Thank yous and thank-you gifts for referrals - How do you do give thanks? How do you like to receive thanks?

I think 'thank yous' are a lost art and it's such a shame. For as simple and easy as they can be - their impact is huge.

I'm one for unique gifts that will show that some thought went into the gesture.

When we complete a large web design project, I like to send the client a $50 flower arrangement to the client, congratulating them on the launch of their new site. But not any type of flower arrangement. I use flowers from Charles Coughlan at Hana Design Ikebana - http://www.hanadesignikebana.com/. (He has a studio in Fremont.) His arrangements are simple elegant japanese ikebana designs that make an impact and last much longer than typical flower arrangements.

At last night's Biznik event someone was telling me that after they closed on their new house, their mortgage broker sent them a small package with a pre-inked rubber stamp with their name and new address on it. A friend who was a realtor, used to purchase a sterling silver keychain in a jewelry box that she'd courier over to the buyer with a set of their new keys on it.

If you know the person well and their tastes, I don't think you can ever go wrong with a $50 bottle of scotch or port, a fancy $40 exotic plant - or anything that the person might not typically go out and purchase for themselves. In the case of scotch or a plant, the person will remember the gesture each time they enjoy the item.

But I feel like hand written thank you notes are wonderful too. Everyone enjoys receiving a hand written note in the mail. We've hired Ellen Forney - http://biznik.com/members/index.html?name=Ellen_Forney - to create an illustration of Dan and I that I'll print on thank you cards that will be sent out to those who contribute something to Biznik, like those who host an event.

You asked specifically about thanking a client for a referral. I'm fond of hand written notes. If the referral was significant, artful flowers might be appropriate. If the referral was hugely significant, then a $200+ gift certificate to a nice restaurant would be lovely to receive. The denomination should be large enough for the recipient to feel like they and a date can splurge on wine and dessert. And if it's one of your favorite places, it's a nice way to include a recommendation in with the gesture.

Lastly, I'd like to remind folks about gift certificates to other Biznik's services. I had a realtor (before she moved out of state) who used my portrait services regularly as a thank you gift for her clients with small children, purchasing a $300 gift certificate for an in-home family portrait sitting. There are massage therapists, home/office organizers, personal chefs and wine tasting tour guides who all offer services that some people may never purchase for themselves, but would appreciate as a gift. If you're prepared to spend $100-300 on a thank you gift, why not consider purchasing a certificate to service that you know the recipient would not think of purchasing for themselves. A week of personal chef services for a family who just had a baby; a massage for the end of a stressful negotiation, a home organizer or feng shui consultant for someone who just moved, a portrait sitting for someone with children.

i always offer a referral gift for people referring clients. i love to send a token of appreciation. thus far, it has been a monetary gift of 10% from my first booked session. it's not a huge amount - a gift nonetheless.

upon reading this, maybe it would be better to send a gift card to a bookstore, coffee shop, etc?

i figure with a monetary gift, they can use it however they want. with a gift card, it might not be something they would use. maybe i could cater to the referring person's persona...except if i don't know them. i could maybe have a choice of a few types of gift cards?

personally, i love gift cards if its for something i will use or someplace i would want to shop. cash is great too!

Gift cards are great. It reminds me that back when Beth Cosker and I were in the same BNI chapter, she handed out $5 Starbucks cards to those she received a referral from and called them, "Thanks a Latte".