The desire to show our appreciation spans across all cultures and countries. The phrase “thank you”, in its various forms, is a universal way of showing our gratitude. Yet perhaps because we use this phrase so often in our daily lives, we may forget just how important and powerful of a tool it is, both in business and in life.
Why say thank you in the first place? We say thanks because we acknowledge that the other person didn’t necessarily have to do what they did for us. Your customer could have gone elsewhere for their product or service, for example. By saying thank you, you are thanking them for their choice to support you and showing them why helping you was a good decision.
In business, demonstrating your gratitude is essential if you want to continue with a business relationship. If a customer or client feels taken advantage of or simply “used” for their money, they are very likely to seek out alternatives to your product or service the next time around. Long-term customers are hard to come by, so you should show your appreciation often and sincerely.
In life, saying thank you demonstrates that you appreciate the other person and do not feel entitled to their help or support. This makes the other person feel valued and important. Such positive emotions ensure that someone will have an incentive to support you in the future. We are, by nature, emotional beings.
So how should you say thank you? Sometimes we rely too heavily on a simple verbal “thanks”. If you think about it, the spoken thank you is the easiest and cheapest way to express gratitude, but it may not be the most effective or lasting. Because it is so easy to say, it may not seem particularly special or memorable to a client.
Consider the use of a personalized greeting card or some other tool that demonstrates that you took the time to think of them and what they mean to you. Be specific about what you are thanking them for, so they realize that their support was both notice and appreciated.
Sending a card or small gift is relatively inexpensive, but its value is priceless when you consider its long-term implications. Saying thanks is a win-win: you feel good, and they feel good.
Janet Hill Jackson
Gratitude Marketing Advocate
The BirdDog Group