When was the last time you received a handwritten note from a business associate? It may be that it was too long ago for you to remember. On the other hand, if you have gotten one lately, you know exactly who sent it and when. Handwritten notes have become almost extinct in the business world. So if you are looking for ways to stand from the crowd, to be noticed by your colleagues and clients, try putting pen to paper whenever you have the slightest excuse.
There are few acts more impressive than handwriting a letter or a note to someone with whom you do business or would like to. Most people think that writing notes by hand requires extra time and effort. Ironically, it can be quick and painless if you do it frequently and follow these tips:
1. Have writing supplies close at hand. Store stationery and stamps in the most convenient place in your desk. When you need to send a note, all you have to do is reach for your stationary, dash off a few lines, address the envelope, put the stamp in place and mail it.
2. Keep your message brief. These are notes so you only have to come up with three or four sentences. If you attempt to compose more than a few lines, writer's block is liable to set in and you will never get past "start."
3. Develop a system. Before you head out of the office to a business meal or function that someone else is hosting, address an envelop to your host. It will be a breeze to jot down your short message when you return.
4. Use the appropriate professional stationary. Both single-sided correspondence cards and fold-over notes with the company name or logo imprinted on them are business-like and will represent you and your organization well.
5. Poor penmanship is no excuse unless your handwriting is totally illegible. The person who receives your note will appreciate your thoughtfulness and will not be grading your handwriting. If your penmanship does not meet your standards, it is never too late to improve. There are numerous resources at your library or on the Internet to teach you to write legibly.
6. Use any occasion to get noticed with a note. A few of those instances are when...
You have received a gift
You were a guest in someone's home
You were hosted to a meal
You received a business favor
You are replying to an invitation
You are sending condolences
You want to offer congratulations
You need to apologize
7. Make your message timely. Whether you are sending a note of appreciation, congratulation or condolence, do it as quickly as possible. A thank you should go out within 24 to 48 hours. However, don't forgo sending a note because you think too much time has elapsed. There is no definite statute of limitations on appreciation.
8. Understand that e-mail is not a substitute for the personal handwritten message. The Internet is fast, efficient and remote. If you are corresponding by e-mail immediately following a meeting with a business associate, include your expression of gratitude, but don't let that stop you from sending a second message by ground.
Successful people pay attention to the details and look for ways to build better business relationships. When you take the time to send handwritten notes, you will stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons. Your next big sale or job promotion may came about as a result of your doing business just a little differently.
(c) 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
A client recently said to me: "Most days things seem... Read More
The Reason Why Direct Internet Marketers Have To Work So... Read More
Is customer service a lost art? Before you answer that... Read More
It's possible that in the course of your business dealings,... Read More
Note to Kmart: It wasn't about the weatherIn the 1970s... Read More
One of the basics of acting taught to me in... Read More
Do you remember the last time you went into a... Read More
The best way to explain this concept is to tell... Read More
As Alan Weiss (guru to the savvy consultant) says: "It... Read More
Listening to complaints, whether they're reasonable or not, is a... Read More
Over the last month, I have come to hate emails... Read More
Traditional marketing strategies encourage business owners to continually grow their... Read More
Can we be too good to our customers?... Read More
What do your customers experience when they interact with your... Read More
Oh, what has happened to the carbon-based organizational interface? Many... Read More
In any business our customers are one of our most... Read More
One thing all successful small business owners have in common... Read More
Some businesses have slow paying customers or past due balances... Read More
According to a Forum Corporation survey of commercial customers lost... Read More
"I am writing to complain about the widget I bought... Read More
Corporations in every sector are spending more than ever before... Read More
What customers really want can be divided into two areas.Firstly... Read More
With customers being smarter, more cost conscious, more product knowledgeable... Read More
There are five techniques that have been proven to be... Read More
In 2002, there wasn't much interest for Kindness in business,... Read More
We, as small business people, naturally dislike complaints from our... Read More
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone... Read More
Dr. Michael LeBoeuf, in his cassette album entitled, Win Customers... Read More
Remember trading stamps? If you're over 40, chances are you... Read More
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is one of those magnificent concepts... Read More
You probably spend a great deal of your time looking... Read More
What kind of image do you present when marketing your... Read More
Clients? they are the most important influence in the success... Read More
Remember trading stamps? If you're over 40, chances are you... Read More
With all of the recent data theft in the financial... Read More
"Marketing as a spiritual practice." It sounds contradictory ? how... Read More
Are you concerned about customer loyalty? Are your customers so... Read More
What a lot of money we have been wasting on... Read More
As I waited for an answer to my VCR inquiry... Read More
Relationships... Money... Health..The Past...Failure..Mental and Spiritual Battles..Time Constraints...Professional pressures..At any... Read More
"Society is always taken by surprise at any new example... Read More
When all else fails in your company to meet the... Read More
A couple of years ago I had a call from... Read More
The buzz is all about customer service and call center... Read More
How often has your schedule been thrown out of whack... Read More
Landing a new client is like courting a potential spouse.... Read More
Many organizations tackle to the issue of customer service by... Read More
It should be a straightforward business scenario: making sure that... Read More
You know how it is, you believe something for so... Read More
Oh, what has happened to the carbon-based organizational interface? Many... Read More
It's bound to happen sooner or later ? yes, even... Read More
Customer service and customer service training are vital for any... Read More
I got it into my head sometime in December 2004... Read More
Customer service is everything to a business. Just look at... Read More
Who was it that said - "The customer is always... Read More
It may come as a surprise to you to discover... Read More
When people ask, "What is CRM?" the literal answer is,... Read More
Are wholesale buyers and retail customers really different? Frankly, there... Read More
What is one of the greatest ways to add value... Read More
With all of the calendars and PDA's and lists I... Read More
Your opportunity to build a stellar client relationship starts with... Read More
The salesman's job is to be well informed; extremely well... Read More
- Excerpt from Richard Saporito's latest e-book "How to Improve... Read More
Note to Kmart: It wasn't about the weatherIn the 1970s... Read More
When was the last time you received a handwritten note... Read More
Have you ever been in a department store and known... Read More
Customer Service |