It’s not always easy to write an appreciation letter. However, expressing your gratitude for good work is important. Writing a letter to show your thankfulness conveys your feelings and has a positive impact on work relationships.It’s best not to use clichés or write broad, general statements. Instead, be specific, personal, and sincere. You’re writing this letter to praise particular actions that make the recipients feel appreciated for contributions they have made. Providing positive reinforcement inspires the addressee and others to continue contributing in the future. Read our best appreciation letter for good work templates and writing tips for better ideas on how to create your own.
Appreciation Letter for Good Work Template
Ann Thompson is writing a letter to her team to thank the members for working hard and doing a great job. As a manager, she wants to express her gratitude and acknowledge the contributions that have led to success.
Hi Team,
Congratulations on a job well done! We have had a very busy fall tradeshow season, with the Software Summit being the grand finale. There have been a lot of late nights and weekend shifts to meet deadlines and complete projects, not to mention so many last-minute requests and changes. I’m proud of what we have accomplished and how we have managed to exhibit grace under pressure while putting out high quality and polished work. You all are not just skilled in your positions, but you are also always willing to help and are extremely pleasant to work with.
You have gone above and beyond everyone’s expectations, and I am honored to work with such a talented team. Our work has resulted in more visibility through print materials, tradeshow booth presentations, and digital assets. It has increased lead generation, which has led to a rise in sales and higher profits this quarter. We have proven ourselves to be the strongest, most dedicated team players in the company. It’s a very exciting time to be here, and I am proud to be your manager. Speaking for the company, we would not be on this upswing today if it were not for all of you.
Thanks for everything you do.
With gratitude,
Ann Thompson
How to Write an Appreciation Letter for Good Work
Writing an appreciation letter is a way to give recognition to those who have done good work or favors for you. It is also a way to acknowledge the positive impact that the work has had on you and your organization. This is your opportunity to write a personal note to thank the people who have helped you professionally, making you, your team, the department, and the larger organization look good.
As shown in our appreciation letter for good work template, be specific in your letter. Note particular actions and the direct results, such as how the company benefitted or what goals you met. The idea is to show the recipients your appreciation for their contributions and encourage them to excel and continue at their high-performance level for everyone’s future benefit. Show sincerity in your words, letting your reader know what you are grateful for. Stay within one or two paragraphs and remember to be professional and polite. Write clear, concise sentences without being overly lengthy or emotional. No matter how close you may feel to the recipients, you are writing a business letter, so keep the tone appropriate. Repeat the thanks at the end and personally sign it.
Timing is also important. Generally, correspond soon after an event or accomplishment has taken place so the information is fresh and current. If the letter is late, it might appear that the person or the actions were not very important, so the correspondence may seem more like a forced formality than a genuine, meaningful effort.
What to Avoid in Your Appreciation Letter for Good Work
The worst thing you can do is sound insincere. If you use broad or general statements instead of showing appreciation for personal accomplishments, you risk rendering the letter ineffective. Any sign of exaggeration or use of language other than crisp business vocabulary may cause you to appear disingenuous, which might also harm your reputation more than help it. Find the right balance between formal and casual, but lean toward a professional tone and be sure your letter is well constructed and proofread. Even though it’s showing appreciation for good work, the letter still needs polishing, as it’s a reflection of you.
Do not overthink your message. It will be easier to write the letter if you focus on the specific things you want to praise the recipient for. Do not delve into excessive flattery either, since this does not come across as genuine. Aim for simplicity and remember to be brief.
How to Follow Up After Sending Your Appreciation Letter for Good Work
A follow-up is not necessary since the action you are taking with the letter is positive and meant to acknowledge someone in your company whose work you value. You are also sending the appreciation letter to promote a positive work environment and to foster and strengthen employee and team relationships. However, you may wish to reiterate briefly and verbally to the recipients how proud of them you are, how thankful you are to work with them, and how much respect you have for what they do. With the letter, you are showing gratitude and also encouraging continuous productivity and future achievements through positive reinforcement.
Top 5 Appreciation Letter for Good Work Writing Takeaways
1. Write the appreciation letter soon after the event or achievement has happened
Timing is everything. Write the letter while everything is fresh in people’s minds. Waiting too long to send the letter makes the message seem more obligatory and less genuine.
2. Keep it simple
The letter only needs to be one to two paragraphs long. Use clear and concise business language, and avoid being too personal or using lengthy text and flowery language. Don’t make a quick and easy task more complicated, and don’t risk coming across as insincere by writing anything beyond what is necessary.
3. Express gratitude
Start off by thanking the recipient for what they’ve done. Expand further on their actions, describing how their actions have directly and positively affected you and the organization. Conclude with a final statement that communicates your sincere appreciation and sign your name.
4. Run spelling and grammar checks
As with any other document you create, you want to be sure that the letter is free of errors and typos. You do not want the letter to appear rushed and sloppy since the final presentation of the letter reflects you and your professionalism.
5. The letter is good for both the writer and the receiver
The purpose of the letter is for you to show your thankfulness and solidify work relationships. Well-written correspondence will make the recipient feel grateful and pleased that you took the time and effort to offer such a commendation.
