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5 Easy Ways To Market Your Small Business Using Handwritten Notes

Posted on by Ilan Mann

Handwritten notes are a tried-and-true method of communicating with new or prospective clients. Writing a customized handwritten message demonstrates there is a person behind the scenes at the heart of your business.

Because personalized, handwritten messages are a forgotten craft, they are very effective. Consider: when was the last time you received a handwritten letter instead of an email or a Facebook message? Those posts may be highly efficient, but a handwritten card transcends the transitory nature of our digital inboxes and provides something substantial and meaningful.

Let’s take a look at some fantastic ways you may utilize handwritten notes to promote and develop your small business.

Thank Them For Their Business

It is important to start with the fundamentals. Thanking your new customers or clients for their business is a simple gesture that shows them that you appreciate their decision to choose your company.

A thank-you note should convey this sentiment in writing, using a pen and paper (and even a robot!) instead of an electronic form of communication. Your gratitude can go a long way in developing a lasting relationship with your customer. As we outline in this article, make sure you send your thank-you note in a timely manner; otherwise, your customer may forget about the transaction (and you).

Send Personalized Birthday Cards

What could be a more unique and personalized opportunity to reach out to your customer than to commemorate their birthday? Recognizing their birthday by sending them a handwritten note will help create familiarity with your clientele, which can later translate into a deeper, long-term relationship.

Sure it may take a little extra effort, but it’s worth it to make your customer feel appreciated. Too few businesses send handwritten cards, let alone cards that aren’t directly related to a sales transaction. So you are sure to stand out by following this approach.

To keep track of information specific to each customer such as birthdays, choose a reputable Customer Relationship Management platform to help automate this process. By using a CRM, you can keep all customer contact information in a single place so that you can easily send out birthdays and other critical time-sensitive messages to your customers.

Send a Note After a Networking Event

Regular networking is excellent, but incorporating a strong follow-up is even better. When you meet someone at an event, make sure you send that person a quick note a few days afterward, which will reinforce your connection.

This approach is an easy way to connect with someone who may not necessarily realize that you can add value to their business while developing a deeper relationship with them than the initial (and often casual or shallow) connection made through the networking event.

They will also appreciate that you took the time to continue a conversation in another way. A handwritten note will help them remember you and your company when they eventually need products or services, allowing you to gain even more value from networking.

Write a Handwritten Note of Encouragement

We all go through tough or challenging times. So when someone reaches out to you during a particularly difficult (or otherwise notable) situation, you are sure to remember it. If you notice someone standing out – for whatever reason – be sure to send them a note of encouragement. This gesture will let the person know that their actions haven’t gone unnoticed and are appreciated by others, including you.

When someone is outwardly positive, acts with integrity, or stands tall in the face of a challenge, you should use that opportunity to let them know that they aren’t alone. Sending a personalized, handwritten note or card to a person who has demonstrated confidence or positivity can greatly influence the way they view themselves, their business – and you.

Prospect A New Target Area

We’ve talked about prospecting elsewhere on this blog. When you are looking to build your business in a new territory, you have to get the attention of potential local customers. What better way to do that than with a personal note or card?

Again, this is an opportunity for you to stand out from other potential competitors who haven’t taken the time to create and send a handwritten note to people who live or work locally. This handwritten letter should include helpful information about your business, how you will be of benefit to them, and a brief description of your products or services.

A handwritten letter to local businesses or households is an excellent opportunity for you to introduce your business to influential community members who can help you establish relationships with even larger networks of neighbourhood people and businesses.

Get Started Today

These are just a few ideas on how to market your business to new or potential customers. As we have seen with so many of our clients, a handwritten card can be an effective way to continue building strong relationships with current customers and prospects alike.

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to market your business, contact us today. We’ll be happy to discuss what we can do for you to help grow and expand your customer base.

Want to level up your direct mail? Contact us.

Are Handwritten Notes Dead?

Posted on by Ilan Mann

In an age where we have lost the art of human interaction and replaced it with a keyboard, few things are as important as sending a handwritten note or letter.

Technology has made sending a “thank-you” easy as pie: all it takes is one click or swipe on our phone screens to send that message…but what does this say about human interaction?

In today’s fast-paced world where technology provides us with everything we need at just the push of a button, have humans become dehumanized by electronic devices?

The lackadaisical act of tapping out something short for someone leaves little room for creativity.

We’ve all received a post-purchase email or marketing message from some company you bought from or interacted with, and the message has been sent to dozens before you. Nothing is surprising or exciting about it at all – not even a notable typo!

This electronic correspondence may be easy and automatic but makes almost no impact on customers’ lives – which is exactly why everyone does it without thinking twice about it.

There was a time when handwritten thank you notes were the norm. Nowadays, it is much easier just to press “send” and be done with it.

I may be old school, but I prefer to send handwritten thank you cards than send an email. A potential client has spent 30-plus minutes of their valuable time with you, or they dropped their hard-earned money on your product. You should be thanking them appropriately.

And it’s not just because I’m biased. The numbers back me up.

Independent research shows that 87% of people trust traditional mail and consider it more believable than a computer-generated letter.

At the same time, online and email marketing scams have become increasingly prevalent during the past few years, so people are less like to open emails, let alone believe what they are saying.
Speaking of deliverability, the clever bots of email providers are getting more and more sophisticated in their spam filtering methods, making it difficult for your digital marketing collateral to reach its target.

Another reason is that few even bother to send a note at all. This is an excellent way to make your company stand out. People will open your letter, and it makes you more memorable in people’s minds.

Again, don’t take my word for it: 90% of mail is opened and read according to research conducted by the Data & Marketing Association. 70% percent of people who received a piece of mail from businesses gave the recipients better impressions about those companies compared with other forms of communication like email which only had 45%.

Handwritten, delivered mail is a wonderfully tangible experience. This is why people love to receive handwritten mail – it reminds recipients of their real-world relationships and gives them something real to hold on to.

Beyond that, when we talk to our clients – across every industry – the story is the same: people who use handwritten notes are almost always at the top of their industry. They have more clients and have deeper bonds with their customers compared to competitors who do not send letters.

Finally, I’m going to climb on my soapbox for a minute. It is always worthwhile if you can do anything to make the business world more friendly and pleasant. And I think we could all use a more human touch these days.

So if you’re looking for a way to get more out of your business, consider using handwritten notes. It’s an easy and affordable strategy that will help grow sales with less effort on your part.
And the next time someone says “handwritten is dead,” their business is probably on life support.

Want to level up your direct mail? Contact us.

Handwritten Notes for Realtors: How To Maximize Client Touchpoints

Posted on by Ilan Mann

The real estate industry is a tough one, and the competition for clients can be fierce. But there are many ways to set yourself apart from competitors that don’t involve spending money on listings—and handwritten notes are a great way to do just that. Whether writing thank-you cards after an open house, after an initial meeting or a note after the house has been sold, adding a personal touch will help you stand out in a competitive market.

This article will look at five natural touchpoints that realtors can use to create a connection with clients, grow listings and cultivate referrals.

After attending an open house

After an open house, it’s important to follow up with potential buyers. While many agents are moving toward a digital approach (such as sending a text message), handwritten notes are still the most effective way to create a personal connection.  You can mention what they saw at the open house, including features of the house the prospective buyer noted to you. Write down or memorize all key details that you discussed to include them in your note later.

When you’re preparing for an open house, don’t forget to keep the neighbours in the loop! Sending personalized postcards alerts them of a potential buyer coming into their neighbourhood while keeping you top-of-mind if they’re looking to sell at some point.

After an initial meeting

To be a successful real estate agent, you need to make sure that a potential client remembers you and why they met with you as they shop for a realtor. It is important to send a note within 24 hours of an initial meeting to say thank you. You may also want to share any useful advice or information that was discussed during your meeting. This will show them that you’re attentive and interested in their business. If possible, offer a connection they may not have thought about or another way for them to contact you if they have additional questions or would like more information.

If there’s been no response from the first note, follow up again in two weeks. Your note can include something new or interesting related to the neighbourhood, the local real estate market or something else that may interest them.

When a house is sold

The purchase of a home is an exciting and rewarding event in most people’s lives. It can be made even more memorable when the realtor offers congratulations on their new property, which shows you care about them as both clients and humans.

This stage is a great time to send a card or letter showing you value your relationship with them. You can even point out the new features of the home that you know they’re excited about. For example, if the house has a great kitchen or backyard, you can comment on those things and how they’ll enhance the everyday living of their new home. A personal touch in this situation will make them feel like you’re really happy for their success.

Clients are more likely to recommend your services if they feel confident that they are dealing with professionals who go above and beyond for everyone involved in the transaction process. By adding a personal touch to the sales process, you can make a memorable event even more special.

A check-in after the sale

Although a handwritten thank-you note can certainly be sent after an agreement to sell is made, you can also send one at closing when all of the paperwork is complete. This will help ensure that your buyers have positive memories of their experience with you and feel like their needs were met at every step in the process.

One of the biggest advantages of handwritten notes is that they are effective anytime after a home has been sold. Once your customer has completed the sale and is ready to move in, this is one of the most important times to reach out.

Of course, a handwritten note can make the gesture even more memorable, as a personal touch makes the recipient feel like you took the effort to write and send a note.  We know a little something about that.

Thank them for a referral

The time and energy required to be a successful realtor can often make it difficult for one person to juggle everything.  Unfortunately, the important process of finding new clients can take a back seat. So when someone refers a client your way, you will want to thank them with an appropriate gesture. A handwritten note is thoughtful and shows that you appreciate their recommendation enough to take the time out of your day to send a personalized message.

Real estate agents should send thank-you notes and cards as a highly personal way of saying “thank you” when people refer someone who becomes their client. A thank you is particularly important for a referral, as you are the one who benefits – not them. Sending thank-you notes can make a big difference in the long run, especially when you consider it’s just one more way to make an impression.

In a competitive service industry like real estate, following up after an open house or initial meeting with a handwritten note is important.  It’s a great way to remind clients of the service you provided, even if that service just a coffee.  Personalizing touchpoints throughout the sales process is a great way to make yourself memorable in your clients’ minds.

Want to level up your direct mail? Contact us.