Business Thank You Notes

A site visitor writes:

I would like to know the etiquette on thank you notes when it comes to business, I once read that sending a thank you via-e-mail is not appropriate, is this true?

Good question and one I bet others have wondered about too!

I am of the opinion that the effort you put into something shows your level of sincerity and in the case of thank you notes, gratitude. It all depends on the situation and the relationship you have or plan to have with the person or company you are thanking.

For example, when a client or business partner does something nice for me, sends flowers for my birthday or a gift around the Holidays for example, they get a personally written and hand addressed thank you note via old fashioned snail mail.

What about an important job interview? What do you think will relay your true level of thanks? An e-mail that takes a moment or a well thought out card handwritten just for the person it is addressed to?

Yes, I could send my thank you by e-mail – I am in the technology business after all and that would make sense. But would that reflect my sincere gratitude as much as taking the time to purchase the card, write my note and address the envelope, pay the postage and send it off? Probably not…

Sometimes a short e-mail saying “thank you” may be appropriate but clearly there are times when only a handwritten and addressed card will do.