A thank you email or a thank you letter?
Considering the size and the type of the business you run, as well as the number of customers you want to express gratitude to, you may either go for email or printed thank you letters (sent via regular post). Some factors to take into account when selecting between the two are:
- Timing of delivery: The soonest a traditional letter will arrive is the day after you send it. If timing is not critical, you can send a letter. But when prompt follow-up is needed – such as thanking a customer for purchase – the email will be more convenient.
- Degree of formality: Since emails are considered less formal than letters in the business world if you prefer to maintain formal communication with customers – opt for letters.
- The content of the message: Email allows adding graphics, images, videos, links, or attaching files – if you’d like your thank you message to be more creative than a plain printed text, email is a way to go.
- Budget restrictions: Sending emails is cheaper, sending letters requires additional expenses (paper, printing, postal service fee). For a global business having customers worldwide email might be the only reasonable option.
How to write a customer thank you letter
Any customer appreciation letter should generally be structured in a more formal style than an email, and should always include certain basic thank you letter components. Below are some helpful tips on creating a perfect thank you letter to your customers:
1. Use the appropriate salutation
use more formal greetings such as; “Dear Mr./Ms. Carter,” or “Dear John,”. Informal salutations like; “Hello,” “Greetings,” or “Hi There,” should be avoided. Make sure also to double-check the spelling of the recipient’s name, otherwise, you risk making a poor impression right from the start.
2. Stick to the purpose of the letter
The sole purpose of a thank you letter should be showing appreciation and expressing gratitude to loyal customers. Resist the temptation to pitch your business again. Don’t mention any upcoming sales, special offers, new products, or anything else that can be considered an ad. Because it might distract the customer from your initial point.
3. Add a few follow-up lines
After thanking a customer for their business, consider adding some follow-up statement showing that you are attentive to customer needs. It could be either mentioning that you are always available if they have any questions or concerns regarding your products or services. Or simply, ask whether there’s anything you can do to increase their satisfaction.
4. Include your brand
To make a letter look professional, make sure to use a letterhead that can include your company name, logo, or other branding information. A well-designed letterhead makes a letter look unique, ensures your brand visibility, helps to verify its authenticity to the recipient, and creates an overall professional impression.
5. Use the right closing
When closing a thank you letter, it’s important to use an appropriately respectful and professional word or phrase. You may select the most commonly used “Sincerely” or “Regards”, or slightly more personal “Best regards”, “Yours respectfully”, “Best wishes”, “With appreciation” or “Gratefully”. Closings like “Always”, “Cheers”, “Love” or “Take care” are considered too informal for business letters and should be avoided.
6. End with a signature
While making thank you letters seem personal might be challenging for large businesses, adding a signature at the bottom of the letter can help to add at least some level of personalization. Though it may not always be possible to add a handwritten signature, even a printed one will always look better than simply a typed name.
Customer thank you letter examples
1. Thanking long-term customers for their loyalty
Dear Mr. ****,
We want you to know how much we appreciate your business since you have been our loyal customer for the last three years. We understand that you have many options in the marketplace, and are pleased that you have still made (Company Name) your premier choice.
It is customers like you that help keep our lights on, and we couldn’t be more grateful!
Your honest suggestions and feedback is a vital part of our growth. If there is anything we can do to make your experience with us better, please let us know.
Best regards
****
2. Celebrating a company milestone
Dear ****,
This year (Company Name) is celebrating the 10th anniversary, and we would like to thank you for making this happened! The growth and success we’ve experienced over all these years are because of customers like you, who faithfully support our business.
Speaking on behalf of the company, we hope that you have enjoyed the enhanced quality of our services. We will continue our efforts to meet your requirements and expectations in the future as well.
We truly appreciate your trust, and we’ll do our best to continue to give you the kind of service you deserve.
Gratefully,
****
3. Showing gratitude at the end of the year
Dear Ms. ****,
As the year winds down, we would like to take this chance to say thank you for choosing our business! You are one of our most highly valued customers and it has been a sincere pleasure serving you this year.
We always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations and meet their requirements. Let us know if there is anything we can ever do to assist you further.
From all of us at (Company Name), we wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy New Year!
With appreciation,
****
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Frequently asked questions
Thank you email or a thank you letter?
Consider the size and the type of the business you run, as well as the number of customers you want to express gratitude to. If you are a company with a huge number of customers, the thank you emails might be a more efficient choice. However, a thank you letter is always more appreciated.
What factors should you take into account before sending thank you letter?
Before you send a thank you letter, look at a few important factors like timing of delivery, degree of formality, and the content of the message, because all of these can influence the outcome.
How should you write a professional customer thank you letter?
Any customer appreciation letter should generally be structured in a more formal style than an email and should always include certain basic thank you letter components.
The best email clients and email alternatives (2023)
Email alternatives like help desk and ticketing software are becoming increasingly popular among businesses because of their ability to improve workflow and collaboration. These alternatives offer features such as shared mailboxes, automatic tags, multiple departments, and advanced automation rules to ensure that incoming emails are assigned to the best-equipped agent, saving businesses time and avoiding negative customer experiences. Canned responses, customizable email templates, and integrations with other communication channels and tools are additional features provided by these alternatives. Moreover, email alternatives are more secure, private, and encrypted compared to traditional email clients such as Gmail or Yahoo.
E-commerce welcome email templates
Welcome emails are an important part of establishing a connection with new customers in eCommerce. They fall into the category of transactional emails and can build brand loyalty and increase ROI. There are several welcome email templates that businesses can use, including ones that thank users for joining the online store community and highlight the value customers will get from shopping with the business. The ideal length of a welcome email depends on the goals of the business, but being concise is recommended. A welcome email should be sent immediately after a user registers or creates an account. Information that can be included in a welcome email may include a greeting, setup instructions, a brief message from the CEO, useful links, or a call-to-action.
The text discusses the importance of thank you emails in building customer relationships and providing personalized appreciation templates. It also emphasizes the value of feedback request emails to improve customer satisfaction and offers email templates for gathering feedback. The text promotes LiveAgent as a customer service solution and invites sign-ups for their service.
Follow up email after no response
The article discusses the frustration of not receiving a response from a company and provides tips for writing effective follow-up emails. It's important to follow up to remind the recipient that you still want to pursue the topic and give them a chance to tell you if they aren't interested. The subject line should be clear and concise, and the follow-up email should be polite, reminding the recipient of your key experience and including a call to action. Several examples of follow-up email templates are provided, and common mistakes to avoid include being too pushy.
