An Old School Tool

I wasn’t really sure what to do with it. Something I barely recognized arrived in the mailbox at my office last Friday. I don’t mean my “inbox.” I’m talking the mailbox. An envelope delivered by a United States Postal employee. It was addressed to me and hand written in ink.

A few days before this I had a meeting with Scott Jarvis, Vice President of Retail Banking at West Bank, Inc. After our meeting Scott thought enough of our time together that he took the time to write a hand written note expressing his gratitude to me for taking the time to meet.

I meet with people constantly. It’s what I do. I’m either interviewing a candidate to fill a position for my client, meeting with clients, or speaking to people at networking events. I always try to write a handwritten note to follow up. I love to receive a personalized note myself.

E-mail, though convenient, is absolutely no substitute for a personalized handwritten note. It’s unfortunate but as technology grows, so does the distance between us as professionals. Between email, cell phones, text messaging and social media we seem to have forgotten the art of writing.

It’s hard to argue that personalized notes are not as common as they used to be. Because of this they stand out and touch the reader in a way no other form of communication does. It’s tangible and personal. It doesn’t interrupt the reader at an inopportune time.

Take a gander at what Lydia Ramsey, a business etiquette expert, lists her keys to writing effective handwritten business notes.

What do you do to follow up with your associates and clients after significant meetings?

Comments

[Mitch Matthews]

Hey buddy!

Great post.

Plus, you've inspired me.

I was going to "pen" some thank you e-mails today... but instead I'm now breaking out my thank you notes and my pilot G2.

Oh... there's nothing like having some good news in your mail box to make your day.

Thanks for inspiring me to do that for others!

You rock,

Mitch