How to Say A Meaningful “Thank You” to Your Remote Team Members
Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means we may earn an affiliate commission for links you click on. There’s no cost to you. If you’d like to learn more about how Anywhere and Anytime Careers is funded, click here.
Parents who work from home often rely on remote teams. This can be the other members of your company. It can also mean contractors and freelancers who work to provide the services you need, like virtual assistants, accountants, and social media managers. And if you want to keep those connections, you’ll need some creative ways to show appreciation for your remote employees and collaborators.
Velocity Global says there are over 76 million remote freelancers and contractors in the US, with that number projected to grow by millions in the next few years. Working from home has changed the way business owners and those they collaborate with engage with each other. But each team member still needs to feel appreciated.
Recognizing the hard work of your remote team members is essential for:
- Boosting morale in your team
- Encouraging loyalty, so your valued collaborators stay with you
- Maintaining productivity, even from afar.
In this article, we’ll look at four thoughtful and creative ways to show personalized appreciation for your remote employees.
1. Establishing an Employee Recognition Program
This technique works best when you have a larger, dedicated team. When you create a formal system for recognizing accomplishments, every team member can feel valued. Even better, many will work harder to achieve the milestones for recognition.
But even if your team is tiny, there are ways to use a formal employee recognition program.
Here are some ideas:
- Highlight team members’ efforts during virtual meetings
- Create monthly awards for achievements that align with your company values
- Post about accomplishments on your company website, blog, or social media
- Share a collaborator’s contact information or refer them to others
- Set up a rewards program – digital gift cards or other tangible tokens, like pins, coffee mugs, or badges
Thoughtful public acknowledgment can go a long way toward showing how much you appreciate those who really show up for your business.
This video of low and no-cost ideas for appreciating employees has plenty of creative ways to show appreciation for your remote collaborators.
2. Handwriting a Personalized Thank-You Note
In parenting and in business, small gestures can make a big impact. A handwritten note sent through the mail adds a personal touch that really stands out in a digital world.
To make the note more meaningful, take the time to thank them for their specific accomplishments, efforts, and contributions to the team.
This thoughtful act can leave a lasting impression of your business, and of you as a person they want to continue working with, too.
We tell our kids that “thank you” is a magical phrase. Remembering that in our businesses can make everyone happier, with team members who are eager to give their best.
These guidelines can help you write a professional thank you card that also has the personal touch.
3. Sending a Care Package
Care packages are a fun and personal way to brighten someone’s day and acknowledge their hard work. It can be exciting to get a package from someone you’ll never meet face-to-face. And for teammates working from home, it might be the highlight of their week.
Need some inspiration for what to include?
- Company-branded items like water bottles and mousepads. These can combine function and flair. A friend got comfy bathrobes with the company logo so his team could wear them on virtual calls and still be “in uniform.”
- Gifts based on their personal interests also show you really care for their well-being beyond your work relationship. Do they love coffee? Gardening? A specific type of music? Show you’re paying attention, and get them something like a pound of their favorite grind, gardening gloves, or a set of headphones.
- Something you personally created for them. If you’re artistic or good with words, crafting something just for them could be a wonderful surprise that really shows you value them. A portrait, coffee mug, or framed letter of appreciation can deliver the message again and again.
The effort you put into customizing this care package will communicate how much you value their individual contribution to your team.
Need more ideas? Check out this video for inventive ideas for remote team gifts.
4. Investing in Their Home Office
One way to directly enhance a remote worker’s experience is by helping them create a comfortable and inspiring workspace. While an ergonomic chair or an adjustable standing desk might not be in your budget, there are other ideas that are more manageable.
Unique decorations can bring warmth and personality to their work environment. If you have seen their home office in video calls, pay attention to the colors and textures they like. Simple items like a candle, a framed certificate or appreciation plaque, or a plant can show you really care.
Offering a gift card to an office supply store gives your collaborators the flexibility to purchase upgraded tools or decorate their home office based on their specific tastes, needs, and space constraints.
Conclusion: Appreciation Beyond Saying “Thanks”
When you use creative ways to show appreciation for your remote employees, you let them know that you notice and care about their efforts. Moreover, you’re honoring them as individuals. Make showing appreciation a priority, and watch how it transforms your organization, no matter how tiny, into a more connected and motivated team