Words Worth
Reading
Corby O'Connor & Company Business Etiquette and Protocol,
E-News Letter & Tips
The
answer to one of last week’s questions ended with
only a passing mention of a topic deserving of an
entire column – the handwritten note. The
handwritten note has been around for hundreds of years
yet it is still the most powerful tool in business.
Deciding to write someone by hand is a decision to
connect with a person in a unique way. The handwritten
note, among the form letters, magazines, invoices and
solicitations, announces to your reader that he
matters to you.
Because
it’s not routinely sent, it stands out and touches
the reader in a way no other form of communication
does. It doesn’t interrupt the reader at an
inopportune time. He can decide to read it immediately
or put it aside to enjoy when it’s convenient.
He
can save the note, re-read it, think good thoughts
about you and the other details you wrote about.
Positive remarks made during a conversation or during
a telephone call cannot be recalled in that way.
Each handwritten note is unique. It is private;
addressed and received only to the person intended. It
can be saved forever or it can be destroyed.
Most importantly, as technology grows, so does the
distance between us. We are communicating via email,
voice mail, fax and videoconference. A handwritten
note draws the sender and receiver close to each
other. It touches the reader with the writer’s
personality by his choice of stationery, pen, words
and handwriting.
Make note-writing part of your business day. The more
you write, the more comfortable you will become with
the process. You will be surprised at how easily your
words will flow.
If you’ve made too many mistakes on a page, begin
again and make absolutely sure you are spelling the
receivers name correctly.
Business Occasions to Write a Note:
Hot
Tip:
