Customer Thank You Note Examples

Gain Repeat Business

Reciprocity is responding to a positive action with another positive action, and it’s a powerful motivator for customers. In his groundbreaking and bestselling book on marketing, Influence: The Power of Persuasion, Dr. Robert Cialdini’s first principle of influence is reciprocity. He says that humans are programmed to return a favor.

We don’t like to feel indebted to others. If your neighbor cuts your grass out of the blue, it’s extremely likely you’ll do something nice for them at your next opportunity. Reciprocity is giving something to get something in return. And it’s not disingenuous—reciprocity is a governing principle of our society and arguably the most key factor in running a business. You want your customer to be satisfied so that they’ll return and give you more business. If they don’t return, you don’t have a successful business.

Thanking your customers gives them the sense that you deserve their loyalty. Thank you notes or cards are a kind and thoughtful way to encourage your customers to keep coming back.

Build Lasting Client Relationships

As you build your business, you want your customers to keep coming back. Your business won’t be sustainable if every customer only makes a purchase once and never returns.  

Showing gratitude to your clients for their purchases and patronage encourages them to come back time and time again. Let your customers know they’re appreciated. Recognizing little milestones with warmth and kindness helps to build lasting relationships and will keep you in business for many years to come.   

Now, we’re not saying you need to become best friends with every client you have, but adding a personal or genuine touch to your transactions will stand out to your customers and stay in their minds after they’ve left. For example, if you have a client that’s been with you for a year or several, acknowledge the anniversary with a thank you note or card telling them how grateful you are for their dedication to your business. Always remember, it’s easy enough for them to take their business elsewhere.

Stand Out Amongst Your Competition

Recognizing your customers as individuals rather than simple money bags makes them feel like they’re engaging with real human beings instead of a faceless company. So the next time they consider skipping over to the nearest Walmart, they’ll remember your business and the kind people who made them feel so welcome and appreciated.

Gratitude is Healthy and Contagious

Gratitude is communicating thanks and appreciation for what we receive, whether that's money, a product, or something we can’t hold in our hands, like love. Thinking about the things that make us happy helps us recognize the people and reasons outside of ourselves making us feel that way, enabling greater connection with our family, friends, customers, and community at large.  

Demonstrating gratitude actually makes us happier; it helps us build stronger relationships with those around us, appreciate the experiences that make life worth living, and even boosts our immune system.  

Regularly showing our gratitude helps us focus on all that’s positive in our lives rather than what’s negative so that we’re always thinking about what we have rather than what we don’t. Showing a customer that you’re grateful for their patronage invites them inside your success and happiness. They will feel seen, appreciated, and hopefully, they’ll pay that gratitude forward to the next person. That’s a type of contagious we can all get behind.

Reasons to Send a Client Thank You Note

• A purchase or order was completed
• A review of a product or service was submitted
• Feedback was provided on a product
• Feedback was provided on a customer service experience
• A client or customer provided a referral
• A client or customer was patient during a minor hiccup or technical issue
• A small client anniversary passes
• In response to a gift received from a client or partnering business

Reasons to Send a Client Thank You Card

• A client anniversary passes
• Surprise appreciation for a long-time customer or client
• A large business or client referral was provided
• A client or customer was patient during a larger delay or technical issue

Buying a Thank You Card For Customers

If it makes sense for your situation and client relationship, a thank you card can be a meaningful and memorable touch. It’s longer-lasting than a note in an email, and it shows you care enough about your relationship to go to the extra effort of sending a thank you card.

Whenever you buy physical thank you cards for your business, consider how you can support small businesses near you. Instead of jumping on Amazon simply because it’s easiest or cheaper, support businesses within your network or within your local community. It’s these businesses that suffer most when pocketbooks get tight. If you support businesses within your local community, they’ll be more likely to support your business as well.