Rooted in Gratitude: An Interiorscape Professional’s Guide to Thank-You Notes

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, what better time to talk about giving thanks? If you’ve successfully bid, designed, and brought to life the perfect plantscape for a valued client, you may be contemplating how to express your gratitude for their trust. Personally, I always lean towards a handwritten thank-you note—it’s remarkable how much weight a simple card carries. Over the years, many clients have displayed these thoughtful messages in their workspaces and appreciated the sentiment they convey. So, let’s delve into the writing process.

Prepping for a Writing Session

There’s nothing worse than sitting down to write a thank-you card, only to realize you’re missing essential tools and details. So, before you begin, make sure you’re properly prepared.

Client Contact Information

Ensure that you have the precise address and correct spelling of all names. Don’t hesitate to directly ask clients for their mailing address—it’s surprising how often it differs from the property address! To stay organized, I keep all client addresses in a dedicated book so I know right where to look when I need contact information.

Thank-You Cards

To find unique thank-you cards, I enjoy visiting various venues, such as local art galleries, botanical garden gift shops, and boutiques. A mass-produced thank-you card will work too, but there’s a certain magic in discovering a card that resonates with your client. For instance, when an old tobacco building was transformed into a laboratory and conference center, I discovered a local artist with stunning cards featuring the renovated building. The client was genuinely impressed and proudly shared it with everyone that day!

I also have a soft spot for thank-you cards adorned with natural elements like leaves, plants, or nature scenes. Or, for a more customizable approach, Vista Print offers a fantastic selection of online cards. It’s simple to create items that match your business logo, and I’ve used this approach several times to design gift certificates when donating prizes for events.

Personalization Materials

To infuse a personal touch into the card, consider decorative elements like ribbons, pressed flowers, stamps, stickers, washi tape, or wax seals. Obviously, creating a handwritten thank-you note requires a writing instrument. I’ve found that a high-quality pen can make a significant difference in the presentation of your message, so I always have one on hand. Gathering everything beforehand means you’re all set and ready to go when it’s time to put pen to paper.

Crafting Your Message

Creating the ideal thank-you note involves several key aspects. Start by keeping your message clear and to the point. Make sure to address the note to all parties involved in the proposal, ensuring that everyone feels acknowledged. Consider adding a unique point, shared moment, or observation that will leave a lasting impression and make your thank-you card more memorable.

Always close your note by looking ahead to the future. Share your excitement about prospective projects and building on the relationship you’ve established. Finally, take a minute to address the envelope neatly. It might sound trivial, but I’ve had cards returned recently because of hard-to-read handwriting or slight errors in the address.

Here’s an example of a well-crafted thank-you note:

Dear [CLIENT NAMES],

We want to take a moment to express our appreciation
for choosing [COMPANY NAME] to enhance your
building at [ADDRESS]. We sincerely hope the new plants
have brought joy to your space! It’s been a pleasure working
with you, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities
that lie ahead in our partnership!

Warm regards,
[YOUR NAME – COMPANY NAME]

Creating Lasting Connections

To further express your gratitude, think of adding a small gift along with your thank-you note. My personal favorite is a business card attached to a simple magnet. You can easily find these at local office supply stores or online retailers like Amazon. When my husband started his tree service years ago, I made it a practice to show our gratitude by sending thank-you cards to each and every client. Even years later, some of our loyal customers would drop by our yard, showing us the magnet and note we sent them. This simple act of appreciation not only builds trust but also strengthens customer retention by keeping your business top of mind and nurturing long-term relationships.