Career Guide

TAKE NOTE: Key Ways to Say “Thank You” When You Are Building Your New and Empowered Network

[Part I of II]

One of the easiest and most effective ways to stay in touch is with the power of the personal note.
As you are ‘networking’ to grow and build your contact base, always take the opportunity to reach out and say thank you through a personal note — beside e-mails and texts!

Look over these tips written in two installments — take one and apply and see what happens when you do these consistently.

Whether you are looking to grow in your current public relations position or find a new one — the power of the 42 cent investment plan works!

  1. When someone does business with you — every time. Write a short, personalized “thank you” on an interesting card, letterhead, or even a postcard that says, “I appreciate your business, thank you.” You can never say thank you to someone too many times. We all appreciate the fact that people go out of their way to make us feel important and recognized.
  2. When they compliment you. When a contact compliments you about something, it’s an opportunity to jot off a little note of thanks, saying, “Thank you for taking the time for making my day. I appreciate it.” Compliments are given so rarely, so take the lead to say thank you when you get one.�
  3. When someone offers comments or suggestions. It’s a wonderful gift when you are given a suggestion or comment on how you might do something better or different. They’re also giving you an incredible buying signal. They might really be saying, “If you make that change, your product or service will be more attractive to me.” Here’s how to start this type of note: “Thank you for your suggestion on how I can better serve you. I’m in business to do exactly that. And you make my job easier and so much more enjoyable when you provide input.” 
  4. When someone tries something you recommended. When they do something solely based on your suggestion, they’re going out of their “comfort zone.” They’re putting trust in you and your product. This calls for a special note that could read, “Thank you for your trust in me. I value you.”

By Andrea R. Nierenberg, founder and president, The Nierenberg Group, is a best-selling author and a world-renowned business authority. Called a “networking success story” by The Wall Street Journal, Andrea brings a stellar 25 years as a leader in sales and marketing to the table, making her an in-demand business expert both at home and abroad. Andrea speaks in cross-cultural settings, at international companies and conferences. Her company partners with an array of the world’s leading businesses, including Citigroup, Time Inc., TIAA-CREF, The Food Network, Omnicom, Coach, Deutsche Bank, Tiffany & Co. and Douglas Elliman Real Estate, to name just a few. She serves on the board of the Boy Scouts of America-Greater New York Councils and has been honored by Office Depot and the National Association for Female Executives as Business Woman of the Year. She also has received the Direct Marketing Association of New York’s Silver Apple Award for her longstanding dedication to the direct marketing industry.

Get connected with the largest community of public relations and communications professionals at PRSA’s Jobcenter. Whether you are posting a job or job hunting in community relations, corporate communications, public affairs or any communications sector, the PRSA Jobcenter connects you with more than 77,000 potential employees, including 22,000 PRSA members and nearly 10,000 PRSSA students. View more than 1,000 communications jobs, public relations and other career-related opportunities and professionals at www.prsa.org/jobcenter today!

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Andrea R. Nierenberg

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