Handwritten Thank You Card? OLD SCHOOL

Anyone do this old school technique? When do you do it? Why don't you? Should you?

👑 Sales Strategy
25
sales101
WR Officer
3
Head of Channel & Alliances
I do them at Christmas for the bigger deals I worked with throughout the year- people seem to like that
AlohaSpir8Eh
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
agreed, great way to show appreciation and keep them thinking about you/your company/services etc. 

CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Yes. Don't underestimate the power of this small yet significant detail friend.
slaydie
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
I like to send a handful out at Christmas to deals that are in play or people I've lost contact with. It doesn't flood my inbox with responses but it's more of a long term play. People remember the gesture and come back to you when they are ready to buy
AlohaSpir8Eh
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
hmmm, never thought of this approach...
Saasmaven
Praised Answer
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Yep, I write a handwritten card for every deal I close... also ask for the referral. If I’m  really feeling nice, or it’s a larger TCV, I’ll throw in some swag. Handwritten anything is old school, but it works bc it’s unexpected and appreciated. 
xxx
Valued Contributor
1
CRO
Interesting approach. I like it. 
Stardust
WR Officer
0
President
Interesting you ask for the referral within the handwritten card.  Creative.  Can you share an example. My Q2 'improve' is to do better at asking and getting referrals. I need help. 
Incognito
WR Officer
3
Master of Disaster
I used to, but now that some are WFH I don’t know if they will get it within a relevant time frame. 
xxx
Valued Contributor
1
CRO
Yup. I totally get that. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
2
HMFIC
Did it when I was interviewing for jobs.  Not so much anymore.
xxx
Valued Contributor
0
CRO
Do you feel it helped during the interview process?
Hotsaw
Politicker
1
VP Sales
Last two jobs, each boss said the handwritten letter was what tipped the scales in my favor. 
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
2
Senior Account Executive
Nah man I don't trust the post office with this
xxx
Valued Contributor
1
CRO
Damn DeJoy
ZebraStripe
Opinionated
1
Sr Sales Director
I think it's a good technique, but probably for the more seasoned or old school folks themselves.  If you're selling to someone younger and they get a handwritten card I think they could take it as weird or creepy.  
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
I mail out little welcome kits with a handwritten card to all of the new employees I place. The sentiment seems to resonate well with most people but others couldn't care less. Only one instance when someone made it known they didn't appreciate it.
Trinity
WR Officer
1
BusDev
Yes, during the (or their) holidays.
Wolf
Opinionated
1
Commercial Account Executive
Do people actually confirm that they have received it or follow-up with you to thank you for it? I did not know that this was still a thing.
AlohaSpir8Eh
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
Yep, I've had approx 80% confirmation response rate
Stardust
WR Officer
1
President
Same here.  They always confirm - handwritten cards stand out
Wolf
Opinionated
0
Commercial Account Executive
Thank you for both of your insights!
xxx
Valued Contributor
0
CRO
Mostly no but some do. A lot, when I got to reach back out will tell me about the card. 
slaydie
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
agree - I have done this all throughout the year but my favorite time to do it now it around the winter holidays. Most of the time people don't reach out immediately but often times they will come back months later when they are ready to seriously explore and always mention how touching the card was. There's something about hand written mail that makes people light up
Wolf
Opinionated
0
Commercial Account Executive
I can see why it would make more sense around the holidays for sure.
Mehak
Politicker
1
Co-Founder
Watch this, it's Kevin Hale's "How to Build Products Users Love with Kevin Hale"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12D8zEdOPYo at 29:45 min, it has very cute anecdote about handwritten Christmas cards.
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
My handwriting looks like its from a toddler so I feel like I’d get very limited mileage on that.
xxx
Valued Contributor
0
CRO
Mine too which is why I would keep the note short and sweet. 
LoneMaverick
Executive
1
Strategic Account Leader
Yes, this is real personalization.

Not an email with Hi <<First Name>>
LordBusiness
Politicker
1
Chief Revenue Officer
It's a subtle way to cut through the noise, but its harder to execute on these days given most folks are still WFH. Asking a prospect for their mailing address eliminates the element of thoughtfulness that it conveys when its delivered.   
xxx
Valued Contributor
1
CRO
I agree. I do find during the WFH that still sending it to the corp address that they route it to the house or, hey, they will have something nice when they return. 
NorthernSalesGuru
Politicker
1
Manager, Outbound Sales
I stopped this years ago. 

I just feel like there’s more personalized ways to do this with tech now. 

E.g. personal video message (like Vidyard msg or something)
xxx
Valued Contributor
1
CRO
I agree. There are some cool ways to reach out now. Just gotta know which one may be best for each client. 
fujidale
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
The economic buyers/champions I've sent hand-written cards to (along w/ a shirt) are now acting as referrals and trusted-advisors during my job hunting. One of them is even talking to his vendors to get intros.

The key however is also to deliver within the 12-month subscription period and ensure the buyer/champion FEEL they got what they paid for. 
xxx
Valued Contributor
0
CRO
I like that. Not enough to send the card, deliver on your promises too.
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Been doing this forever. Once even tried to end things with a girl by writing a hand-written letter. That backfired horribly, but besides that have only ever had good things happen from taking the time to write hand-written letters😎
xxx
Valued Contributor
1
CRO
👍👍
stanrym
Valued Contributor
1
CEO
I'd do that, but my customers aren't based near me. so shipping is long and expensive.
xxx
Valued Contributor
0
CRO
Shipping? You can’t use a stamp? International stamps are also like a buck. 
Smithy
Politicker
1
Director of Sales
It's a great little change, I find, but I don't do it often
Tres
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I did this to a CEO one time after I had met him, and he was so appreciative, said he almost never get's hand written notes anymore... so I'm a believer in it, it works
xxx
Valued Contributor
0
CRO
Nice!
beerisforclosers
Politicker
1
Account Manager
This is one of those things I always tell myself I'll do end of year and never actually get done. But I think it's brilliant. Hats off to people who do it. 
Bandos
Politicker
1
Seller Man
I send a hand written note along with a bottle of booze to all my prospects once they get to a certain point in the sales cycle. You can look up most people's personal addresses using True People Search and then verify that address using their county's appraisal district website. (might be a little creepy, but it works)
EQSales
Opinionated
1
VP of Sales
if you want to create a network that will continue to grow and pay you over your career this is a great move.  For large deals hand written TY note, with some swag after a successful POV/POC is a nice touch.  When i change companies, i send a note with my card/contact info to past champions, typically then hit them up for a meeting 1-2 months later if the company and their role make sense. Oh and anytime a past champion gets a promotion, even if you havent spoken in a while, send that note! 



I started sending my family christmas cards to a handful of former and current champions which is a nice touch and 90% of them have reciprocated and now send me their family christmas cards.  

Thought- check out the book power of moments, which talks about how we can capture and leverage these opportunities where acknowledgment of a moment can last for years.
xxx
Valued Contributor
0
CRO
Yes. This is it. You have captured the why so well. Thanks for this. 
Brbman01
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
I've heard of some people that advocate writing a card, taking a picture, and sending it via email.

Accomplishes the goal of adding a personal touch, without having to go to the post office/wait a week for it to get there. 
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I like to send a handful out at Christmas to deals that are in play or people I've lost contact with. It doesn't flood my inbox with responses but it's more of a long term play.
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
agreed, great way to show appreciation and keep them thinking about you/your company/services etc. 
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
Haven't done this much, but I do like the approach.

My main issue is my handwriting... I feel like my cursive is garbage and my printing, while very legible, always looks like it's been done by a high school student.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
Yes. Don't underestimate the power of this small yet significant detail friend.
Cyberjarre
Politicker
0
BDR
Short story was stuck at lower level, couldn't get in front of economic buyer, champion couldn't get me in front of economic buyer.
Mr.Floaty
Politicker
0
BDR
agreed, great way to show appreciation and keep them thinking about you/your company/services etc.
29
Members only

Debit Card Fraud ??

Discussion
61
9

Debit Card Fraud - UPDATE

Discussion
9
24
Members only

The old timey business card

Discussion
44
Do you have/use business cards?
50% Yes
50% No
223 people voted