How to Write a Letter of Appreciation
People who care about us are always doing little random acts of kindness for our benefit. Sadly, in the pressure of the “busyness” of life, we often fail to take the time to properly thank them. Writing a well-drafted letter of appreciation is one way to assure that our friends and acquaintances know that we appreciate the many ways in which they enrich our life.
A letter of appreciation is often best accompanied by a card. There are software programs that can help with this. For example, greeting card software contains text and graphics that can produce these “customized” greeting cards.
Letter of Appreciation Tips
- Don't forget the point of writing the letter - explain why you are showing your thanks!
- Be honest - people usually know when you're not being sincere.
- Use a handwritten note or letter for a personal appreciation letter, or company letterhead and sharp printing for a business letter.
- Be direct and concise in your writing.
- Only thank someone for something already done; to thank in advance is presumptuous.
- Be prompt in sending your appreciation letter.
- Whenever possible, address your letter to a specific person.
Example Letter of Appreciation
“I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate the letter of recommendation you wrote on my behalf to Mr. Jones of the Green Company. Getting that job with the Green Company is very important to me. Thanks to the time you took to write that letter on my behalf, Mr. Jones called to offer me the position yesterday. I thank you so much for your efforts on my behalf.”
By being very specific, you let the recipient of your letter know that you are aware of just how much time and trouble they went to on your behalf and that you appreciate their efforts.
This letter can be incorporated into a well-designed and appointed greeting card. This will present an attractive package when mailed to your benefactor. It also shows that you, too, are willing to go to some extra time and trouble on their behalf.
As with all letters, a thorough spell and grammar check to ensure your letter is free of errors. If English is your second language, or if you struggle with English composition, this is even more vital before sending the letter. Also, ask a trusted friend to review what you have written.