When is the last time you got a thank you card from a business when you were the customer?

I'm talking about a handwritten thank you note that you received in the mailbox.

If it's been awhile, you might not even know the answer.

Now, let's turn the tables.

When's the last time YOU sent a thank you card to one of your customers?

Or a co-worker?

Or a vendor?

Or to anyone for that matter?

It it's been more than 30 days, it's been too long.

Acts of gratitude can be the differentiating factor in business.

Even though it's so simple, relatively few businesses use appreciation as a way to stand out from the competition.

Clients and customers want to feel appreciated. Like they matter. And sending handwritten thank you notes to your customers will do that.

I recently read an article about a business owner who had a meeting with a prospective client.

After the meeting, he sent the prospect a Signature Box of Gratitude Cookies to say thank you for the meeting.

That investment turned into a $25,000 contract.

Pretty awesome return for saying "thank you" in a unique way.

So think about who you can send a thank you card to today.