Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Answer a colleague
• Method 2 of 3: Acknowledge a thank you email from a client
• Method 3 of 3: Respond to a friend or family member

It's always nice to receive a thank you email, whether it's from your brother or your boss. The most important thing in deciding how to respond is to remember to be sincere. Don't be afraid to show your appreciation for the sender and see it as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship. You may want to respond in person, over the phone, or in an email.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Answer a colleague

1. Acknowledge the sender by saying "you're welcome". Taking the time to respond to a thank you email at work can help you build a stronger relationship with your colleague or boss. Whether you do this in person or via email, express your gratitude for the time it took to send the email.

   Tip: If "you're welcome" isn't the tone you're looking for, just check that you are expressing gratitude and appreciation with your language. Try, "I really appreciate your message."

   
   
2. Tell him or her what you got from the task or project he or she is talking about. In addition to acknowledging his or her thanks, it is good to set yourself up for further opportunities by sharing how much pleasure or value you have gained from doing your job.
   • "It was very rewarding work. I learned a lot through this project and appreciate the opportunity to do it."
   • "I hope I will be able to work with the design department again. It was a pleasure!"
3. Keep it running. It is not always expected or required to send a response to a thank you email related to your work. Keep your response quick to avoid taking up too much of your colleagues' time.

Method 2 of 3: Acknowledge a thank you email from a client

1. Express your appreciation. In addition to a simple "you're welcome," a response email to a grateful client is an opportunity to thank him or her for doing business and expressing a wish for a continued relationship; you can even offer a discount or something for free as encouragement if you want.
   • "It was very nice to do business with you, Ms. Jansen. It was nice to meet you and I hope to see you again soon."
   • "I am so happy to hear that you like your new work of art, Ms. De Jong! As a token of my appreciation, I would like to offer you a 10% discount on your next purchase at our gallery."
2. Respond in a timely manner. As with any email response, it is better not to take too much time. Punctuality is an indication that you are prioritizing the sender and will convey a sentiment of appreciation.
3. Adopt a warm, friendly tone. When someone takes the step to say thank you, it's an opportunity to deepen the relationship and make the sender feel special and remembered.
   • "Thank you for doing business and I hope you have a great adventure!"
   • "It was great to meet you and I wish you every success on your big project!"

Method 3 of 3: Respond to a friend or family member

1. Say "You're welcome!“This is the most common way to respond to an expression of thanks. It lets the person know that you have heard them and acknowledge their appreciation. Alternative expressions include:
   • "No problem."
   • "No thanks."
   • "I'm glad I was able to help."
2. Say, "I know you would do the same for me.“If you want to go deeper, and acknowledge the density of your relationship with the sender, then this kind of phrase will work. It implies trust in your relationship. Other expressions like this are:
   • "You did the same for me."
   • "I am happy that we can be there for each other."
   • "I will always be there for you."
3. Let him or her know that you enjoyed the experience of giving. You can express and honor the idea that giving is a reward in itself by using one of the following phrases:
   • "It was my pleasure."
   • "I enjoyed choosing it for you."
   • "It was fun!"
4. Out of sincerity through your body language. If you decide to respond to the thank you email in person, smile and make eye contact while acknowledging the sender, and avoid crossing your arms in front of your chest. Nonverbal cues are just as important as what you say.