When someone follows up with you after a meeting, call, or email, it’s important to thank them for their time and consideration. Saying “thank you for following up” shows appreciation and keeps communication open. However, using the same phrase repeatedly can sound insincere or robotic. This blog post explores alternative ways to express gratitude when someone contacts you to check on progress, request an update, or get more information.
Change Up Your Vocabulary
One easy way to vary how you say thanks is to use different vocabulary words. Here are some other ways to say “Thank You For Following Up”:
- “I appreciate you checking in with me.”
- “Thanks for circling back on this project.”
- “I’m grateful you reached out about next steps.”
- “I value you taking the time to contact me.”
- “I appreciate your diligence in following up.”
- “Thanks a bunch for checking in!”
- “Thanks for keeping me in the loop.”
- “I value you providing this update.”
- “It was great to hear from you again.”
- “I’m glad you touched base about this.”
- “Thanks for remembering our conversation.”
- “I’m thankful you took the time to follow up.”
- “It means a lot that you checked on this.”
- “I’m happy you connected again to move this forward.”
Using a range of vocabulary prevents repetition and makes each expression of thanks more meaningful. Even simple changes like “many thanks” or “thank you kindly” can freshen up standard phrases.
Focus on the Gesture
Instead of only being thankful for the follow up itself, emphasize what the gesture represents.
Here are some ideas:
- “I’m thankful for your patience during this lengthy process.”
- “I appreciate your persistence in seeing this through.”
- “Your dedication to this project means so much to me.”
- “I appreciate your effort to maintain open communication between us.”
- “It’s thoughtful of you to sustain helpful dialogue.”
- “You went out of your way to perpetuate useful exchanges.”
Highlighting character traits like patience and persistence shows thankfulness for the person’s underlying motivations. This makes your gratitude more heartfelt and genuine.
Incorporate Personal Details
Adding customized details tailors your appreciation to the recipient:
- “I know you must be extraordinarily busy given the merger, so I truly value you following up.”
- “Considering the time difference, I’m impressed you contacted me so promptly. You didn’t have to go to that effort.”
- “I realize this request came just before the holidays, yet you delivered on time. I won’t forget how you supported me despite your packed schedule.”
- “Considering your packed agenda this week, I’m doubly grateful you made time for this.”
- “I know you had a major deadline yesterday, so I appreciate you squeezing in this update.”
- “Despite your cross-country travels, I’m impressed you followed through so swiftly.”
When you acknowledge relevant circumstances like packed workloads, time differences, holidays and more, your gratitude becomes laser-focused. Embedding personal details requires more effort yet earns greater returns.
Offer Tangible Assistance
Providing tangible help or kindness along with thanks goes above and beyond:
- “This consultant referral is my small way of thanking you for being so attentive to me as a client. Please reach out if I can ever return the favor.”
- “Because you rushed to send that sample my way, let me treat you to a cup of coffee/tea next time I’m in town. My treat!”
- “I so appreciate you connecting me with your strategic partners. If it helps you out, I’m happy to provide a testimonial or reference highlighting our work together.”
- “Please allow me to send over a small care package/gift basket as thanks.”
- “If you have any documents you need notarized or filed, I’d be happy to help handle it.”
- “I’d love to be a reference for you if you ever need one down the road.”
These supportive gestures add weight to your words of thanks. When possible, back up your verbal appreciation with deeds, gifts or favors.
Conclusion
Following up requires personal effort and time. Thanking others for maintaining contact honors their attention while nurturing relationships. While “thank you for the follow up” is perfectly acceptable, expanding your responses utilizing the methods above makes gratitude sparkle.
A small vocabulary exercise enhances meaning. Spotlighting unseen motivation through praise deepens bonds. Colorful comparisons and metaphors add spice while personalization shows you care. Finally, pairing tangible assistance or reciprocation with thanks leaves an unforgettable impression.
In our busy world, follow up after meetings can slip between the cracks despite good intentions. Extending heartfelt thanks when others remember you creates a climate of mutual consideration that benefits everyone.
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