The Power of Handwritten Notes and Cards

We've all heard this IDEA before, but read on about how to make this a HABIT that will transform your Personal Brand in a lasting manner.

Very few people in business ever send hand-written notes and even fewer (and far between) do it on a regular basis. Yes, we do order boxes of those pre-printed "Thank You" notes, but then we file them away in our desk drawers and our supply closets -- out of sight and out of mind.

The "Wow" Factor. We're constantly looking for extraordinary ways to WOW! the people around us -- to get their attention and appreciation -- at the same time discounting the most obvious and most effective tools.A personal hand-written note is such a tool.

An Emotional Expression. Isn't it nice when someone sends you a short note thanking you for your help on a project or for the wonderful dinner you shared? Isn't it uplifting to receive a handwritten note from someone in your network recognizing one of your recent accomplishments? Doesn't it make you feel good - even great? Sure it does. Aren't you more likely to remember that nice salesperson who dropped you a note? More likely to call him or her again? And...Doesn't it feel good when YOU write a note and send it to someone? No doubt.

A Powerful Personal Success Weapon. It literally takes only about three to five minutes to write a note, fold it, stick it in an envelope and mail it, but the power of it is awesome. It is one of the ultimate success weapons. People who send hand-written notes are thought of as gracious, well mannered -- and since so few people do it -- also a clear cut above the rest.

A Memorable Personal Branding Element. You see, personal notes build relationships, the most important element in any business. They demonstrate your commitment to your employees and your business contacts and to the service you provide. Hand-written notes can be a memorable personal branding element. Personal notes can be used to:

1. Show appreciation to someone who did something nice for you
2. Let someone know that you appreciate the special-effort service they gave to you
3. Recognize a great job on a work project or important task
4. Let someone know you observed them doing something nice for someone else
5. Recognize achievement -- personal achievement, the achievements of someone's children, etc.
6. Recognize a job promotion or a new job
7. Welcome someone new to the team
8. Share kind words during a time of family or personal illness or hardship

The power of personal notes is unquestionable.

The Transformational KEY - Establishing and Maintaining the Habit:

The KEY to making handwritten notes a PERSONAL HABIT is to deploy a system or process that MAKES IT EASY and CONVENIENT for you to write "custom" notes and cards that you send to your contact network.

A Couple of Ideas to Systematize the Note-Writing Process:

1. GREAT IDEA: Keep a stack of "Generic" Thank You Note Cards on your desk, ready and available when you need them. A great idea, but only works if you're physically at your office. Also doesn't provide the variety of types of cards that you could send -- designed for specific situations, e.g., "Congratulations", "Great Job", "Thank You for the Referral", etc.

2. BEST IDEA: Deploy an Online System. I recently began using "SendOutCards" -- an online platform that lets you send cards by mail, written in your handwriting, stamped and mailed by a third-party, and sent either immediately (3 day delivery) or on a scheduled date. It's a simple, very cost effective alternative to "card shop" cards.