Handwritten Letters: 10 Reasons You Should Send More

[Updated in June 2022]

 

Handwritten letters are a wonderful way to connect with your customers, temper sales messages with heart, and leave a positive impression. 

 

If you want to be certain your customer, vendor, or business partner receives your message and receives it in the way you intended, there’s generally no better way than to send it in real ink, in a hand-addressed, handwritten letter. Handwritten mail has an emotional resonance that digital technologies can't match.

 

Below are ten reasons why you should give personally-penned messages a try. It’s not nearly as difficult as you might think, and by the end of this article, you’ll see why.

 

1. Mailed Letters Get Opened

Do you spend a lot on email marketing? Are you happy with the results? Email marketing campaigns manage a 22.7% average open rate. This is quite good compared to the standard competition. However, handwritten notes are never included in these comparisons, and they should be because handwritten letters enjoy a staggering 99% open rate.

 

Consider what you would do if you got a letter in the mail, hand-addressed in real ink. Would you immediately throw it in the garbage? Of course not! When you get a handwritten card in the mail you assume a friend has been writing letters. You get excited and you open the mail directly.

 

A handwritten letter feels special. The assumption is that the sender put a lot of time into writing it. So even if the recipient isn’t sure who sent the letter to them, they will open it.

 

2. They Leave a Powerful, Lasting Impression

Imagine you were sending out thank you cards to your customers. What do you think would feel more heartfelt and authentic, a generic, mass-printed mailer, or a handwritten message personalized to the reader?

 

Personalization and presentation are critical when communicating with customers. Imagine the difference a letter, written on your own stationery and inked with a fountain pen, and dropped off by hand at the post office would make compared to a cold, impersonal email. You need only start writing by hand to see the value in the handwriting process.

 

There’s value in thanking your customers and the more genuine the presentation, the more genuine the connection. A handwritten thank you note will leave an indelibly positive mark in your customer’s mind that will forever be associated with you.

 

3. Handwritten Letters Are Rare

When was the last time you received a hand-addressed, handwritten letter that wasn’t a birthday card? If you’re like most people, the answer is, “I honestly can’t remember.”

 

That’s because handwritten letters are exceedingly rare in the age of email. According to the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission, the average American received only 10 pieces of personal mail for the year in 2017. It’s simply too time-consuming to write a letter today when you can send a text or an email.

 

But this rarity is why handwritten letters feel so valuable.

 

4. Handwritten Letters Separate You from the Competition

Email is extremely economical and simple to generate. Mass-printed direct mail pieces need only be designed once and then they can be printed by the thousands. These are the methods your competition is using to reach its customers. What are you doing to stand out?

 

For your critical communications, nothing boosts you above the din better than a handwritten mailer. It will take your customers by surprise, and if they don’t open it immediately, it will go on the top of the stack for later. The generic mailer your competitor sent will likely be in the garbage.

 

5. Handwritten Letters Are Often Kept as Memorabilia 

Sending a handwritten letter is like sending a piece of yourself. It takes quite a bit of intentional effort to craft one, and that emotional energy is sent along with the letter.

 

This is why they’re so special. Your recipient can see you in the curve of your letters, the heavy application of ink when the news is good, and the subtle little touches that differentiate your handwriting from every other person in the world.

 

People keep handwritten letters because they’re not just a letter. They’re a gift.

 

6. Handwritten Cards Show You Care

Imagine a friend was in the hospital out of state, removing the possibility of a visit. What would be the next best way to convey your deep desire for their speedy recovery — an email, a text message, or a handwritten card?

 

Nothing can replace the personal touch you send when you apply pen to paper, lick and close an envelope, and pay to place it in the mail. It shows that you cared enough to take the time.

 

7. Affordable Way to Build a Great Relationship

As you’ll soon learn, handwritten letters don’t need to take hours to create. They can be generated quickly and affordably, and the powerful connection they build can cement new relationships, both personal and professional.

 

Emails are impersonal. Texts have about as much value as the time it takes to generate them. Handwritten letters, on the other hand, show you care, as we’ve noted. So if you’re trying to build a positive relationship, there’s no substitute for the power of the pen.

 

8. Everybody Appreciates Handwritten Letters

People love to get handwritten letters for all the reasons we’ve included so far. They’re rare and exciting. They demonstrate just how important the recipient is to the sender. They’re a personal artifact that can become a cherished memory. 

 

People understand what goes into handwriting a letter, particularly when sending an email is so much easier, so a handwritten letter is always appreciated.

 

9. Handwriting Letters Is Good for You 

We already know that handwriting is good for memory, focus, and creativity. It turns out that writing letters also makes you happier! Numerous studies have shown that the sort of expressive writing which goes into handwriting letters — writing that expresses your inner thoughts and feelings — has a measurable positive effect on your perceived mental well being.

 

The act of putting pen to paper and participating actively in this exercise compounds the benefits for the same reason letters are so special to their recipients. There’s a visceral sense of reaching out and making contact with your loved one in a way that isn’t accessible via digital mediums.

 

10. Sending Them Is EASY!

This is likely the most surprising heading in this article because it seems to fly in the face of everything else you’ve read. How can it be when, by definition, a handwritten letter requires painstaking effort to create?

 

The answer is automation. Simply Noted has perfected a method for mass-producing letters and cards, written in real ink by real ballpoint pens, using an authentic reproduction of your handwriting.

 

We use a fleet of handwriting robots that allow us to pen, in real-time, hundreds or thousands of handwritten messages that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. We can substitute in your customer’s names and other personal details and even add your signature. 

 

When you round out your mailing with an automated, hand-addressed envelope, you can get all the benefits of handwritten communications paired with the speed and convenience of standard printing.

 

There’s simply no better way to reach your customers!

 

10+ More Reasons You Should Send More Handwritten Letters

Still not convinced? Not to worry. Handwritten letters are such a great investment in yourself and in your customers that it's not hard to come up with other reasons to avail yourself of it. Try these reasons on for size.

 

11. Handwritten Letters Make Great Marketing Material

With Simply Noted, you can take your marketing to the next level with handwritten letters. Instead of a generic direct mail campaign that looks like everyone else’s, you can now send a personalized letter in every envelope. Handwritten letters are also excellent for thank-yous, holiday cards, and other occasions when you want to show your customers you care.

 

12. Personalized Service Is Our Top Priority

At Simply Noted, we are committed to providing the highest quality product and service possible. We understand that when it comes to your business, first impressions are everything.

 

Our team of experts will work with you to ensure that your letters are perfect for any occasion. We will also work with you to create a custom design that reflects your brand identity.

 

13. Automation Makes it Easy

As we mentioned in the previous point, Simply Noted has perfected a method for mass-producing letters and cards, written in real ink by real ballpoint pens, using an authentic reproduction of your handwriting. We use a fleet of handwriting robots that allow us to pen, in real-time, hundreds or thousands of handwritten messages that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. We can substitute in your customer’s names and other personal details and even use your handwriting.

 

14. Letters Are More Intimate

In this day and age, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the people in our lives. We are constantly bombarded with emails, texts, and social media notifications. Handwritten letters provide a level of intimacy that is rare in our modern world.

 

Additionally, there's a comforting tactile quality available from a handwritten note that can't be replicated digitally.

 

15. Letters Allow You to be Genuine

In a world where we are constantly inundated with marketing messages, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Handwritten letters allow you to connect with your customer on a more personal level and show them that you care about them as an individual.

 

This is the perfect opportunity to show your customer that you are more than just a faceless corporation – you are a real person who cares about them and their business.

 

16. Letters Are Timeless

One of the best things about handwritten letters is that they are timeless. They can be saved and treasured for years to come, unlike a digital message that can be easily deleted.

 

A handwritten letter is a physical reminder of your thoughtfulness and appreciation that will last long after the initial recipient has received it.

 

17. You Can Stand Out From the Crowd

In a world where everyone is trying to be heard, it can be difficult to make your voice stand out from the crowd. With handwritten letters, you can ensure that your message will be seen and heard.

 

A handwritten letter is a unique way to communicate with your customers, and it will make them take notice of your business.

 

18. You Can Make a Lasting Impression

Your customers are bombarded with marketing messages on a daily basis. It can be difficult to make an impression that will last.

 

With handwritten letters, you can make a lasting impression on your customers. The personal touch of a handwritten letter will stay with them long after they have received it.

 

19. You Can Save Money

You can save money on your marketing budget by eliminating the need for printed materials. Our handwritten letters are produced using high-quality paper and ink, so you can be sure that your message will be seen and heard.

 

20. You Can Go Green

You can go green and save money at the same time. Our handwritten letters are produced using recycled paper and ink, so you can be sure that your message is eco-friendly.

 

21. You Can Reach a Wider Audience

With Simply Noted, you can reach a wider audience with your marketing messages. Our handwritten letters are produced in multiple languages, so you can target your message to a global market.

 

22. No Envelopes Required

With our handwritten letters, you don’t need to worry about envelopes! Simply Noted will address, stamp, and mail your letters for you. This means that you can save time and money on your postal budget. Plus it's significantly less work for you and your staff.