Goodwill Letters

How to write a goodwill letter to send kind feelings of approval, concern or support

• Whether expressing gratitude, appreciation, recognition, or condolences, be sincere in your remarks. Most people can tell when you are not.

• Keep your letter focused on the recipient, not on yourself or your company.

• Do not write this letter solely for the purpose of making a sales pitch. The purpose of this letter is to spread goodwill, without promoting any hidden agenda.

• Keep your letter brief.

• Be specific when writing this letter. For example, rather than writing vague generalities about a job well done, include details that demonstrate what the person did to deserve the recognition.

• Try to stay away from clichés and canned expressions. Be creative.

• Remember, goodwill letters often come as a surprise, are greatly appreciated, and are an effective way to build relationships.

Need example goodwill letters? We recommend 4,001 Business, Sales & Personal Letters. This collection includes many professionally written goodwill letters. Empower your writing with: Must-know letter-writing tips Expert help every step of the way Appropriate phrases and sentences Words writers agree work the best  Learn more You will get a variety of goodwill letters for each of these topics: Announcement Announce a company savings plan Announce an employee's achievement Keep a customer up to date on progress Write a letter on the anniversary of your company Apology Apologize for a defective, damaged, or incomplete product Apologize for a late payment Apologize for a missed deadline Apologize for a shipping delay or error Apologize for an invoice or billing error Apologize for betrayed trust Apologize for hurt feelings Apologize for missing an appointment Apologize for missing an event or for overlooking or forgetting someone Apologize for missing or being late to a meeting or appointment Apologize for offensive behavior Apologize for poor or inadequate service Apologize for providing incorrect or incomplete information Apologize for someone else (business) Apologize for someone else (personal) Apologize to an employee or employees Write a business apology Write a personal apology Appreciation Express appreciation to an employee Express appreciation to long-term customers and those who pay their bills promptly Grant a promotion or raise Write a letter acknowledging achievements Congratulations Congratulate an employee on the anniversary of his or her service Congratulate an employee, friend, or associate on an advancement or promotion Congratulate an official on an appointment or on winning an election Congratulate someone on a religious occasion Congratulate someone on a speech or presentation Congratulate someone on an achievement, an accomplishment, or on a job well done Congratulate someone on his or her birthday Congratulate someone on his or her engagement Congratulate someone on his or her graduation Congratulate someone on his or her retirement Congratulate someone on his or her wedding or marriage Congratulate someone on publishing a book or article Congratulate someone on the anniversary of their marriage Congratulate someone on the birth or adoption of a child Congratulate someone on the opening of a new business, store, or office Congratulate someone on winning a contract Congratulate someone on winning an award or receiving a scholarship or other honor Farewells Write a farewell letter to a person who is leaving employment Write a farewell letter to a person who is retiring Write a farewell letter to management, co-workers or clients Sympathy/Get Well Offer sympathy for a marriage separation or divorce Offer sympathy for loss or damage caused by a theft, vandalism, or natural disaster Offer sympathy for the death of a business associate Offer sympathy for the death of a business associate's family member Offer sympathy for the death of a child Offer sympathy for the death of a friend or relative Offer sympathy for the death of a person who has been ill Offer sympathy for the loss of a job Offer sympathy for the loss or death of a pet Offer sympathy in a case of serious or terminal illness Send a gift with a sympathy letter Write a get-well message regarding an employee's or business associate's family member who is suffering from illness or injury Write a get-well message to a child suffering from illness or injury Write a get-well message to a friend or relative suffering from an illness or injury Write a get-well message to a teacher suffering from illness or injury Write a get-well message to an employee or business associate suffering from illness or injury Thank You Thank a business for good service, low prices, or professional courtesies Thank a customer for purchasing a product or service Thank a doctor or health care facility Thank a religious leader Thank a retiree for his or her service Thank someone for a favor Thank someone for a pleasant occasion Thank someone for helping in your absence Thank someone for hospitality Thank someone for visiting a place or attending an event Thank someone for volunteer work Welcome Welcome a new business to town Welcome a new customer or client Welcome a new employee Welcome a new resident to the neighborhood Welcome a new shareholder Welcome a new student to school, class, or a training seminar Welcome a potential customer or client to the area Welcome a son-in-law or daughter-in-law into the family Welcome someone into a group, association, religion, or club Miscellaneous Explain an error you have made Extend holiday or winter season's greetings to employees, customers, and business associates Extend holiday or winter season's greetings to friends Extend Labor Day greetings to employees Extend Mother's Day or Father's Day greetings (personal) Extend Mother's Day or Father's Day greetings and/or announce sales or promotions for these days Introduce gifts to customers and prospective customers Invite or request suggestions from employees and customers Note the anniversary of a customer's company Note the anniversary of an employee's service Offer voluntary services Respond positively to negative feedback Send a late payment after a mutual agreement to do so Strengthen relationships with customers Write a letter to accompany a contribution to a good cause Write a letter to accompany a gift Related Goodwill-Letter Topics Announce a business anniversary Announce a change in your company's name Announce a change of address Announce a change of business address Announce a drug testing program Announce a new business, store, or branch office Announce a new partner Announce a new product or service Announce or introduce a new salesperson Announce the birth or adoption of a baby (personal letter) Announce the death of an employee or an employee's relative Approve a loan Approve a proposal Approve a vacation or leave of absence Approve attendance at a conference or seminar Authorize medical treatment Cancel a wedding Confirm an appointment, meeting, or interview Confirm an error correction or revision Confirm an oral agreement Confirm that you have given authorization to someone Correct a customer's error or assertion Correct an error in a payment made or received Correct your own error in a transaction Disagree with a subordinate, a superior, or a person in authority Dismiss an employee for reasons beyond the employee's control Extend invitations to seasonal parties: Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, etc. (business and personal) Extend invitations to winter holiday parties (business and personal) Follow up during a job search after a lapse of time Follow up during a job search after a telephone contact Follow up during a job search after an interview Grant an appointment Grant approval for credit Grant permission to use or publish materials Inform employees of another's illness Network by discussing publications or speeches Offer a suggestion to a customer Offer a suggestion to a religious leader Offer a suggestion to a superior Offer a suggestion to a supplier or retailer Offer the use of a charge account Prepare a prospective customer to receive a sales telephone call Request a favor Request an individual to volunteer services Request assistance or cooperation from someone in another firm Request confirmation of an authorization to take action Request correction of a billing error Request correction of an error in a check Request correction of an error in a credit report Resell to long-time customers Respond to a complaint and treat it as valuable feedback Respond to a complaint of discrimination or sexual harassment Respond to a complaint while avoiding agreement or denying liability, and refusing to make an adjustment Respond to a complaint while avoiding or denying liability, but making an adjustment Respond to a complaint, but needing more information Respond to a sales rejection Respond to rumors Write a recommendation or a reference about someone Write to former stockholders or investors Get the right words for your letters in three easy steps: Choose from a variety of prewritten goodwill letters that cover many common situations. Copy your letter directly into Microsoft Word or your favorite word processor. Or let our software guide you step-by-step through the writing process, suggesting sample phrases and sentences for each writing step. In minutes, you can write an effective goodwill letter. Print your goodwill letter and send it!