Which TY is Better? Official or Handwritten?

The Olympics are over. No more breath-taking moments: Will you-know-who fall off the beam? Will Pommel-Horse Guy keep his legs up? Will break-dancing continue as an Olympic sport? Will Steph Curry give us another three-pointer? Will Sha’Carri give more side-eye?
 
Post-Olympic Blues (POB), if it’s not, should be a diagnosed malady. I’m feeling it.
 
Without the Olympics, I’m bored. So, what can I do with my hours of free time? Here’s a thought...
 
Write a few thank you (TY) notes!
 
There are two kinds of TY notes:
 
1. The official one. This one is a typed letter that comes on the church or nonprofit’s letterhead.
 
It should not be boring.
 
Start with a great opening line that makes the recipient want to read more. Keep it short. The elements of a good TY letter?

• It thanks.

• It tells about the impact of the gift.

• It thanks again.

• It is signed by the Pastor or Executive Director.

Bonus points: A good TY letter always has an added handwritten-note from the person who signed it (expressing thanks again).
 
Official TY letters are important. They carry a bit more gravitas (did you know that I speak Latin?). People hold on to them for tax purposes. They matter.
 
2. The handwritten one. This one is less formal. It’s written on a card that delights when opened (hooray for cards that are specific to your church or organization). It either is hand-written in print or cursive – whichever is legible. Please, for the love of my eyes, make it legible.   
 
It too should not be boring.
 
What makes a good handwritten TY note? Many of the same things that are present in an official letter:

• A good opening line

• Sincere thanks

• Mention of what the gift will do

• Thanks again

By now, smart reader, you will have guessed (and you would be right) that official and handwritten letters are equally important, but for different reasons. They both should be in your gratitude pocket.

Post-Olympics Blues will soon fade away but the glow of a well-written official or hand-written TY note will last for a good long while. Just keep remembering, thank you letters make a difference.
 
Go for the gold and write one today.
 
Here are a few posts on how to write a more formal TY letter.
Opening Lines: More Important than You Think
A Thank You Letter that Says “Wow!”
How to Gain a Raving Fan through a Thank You Letter

Here are two posts about the potential power of handwritten letters.
The Tale of Two Thank You Notes
A Thank You that Broke (Some of) the Rules

Coming up! Julia Frisbie, Executive Director of the Faith Foundation Northwest and I will be leading a webinar on September 18 from 6:30-7:30: Pledge Campaign Best Practices. Be sure to sign up now!

 
Photo credit: Rav Vaishnaw @pexels.com

Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Check out “Raygun’s” break dancing moves on Jimmy Fallon.

You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
 
Schedule a meeting now.
 
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