Saying Thank You to Customers

Do you look for opportunities to thank your customers? If you have U.S. customers, November 24, Thanksgiving Day, is one of those occasions. Since it is a national holiday not allied with a particular group or religion, Thanksgiving is an excellent time to remember customers and clients.

A graphic showing an envelope and a letter decorated with a turkey encouraging companies to write a note or give a small gift to show appreciation for their customers on Thanksgiving

Related: In fact, we have a whole article about connecting with clients on Thanksgiving!

One way to thank customers is to send them a small gift that relates to your business; for example, a guide, book, bookmark, or tool they will find helpful. Or you may want to send a gift card, food basket, or floral arrangement. Keep in mind, though, that many large companies have instituted ethics policies that allow them to accept only gifts valued at $25-$50 or less.

But a gift is not necessary. You may simply write a card or note thanking them for their business. Whatever you send, though, it should reach them by Monday, November 21 (or even Friday, November 18), since many people take vacation days during the week of Thanksgiving.

For help on how to write a Thanksgiving note, I offer these samples to use as templates.

1. Generic thank you:

Dear Dan and Renee,

Thank you for being our valued customers. We are grateful for the pleasure of serving you and meeting your printing needs.

We wish you a beautiful Thanksgiving and a joyous year’s end.

Warm wishes,

2. Generic thank you:

Dear Friends at Acme,

In this time of gratitude, we give thanks for you. We value your patronage and appreciate your confidence in us. Counting you among our customers is something for which we are especially grateful.

On behalf of all of us at XYZ Company, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

3. Thank you to a specific customer or client:

Dear Carlos,

In this time of Thanksgiving, I must express my thanks to you. Working with you over the past two years has been an amazing opportunity for me. I appreciate your high standards, consistent focus, and fine sense of humor.

Thank you, Carlos, for the pleasure of continuing to work with you. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with all good things.

With thanks,

4.  Thank you to accompany a gift:

Dear Mr. Emmanuel,

When we think about the things we appreciate, we think of you and our work with you on the Maple Heights project. The project was a challenge and a phenomenal success for us–thanks to your vision and commitment. We will always treasure that experience.

We saw the enclosed new book on landscaping by ____ [author], and we immediately thought of you. Please enjoy it with our thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Related: Read our primer on thank you notes here.

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By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston

Lynn Gaertner-Johnston has helped thousands of employees and managers improve their business writing skills and confidence through her company, Syntax Training. In her corporate training career of more than 20 years, she has worked with executives, engineers, scientists, sales staff, and many other professionals, helping them get their messages across with clarity and tact.

A gifted teacher, Lynn has led writing classes at more than 100 companies and organizations such as MasterCard, Microsoft, Boeing, Nintendo, REI, AARP, Ledcor, and Kaiser Permanente. Near her home in Seattle, Washington, she has taught managerial communications in the MBA programs of the University of Washington and UW Bothell. She has created a communications course, Business Writing That Builds Relationships, and provides the curriculum at no cost to college instructors.

A recognized expert in business writing etiquette, Lynn has been quoted in "The Wall Street Journal," "The Atlantic," "Vanity Fair," and other media.

Lynn sharpened her business writing skills at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a master's degree in communication, and at Bradley University, with a bachelor's degree in English.

70 comments on “Saying Thank You to Customers”

  • hi i need some thank you quotes to post in news paper and mobile sms. this is because my store’s 2nd anniversary is on 5th sept 2009… Kindly send a perfect quote.

  • hi madam. i want to say thnx for the visited customers of my restaurant to visit again, can u help me madam plz, i am very very poor in communication skills.plz plz plz plz plz plz

  • Several of our customers, we are a Public Library, brought us cookies, candy, popcorn, etc., in the days leading up to Christmas. Some of us think a thank you note is appropriate. Some of us think it is redundant since they were thanking us for the service we have given to them. What do you think?

  • Hi, Nancy. Since your patrons gave you gifts, thank-you notes are required.

    Thank-yous tell people you appreciate their thoughtfulness. Just 2-3 sentences are all you need to write to make everyone feel good.

    How nice that your work is appreciated by the public!

    Lynn

  • I need a great thank you for winning Reader’s Choice awards for my boutique any ideas, my boutique is contemporary upscale. Not to sugary but honest.

  • Congratulations, Kathy. Just write what you feel, and then call in a proofreader to check it for correctness.

    If you need other examples, use the search string “Thank you” in the search box on this site.

    Lynn

  • I need to send an email to the candidates that have applied for a job in my company which wishes them to have a good vacation. Please can you help me with a nice and elegant message?Thank you

  • Verenice, use these examples as a starting point. Thank them for their interest in the position. Then say something like “We wish you a wonderful, relaxing vacation.”

    You will need to adjust the message depending on whether or not the candidates will be hired for the job.

    Lynn

  • I want to say Thank you to my customers at the Jewelry Store. I have just started and am building up my client list. How can I say Thank you and let them know to please come back to me- instead of someone else in the store.

  • Hi, Loretta. Send them a thank-you message and tell them it was your pleasure helping them choose the right piece of jewelry. Include your business card.

    You may add that you look forward to serving them again, with words like these:

    “When you are looking for that perfect piece of jewelry, I look forward to serving you again.”

    Play with the words above to match your situation.

    You probably realize that it is inappropriate to even hint at “instead of someone else in the store.”

    Provide memorable service, and hope that customers will return to you. Sometimes they will look for you, and at other times they will go to another salesperson. The same is true of your coworkers’ customers.

    Good luck in your new job. Treat everyone well, including your coworkers, and you are likely to be successful.

    Lynn

  • I have a coaching classes. Whenever they enquire for admission in my class. I what send an sms for appreciating their visiting. Please suggest a good message.

  • Brajhmt, below is a simple, brief message. If you think the word “patronage” is too fancy, you can replace it with “business.”

    Thank you for shopping in our store. We value your patronage.

    Please visit us again soon.

  • Hello
    My husband and I have a painting and handyman business, we are sending a small gift to our customers (we rely on referals) to thank them and to remind them we are available. Do you have any suggestions for wording?
    Thanks for your help. Jo

  • hi,’

    Its our bank’s foundation day on 1st october n we would like to express our gratitude to our clients…xan u suggest me the best way to do that

    thanx
    samidha

  • Hi, Joette. I recommend that you adapt Version 1 above.

    As a second paragraph, tell them you rely on referrals. Then mention that you would appreciate it if they would pass on your name to anyone who seeks a reliable handyman and painter.

    Good luck!

    Lynn

  • hello my name is nayeli i just started a cleaning company a few months ago i already have some clients. but i have a miss about 3 and i want to send them a gift and say that please come back but i don’t know how please any ideas and thanks to the others customer that i have

  • Hi Ms. Lynn,

    I love reading your blog.

    Could you please suggest me how to write a thank you letter to my customers for their previous orders, in an elegant and friendly way? I’m doing Flower sale business. I would like to give them some details about our most popular flowers, special offers and sales items also.

    Thank you very much.

    Hai

  • A thank-you message should be just that: a thank-you. Do not use a thank-you to give details about special offers and sales items. It will not be seen as sincere.

    One of the first two examples above may be helpful to you.

    Lynn

  • I run a company which sells timber coatings. I want to send a text message to customer who have been visited. I would like to have the following communicated in the text.

    1. Thanking them for their valued time
    2. Saying we would get in touch with them soon

    I would like to have this said on a very personal level so that customers feel connected to the organization.

  • Further to the one posted before this i have another request.

    I want to send a text message to customers who have experienced our products and services. This should communicate that in future if they do have any needs with regard to timber they could get in touch with us, also it should thank them for using the products as well.

  • Ilzam, it sounds as though you know exactly what you want to say. Just write your messages. Then proofread them to be sure your tone and meaning come across as you intend.

    But when you say “text message,” do you mean by phone? That would be a very informal way to communicate with customers. When I receive a text message on my phone from vendors, it annoys me. I expect messages I get by phone to be must-know communications.

    Good luck!

    Lynn

  • We work in an aftermarket automotive parts distribution field. A few orders were not packed or delivered up to our normal standards and enraged our cusotmer. We had some chocolates sent to him.

    His reply is as follows:

    “Thank you……the chocolates are perfect.
    I appreciate all of your efforts to make everything run smoothly. We have been able to build a business from scratch in about two years based on your outstanding customer service.
    I have been more than pleased……actually surprised…. at the accuracy and speed.”

    I am unsure how to reply to his message. I have read some of your examples and hope this would be okay,

    “Thank you for your kind email. Please accept our sincerest apologies for the recent mishaps. Hope you are enjoying the chocolates.
    You and your confidence in us is truly valued. It has been a great pleasure in servicing you. Moreover, as our motto states, ‘Your Success is Our Future’; together we can continue to build your business to an even greater success.
    We are always here for you.
    Have a wonderful day.”

    Please let me know if this is too much.
    Thank You. =)

  • Hi, Adrienne. Your note is very good. Here are some suggestions to make it better:

    1. Delete the second and third sentences. You have no need to apologize again (since you have done so already), and the letter is not about the chocolates, so leave them out.

    2. “You and your confidence in us are truly valued.” You need the plural verb “are” because you have a plural subject (“you” and “your confidence”).

    3. Change “servicing” to “serving.” I wrote about this topic in an earlier blog post. You can find it by searching in the box above for “Served or Serviced.”

    With those three changes, you will have a stronger message. See how it looks on your page or screen. You may want to make additional changes.

    I would love to see the note you wrote to apologize for the original problem. If you can share it with me, please do so.

    Lynn

  • Hi ,I am a store manager..I would like to thank my customer for the valuable time they spent in our furniture store selecting the furniture and at the same time a performa of their selected items will be sent.Could you help me in writing this

  • Aarohi, just write the message. You clearly know what you want to say. Just say it.

    When you change ideas, change paragraphs. For example, the thank-you part is the first paragraph. The list of selected items is the second paragraph.

    You can do it!

    Lynn

  • Hi I am wondering if you can help… I am wanting to write something in the public notices of our local paper as I have just sold my fashion Business of 13 years and I wish to thank all my past customers and I supose say good bye… I am quite stuck on how to phrase it. I would appreciate any help Sheridan

  • Sheridan, here is a start. Perhaps you can shape these sentences into something that is right for your situation:

    Thank you to all my customers of xx business over the past 13 years. I enjoyed serving you and meeting your fashion needs. I sold the business on xx date. Goodbye and thank you!

    How does that sound?

    Lynn

  • hi…t want to warn our of the employee for his misbehaving and bad working..plz sugest me…also i want to write a letter to warn customer for payment wich is due…

  • Hi, Nabreen. I am guessing that you normally write in a language other than English. If you need to write these in English, I would suggest you write them in your native language first and then have them translated into English.

    Lynn

  • Hi Lynn, we sold a portion of our swimming pool route and need to send a transition letter to our customers. We have had some on service for almost 12 years and would like to thank them for being customers so long and also advising them of the new pool service company taking over. We personally know the individual who bought our route … should we mention that also?

  • hi,

    i need a thank you sms to the clients coming to my service centre, also i want to mention i they have further complaints, never hesitate to contact us.

  • Hi Lynn,

    I work for a financial software company and I would like to send a note to my potential clients wishing them a happy thanksgiving.

    Any suggestions?

  • Hi, it has been a 6 months since im selling dresses, shoes, and accessories.. and now i want to send a thank you letter to my costumers. but i want it a formal way..best way..please help me

    Thanks

    Len

  • Hello, Jamie. Since Thanksgiving was yesterday, I recommend that you send a holiday message. Read my post “Everything About Holiday Greetings” for ideas. Just copy the title (without quotation marks) into the search box at top right, and you will find it.

    Lynn

  • Hi Lynn, I’m pleased to have found this thread and appreciate all of your great replies to everyones questions and hope you can help me with my question. I’m a remodeling contractor and was entertaining the idea of sending a holiday fruit box and thank you note to customers that have used my services this year. But I also want to send a thank you note to the several clients who I just gave bids to on their project but I was not awarded the project for whatever the clients reasons were. The question I have is would this be appropriate and what should I say in it?

  • Hi, Brad. Yes, certainly–it would be appropriate to send a thank-you to clients who did not award the project to you. It will remind them how classy you are.

    I assume you want to thank them for considering your services, ask them to think of you for future projects, and wish them a happy holiday season or new year.

    Lynn

  • Hi Lynn,

    Could you please help to write a letter to thank my customers for being with us in my company and also to give them an award to explain what is that award.

    Thank you,
    Samah

  • Dear madam,
    I have a nails salon.
    could you pls help me to write the note to say thank you for their business all year, and loyal, and want to see them again.

  • hi,my name yumi lee. i’m owner of beauty shop. want to send to customer thank you card.pls help me

  • Hello, Yumi Lee. You need to think about what you want to say and to whom. What are you thanking the person for? Is the thank-you to a regular customer or one who came in for the first time?

    Here is a general message. I have used “We,” which refers to more than one person. If you are the only worker in the shop, you will need to change it.

    **************

    Dear ______ [fill in the name],

    We are delighted that you visited our shop. Thank you for trusting us with your beauty.

    We look forward to seeing you again soon.
    **************

  • Hello Lynn, I work for a salon supply company and I want to thank customers for sending me referrals. Basically they get a reward for any customer that places an order with me and so does the referral. I want to say thank you to them and let them know that I am applying a credit to the account as a reward. I am horrible writer. Can you help me?

  • Hi
    I just need to write a thanking note to our customers. We won a award. For that only i need to write a thanking note. 3 or 4 sentences will be grate.
    Please help me on this.

  • We own an automotive service center in a small town. I would like to include a small bag of candy with a business card attatched to it with a thank you on the back. Wanted something a little different. Something along the lines of “You are a valued customer & we appreciate you coming in!” Any ideas?

  • Hi,

    I want to write an email to thank all my customer for your support. And i want to inform them for a summer promotion. How should i write. help me, plz.

  • Dear Lynn,
    I need to write a thanking letter to our customers for stay with hotel. Would you please to suggest me how to write a thank you letter to my customers

    “Dear Our Valued Guest,

    Greeting from Kensington English Garden Resort Khaoyai.

    We would like to take this pleasant opportunity for thank you that your recent visit to Kensington English Garden Resort Khaoyai. It was truly a pleasure to serve you. ”

    Thank you very much.

    YaYee

  • Hello, YaYee. Please see my suggestions and changes below.

    Dear Valued Guest,[It is better if you use the guest’s name, as in Dear Mr. Yee.]

    Greeting from Kensington English Garden Resort Khaoyai.

    We would like to take this pleasant [“pleasant” is not usually used before “opportunity,” but it is not wrong] opportunity to thank you for your recent visit to our resort. It was truly a pleasure to serve you.

    Lynn

  • Hello Lynn,

    I would like to write a sales pitch for laptops (in letter form) but I’m not too sure how do I start the first paragraph (my lecturer suggested me to thank recipient for past support and state purpose of letter). Please help me on this, thanks!!!

  • Hi, Ally. It sounds as though you are working on a school assignment, and your lecturer has told you what he or she recommends. Since your lecturer is your reader, follow that advice.

    Good luck!

    Lynn

  • Hello Lynn,

    I am in Insurance business in India. I want to say thank you for business to my client. How can i say please suggest me.

  • Good day to you (Lynn),

    i need a composition for thank you to our valued customers .

    business type is replace windscreen specialist .

    hopefully receive your helpful reply

  • Dear Valued Customers,

    Greeting from Dolwa windscreen specialist .

    We would like to take this pleasant opportunity to thank you for your recent visit to our web-site , our workshop. It was truly a pleasure to serve you.

  • Hello, Sally. Here are three suggestions for your message:

    1. If the person is really a customer, you must know his or her name. Use the name in the greeting. If you do not know the person’s name, use “Customer” rather than “Customers.” You are writing to one person–not a group.

    2. “Greeting” should be “Greetings.”

    3. If you are thanking the customer for visiting your workshop, do not mention your website.

    Good luck with your business.

    Lynn

  • Hello Madam
    i want to thank my buisness customer for giving me good business in past 2 months.
    previsously we were not getting any biz form this customer.

  • Hello, Hirekhan. Unfortunately, I do not have time to write more thank-you messages here. That is why I am going to end the comments on this blog post.

    I wish you success in your business.

    Lynn

Comments are closed.