✣ Be Their 1st Thought in 2025

Welcome to the awkward couple of days between Christmas (Hannukah too!) and New Year’s.

There is no better time than now to stand out in the minds of your network—I mean, to express gratitude to your 2024 connections.

Gratitude messages can be equally self-serving, scientifically, and of course socially beneficial (read the science of gratitude in our Thanksgiving issue here).

This week is not about the science. This week is for tactics. Scroll below for plug-and-play messages for 10 different connections you may have made this year.

Choose 2 of these and see what happens.

Let’s create those ripple effects in 2025.

📌 If you happen to find this in your Spam, please place this email in your ‘Primary’ inbox [Gmail], ‘VIPs’ [Apple], or ‘Safe Sender’ list [Outlook]. Thank you for helping our deliverability!

🖥️ TACTICAL THANK YOU MESSAGES TO END THE YEAR
Thank me later, thank them now.

You have made an incredible number of connections in 2024. All of these individuals have led to where you are today.

It’s important to thank your connections for their efforts. Reciprocity can lead to significant benefits over time.

However, you may also be exhausted from the stress of the holidays. I get it!

So let’s make this easy—

Here are plug-and-play templates you can use for different relationships you made in 2025.

(Anyone remember Mad Libs?)

Just fill in the blanks and hit send!

⬇️

1. For a Coffee Chat ☕️

“Hi [Name],

I’m reflecting on the meaningful conversations I had in 2024, and our coffee chat in [month] stands out. Thank you for taking the time to share your insights on [topic discussed]. Your advice on [specific advice] has already made a difference in [specific way]. Wishing you a fantastic start to 2025!”

2. For a Client Relationship 🤹🏼‍♂️

“Dear [Name],

As 2025 begins, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for working together on [specific project]. Your collaboration and expertise were invaluable in achieving [specific result]. Looking forward to more success at [company] this year.”

3. For a Job Referral 💼

“Hello [Name],

Happy New Year! I’m so grateful for the referral you provided to [Company/Contact Name]. [Share what happened from that experience, either you got the job or didn’t, the process ideally helped open doors or gave you insights]. Thank you for believing in my potential and supporting my career journey. Wishing you all the best in 2025!”

4. For a Mentor 👴🏽

“Hi [Name],

As we move into 2025, I’ve been reflecting on the people who had the biggest impact on my growth last year. Your guidance during [specific experience] has been a cornerstone of my development. Thank you for always challenging and supporting me. Here’s to another year of growth and learning!”

5. For a Team Member 👦🏻

“Hi [Name],

Happy 2025! I want to thank you for your hard work on [specific project/task]. Your dedication and creativity made a real impact, and I’m so grateful to have you as part of the team. Looking forward to more successes together this year!”

6. For a Networking Connection 🙋🏼‍♀️

“Hi [Name],

I’m reaching out to say thank you for connecting with me this past year. Our conversation on [specific topic] was truly inspiring, and it’s connections like these that make my work meaningful. Wishing you a wonderful start to 2025!”

7. For an Industry Peer 🧑🏽‍🚀

“Hi [Name],

As we enter 2025, I wanted to thank you for your insights during [specific event or discussion] have truly helped me understand [specific topic] better. Looking forward to collaborating and learning more from you this year. Wishing you great success in 2025!”

8. For a Conference Speaker 🎤

“Hi [Name],

I wanted to thank you for your impactful presentation at [specific conference/event]. Your talk on [specific topic] gave me actionable insights that I’ve already started to implement. Wishing you continued success and looking forward to staying connected in 2025!”

9. For a Service Provider or Vendor 🏷️

"Dear [Name],
As we kick off 2025, I wanted to extend my gratitude for your support with [specific service/project]. Your reliability and quality of work were instrumental in helping us meet our goals. Looking forward to continuing our partnership this year!"

10. For a Professional Group or Organization Leader 🏘️

"Hi [Name],
I’m reaching out to express my appreciation for the leadership you’ve shown in [specific group or organization]. Being part of [organization] has been incredibly rewarding, and your guidance in [specific event/initiative] has been inspiring. Looking forward to what 2025 brings!"

Choose 2 which you’d like to send right now.

Customize it to your liking, but take the sentiment with you when you press Send.

Your connections will thank you.

And remember you in 2025!

💬 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Let’s kickstart 2025 with tools to build your creativity and connections.

Let me know if you snag any of these books.

📚 CONNECTIONS IN HISTORY
Where we share a powerful connection that changed the world.

If it were not for Ryan Holiday, we would not have modern stoic thinking. But if it were not for Plato, we would not have had this wisdom written down.

[Speaking of which, Holiday’s newest book of 2024, Right Thing, Right Now has been recommended to me as an excellent look into the virtues to be upheld in relationships]

Plato and Socrates’ wisdom would not have existed without the other.

Socrates—for his mentorship and teachings, and Plato—for the writing down of Socratic thought, and the expansion of ancient philosophy.

Great connections support each other through shared knowledge.

As you nurture your connections, consider the legacy you can build together.

🎶 OUR PLAYLIST, UPDATED WEEKLY

Got more feedback or want to get in touch? Reply here and I’ll get back to you.

Here’s to building stronger connections in 2025!

Sincerely,

Lauren and the Connections team