People who receive appreciation letters often feel good about themselves for something that they have done right for someone else. Although sending one is an optional gesture, it’s always good etiquette to do so. Appreciation letters and letters of gratitude are common in professional and personal situations.
Contents
- 1 Appreciation Letters
- 2 What is an appreciation letter?
- 3 Letters Of Gratitude
- 4 How do you express gratitude in a letter?
- 5 Letters Of Thankfulness
- 6 Why do you need an appreciation letter?
- 7 Appreciation Letter to Teacher
- 8 Types of appreciation letters
- 9 How do you write a letter of appreciation?
- 10 Customer Appreciation Letters
- 11 How do you show appreciation in an email?
Appreciation Letters
What is an appreciation letter?
Also referred to as a letter of thankfulness or appreciation, an appreciation letter is a more sophisticated “thank you” letter used for formal situations like when thanking a senior-level professional or an official. By definition, you can consider a letter of gratitude as one written for professional purposes rather than personal ones.
An appreciation letter used for personal situations is often called a letter of thankfulness or a thank you letter. Since the recipient is your close acquaintance, you would usually write it with a more personal touch rather than the more formal letters of appreciation written for professional situations.
Letters Of Gratitude
How do you express gratitude in a letter?
You would send appreciation letter samples to someone who had a hand in helping you and such an action will more likely get repeated when and if the need arises. According to studies, grateful people tend to be much happier as expressing gratitude can be a psychological boost.
When you express thankfulness by writing a letter of gratitude to your colleagues, especially your superiors, you’re letting them know that their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. It’s also something that the recipients won’t forget as your gesture leaves a good impression on them.
Letters Of Thankfulness
Why do you need an appreciation letter?
There are several reasons to show your appreciation to someone who has assisted you while looking for a job. For instance, sending a letter of thankfulness note is perfectly appropriate for these situations:
- To thank your supervisor for making a reference letter for you.
- To thank a client for making a reference letter for you.
- To thank a networking contact for conducting an interview.
- To thank a potential employer for interviewing you in-person.
You can also express appreciation for something related to your job-seeking journey. For instance, it would be quite nice to show appreciation for an employee who made a significant contribution to a team or to a supervisor who gave you guidance or has recommended you for a promotion.
Maybe you want to thank a colleague or a client for a referral or an introduction. The best way to give thanks is through an appreciation letter that can also maintain your relationships with the people in the network.
Because of the advancement in communications gadgets, texting, and other instant communications has made the art of writing thank you letters and business appreciation letter samples become obsolete. Yet the value of formal writing of letters is still very much appreciated by both personal and professional recipients alike.
An appreciation letter is a great way to make or grow a relationship with a professional connection. People who receive your letter will remember your gesture and such can be highly beneficial for your career in the future even on a short-time basis.
Appreciation Letter to Teacher
Types of appreciation letters
Templates, guidelines, and examples can help you tremendously when writing an appreciation letter but it’s always best to be as personal as possible. Take as much time needed to make sure that you personalize your letter so that it shows your sincere appreciation and your purpose for writing. Following are some kinds of appreciation letter samples that you can write:
- Appreciation letter for a job search
Most people think that searching for a job is just a process of submitting applications for a wanted position. Generally, though, people get employed because of connections who have recommended them for the position or have assisted them through networking. - Appreciation letter for a colleague or employer
It’s good practice to give thanks to an employer who has taken the time to help you out in your quest for employment. If you get the job, make sure to help build your boss’ morale, your employer or your colleagues by spending some time writing a formal letter to thank them for having gone the extra mile to give you support at work. - Appreciation letter for a referral
Referrals coming from professionals can make the difference whether you will get considered for a job or whether you successfully source then land a big client. if your business depends upon referrals to build your pipeline, writing letters of appreciation can help to make sure that people who have referred your products or services will continue doing so.
How do you write a letter of appreciation?
Most people who have gone out of their way to help others or who have done favors to make others feel good, will appreciate a letter of appreciation. Just make sure, for the sake of common etiquette and courtesy, that your appreciation letters are well-polished and sincere so they make a feel-good impact and a favorable impression on the recipient. Here are some tips for writing this letter:
- Send it right away
Saying your words of gratitude should happen shortly after the gift, event, favor or other actions for which you feel thankful for. As per etiquette rules, you have 3 days to do so. If you missed that window for some reason, it’s still appropriate to send the letter. - Use the proper letter format
You should be as professional as you can when writing an appreciation letter. Use a professional format and have the letter printed on high-quality paper. If the person you’re thanking is a close acquaintance, you can send him a clear and legibly handwritten letter on quality stationery. - Keep the letter brief and focused
Appreciation letters need not be too wordy or length. Although a brief letter is best, it should still express your intent without going on too long. A few paragraphs should do the trick but remember not to go overboard with your appreciation. - Start with a salutation
Make sure that the letter should have the proper title of salutation. Business associates or people you aren’t well-acquainted with should include a title in their salutation. With letters to those you know well, you could be more casual or personal. - State your letter’s purpose
A formal letter should start by telling the addressee the reason why you’re writing the letter. Explain clearly what you’re showing gratitude for, especially if it took you longer than expected to acknowledge their kind efforts. This should serve as a reminder to the person as they may have already forgotten. - Share a few details
This applies to people who give donations for a cause. With the appreciation letter, you can communicate your gratitude while giving the recipient a sense of how you plan to use their contribution. Just knowing that their contribution will go to good use will reassure and affirm them. Let them know a little about yourself then explain to them who or what will benefit from their contribution. - Conclude your letter
You can close your letter by reiterating your appreciation and belief that their contribution is both important and valuable. - Sign off
Lastly, conclude your letter with a parting salutation or valediction, together with your signature. Traditionally, for a professional or formal letter, it’s standard etiquette to use the word “Sincerely” to sign off. Also, include your full name under your signature just in case your signature isn’t that easy to read. - Proofread your appreciation letter
It’s always good practice to carefully proofread your letter for misspellings, grammatical errors, and typos before sending it. Remember that a letter with many flaws can make a much less positive impact than a well-crafted one.
Customer Appreciation Letters
How do you show appreciation in an email?
Keeping in mind that everybody loves to feel appreciated is reason enough for you to write a letter of thanks. If you’re grateful for the assistance or advice that your friend, supervisor or colleague has given, let them know this through a letter of appreciation that you send through email.
All it would take is a few moments to say “thank you” and this gesture for sure will be well worth the effort. Here are some pointers you may consider when writing an appreciation email:
- Send an appreciation email to co-workers who have made a contribution to the team or to colleagues who have helped you out.
- Send an appreciation email to someone who has worked hard on a project, especially those who took additional tasks or pitched-in to assist others in the workplace. Let them know that this contribution has been duly noted and that you appreciate such a contribution.
- Send a letter of appreciation email to a vendor or client who has helped you make your job easier.
- Send a letter of appreciation email to someone who did anything to make your day better. A few minutes of your time to let them know can make a huge difference.
Whether sending the letter by email, a thank you card or a hard copy, make it a point to send it promptly. Before doing so, always proofread your letter before clicking the “send” button or sealing your envelope. Remember that a typo, or worse, a misspelled name, will lessen the gesture along with the sentiment behind it.
