10 Professional Ways to Say Thank You for Supporting My Small Business

Saying “Thank You for Supporting My Small Business” is an undervalued practice, but in today’s highly competitive market it’s a simple way to improve the customer experience and set your business apart from the competition. Showing your appreciation doesn’t take much effort, but it pays big dividends. And this is true when it comes to expressing gratitude to your employees and business partners as well. Believe me, a simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way.

Back in the day, saying thank you to customers was common practice and expected. Those customers were, after all, putting food on the table. Today, most businesses don’t make the effort to sincerely thank customers for their patronage. Saying thank you is all part of the customer experience, which is comprised of all customer ‘touch-points’ – your storefront, delivery times, your website, your voicemail greeting, and even the way your products are packaged.

When you do say thank you, you provide your customers with a delightful surprise and a warming of the heart. Remember, we are humans exchanging value with each other. That’s beautiful in and of itself and something to be grateful for.

Showing that you aren’t taking them for granted and that their business matters to you strengthens your relationship with the customer and increases customer retention. Research shows that 60% of all customers stop dealing with a company because they feel their business is not appreciated. This is important because, according to the Pareto Principle, 80% of your company’s future revenue will come from 20% of your existing customers.

And, as reported by Forbes, a 5% increase in customer retention can increase a company’s profitability by 75%, plus attracting new customers costs your company 5 times more than keeping an existing customer.  So, the act of saying thank you in an authentic way actually boosts your bottom line. It’s amazing how powerful a small gesture can be!

In addition to the economic benefits of increased customer satisfaction and retention, you’re likely to receive some free word of mouth advertising. You see, people are likely to tell their friends about their satisfaction and the thank you note you sent since the practice is less common these days. They might even put your hand-written note up on their bulletin board or refrigerator, depending on who your customers are, for all to see.

Before writing thank you notes, it’s important to determine which format is best for your particular customer base. Generally, the higher the price point for your product or service, the more likely that a hand-written note is warranted.

For example, if you’re in the services industry, working as a consultant, architect, or real estate agent, there’s nothing better than a hand-written letter on company stationery or thank you cards sent by regular mail. Hand-written notes are perceived as being more sincere than emails and text messages because they take more time and effort to create and send. Your time investment and care is a testament to your sincerity and authentic gratitude.

The best thing about a hand-written letter is that your recipient will most certainly open it. According to the US Postal Regulatory Commission, the average American receives only 10 pieces of personal mail per year. It isn’t surprising that these personalized letters have a 99% open rate compared to emails with an open rate of 22.7%. Handwritten mail stands out… and it delights.

That said, it’s not always logistically possible or practical to send a hand-written thank you card. For example, an email is completely appropriate when thanking online customers for their purchase. If possible, its best practice to personalize the thank you note by mentioning their name and other details of their patronage or loyalty. With today’s technology, this is possible even if the thank you emails are automated.

If your business is based in technology and communicating by text message is expected, a thank you text works very well. Be careful here, however, to ensure this is an acceptable form of communication in the eyes of your customer.

If a customer purchased from your small business for the first time, you may want to consider including a hand-written note in the first order. This ensures a wonderful first impression and increases the likelihood of repeat business.

Again, the best way to say thank you depends on who your customers are, their technological aptitude, your product or service, and your price points.

Saying thank you in a professional way is simple. Use the following 4-part guide to help you craft the perfect thank you letter. Business communications should always be concise. Keep it short and sweet.

Here are some examples and templates for inspiration as you start writing thank you notes to your customers.

Writing the perfect thank you note isn’t rocket science, but there are a few tips you need to keep in mind to ensure success. Start with the basics:

Then keep these additional tips in mind:

If you follow these tips, you’ll be writing excellent business thank you notes in no time.

Now you know why you need to send thank you letters to your customers and how to write them. If you keep the tips in mind as well as the thank you note wording examples, you’ll become proficient at writing your own “Thank You for Your Business Notes” in no time. Wishing you much success. Thank you for reading this guide. I hope you’ve found it helpful!