to write a line or two if he or she
is able but wait until they're old enough to write their own
letter of appreciation in their own name rather than subsuming
their identity with your "cutesy" overlay.
Choose a format. Type-written letters are more impersonal; while
they may seem more appropriate for business associates or people you
don't know that well, don't assume that a hand-written not isn't
appropriate. Hand-written notes show that you cared enough to truly
personalize your appreciation and denote that it's not just a usual
company policy to send out standard thanks. Indeed, Mireille
Guiliano says that hand writing personalized thank-yous is more
effective because it is done less and less, making it stand out more
when it you take the time to renew this fading art.[3]
* If it's a friend or a relative, always use hand-written letters in
preference to typing because they're more personal and represent
your sincerity.
Write the letter opening. Most letters start with the greeting
"Dear" but you can vary that according to the nature of the letter
and the person you're writing it to. If it's a formal letter you may
want to use proper names like "Dear Ms. Smith".
State what the person did for you and the impact it had on you. If
someone did something kind, tell them the effect it had on your day,
week etc. If someone sent you money, tell them how you plan to spend
it. If you are thanking someone for a gift, write about how you will
use it. Little touches like mentioning how a lamp you received from
the person matches the color-scheme in your room perfectly and so
forth, go a long way here.
* Take this opportunity to write about something else you appreciate
about the person.
* Wish them well. If the person in question is not a relative, you
can say that you hope their family is doing well too if this seems
appropriate in the context.
End the letter. Choose a closing that reflects how well you know the
person. Add hug and kiss symbols if you're close to the letter
recipient, as this adds to the affectionate sincerity behind the
letter.
Think about whether you wish to include something else with the
letter. Certainly, there is no need to include anything by way of a
gift or token of appreciation but if you consider that it is
appropriate or you simply want to do so, then this is fine. For a
business letter of appreciation, this presents an opportunity to
give one of your products if appropriate (such as wine, food,
software, jewelery, clothing, books, etc.), and for a personal
letter of appreciation, it's a chance to add something that you
think helps to express your appreciation.
Deliver it. Choose the best method for delivering the letter,
whether it be in person, by post, or by courier. Finally, one of
the most important things to remember is to not raise the fact
with the recipient that you have sent it. Once you send gratitude
off into the world, it works its own miracles and doesn't need
heralding.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* If you're writing to thank someone for a favor, tell the person to
let you know if there's any way you can repay their kindness in
the future.
* If you go the type-written route, computer applications such as
Pages on Mac OS X, or Microsoft Word on Windows will let you
choose a sample template for your letter that will make it look
nice.
* If you're going for a professional look, printing the address
directly on the envelope.
* If you choose to use note cards, the note card doesn't necessarily
have to say thank-you. Card shops and discount stores sell many
kinds of stationary with initials, drawings and patterns on them.
* Be sincere, but don't be over the top. People can tell when you
are trying to kiss up to them.
* If this letter is to a relative, it's usually customary to close
the letter with "Love,". "Love," can also be used for good
friends, along with "Your Friend,". For a less personal
acquaintance you could use "Sincerely," or with "Yours Truly,"
for a more personal feel.
* Proofread. Print out the letter and look at it. Sometimes, it even
helps to read it aloud. Then go back and make the necessary
changes. Even the best writer doesn't get it right the first time.
* Teenagers may well argue with you that a letter of appreciation or
thanks is unnecessary in the twenty-first century and that a
simple oral thanks, email, or text is adequate. Encourage them to
see the value of a hand-written letter; explain that hospitality,
generosity, and kindness are never out of fashion and highlight
the personal value and uniqueness of gifting someone with your own
hand-writing as personalized thanks.[4]
!! Warnings !!
* When sending a letter, bad spelling, grammar, capitalization and
punctuation are not an option. Do not rely solely on spell check.
* If it is a thank-you letter, stick to thanking the person and
don't get onto other topics. A gracious letter is a work of art,
not just a form of communication.
* Even if you're thanking the person for something in which you
behaved irresponsibly and they saved you from the moment, such as
pulling "iPod oblivioned" you back from the kerb as a car whizzed
by, or pulling you out of a room when making a drunken fool of
yourself, don't hesitate to say thank you. It matters that you are
grateful for their kindness regardless of your foibles.
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Stationery
* Pen or other marker
* Envelope
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Write a Thank You Note After a Funeral
* How to Write a Thank You Note for Birthday Money
* How to Write a Business Thank You Note
* How to Write a Letter
* How to Write a Resignation Letter
* How to Write Letters to the Editor
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
0 comments:
Post a Comment