Social media may be all what everyone is talking about, but IBM still has a place in today’s business culture. IBM or to put it another way, It’s Better Manually can be the marketing technique that differentiates you in the crowded sales field of emails, PDFs, newsletters and Tweets.
One of the easiest ways to set yourself apart from the rest of your competitors is the personalized thank you note. Personalized thank you notes are written on some nice card stock with a matching envelope. Personalized thank you notes come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Go to a local stationary company and get your own personalized thank you cards imprinted with your name or initials. Subdued colors and rich textures project an elegant look and they feel good to the touch when your prospect or customer opens the note for the first time.
If you’re on a tight budget, then the big office supply stores have a wide selection of professional looking thank you cards complete with envelopes. They make a nice product but you just might run the risk of sending a card that looks familiar to the recipient. Conservative colors and conservative styles are the best when trying to project a professional image.
Personal notes require excellent penmanship. You must practice your penmanship and write as clearly and as elegantly as you can. Don’t scribble a casual note. Put some effort into presenting yourself through your writing skills. Sloppy writing signifies a sloppy person. Quality penmanship signifies someone who is orderly and sophisticated.
Learn to write your notes in cursive, don’t print your letters. You may need to get out your second grade Palmer Writing Book; you know the kind with the example of the proper way to write the letters and then the dotted lines below where you can practice.
Formal letters begin with Dear John or Dear Mr. Smith. The word dear is formal style and does not imply any form of affection. It is better etiquette to address the recipient by their last name until they have indicated it is okay to call them by their first name. You don’t want to appear too forward or too casual.
As you write your letter, be expressive. Use words that articulate your feelings toward the person you are writing to. Let them know you are ‘excited’ to have them as a new customer, you are ‘proud’ to represent them; it is ‘wonderful’ to be working together.
The final step to writing a powerful thank you note is the professional and formal way you address the envelope. It must be hand written in your very best penmanship. Buy some stamps from the post office. Don’t run it through the office postage meter. A trip to your local post office is a remarkable experience. Today’s government postal staff is very well trained and quite customer friendly. There are many different and colorful series of stamps to choose from. Some commemorate historical events; others celebrate national or special interests. Choose carefully, some stamp series are somewhat flamboyant.
When your thank you note is all finished, and as you hold it in your hands, you will be able to see for yourself how special it looks. You will be able to send it off with pride and a confident feeling that the letter will really stand out it this fast paced cluttered up world of high tech communications.
Keep in mind that little things mean a lot and they can make a difference.
Talk to you soon.
