Part 4 -Sending cards for all occasions. There are so many occasions to send someone a card in the mail. You can always thank somebody when you’ve first met them. You can thank someone for doing a good job. You can thank someone for getting on the phone with you to talk about business.

You can also send a card just to congratulate somebody on a special event, an anniversary, or a promotion. You can send a card for sympathy if somebody loses a loved one, or a “get well” note if they’re in the hospital recovering from an injury or surgery.

The business of gratitude is being grateful for people in a caring way. Connect with someone when they’re going through a difficult time. You can say: “I understand you’re going through a tough time. I just want you to know that you’re in my thoughts, my heart, my prayers. If you need someone to reach out to, I’m here for you.”

One of the most powerful notes Stephen writes is the “regret.” He shares an example from his industry. In the mortgage business, not everybody’s approved for their loan. Even when you approve someone for a loan, they sometimes get their loans somewhere else. So Stephen will send a note, even on that occasion: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you. I regret that I wasn’t able to serve your needs at this time. In today’s business world, things change. So if anything changes in your world, feel free to contact me.”

Writing this note keeps the door open. Stephen says it got him more business because people would send him referrals, or they’d come back to him when their credit got fixed or their job became more stable.