Appreciation Letters

How to write a powerful letter of appreciation that makes the right impression, or makes someone feel special

People respond positively when treated kindly. Employees work harder when they feel appreciated. With a sincere, well-written appreciation letter you can improve relations with words of admiration, gratitude, and recognition.

Write your letter quickly
Write your appreciation letter within a few days of whatever happened to inspire your gratitude.

Use stationery
Write your personal appreciation letter on a sheet of stationery.

Use customized letterhead
for business correspondence.

Address your appreciation letter to a specific person
If possible, not just to the company or to the organization in general.

Specifically state what you appreciate

Be sincere
most people can sense when you are not being honest.

Write clearly and concisely
This is no time to be longwinded or flowery.

Be brief

Avoid thanking the person beforehand
For example: "Thanking you in advance for your help in this matter." To do so is presumptuous and suggests you do not feel the need to write a follow-up letter.

Close with warm regards or best wishes for continued success

Need example appreciation letters? We recommend 4,001 Business, Sales & Personal Letters. This collection includes many professionally written appreciation letters. Empower your writing with: Must-know letter-writing tips Expert help every step of the way Appropriate phrases and sentences Words writers agree work the best  Learn more You will get a variety of appreciation letters for each of these topics: Accept an Honor/Suggestion Accept an honor Accept and express appreciation for a suggestion Business/Work Accept a job offer Accept an invitation to a business appointment Acknowledge the receipt of a report, letter, or other Acknowledge the receipt of a resume Congratulate someone on his or her retirement Encourage/motivate your reader to increase sales Relieve someone from delegated responsibilities because someone else will assume them Thank a business for good service, low prices, or professional courtesies Thank someone for an appointment, interview, or meeting Thank someone for an award, bonus, or raise Write a farewell letter to a person who is leaving employment Write a farewell letter to a person who is retiring Write a farewell letter to management, co-workers or clients Civic Service Thank a doctor or health care facility Thank a religious leader Customers Express appreciation to long-term customers and those who pay their bills promptly Follow up after a sale to thank the customer and offer service Note the anniversary of a customer's company Thank a customer for a payment Thank a customer for purchasing a product or service Thank a customer or client Employee Acknowledge the receipt of a suggestion from an employee Announce the appointment of an employee to a committee or position Congratulate an employee on the anniversary of his or her service Compliment or praise an employee's family for their contribution to the employee's success Compliment or praise an employee's work performance Express appreciation to an employee Note the anniversary of an employee's service Thank a retiree for his or her service Government/Political Congratulate a politician on an election or on the passage of legislation Express regret on the defeat of legislation or the loss of an election Praise government officials or employees Media Compliment or praise the media, an author, or an editor Thank someone for media exposure Personal Give personal compliments or praise Positive Feedback Reply positively to a suggestion Respond positively to negative feedback Respond to a complaint and treat it as valuable feedback Praise Compliment or praise a product or service supplier Compliment or praise a program chairperson or planner Compliment or praise a salesperson or a sales staff Compliment or praise a speaker Compliment or praise someone for an achievement Compliment or praise the work of an employee from another firm Congratulate someone on a speech or presentation Service Accept a request to serve in an honorary position Thank someone for a favor Thank someone for a gift Thank someone for volunteer work Thank someone for help or support Thank someone for helping in your absence Thank someone for hospitality Thank someone for a philanthropic contribution Write a letter to accompany a contribution to a good cause Social Event Accept a formal invitation to a social event Accept an informal invitation to a social event Thank someone for a pleasant occasion Thank someone for visiting a place or attending an event Sympathy Send a gift with a sympathy letter Thank someone for expressions of sympathy Thank You Thank someone for a compliment or praise Thank someone for a job well done Thank someone for a referral or recommendation Thank someone for a reply or response Thank someone for a speech or presentation Thank someone for accepting your advice or recommendation Thank someone for advice or a suggestion Thank someone for an inquiry Thank someone for information Get the right words for your letters in three easy steps: Choose from a variety of prewritten appreciation letters that cover many common situations. Copy your letter directly into Microsoft Word or your favorite word processor. Or let our software guide you step-by-step through the writing process, suggesting sample phrases and sentences for each writing step. In minutes, you can write an effective appreciation letter. Print your appreciation letter and send it!