The Power of a Personal Note: How a Handwritten Note can Increase Business
September 15, 2021
Jacqueline Green
CEO & Chief Strategiest at Behind the Design
Have you ever walked away from a great conversation with a potential client yet never heard from them again?
You go through the whole conversation over and over in your head, but not sure what happened. There is a good chance that the person got busy and sort of forgot about you. No offense, but life sort of gets in the way. To stay top of mind with someone and stand out from the crowd, you may want to write a handwritten personal note using the old-fashion mail system.
When I was growing up, my parents always made me write a personal thank you card. I really hated doing it. But, I was a kid, what can I say. Back then, I didn’t have much to say. Now though, I see a real value in the simple art of personal note.
Over time, the art of writing a personal note has been replaced with social media, texting, and email. Today though, if I get a personal, handwritten thank you from someone or I was thinking of you, it really resonates with me. In other words, it makes me smile and think good thoughts.
Think about it for a moment, how do you feel when you receive a handwritten envelope in the mail with a special handwritten message. It feels good. You feel special as you appreciate that person taking the time to think of you. Let’s face it, feeling like someone cares, even if it is business, makes you feel good.
A personal note can build trust with a professional contact. The thing is that not a lot of people are doing it. Not too long ago, I received a personal note along with a notebook – the way to my heart – from a vendor. I had specified their product in design guidelines for a large hospital system. With design guidelines, there is no guarantee that their product would be chosen, but it was a great opportunity for the vendor. I felt good about my choice to include the product. The products were of good quality, but I also felt the company representative would take the time to work closely with the clients.
I’ll give you another example. In the last architectural firm I worked in, the president of the company came to town. She walked to every person’s desk and took the time to talk one-on-one for a few minutes. Since I was new, she asked me a few questions, showing she had reviewed my resume. A week later, I received a handwritten note from the president, telling me that it was great to meet me, and she was thrilled I was on the team. Talk about loyalty. Even the simple act of a birthday card or a thinking of you can make a difference to someone.
9 Reasons to Write a Handwritten Personal Note
- Builds trust
- Shows thoughtfulness
- Demonstrates sincerity
- Makes you stand out in a crowd
- Encourages advocacy
- Attracts new business contacts
- Engages your audience
- Creates a personal connection makes someone feel special
I did some research on how to write a great note. According to Hallmark Business Connections’ website, you should always start by greeting the person by name. It seems simple enough, but adding the recipient’s name, correctly spelled, connects you one-on-one with the recipient.
Next, you should state why you are writing and then recap it again at the end. The article goes on to say that you should show your personality in what you write. Being unique is often overshadowed by “being professional.” As a result, we often lose our voice when we overthink the text. However, chances are good that someone hires you because of your unique personality, so don’t be afraid to show it.
An article in Real Simple magazine encourages writers to complement the recipient’s best quality. This could be as simple as “I was impressed with your views on…”
In your note, be sure to wrap up the note with a sincere greeting, sign your name legibly, and add a business card. As always, proofread the letter before you send it.
To win in business requires building a connection with people. By using the old-fashion, handwritten note, you are essentially building that connection that will increase the business long-term. Yes, you may not see it the next day, but this relatively low-cost task can help you build a stronger design business over time.
Author Bio - Jacqueline Green
Jacqueline Green is the driving force behind Behind the Design, a company dedicated to helping interior designers, architects, and creative entrepreneurs thrive through education, training, and marketing services. As founder, CEO, and Chief Strategist, she combines education, coaching, and marketing to empower business owners to achieve their goals. Her leadership is transforming how creative professionals build successful businesses, creating a community of empowered entrepreneurs.