How to Pay a Powerful Compliment

I received a powerful testimonial from a client. I often receive nice letters after my presentations, but this note stood out as exceptionally genuine, specific and sincere. I read it twice, and that got me thinking.

I write ‘Thank you’ notes every week to colleagues, suppliers and friends. Perhaps you do, too. But how many of my notes – or yours – pack such a positive punch?

I thought, ‘If I am going to take the time to send a note, why not write one that really stands out?’

So I studied my client’s message again and found four distinct elements working closely together:

1. Acknowledge the high level of quality received.

2. Report the impact this quality had on the people.

3. Explain how the experience exceeded expectations.

4. Gesture towards positive interactions in the future.

This formula is simple yet powerful. I used it to compliment a scuba-diving resort I visited for a week. Here’s my letter. It took two minutes to write.

Dear Kungkungan Bay Resort,

I want to thank you for a terrific diving vacation last month. The entire resort is a credit to ‘environmental tourism’ for scuba-diving and for the region.

My friend and I returned home with nothing but positive comments and stories.

We knew the diving would be great, with unusual creatures seen at each location. But we had no idea such great scuba-diving would be coupled with delightful rooms, friendly staff and first-class dining that ranks way beyond our expectations.

We will certainly tell our friends about you, and look forward to returning soon.

Sincerely,

Ron Kaufman

Can you see how the simple four-step formula makes this letter so real and so effective? Isn’t that what you want to do when you send out a letter of compliment or thanks? Now you can do it, in just four easy steps.