How to Reply to a Thank-You Email (Including Samples)

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Show appreciation to clients and colleagues by replying to thank-you emails
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It's always nice to receive a thank you email, whether it's from your brother or your boss. When deciding how to respond, the most important thing to remember is to be genuine. Don't be afraid to show your appreciation for the sender and consider it an opportunity to strengthen the relationship. You may wish to respond in person, on the phone, or in an email.

Things You Should Know

  • When responding to a colleague, use a professional tone, reference the work or project, and keep it brief.
  • When replying to a client, use a warm tone to express your gratitude and be punctual.
  • When responding to friends or family, be as sincere as you can when expressing your gratitude.
Section 1 of 4:

Replying to a Colleague

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  1. Taking time to respond to a thank you at work can help you develop a stronger bond with your colleague or supervisor. Whether you do so in person or via email , express your gratitude for the time it took to send the email.

    Tip: If "You're welcome" isn't the tone you're looking for, just make sure you are grateful and appreciative with your language. Try "I appreciate your note a great deal."

  2. In addition to acknowledging their thank you, it is good to set yourself up for further opportunities by stating the pleasure or benefit you derived from doing a good job.
    • "It was very rewarding work. I learned a lot from this project and appreciate the opportunity."
    • "I hope to work with the design department again. It was such a pleasure!"
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  3. Sending a response to a work-related thank you is not always expected, or required. In order to avoid consuming too much of a colleague's time, keep your response brief. [1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Replying to a Client

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  1. In addition to a simple "You're welcome," a return email to a grateful client is an opportunity for you to thank them for their business and express a desire for a continued relationship, perhaps even offering a discount or freebie as an incentive.
    • "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Jones. I enjoyed getting to know you and hope to see you again soon."
    • "I'm so glad you are enjoying your new artwork, Mr. Martinez! As a token of my appreciation, I'd like to offer you a 10% discount on your next gallery purchase."
  2. As with any email response, it is best to not let too much time go by. Timeliness is an indication that you have prioritized the sender and it will reinforce the sentiment of appreciation. [2]
  3. When someone reaches out to say thank you, it is an opportunity to deepen the relationship and make them feel remembered and special. [3]
    • "Thank you for your business and I hope that you have a wonderful adventure!"
    • "It was great meeting you and best of luck on your big project!"
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Section 3 of 4:

Replying to Friends or Family

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  1. This is the most common way to respond to someone expressing their thanks. It lets them know that you have heard them and acknowledge their appreciation. Alternative phrases include:
    • "No problem."
    • "Anytime."
    • "I'm glad to help."
  2. If you want to go deeper, and acknowledge the closeness of your relationship with the sender, this type of phrase will do the trick. It implies confidence in the relationship. [4] Other phrases like this include:
    • "You've done the same for me."
    • "I'm glad we can show up for one another."
    • "I'll always be here for you."
  3. You can express and honor the idea that giving is its own reward by using one of the following phrases:
    • "It was my pleasure."
    • "I enjoyed picking it out for you."
    • "It was fun!"
  4. If you decide to respond to the thank you email in person , smile and make eye contact while acknowledging the sender and avoid crossing your arms in front of your chest. Non-verbal cues are just as important as what you say. [5]
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Section 4 of 4:

When should you respond to thank-you emails?

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  1. If the recipient is a colleague you work with regularly or an important client, acknowledging the thank-you email can keep the relationship between you and the recipient strong. If you aren't sure if the thank-you email needs a response, think about your relationship with the recipient and if the email included any follow-up questions you need to answer.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I write a thank you email after an interview?
    Community Answer
    Thank them for their time and tell them you enjoyed talking to them, but don't say "I hope I get the job!" or "Thanks in advance!" because you'll be seen as begging for the job. Remember to be formal! No matter how nice the interviewer was, they're an interviewer, not your friend.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 13
  • Question
    My family wrote a thank you note for the special dinner and hospitality, what do I respond back?
    Community Answer
    You could just say something like, "You're very welcome for the dinner! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. It was a privilege having you, and I hope we can do it again soon."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Should I put a comma after hello and the name?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You should put a comma after the greeting, which in this case, is "Hello ____". Normally, you would put a comma after the "Hello", but since we have one at the end of the greeting, it is not needed there but rather after the name. To simplify things, you could put "Dear _____," in place of "Hello ______," if you'd like.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/get-lucky/201206/is-punctuality-a-virtue-or-a-vice
      3. ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-messages-letters-lists/
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/give-and-take/201311/why-you-shouldnt-say-youre-welcome
      5. ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/how-to-express-gratitude/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To respond to a thank you email, let them know you appreciate the sentiment by writing something like “You’re welcome” or “I appreciate your note.” If you’re answering a work colleague, tell them that you enjoyed doing the task they’re thanking you for, which will set you up to benefit from future opportunities. Remember that responding to a work thank you note isn’t always expected, so you should keep your note brief. If you’re answering a thank you note from a business client, offer them an incentive to continue the relationship. For example, you could write, “I’m so glad you’re enjoying your artwork, Mr. Martinez. As a token of gratitude, I’d like to offer you a 10 percent discount on your next gallery purchase.” Whoever you’re responding to, make sure to write the email in a timely manner, which shows the other person that you prioritized them. For tips on how to answer a thank you note from a relative or friend, read on!

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