When you send someone a thank you note, do you include your business card in the thank you card? Some people think you should because it’s another chance to show them your contact information. It’s another chance for them to have their card on their desk to remember you by. The problem is that when you put your card in a thank you card, subconsciously there is a bit of a promotional element to the thank you card. The thank you card becomes a little more about you and a little less about thanking the person you’re sending it to, and that’s the last thing you want.

You don’t want people to think you don’t genuinely appreciate them and you don’t want them to think you’re doing it just to promote yourself and put your name in front of them. If you ask someone who received a thank you card from you that they had your business card, they probably never gave it a thought. It is on a subconscious level that this comes up for people. They probably read it and put it aside.

The purpose of a business card is to identify you. If you have enough of a relationship with someone that you need to thank them, they already know who you are. They will know who you are by what you said in the note and by your signature at the bottom. They don’t need your business card to remind them who you are.

You probably also have a return address label that has your contact information on it. When you see that on the envelope, you already know who it is from. When they open it and read what you said, it reminds them of something they’ve done for you, and again, they’re reminded of that experience you’re thanking them for. The third identifier is your signature at the bottom.

You don’t even have to include your company name after your signature. If it’s a contact you don’t know well, it might be okay, but don’t go overboard and put your card on it. The purpose of a business card is to help people have your contact information. You already have it in the envelope and they probably already know who you are if they’ve done something you’re thanking them for.

Don’t give them the subconscious message that it’s not just a thank you, that part of the reason for the note is to promote yourself. Do it sincerely from the heart. Leave the business card out. Save yourself a few pennies and save that card for a network exchange where it’s more appropriate to put it there.