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Business and Social Etiquette Expert: Syndi Seid
Thank you email, or thank you note?
Q: I just completed some private meetings with high–level executives at a corporation. I want to thank them for their time and information. Is it appropriate to simply send an email, or does it have to be a personal handwritten note?
A: A personal, handwritten thank–you note will always outweigh one sent by fax or email. To receive your note a few days following the meeting is perfectly OK — and it will make all the difference in the world. The receiver will know and appreciate the time it took you to hand write and mail your message. An email or fax shows no extra effort or caring on your behalf.
Don't be mistaken by thinking you are never to send a thank–you note via email or fax. Rather, it is the circumstances and need which drives the method best used. For example, I once had lunch with a client who was in town over night on her way to Australia for the next three weeks. The client paid for lunch, for which I was most grateful and naturally wanted to send her a thank you note. However, had I sent it via regular mail to her office, she would not have received it until her return in three weeks.
Instead, I sent a fax to the hotel and began the message saying, "I didn't want you to leave town for the next three weeks without knowing how much I thank you for the lovely lunch and meeting we had today." Similar circumstances may also warrant an email over a note sent by regular mail. Nevertheless, absent of any specific situation, a personal, handwritten note is the BEST! Just put things in the reverse: wouldn't you appreciate and enjoy receiving a personal, handwritten note sent by regular mail over receiving an email or fax?
Don't be mistaken by thinking you are never to send a thank–you note via email or fax. Rather, it is the circumstances and need which drives the method best used. For example, I once had lunch with a client who was in town over night on her way to Australia for the next three weeks. The client paid for lunch, for which I was most grateful and naturally wanted to send her a thank you note. However, had I sent it via regular mail to her office, she would not have received it until her return in three weeks.
Instead, I sent a fax to the hotel and began the message saying, "I didn't want you to leave town for the next three weeks without knowing how much I thank you for the lovely lunch and meeting we had today." Similar circumstances may also warrant an email over a note sent by regular mail. Nevertheless, absent of any specific situation, a personal, handwritten note is the BEST! Just put things in the reverse: wouldn't you appreciate and enjoy receiving a personal, handwritten note sent by regular mail over receiving an email or fax?
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