Step 1
Say thank you
Always start with a sincere thank you.
- Thank you for meeting with me today.
- Thank you for making time for me.
- Thank you for the warm welcome.
The booklet continues here
Every encounter counts.
A short message. A personal gesture. More attention for one another.
Welcome. Have you read the booklet or scanned the QR code? Here you will find everything from the booklet in one place and can put together your own message in just a minute.
- 52
- pages
- 25
- golden rules
- 25
- sample messages
- 640.000
- possible combinations
Foreword
Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest difference.
After a pleasant meeting, everyone gets on with their day. But imagine someone receiving a short message that same evening:
Thank you for meeting with me today. I found our conversation very valuable. Have a lovely evening.
Writing it takes less than a minute, but a small moment of personal attention can be remembered for a long time. Over the years, I have discovered that these simple messages can open doors and strengthen relationships. Not because they are sales pitches or particularly clever, but because they are personal and sincere.
Ultimately, people do business with people, and what they remember most is how you made them feel.
That idea inspired this booklet. It is not a communication handbook or a novel, but a practical resource with ready-to-use messages for situations we all encounter: new customers, colleagues, business situations and existing relationships.
This booklet also includes Richard's message library. It helps you put together your own message when a standard example does not quite fit the situation.
Find the right moment, choose a message, change a few words and make it personal. Sometimes one minute of attention is enough to strengthen a relationship for years.
I hope you enjoy this booklet and, above all, have many wonderful encounters.
Richard van den Berg
The Richard method
Four steps. Entirely yourself.
Four simple steps to a message people remember. A good personal message does not have to be long or complicated. In fact, the best messages often consist of four simple parts.
Step 2
Make it personal
Mention something you noticed during the meeting.
- It was lovely to see how passionate you are about your work.
- I really enjoyed our conversation.
- Your open way of communicating made a positive impression.
- The tour gave me a great insight into your organisation.
Step 3
Look ahead
Let them know you look forward to staying in touch, without putting them under pressure.
- I look forward to speaking with you again.
- Hopefully we will speak again soon.
- Let's stay in touch.
- I wish you all the best over the coming days.
Step 4
End on a warm note
A warm ending completes your message.
- Have a lovely evening!
- Enjoy your weekend.
- Have a wonderful rest of your day.
- All the best, and I hope to see you again soon.
It is that simple
That is all.
Thank you for meeting with me today. I really enjoyed hearing more about your business. I look forward to speaking with you again. For now, I wish you a lovely evening.
- Short and clear.
- Personal.
- No sales pitch.
- A warm ending.
- No complicated words.
- No sales pitch.
- No long stories.
RememberUltimately, people remember more than your words: they remember how you made them feel.
The rules for a message people remember
The 25 golden rules.
You do not have to be a born writer to send a thoughtful message. Follow these rules to make every message more personal, warmer and more effective.
01of 25
Always be sincere
Only write about what you genuinely experienced.
Why does this work?
People can tell the difference between sincere appreciation and a rehearsed compliment.
Above all, remember this
A good personal message is:
- Short
- Sincere
- Personal
- Free of sales pitches
- Finished with a warm ending
That is really all you need.
Who are you writing to?
Choose a moment, read the example and make it personal. Just one sentence of your own makes a difference.
The first impression is made. Now the relationship begins.
A first meeting may last an hour, but the impression you leave can last for years. A short, personal message shows that you appreciated the meeting.
01
A warm introduction
Thank you for meeting with me today. I really enjoyed our conversation and wanted to let you know. Have a lovely evening, and I hope we speak again soon.
Why does this work?
- Warm and personal.
- No sales pitch.
- An inviting ending.
02
An open conversation
Thank you for making time for me today. I appreciated how openly we spoke with each other. That builds trust. Have a wonderful evening.
Why does this work?
- Mentions a personal observation.
- Conveys trust.
03
A warm welcome
Thank you for the warm welcome today. I felt at home straight away and really enjoyed getting to know you and your organisation. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Everyone appreciates having their hospitality noticed.
04
Enthusiasm
Thank you for our enjoyable conversation today. It was lovely to see how enthusiastically you talked about your work. That enthusiasm is contagious. Have a lovely evening!
Why does this work?
- Gives a sincere compliment.
- Personal without overdoing it.
05
A positive impression
I wanted to thank you again for our lovely meeting today. You made a very positive impression, and I look back on our conversation with pleasure. Have a lovely evening!
Why does this work?
- Simple.
- Suitable for almost any first business meeting.
06
A great start
Today was a lovely first meeting. Thank you for your time, openness and the enjoyable conversation. I look forward to what comes next. For now, have a relaxing evening.
Why does this work?
- Looks ahead positively.
- No pressure on the recipient.
07
Appreciation
Thank you for taking the time to get to know each other better today. I really appreciate it. I hope you look back on our meeting with the same good feeling as I do. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Personal.
- Brings a smile.
08
A step further
You do not meet lovely people every day. That is why I wanted to thank you again for our enjoyable conversation today. I wish you all the best and hope our paths cross many more times.
Why does this work?
- Warm.
- Easy to remember.
09
Professional and friendly
Thank you again for meeting with me today. It was lovely to hear more about your organisation. I look forward to speaking with you again. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Particularly suitable for B2B contacts.
10
The closing message
Sometimes the briefest meetings leave a lasting impression. Thank you for our enjoyable conversation today. Have a lovely evening, and I hope to see you again.
Why does this work?
- Ends on a positive thought.
- Suitable for almost any situation.
Ten moments you will probably recognise.
Sample messages for ten familiar business situations, from an inspiring conversation to a first phone call.
01
After an inspiring conversation
Thank you for the inspiring conversation today. It was lovely to see how passionate you are about … . Conversations like that are energising. Have a lovely evening, and I hope we speak again soon.
Why does this work?
- Positive energy.
- Sincere appreciation.
Richard's tip
Only use the word inspiring if that is how you genuinely experienced it.
02
After a company visit
Thank you for the tour and the warm welcome today. I found it very interesting to see your organisation up close. I look back on our visit with great pleasure. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Personal.
- Mentions something unique.
- Appreciates the time given.
Richard's tip
Always mention something you actually saw.
03
After discussing a first assignment
Thank you for our enjoyable conversation today. I appreciate the trust you place in us and look forward to working together. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Returns the trust shown.
- Professional.
- Suitable for any industry.
Richard's tip
The word trust has a strong impact when used sincerely.
04
A brief introduction
Sometimes a short conversation is enough to leave a positive impression. Thank you for meeting with me today. Have a lovely evening, and I hope to see you again.
Why does this work?
- Short.
- Personal.
Richard's tip
A meeting does not have to be long to be valuable.
05
After a lunch meeting
Thank you for the lovely lunch and enjoyable conversation today. It was good to get to know each other better. I look back on our meeting with pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Why does this work?
- Personal.
- Warm.
Richard's tip
Always thank someone for their time, not for the meal. It feels much more sincere.
06
After dinner
Thank you for the lovely evening and great conversations. I enjoyed our meeting and appreciate the time we spent together. Have a lovely evening and a wonderful week.
Why does this work?
- Elegant.
- Also suitable for business dinners.
Richard's tip
After dinner, a message can be a little more personal than after a regular meeting.
07
A first phone call
Thank you for our enjoyable phone conversation today. Even though we have not yet met in person, you made a very positive impression. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Ideal for online sales.
- Starts building trust.
Richard's tip
You can also use this after a Teams or Zoom call.
08
An online introduction
Thank you for our enjoyable online meeting today. Despite the distance, the conversation felt personal and relaxed. I look forward to speaking with you again. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Modern.
- Increasingly relevant.
Richard's tip
Mention the online meeting. It makes the message recognisable.
09
Through a recommendation
It was lovely to connect today through our mutual contact. Thank you for the enjoyable conversation. I look forward to getting to know you and wish you a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Acknowledges the introduction.
- Builds trust immediately.
Richard's tip
Always mention your mutual contact when appropriate.
10
An important business relationship
Thank you for taking the time to meet today. I appreciate the openness of our conversation and look back on our first meeting with great pleasure. I hope this is the beginning of a lasting partnership. Have a lovely evening.
Why does this work?
- Conveys calm and professionalism.
- Suitable for larger clients.
Richard's tip
With important relationships, a measured tone often makes your message stronger.
Appreciation you usually forget to express.
With colleagues, it is often not about first impressions but about appreciation you normally forget to express. These messages are a little more direct and less formal than messages to clients.
01
After a successful project
Thank you for the great teamwork on this project. I enjoyed how we found a good solution together. It is lovely that we can do things like this as a team. Have a lovely evening!
Why does this work?
- Acknowledges the shared effort, not just your own contribution.
- Feels like a colleague speaking, not a manager.
02
A colleague who helped you
Thank you for helping me think things through when I got stuck today. It really made a difference. It is great to have colleagues like you. See you tomorrow!
Why does this work?
- Specific and short.
- Acknowledges help without excessive gratitude.
03
A new role or promotion
Congratulations on your new role! A wonderful next step. I look forward to seeing what you do with it. All the best for the time ahead.
Why does this work?
- Sincere, without a hint of jealousy.
- Looks ahead rather than back.
04
Saying goodbye to a colleague
It has been lovely working with you. I will certainly miss our conversations and your approach to work. All the best with your next step!
Why does this work?
- Personal without becoming sentimental.
- Fits almost any farewell situation.
05
Just a compliment, for no particular reason
I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the way you handle things at work. It is not always said, but I do notice it.
Richard's tip
These messages work best when there really is no particular occasion. That makes them feel even more sincere.
Richard's message library
Build a personal message in one minute.
You do not have to find the right words from scratch every time. Simply choose one opening, one personal observation, one forward-looking line and one warm ending. The result is a unique message every time.
01 · 40 choicesWarm opening
02 · 40 choicesPersonal observation
03 · 20 choicesLooking ahead
04 · 20 choicesWarm ending
Your message120 building blocks · 640,000 combinations
Thank you for meeting with me today. I really enjoyed our conversation. I look forward to speaking with you again. Have a lovely evening.
When you put together a message using the message library, the parts may not always flow naturally. Read it aloud once. Does it sound right? Then it is right!
A final thought
While reading, you may have wondered: “Can such a short message really make that much difference?”
My answer is simple.
Yes.
Not because words are extraordinary.
But because sincere attention has become extraordinary.
You do not have to be a writer.
You do not have to be a salesperson.
You only have to be someone who occasionally shows: “I appreciate having met you.”
Perhaps you will send your first message tomorrow.
Perhaps nothing will change.
Perhaps you will receive a friendly thank you.
Or perhaps it will begin a partnership, a friendship or a relationship that lasts for years.
You never know.
But there is one thing I do know
No sincere message is ever a wasted effort.
Every encounter is a chance to make someone's day a little brighter.
Richard van den Berg
Who came to mind while you were reading?