What to Write in a “Thank You For Your Time” Note

Category: General Tips

Expressing gratitude toward others is critical in making them feel important. Every human has the desire to be appreciated, so a thank-you letter is the perfect way to strengthen relationships with those around you.

Thank-you notes can come in multiple different media, including text, email, social network direct messaging, and more. The message could also follow up on a job interview, a networking meal, or to thank someone for taking the time out of their day to help you resolve an issue.

What matters is the content and your ability to communicate your sincere gratitude. In this article, we discuss the importance of your communication strategy, how you can communicate it verbatim, and the benefits of each.

Read on to learn what to write in a “thank you for your time” note.

Start with a Friendly Greeting

You always want to start on the right foot. Beginning your letter with a friendly salutation will kick off the message on a positive note. The greeting you choose can have a massive impact on the tone of the message.

When we talk with someone in person, we can get a good read on them based on their body language, gestures, and facial expressions. For a note or email, you cannot transfer these nonverbal cues. Therefore, you must set the tone right with this initial greeting.

The formality of this greeting depends on the context. If you are writing to a close friend, you can keep it casual and relaxed. For business acquaintances or partners, it would be best to keep it professional. Your salutation says a lot about you, so you want to make a meaningful first impression.

There are several ways to kick off the “thank you for your time” note. Here is a list of effective openers for the next thank you letter:

  • Hi [name] – I hope you are having an excellent start to your week.
  • Good morning [name], I hope you are doing well.
  • Hello [name]! Following up on our enjoyable conversation yesterday…
  • Dear [name], I hope things are going well with you and your family.

Show Your Gratitude

The gratitude in your note may be obvious in a “thank you for your time” note. However, many people overlook expressing a simple “thank you.

Make yourself stand out by getting right to the point. You do not want to waste any time communicating the overall purpose of the note. As you write this portion out, it is essential to emphasize the person‘s selflessness and thoughtfulness. There are a few ways to communicate the opening line of the body:

  • I am grateful for…
  • Thank you very much for…
  • I truly appreciate your…
  • I am extremely thankful for…

We also recommend handwriting your note, as to convey that you took time out of your day to write them a thoughtful greeting. This personal touch is sure to stand out to your reader.

We also recommend handwriting your note, as to convey that you took time out of your day to write them a thoughtful greeting. 

Recognize The Other Person‘s Time is Valuable

We only have 24 hours in a day to accomplish our daily goals. Time is valuable, no matter who you talk to. Therefore, it is vital to address this in your handwritten note.

Express in your note that you are thankful for their time. Give recognition to the fact that they took time for you, amidst their busy schedule. They will feel important knowing that you value their precious time.

There are multiple ways to deliver this thoughtful gesture. Here are a few suggestions:

  • I recognize that your time is extremely valuable, which is why I am thankful you met with me.
  • I understand you are a very busy person, which is why I am grateful for you investing time in our relationship.
  • I genuinely appreciate you sacrificing [event, project, commitment] to meet with me. I am thankful for you investing your valuable time into meeting with me.

Making it aware that you value the other person‘s time will help the letter carry significant weight. The person who receives your letter will be much more likely to meet again knowing that you will maximize their time.

Be Specific on Why You Are Thankful for Their Time

It is one thing to express gratitude for someone’s time. However, your message will carry greater weight when you give specific details as to why you are thankful.

In your letter, make sure you communicate the impact the person made on you. Did they teach you something valuable? Did they provide you with resources that will help you create a better future for yourself? Did they help you relieve stress or have a good time?

There are multiple strategies to communicate your specific appreciation. Here are some “thank you for your time” examples:

  • You helped me clarify some of the goals I want to go after. I appreciate you investing time into allowing me to form a clear vision.
  • I knew I would feel better after talking with you. I am thankful for your time because you relieved some nagging stress I have been feeling.
  • I am excited to apply the negotiation skill that you explained to me in our meeting. I am grateful for your time and guidance, and I look forward to meeting with you again in the future.
  • I know you had a busy day at work and have a family to go home to. I am very grateful for your time and the advice you gave me about delivering meaningful presentations. 

Be Forward-Looking

A thank-you note is often reflecting on something that happened in the past. The purpose is to recognize a good deed or an investment of time from the other person. However, it is just as important to put a forward-looking spin on the message.

In addition to thanking the person for their time, you must also recognize them as an important figure in your life. You do this by alluding to a future event or meeting you two may have. There are multiple ways to convey this. Here are several ways you can guide the message toward a future event:

  • I cannot wait to visit you and your family next month.
  • I look forward to our next lunch meeting so that we can update each other on our business ventures.
  • I would love to connect again over lunch or dinner to pick up where we left off.

Rebranding your thank-you note as a forward-looking message will show that you are in it for the long term. It will also add more credibility to your sincere appreciation.

Communicate Your Thanks Again

It would be best to redirect the reader’s attention back to where you began the message: your thankfulness. There should not be any confusion as to what the note is about. You can get creative with this conversational circle-back, but you do not want to make it too elaborate. Here are some suggestions on how you can do revisit this tastefully:

  • Thank you again for your time. I cannot express enough how thankful I am for our discussion.
  • Again, I would like to express my gratitude. I know you are a busy person, and I truly recognize your time is valuable.

woman handwriting letter for client

End With a Strong Closing

As you conclude the message, it is essential to end it with a friendly and positive tone. When you craft the final signoff, it is always best to consider the type of relationship you have with the person.

Pick your signoff carefully because it includes the last words they will read. Here are a few concluding phrases that are both professional and informal:

  • Best regards
  • Have a successful week
  • Warmly
  • With love
  • You friend
  • Have a great day
  • Best of luck this week
  • Looking forward to speaking with you soon

Take Your Thank You Note One Step Further

To show your appreciation beyond your heartfelt thank you, consider adding a thoughtful gift to your card. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture, but a simple token to express your gratitude. A gift card or bouquet of flowers are great examples, along with your handwritten letter.

Your gift should be dependent upon your relationship with the recipient and the severity of their favor. It would not be appropriate to send flowers to a interviewer, but a kind gesture for friends and family.

Why a “Thank You For Your Time” Note is Effective

When it all comes down to it, the primary path to a person‘s heart is to make them feel valued. Most humans are self-interested and take pride in their skills and abilities. When you take time out of your schedule to recognize someone’s goodwill, it will create many long-term benefits.

A “thank you for your time” note also establishes a strong connection and “bridge” to the next meeting or interaction you will have with that person. When you are specific about your gratitude and point to an event in the future, the note will certainly do its job.

You do not need to overthink your note and input a bunch of confusing, elaborate wording. The most important thing is to come off as genuine and be direct as to the impact that person‘s time made on you. When we show gratitude, it creates happiness for everyone involved.

To automate your gratitude, contact Handwrytten today!

Choose from our cards design or your own.

Over 100 designs to choose from or design your own. Our online card customizer makes it simple.

Check Out Our Cards!

Next Posts

11 Strategies To Increase Customer Referrals

Send Personalized Greetings with the Handwrytten App

What are you searching for?

Still need help?
Send us a note.

    Thank you.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience.
    We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.