6 ready-to-use messages
Thank-You Notes for Advice and Guidance
Someone gave you advice that helped. Here is how to tell them so, whether they are a mentor, a friend, or a professional.
Edited by Michael KahnUpdated
Heartfelt
Dear Uncle Ray, I did not realize how much I needed someone to just be straight with me until you were. The advice you gave me about the business decision was honest, practical, and exactly right. Thank you for always showing up that way for this family. With love, Keena
Warm
Dear Professor Nguyen, I wanted to reach out and thank you for the time you spent talking through my career options after class last week. You helped me see a path I had been too anxious to consider, and I am genuinely excited about it now. I will not forget that conversation. With gratitude, Caleb
Casual
Hey Simone, I keep thinking back to the conversation we had about whether to take that job. You asked all the right questions and helped me get out of my own head. I took it, and it feels right. Thank you for being that person I can call when I truly do not know what to do. Love, Jade
Formal
Dear Marcus, The advice you gave me before my negotiation paid off. I went in prepared, asked for what I was worth, and got it. I could not have done that without your coaching, and I am so grateful you took the time. Thank you, sincerely. Best, Alicia
Dear Dr. Okafor, Thank you for taking the time to speak with me even though I was not yet a client. The perspective you shared helped me avoid a costly mistake, and I have been telling everyone who asks to contact you first. I am grateful for your generosity. Sincerely, Tomás Rivera
Short & sweet
Dear Vanessa, Thank you for the advice. It helped more than you know. Gratefully, Owen
Good advice is easy to take and forget to thank, and a note tells the person their help landed. The best ones name what the person said and describe what changed because of it, whether you are writing to a mentor who changed your career trajectory or a friend who helped you think through a hard week.
Common questions
How do you thank someone for advice without sounding over the top?
Be specific. Name the situation, mention what you did with their advice, and describe the outcome briefly.
Should you thank someone for advice even if you did not follow it?
Yes. You can still thank someone sincerely for the thought and care they put into helping you, even if you went a different direction. Focus on what their support meant to you rather than the outcome.