Everyone knows the feeling. You’ve just wrapped a grueling six-month project. Maybe it was a website redesign or a massive audit. You’re exhausted. You just want to close the laptop and never see that client's name in your inbox again. But then you realize you need to send that final "goodbye" note.
The phrase it was pleasure working with you feels like a cliché. It’s the business equivalent of "how are you?" where nobody actually expects a real answer.
But here’s the thing. Most people mess this up. They send a dry, automated-sounding note that reads like it was written by a robot from 1998. Or worse, they don't send anything at all. In a world where everyone is chasing the next lead, we forget that the most valuable thing you own isn't your product. It’s your reputation.
The Psychology of the Peak-End Rule
Why does this specific sentence matter so much? It’s not just about being polite. It’s actually rooted in behavioral science. Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winner, talked about the "Peak-End Rule." Basically, humans don't remember an entire experience as a whole. Instead, we remember the most intense part (the peak) and the very end.
Think about it. You could have a flawless project for five months, but if the final hand-off is awkward or silent, that’s what the client remembers. Sending a sincere it was pleasure working with you anchors the entire relationship in a positive light. It’s the literal "end" of the peak-end rule.
I’ve seen freelancers who were mediocre at their actual craft get rehired constantly because they knew how to stick the landing. They made the client feel seen. They made the transition feel like a celebration rather than a transaction.
It Was Pleasure Working With You: Why Sincerity Trumps Syntax
If you look at LinkedIn or generic career blogs, they give you these stiff templates. "Dear [Name], It has been an honor to collaborate on [Project Name]."
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Gross. Don't do that.
People can smell a template a mile away. If you actually liked the person, say it like a human. Mention the time the server crashed at 2 AM and you both laughed about it. Or mention how much you admired their specific way of handling a difficult board meeting.
Nuance matters.
When to use specific variations
Sometimes the standard phrasing doesn't fit the vibe. If the project was a total nightmare (we’ve all been there), you don't have to lie. But you can still find a silver lining. Maybe it was a "pleasure" because of the professional growth, not the actual work.
- The "Long-Term Partner" Vibe: "Honestly, I'm gonna miss our Tuesday check-ins. It was a genuine pleasure working with you on this."
- The "Short-Term Sprint" Vibe: "Short but sweet. Really enjoyed seeing how your team operates."
- The "Pivot" Vibe: "Even though we hit some bumps, I'm glad we got this across the finish line together."
Notice how none of those sound like a legal document? That's the goal.
The Hidden ROI of the Final Thank You
Let’s get cynical for a second. Why should you spend ten minutes crafting a nice goodbye?
Referrals.
According to a study by Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know. In the B2B world, that number is arguably higher. When a former client is asked, "Hey, do you know a good developer?" they aren't going to scroll through their old invoices. They’re going to remember the person who was easy to work with and left on a high note.
If you leave a vacuum at the end of a project, the client fills it with their own anxiety. Did they pay you enough? Were you secretly annoyed? By stating it was pleasure working with you, you close the emotional loop. You give them permission to feel good about the money they spent.
Avoiding the "Ghosting" Trap
There is a weird phenomenon in the modern workplace called "professional ghosting." A project ends, the final payment clears, and poof. Total silence.
This is a massive mistake.
In my years of consulting, I've found that the "Offboarding" phase is just as critical as "Onboarding." If you don't say it was a pleasure, you're leaving the door slightly ajar in a bad way. It feels unfinished.
A well-timed closing note serves as a bridge to the future. It’s not just a goodbye; it’s a "see you later." You want them to feel like they can reach out to you six months from now without it being weird.
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What actually makes a closing note "Human"?
It’s the small details.
- Reference a specific win. Not "the project," but "that 20% jump in conversions we saw in October."
- Personalize the future. If you know they’re going on vacation, wish them a good trip.
- The "Low-Stakes" Offer. Tell them they can shoot you a quick question if they get stuck on the new system.
It’s about being a person, not a vendor.
Cultural Nuances and International Business
We should talk about the "International Factor." If you’re working with teams in Japan, for example, the concept of Otsukaresama (thanking someone for their hard work) is baked into the culture. In the US, we tend to be more casual, but the sentiment remains.
However, be careful with "pleasure." In some cultures, overly emotional language in business can feel disingenuous or even suspicious. If you’re working with a very formal European firm, "It was a pleasure working with you" might be better swapped for "I truly valued our collaboration."
Same energy, different frequency.
The Ethics of the "Fake" Pleasure
What if it wasn't a pleasure? What if the client was a nightmare who moved the goalposts every three days?
You still send the note.
Why? Because the professional world is tiny. That nightmare client might move to a company you actually want to work for next year. Burning bridges is fun in movies, but it's a terrible business strategy.
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You don't have to be effusive. You can say, "I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with you on this launch." It’s polite. It’s true (it was an opportunity). It keeps your "Ending" clean.
Timing is Everything
Don't wait three weeks to send this. The best time is right after the final deliverable is accepted, but before the final invoice is sent—or immediately after.
If you send it before the invoice, it feels like a genuine sentiment. If you send it after the invoice is paid, it feels like a "thank you for the money." Both work, but the "Pre-Invoice" note often carries more weight because it doesn't feel tied to a transaction.
Making it stick in 2026
We live in an age of AI-generated everything. Your clients are getting bombarded with automated emails. They know when a "thank you" is part of a CRM sequence.
Break the pattern.
Write it manually. Type it out. Use their name. Use a lowercase letter here or there if that's your vibe. Just make it clear a human being sat down and thought about them for two minutes.
That two-minute investment is what builds a career. It’s the difference between being a "contractor" and being a "partner."
Actionable Next Steps for Your Offboarding
Stop treating your project endings like a chore. Start treating them like a marketing opportunity. Here is how to actually implement a "Pleasure working with you" protocol that doesn't feel fake.
Audit your current "Goodbye" process.
Look at the last three emails you sent at the end of a project. Are they cold? Are they purely functional? If you were the client, would you feel like a valued partner or a ticket number?
Create a "Personal Touch" Bank.
During a project, keep a small note of "human" moments. Did the client mention their dog? Did they share a specific struggle? When the project ends, pull one of those into your final note. "It was a pleasure working with you—and I hope [Dog's Name] is doing better!"
The "Six-Week Check-in" Strategy.
The "pleasure" note isn't actually the end. Set a calendar reminder for six weeks after the project finishes. Send a quick, "Hey, was thinking about that project, hope everything is still running smoothly." This reinforces the sincerity of your initial goodbye.
Shift the language.
Instead of the generic "Let me know if you need anything," try "I'd love to hear how [Specific Feature] performs over the next month." It shows you actually care about the outcome, not just the paycheck.
Business is built on the stories we tell about the people we work with. When someone mentions your name in a boardroom, you want the first thought to be, "Oh, they were great. It was a pleasure working with them."
That sentiment is worth more than any SEO strategy or ad spend. It’s the foundation of a sustainable, referral-driven career. So, next time you’re about to hit 'send' on a final deliverable, take a breath. Write a real note. Mean it.
The ROI of being a decent human being is surprisingly high.
Next Steps for Implementation:
- Draft a "Core" closing template that sounds like you, then commit to customizing at least 30% of it for every single client.
- Review your LinkedIn "Recommendations" section. If you haven't received one lately, it's likely because your offboarding doesn't leave clients feeling "the pleasure" of the collaboration.
- Identify one "Nightmare" client from the past. Send them a brief, low-pressure "hope you're doing well" note today. It heals the bridge and keeps you top of mind for their next (hopefully better) project.