How to Respond to a Thank You Email

Co-authored by Tami Claytor

Last Updated: July 26, 2022 References

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

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Replying to a Colleague

1
Acknowledge the sender by saying "You're welcome." Taking time to respond to a thank you at work can help you develop a stronger bond with your colleague or supervisor. Whether you do so 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 make sure you are grateful and appreciative with your language. Try "I appreciate your note a great deal."
2
Tell them how you benefited from the task or project that they are referencing. In addition to acknowledging their thank you, it is good to set yourself up for further opportunities by stating the pleasure or benefit you derived from doing a good job.
- "It was very rewarding work. I learned a lot from this project and appreciate the opportunity."
- "I hope to work with the design department again. It was such a pleasure!"
Advertisement
3
Keep it brief. Sending a response to a work-related thank you is not always expected, or required. In order to avoid consuming too much of a colleague's time, keep your response brief. ^{[1]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Acknowledging a Client Thank You

1
Express your appreciation. In addition to a simple "You're welcome," a return email to a grateful client is an opportunity for you to thank them for their business and express a desire for a continued relationship, perhaps even offering a discount or freebie as an incentive.
- "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Jones. I enjoyed getting to know you and hope to see you again soon."
- "I'm so glad you are enjoying your new artwork, Mr. Martinez! As a token of my appreciation, I'd like to offer you a 10% discount on your next gallery purchase."
2
Respond in a timely fashion. As with any email response, it is best to not let too much time go by. Timeliness is an indication that you have prioritized the sender and it will reinforce the sentiment of appreciation.^{[2]
X
Research source}
3
Adopt a warm, personable tone. When someone reaches out to say thank you, it is an opportunity to deepen the relationship and make them feel remembered and special. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- "Thank you for your business and I hope that you have a wonderful adventure!"
- "It was great meeting you and best of luck on your big project!"

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Responding to a Friend or Family Member

1
Say "You're Welcome!" This is the most common way to respond to someone expressing their thanks. It lets them know that you have heard them and acknowledge their appreciation. Alternative phrases include:
- "No problem."
- "Anytime."
- "I'm glad to help."
2
Say "I know you'd do the same for me." If you want to go deeper, and acknowledge the closeness of your relationship with the sender, this type of phrase will do the trick. It implies confidence in the relationship.^{[4]
X
Research source} Other phrases like this include:
- "You've done the same for me."
- "I'm glad we can show up for one another."
- "I'll always be here for you."
3
Let them know that you enjoyed the experience of giving. You can express and honor the idea that giving is its own reward by using one of the following phrases:
- "It was my pleasure."
- "I enjoyed picking it out for you."
- "It was fun!"
4
Express sincerity through 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. Non-verbal cues are just as important as what you say.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

How do I write a thank you email after an interview?

Community Answer

Thank them for their time and tell them you enjoyed talking to them, but don't say "I hope I get the job!" or "Thanks in advance!" because you'll be seen as begging for the job. Remember to be formal! No matter how nice the interviewer was, they're an interviewer, not your friend.
Question

My family wrote a thank you note for the special dinner and hospitality, what do I respond back?

Community Answer

You could just say something like, "You're very welcome for the dinner! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. It was a privilege having you, and I hope we can do it again soon."
Question

Should I put a comma after hello and the name?

Community Answer

Yes. You should put a comma after the greeting, which in this case, is "Hello ____". Normally, you would put a comma after the "Hello", but since we have one at the end of the greeting, it is not needed there but rather after the name. To simplify things, you could put "Dear _____," in place of "Hello ______," if you'd like.