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  • Hand-Written Notes Have Become A Power Tool

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    A couple nights ago I was sitting in my car waiting for one of my daughters to finish up soccer practice. I can’t sit still for more than about 10 minutes so I rooted around the car to find something to read or otherwise use up the wait.

    The only thing I could find was a notebook and a pen that I keep to record hair brain ideas.

    My oldest turns 20 next week so I decided to fire off a letter – the old fashion way.

    As I did so it reminded me what a great tool the handwritten letter or note is.

    By the time I had scrawled to the end of page three I felt really good. I don’t know, but there’s something almost mystical or spiritual about the connection of pen on paper. The tap just opens and I find I can’t write fast enough to keep up with my thoughts.

    Okay, enough personal mish mash already – let’s look at this from a marketing point of view.

    When you take the time to send a client or prospect a thoughtfully hand written note, not only do you get the benefit of this connection I describe about, you also:

    • Stand out from the crowd (nobody does this anymore and that’s what makes it so powerful)
    • Say, I care enough to take the time to do this
    • Can’t help but write something that is personal in nature (computers stink at that)
    • Make a connection with another form of communication (email, phone, web site, blog, note – you need them all)
    • Have the ability to make the person who receives the note feel special (if you can’t figure out why that’s a good marketing thing, I can’t help you)
    • Will begin to receive more referrals (your clients will tell people about your unique habit)

    Go to your nearest print shop and get some A-6 size note cards and envelopes, printed with your name tastefully at the top, and get in the habit of writing notes of thanks, congratulations, saw you in the news, did you catch this, hope all is well, what else can we do – everyday, or at least every Friday – and watch how the level of communication you enjoy with your clients changes.

    And while you’re at it, write a long letter to your spouse.

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    Posted by: John Jantsch on Oct 14, 05 | 2:02 pm
    Category: Marketing Materials | Tags:

    View Comments
    • <pingback>...this tip from other marketing gurus, such as John Jantsch at Duct Tape Marketing (specific tip here), and ...</pingback>
    • <pingback>...as a result of your doing things just a little differently. So how can you apply this? John Jantsch suggests: Go to your nearest print shop and get some A-6 size note cards and envelopes, printed with your name tastefully at the top, and get in the habit ...</pingback>
    • You are absolutely right!
      When was the last time a prospective client thanked you for your print ad or form letter. Notes handwritten are a guarenteed way to create a positive emotional repsonse to you and your business.

      Thanks,
      Kristen
    • Thanks, excellent..
    • <trackback>Hand written letter? Well, if it works&#8230;.
      Thought John made a post worth blogging. It talks about using hand written notes for clients and associates. It does have a “alure” that is lost with emails in the modern day. It shows an actual use of time and resources, as aposed to digi...</trackback>
    • Dpinger
      Hi John,

      Thank you for reminding me about getting back to basics.

      I sold a lot of cars because of personal handwritten handwritten notes. Because no one else did it.

      I have been out of that business for about 15 years now and for some silly reason I stopped writing these notes.

      Until today!

      Thanks,

      Don Pinger
    • <pingback>...business is the way to do it. A handwritten note is a great way to start."

      Here's the link to my original post
      And the link to David's post




      Posted by: John Jantsch

      on Oct 21, 05 | 9:34 am | Profile



      [0] comments (0 ...</pingback>
    • <trackback>The Power of a Note
      Duct Tape Marketing had a post last week that got me thinking. In the post John Jantsch discussed the power of penning a hand written note to friends, clients or prospects. I have used this tactic before – mostly to</trackback>
    • Angie Pedersen
      Heidi Miller also mentioned this idea in a recent podcast (http://heidimiller.libsyn.com/). I love the idea! I have started sending not only handwritten notes, but also handMADE cards (since I work in the scrapbooking industry, that was kind of a gimme).

      Thanks for the reminder about the Power of the Personal Pen!
    • Pink Apple
      Hi John
      As a relationship coach I encourage the use of love letters describing feelings that then begin conversations. Intimacy is the outcome. So i loved your line about writing to your spouse.
      Building business relationships is best achieved by the personal touchand here it is.
      I commend you for nudging your readers both professionally and personally!!
    • You are so right!

      I issue a challenge to all of my clients to write 3 to 5 personal, hand-written notes each week. Send them to clients, prospects, referral sources, business alliances, networking contacts made, etc.

      I carry a handful of note cards and stamps with me in my Day Runner everywhere I go. Plenty have commented how much they appreicated my note.
    • Hmmm... does this mean I have to start working on writing legible cursive again?
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