We appreciate your ongoing business

You’ll mostly find this phrase tucked neatly at the end of professional emails or printed on the bottom of invoices. It’s a 'closer.' Use it when you want to leave a lasting positive impression as you wrap up a conversation. Grammar-wise, it’s quite flexible, but usually acts as a standalone sentence or the final clause of a paragraph. You can stick it in a LinkedIn message after a successful project or include it in a formal letter announcing a price change (it helps soften the blow!). Just remember, it’s like fine salt—a little goes a long way. Don't say it every five minutes, or you'll start sounding like a broken customer service bot. Imagine if your barista said this every time you ordered a latte. It would be weird, right? Keep it for those moments when a project finishes or a milestone is hit.

This is a 'black tie' phrase. It sits comfortably in the formal and very formal categories. You wouldn't text this to your best friend after they Venmo you for pizza (unless you’re trying to be funny, which, honestly, go for it). It belongs in the world of B2B (business-to-business) communications, high-end retail, and corporate services. If you’re sending an email to a CEO or a long-term client, this is your best friend. It bridges the gap between 'coldly professional' and 'unprofessionally friendly.' It shows you have manners, but you aren't trying to invite them to your cousin’s wedding. On the scale of 'Yo, thanks' to 'Your humble servant,' this phrase is the perfect 'Respected Professional.' It’s the suit-and-tie of sentences.

Picture this: You just renewed your Netflix subscription for the fifth year in a row. They might send an email saying, We appreciate your ongoing business. Or imagine you’re a freelance graphic designer. You’ve just finished the third logo for the same client. As you send over the final files, you write, It’s been a pleasure working on this. We appreciate your ongoing business. You might even see it on a fancy sign at a high-end hotel as you check out. It’s also common in automated systems. If you use a SaaS (Software as a Service) tool like Slack or Adobe, you’ll see this in your annual receipt. It’s the corporate way of saying, 'We see you, we value you, and please don't hit unsubscribe.' It’s even great for those 'End of Year' wrap-up emails that everyone sends in December to look busy before the holidays.

Timing is everything. The best time to use this is during 'relationship milestones.' Think: contract renewals, the end of a long-term project, or your company’s anniversary. It’s also a fantastic way to end a 'check-in' email where you aren't actually asking for money, just saying hello. If a customer has been with you through a rocky period (like a server outage or a shipping delay), using this phrase after things are fixed can help rebuild trust. It’s basically a loyalty booster. Use it when you want to sound like a stable, established company that actually cares about its clients. It’s like the 'I love you' of the business world, but much less likely to result in a restraining order.

Context is king, and sometimes this king shouldn't show up. Do NOT use this if you are actually firing a client (that would be awkward). Avoid it if the 'business' relationship hasn't actually started yet—don't say it in a first-contact pitch email. It makes you look desperate, like you’re already thanking them for a commitment they haven't made. Also, skip it if you just had a massive argument with the client. If they’re screaming about a mistake you made, saying We appreciate your ongoing business sounds sarcastic and tone-deaf. It’s for moments of peace and progress, not war. And please, don't use it for small, casual favors. If someone lends you a pen, just say 'thanks.' If you say I appreciate your ongoing business, they will think you’re a robot in a human mask.

English learners often trip over the word ongoing. It’s one word, not two. Another trap is trying to pluralize business. In this context, business is an uncountable noun.

• ✗ We appreciate your ongoing busy → ✓ We appreciate your ongoing business
• ✗ We appreciate your ongoing businesses → ✓ We appreciate your ongoing business
• ✗ I appreciate your going business → ✓ I appreciate your ongoing business
• ✗ We appreciation your ongoing business → ✓ We appreciate your ongoing business

Remember, ongoing means 'continuing' or 'still happening.' Some people try to replace it with going, which sounds like the business is leaving the building. You want the business to stay! Don't let your grammar drive the customers away.

If you find yourself using the same phrase too often, mix it up with these variations. We value your continued support is a classic alternative that feels slightly warmer. We are grateful for your loyalty is a bit more emotional—great for small businesses or Etsy shops. If you want to sound very high-level, try We value our ongoing partnership. This implies that you are equals working together. In the UK, you might hear Thank you for your custom, which is very traditional but feels a bit old-fashioned in the US. For a more modern, tech-savvy vibe, you could say Thanks for being a part of our community. But if you want to stay safe and professional, the original phrase is the 'Little Black Dress' of business English—it never goes out of style.

Is it okay to use this in a text? Only if you’re a business owner texting a client you have a very professional relationship with. Otherwise, keep it to email. Can I say 'I' instead of 'We'? Yes! If you’re a freelancer or a solo-entrepreneur, I appreciate your ongoing business feels more personal and authentic. Is it too formal for a startup? Not at all! Even startups need to show they take their customers seriously. It gives you a 'grown-up' vibe. Does 'business' mean my company? No, in this phrase, business refers to the activity of buying and selling. It’s the *act* of them spending money with you that you appreciate. (Though, let's be honest, you probably appreciate their company too!)