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40+ Messages to Express Gratitude—How to Say “Thank You” to Mentors

Mentors can help you get ahead in your career, open doors to new opportunities, and provide valuable insights that you can't buy. Saying "thank you" is important. It helps to build good relationships. Below are some useful tips on when and how to say thanks, plus 40+ ready-to-use messages and templates you can copy, adapt, or turn into a multimedia tribute on TellSomething.

Why Thanking a Mentor Matters

A short, sincere thank-you shows that you appreciate the time and effort a mentor puts in. It strengthens the relationship, increases goodwill, and encourages continued mentorship—both for you and for others who may seek your guidance. Saying thank you in a clear and specific way has more impact than a vague "thanks" and will be remembered.

Best Ways & Times to Say Thank You

Here are some formats to think about:
  • A handwritten note—friendly and personal.
  • They sent the email quickly and professionally.
  • If a mentor is mentioned on LinkedIn or in public in a positive way, it can make them more well-known.
  • A small, thoughtful gift is always appropriate in many cultures (but make sure it's modest).
  • A multimedia tribute on Tell Someone is a great way to remember someone. Combine text with photos or a short video to create a memorable keepsake.
It's all happening at the perfect time!
  • After achieving a significant goal, such as getting a promotion, successfully completing a project, or having an application accepted.
  • After a really important chat or useful feedback.
  • Give this gift on a mentor's birthday or on a day set aside to show appreciation for mentors.
  • After a mentor has been introduced to someone, we would like to know what happened.

How to Write a Thank-You That Resonates

  1. Be clear. Give the exact advice, meeting, or moment.
  1. Describe the impact. Tell them what has changed because of their help.
  1. Be personal. Then add how you felt.
  1. Offer a follow-up. Promise to report back or share the results.
  1. Match the tone to the relationship. Formal for senior mentors; warmer for informal ones.

40+ Ready-to-Use Thank-You Messages

A. Short Messages for Text/Slack/Quick Email (great for immediate thanks)

  1. Thank you so much for your help—it really made a difference.
  1. I really appreciate you spending time with me today.
  1. Your feedback was exactly what I needed—thank you.
  1. I'm grateful for your honest advice and support.
  1. Thanks for believing in me.
  1. Your help and advice have really helped me to see what I need to do next. Thank you.
  1. Thank you for your patience and time.
  1. I appreciate your continued support and wisdom.
  1. Your insight helped me make a confident decision—thank you.
  1. Thank you for helping me to improve.

B. Handwritten Card Lines (warm, personal)

  1. Your guidance has been a constant support – I'm very thankful.
  1. Thank you for helping me grow; your advice really stuck with me.
  1. I really appreciate your time and support.
  1. Because of you, I took a chance that changed my life—thank you.
  1. You give your time very generously, and this means a lot to us.
  1. Thank you for supporting me when I needed it most.
  1. Your help and advice have been very useful.
  1. Thank you for listening to me, for guiding me, and for believing in me.
  1. I am grateful for all the lessons and the constructive feedback.
  1. Thank you for showing me what's possible.

C. Formal Email Templates (use for managers, advisors, or official mentors)

Template—Short & Professional
Subject: Thank you for your guidance
🗯️
Dear [Name],
Thank you for your guidance during [context—project/period]. Your advice on [specific point] helped me [outcome]. I greatly appreciate the time you invested in helping me grow. I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Template—Detailed Follow-Up
Subject: Grateful for your mentorship—update on [project/goal]
🗯️
Dear [Name],
I hope you’re well. I wanted to thank you again for your mentorship during [project/period]. Implementing your suggestion to [specific action] resulted in [concrete result]. Your feedback has shaped my approach and given me confidence. I look forward to sharing further progress. Thank you.
Best regards,
[Your name]

D. LinkedIn / Public Acknowledgement Examples

  • LinkedIn post: "Big thanks to @Mentor for helping us with the project. Their help with [skill/topic] changed my work, and I'm very thankful for that."
  • Recommendation snippet: "I was lucky enough to be mentored by [Name]. They provide thoughtful guidance and strategic clarity and have been very important in my professional growth."

E. Humorous / Light-Hearted (for close mentors)

  1. Thank you for being my career therapist, even though you weren't paid. I couldn't have made it without you.
  1. If wisdom were an Olympic sport, you'd be gold—thanks for the coaching.
  1. You're like Google, but better—thanks for always having the right answer.
  1. I owe you a coffee (or six) for all your help—thank you!
  1. Thanks for making complicated things sound simple.

F. After a Referral/Job Recommendation

  1. Thank you for referring me to [company/person]. I'm grateful for your support and will keep you updated.
  1. I'm grateful for your recommendation—it opened an incredible door. Thank you.
  1. Thank you for trusting me with that referral. I'll do my best to honor your recommendation.

G. For Long-Term Mentorship (meaningful, reflective)

  1. Thank you for helping me with my career—your advice was really helpful.
  1. You believed in me, and that has really helped me. Thank you for spending your time and energy on me.
  1. I am grateful for every conversation and feedback I have had, as it has helped shape me into the professional I am today.
  1. Thank you for pushing me to grow; I'm better for it.
  1. I'm happy to do the same for you—thank you for being such a great role model.

H. Gratitude to a Mentor Who Helped Through a Crisis

  1. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you. You helped me get through a difficult time.
  1. I'll always remember how you helped me when I needed it most. Thank you.
  1. When I was in a crisis, you gave me good advice. You were kind, too. I am very grateful to you.

I. Quick “Can I Help? ” Follow-Up (reciprocal)

  1. Thank you again. If there's ever any way I can return the favor, please let me know.
  1. I appreciate your help. I'd love to support you in the future.
  1. Thank you for everything. I hope I can do the same for someone else one day.
  1. I'm grateful for your help and support—please let me know if I can ever help you in return.

10 Quick Copy-Paste Short Lines

  • Thank you for taking the time to help me.
  • I appreciate your honest feedback; it's helped me grow.
  • Your advice was really helpful—thank you.
  • I'm very grateful for your help and support.
  • Thank you. I will let you know how it goes.
  • Your encouragement changed my path—thank you.
  • Thank you for your help and for being so patient.
  • I'm grateful that you took the time to teach me.
  • Thanks for the referral—I really appreciate it.
  • Your help and advice have been extremely useful—thank you.

Example: Thank-You Email After Promotion

Subject: Thank you for your guidance—[new role] update
🗯️
Dear [Name],
I wanted to share the news that I’ve accepted [new role/title]. Your mentorship and the advice you gave about [skill/approach] were instrumental in preparing me for this opportunity. Thank you for your support and for taking the time to help me grow. I look forward to continuing to learn from you.
Warmly,
[Your name]

Make Your Thanks Memorable: Create a Multimedia Tribute on TellSomething

A text-only thank you is great, but a multimedia tribute will last longer. On TellSomething, you can combine:
  • A short thank-you message (text),
  • Send us a photo of you with your mentor or a screenshot of an important email.
  • A video of between 15 and 30 seconds long (no longer than one minute) with a personal greeting, or
  • A timeline of the important moments in your mentor's support.
That bundle becomes a keepsake that you can share (private link or public post). The mentor can look at it again or add to their professional portfolio.
Quick how-to: Make a "Mentor Appreciation" page on TellSomething. Use one of the templates above. Upload a photo. Record a short video. Then send your mentor a private link with a short note.
notion image

FAQ

Q: What should I do if the mentor is a high-ranking official and I'm worried about sounding informal?
A: Speak in a professional way. Be clear about the value you received. Keep your message short.
Q: Should I send a public post or a private note?
A: Ask what they would like. Many people prefer to receive a private message first and a public acknowledgement later (and only if they have agreed to it).
Q: Is a small gift OK?
A: Yes—small, suitable gifts (e.g., a book, coffee voucher) are often well received. Make sure you follow the rules of the organization you are giving to.

Final tips & closing

  • Be on time. It's better to thank someone quickly.
  • Be clear and short. Don't use long, complicated words when simple ones will do.
  • Follow up. Let your mentors know how you're getting on later; they'll be happy to see that their help was useful.
  • Use multimedia in the right way. A TellSomething tribute can be especially touching and long-lasting.
Call to action: Want to make a lasting thank-you tribute? Visit TellSomething to create a multimedia appreciation card. This can be saved, printed, or shared and will only take a few minutes.