Call me ‘old school’ but the power of the handwritten note should not be casually dismissed.
When expressing gratitude, certain age-old standards of etiquette still rule, despite the ease and convenience of our digitally linked world. The simple, straightforward gesture of penning a note of thanks conveys both respect and thoughtfulness. As important as this can be in your personal life, it will resonate even further in business – yet it’s astonishing how rarely it’s done. By committing to making note writing a priority you will set yourself apart from the crowd and make a lasting impression.
Come to think of it - when was the last time you received a thoughtfully written, hand addressed note in the mail? I recently made a contribution to a friend’s charity drive - I get more and more requests each year and do my best to support my friends in their worthy endeavors - but when I received a generic digital thank you email after the event, I felt my generosity had been marginalized by the ‘convenience’ and remoteness of the mass email thank you. Instead of achieving the goal of thanking me, the gesture felt cold and meaningless.
At Chic By Design Collections, our ethos is Smart Gifting, and a big part of ‘smart’ includes sending a hand calligraphed note to each gift recipient on our elegant stationary. We wouldn’t expect anything else, and nor should you.
Here are our top 5 recommendations for gentrifying your life and that of others' with the 'gift' of a handwritten note:
- Keep a supply of simple yet elegant note cards and matching envelopes, as well as postage stamps, on hand at all times.
- Commit to making note writing a weekly habit.
- Don’t let an opportunity slip by to express appreciation in writing, no matter how insignificant you may think the gesture is, you never know where your next big opportunity is going to come from.
- Be prompt. No more than 2-3 days should pass before sending a Thank You note, be it for a gift received, contributions for your favorite charity/fundraiser, a business introduction, or to the host of a party. The exception would be for wedding gifts, but even that deadline should not exceed 3 months.
- Keep your notes short, focus on the positive, make them light hearted and above all, sincere.
Happy Gifting!
Heather
