10 Tips for Writing the Best Appreciation Notes
Handwritten notes amplify appreciation beyond what can be achieved through an email or in person comment. But the art of correspondence is slowly being lost, so if you find yourself hesitating to write a note on paper follow these easy tips.

Appreciation Note Basics

  1. Place the date in the top right or left corner, e.g. September 12, 2013
  2. Include a salutation depending on your relationship with the recipient. "Dear Joanne" for a closer relationship, or "Dear Mr. Jones" for one that is more formal.
  3. Start your note on the inside right panel. If you need more room, carry over to the inside left panel.
  4. End with "Sincerely," or "Warmest Regards," or "Cheers," or your own personal close, always followed by a comma and your signature.

Appreciation Note Do's

  1. Stock the appropriate stationery. Embossed or specialty cards with complementary envelopes can convey your personal and business brand better than letterhead or generic note cards.
  2. Personalize. Beyond the stationery, personalize what you say and give it context. For example, refer to the event and add, "I enjoyed meeting your colleagues;" Or "I plan sharing the ideas in the book with my team."
  3. Take your time. If you have illegible handwriting like me, take your time and use a pen that works well on the stationery and won't bleed or smudge (test if necessary). We often purchase a pen specifically for the type of paper and keep it with the cards along with some attractive postage stamps.

Appreciation Note Don'ts

  1. Don't be stiff. Show your unique personality by maintaining the same tone on paper as you would in person. Use humor, sarcasm, or idioms to express yourself, as long as you're not insulting anyone or anything.
  2. Don't ramble. Be concise. It is an appreciation note so keep it simple and stick to the point.
  3. Don't exaggerate. You can rave, but if you were to say "The seminar was the most inspiring event I have ever attended!" you might be better to offer, "The seminar was very enlightening and the information will be extremely helpful to my clients." .