Integrate Handwritten Notes into Your Marketing Strategy Today

Marketing has evolved over the years. Not that long ago, it was enough to get your product or service in front of the right people and your prestige would grow, as long as your messages were effective and consistent. But today, a far more personal touch is required. That's because strong customer relationships translate to increasing market share far more effectively. 

 Businesses have utilized standard direct mail for decades as a method for reaching out directly to consumers. The practice carries numerous benefits, the least of which is a higher open and response rate than most digital marketing methods. However, the strategy suffers from a lack of personalization and general distrust from consumers. This is partially due to the glut of direct mail marketing that used to arrive in our mailboxes. But the other culprit is direct mail's generic presentation. 

 Standard mail campaigns send the same mailers to every recipient. There's very little chance for personalization, which waters down your sales messages. No one recipient feels like you're speaking directly to them because it's clear you're trying to speak to everyone in exactly the same voice. It feels cold and impersonal. 

 Handwritten notes, as a part of a larger handwritten marketing strategy, are superior to standard direct mail in every way. Not only are they cost-effective (through automation,) but they also offer a remarkably high open rate — 99% to be exact! But it really shines in its relationship-building ability. Companies can use handwritten notes to strengthen bonds with existing clients, contributing directly to customer retention, as well as making a good impression with new customers. 

 You can cold call on the phone, but you're likely to be rejected. Instead, use the power of the handwritten note to establish a warm contact with prospects.

 Handwritten direct mail marketing takes an "old-fashioned" communication method and brings it powerfully into the digital age. Read on to learn more about why handwritten notes should be a critical part of your marketing mix.

Why Handwritten Notes Are An Effective Addition to Your Sales Process

There's no denying that handwritten notes are a powerful way to reach out and engage with potential and current customers. But what makes them so special, and why should your business consider using them as part of its sales process?

Handwritten Marketing Offers a Personal Touch

One of the biggest advantages of handwritten communications is that they offer a highly personalized touch. Unlike standard direct mail, handwritten notes can be customized for each individual recipient. This means that your messages will feel more relevant and engaging, which can result in a higher response rate. This gives a boost to customer loyalty.

Personal Messages Establish Rapport

When you send a handwritten note, it feels like you're taking the time to reach out and connect with the recipient on a personal level. This can help to establish a rapport, which can be beneficial for future business dealings. 

 Imagine if a sales department called you and referred to you as "our valued customer" or "an important prospect" but never once mentioned your name. Would you feel like the company knew something about you or would it feel like you were just a number on their call sheet? Personalization prevents your marketing campaign from rubbing your prospects the wrong way.

Enjoy Increased Engagement

Not only does handwritten mail have a high open rate, but it also tends to result in higher engagement levels than standard direct mail. When recipients feel like you've taken the time to personalize your message just for them, they're more likely to respond. This is an effective way to bring more prospects and customers into your conversation.

Improve Customer Retention

Bulletproof customer relationships are key to a successful business. And handwritten notes are one of the best ways to nurture and strengthen those relationships. By sending handwritten notes to your customers on a regular basis, you can help keep them engaged and interested in your products or services.

Handwritten Cards are Unique and Memorable

One of the best things about personalized handwritten notes is that they're unique and memorable. When recipients receive a handwritten note, they're more likely to remember it than if they received an email or standard direct mail. This can help to create a stronger connection with your business and increase the chances of future business dealings. 

 Handwritten mail is a powerful way to reach out and connect with potential and current customers. If you're looking for a way to improve your sales process, handwritten mail should be at the top of your list.

Modern Marketing Requires Deep Personalization

Marketing in the 21st century has moved away from one-size-fits-all messaging. Today, a sales message is more effective when it feels like a conversation — when it takes into account the person on the other end. 

 There is no more effective way for moving the needle for your sales team than through deep personalization. This means understanding your customer’s business, their goals, and what motivates them. It also requires getting to know your customer as an individual. 

 Most importantly, though, personalization requires that you put your customer knowledge to good use to create a mailing that feels tuned to each customer's or prospect's needs and desires. 

 This is where handwritten communications come in. There is simply no other way to create a connection with your customers on a personal level like handwriting a note for them. Handwritten mail offers a personalized touch that can be very effective in marketing. They show you took the time to create something special for the recipient, and they can be a great way to stand out from the competition. Plus, personalized notes are a great way to build relationships with customers and clients.

A Real-World Example of Handwritten Marketing in Action

Let's examine how a business might use personalized handwritten notes to boost engagement and press the company's competitive advantage. 

 Specifically, let's follow an average customer as they subscribe to your newsletter or fill out a form on your website. These interactions create a prospect. This person knows a bit about your company and has demonstrated a desire to learn more. Do you send them a quick email in response or try a handwritten approach? 

 Once you have their contact information, it's a simple task to use marketing automation to send a stream of emails, one introducing your company, a second pushing a special offer and any number of follow-up messages. The problem is, very few people will ever see them due to email's low open and engagement rates. Your emails will often simply get lost in the shuffle. 

 If instead you take the time to write a handwritten note and mail it to them instead of using email, you'll have a better chance of getting their attention. Handwritten notes are personal and often unexpected, which can make them more likely to be read and appreciated. And their stellar open rate means that most everyone you send a note to will engage with it. 

 Of course, handwriting hundreds or thousands of cards or letters isn't practical. One message is one thing but the process breaks down at any reasonable volume. The trick is to use your automation software to segment your audiences and create effective workflows, but then trigger handwritten notes instead of digital emails. 

 You'll get all the benefits of automation paired with the stellar performance only available with handwritten marketing. But how can you make that a success and boost your engagement rates? You work with Simply Noted.

Simply Noted Automates Handwritten Marketing

When you're mailing handwritten invitations, thank you notes, or welcome messages, it's important to infuse your brand's personality and speak to prospects and customers on a one-on-one basis. Handwritten communications accomplish this in spades, and Simply Noted makes it as easy to send them as an email. 

 Simply Noted is a handwritten notes platform that leverages the most advanced handwriting machines on the planet. They use real ballpoint pens driven by advanced, AI-powered smart fonts, our "Infinity" fonts, to create handwritten results that are indistinguishable from the real thing. We have a variety of fonts to choose from. You can also opt for us to recreate your handwriting style for the greatest degree of personalization. 

 Best of all, because Simply Noted is an automated platform that works with your existing marketing software, you don't have to worry about the added time or manpower it takes to send handwritten cards. You can continue using your current process and simply add handwritten notes as an additional touchpoint. Instead of triggering an email, you can have the same content handwritten in an attractive card or letter. 

 Your prospects will feel special and will give your service extra consideration simply because the extra effort involved in handwritten messaging shows how much they matter to you. It demonstrates that they're worth the additional resources, and that a client of yours is a client that's cared for.

The Importance of Gift Giving

Every business's goal is to create a critical mass of loyal customers, and everything they do should drive this process. Gifting is a good way to build goodwill and scale your organization's growth efforts. It's an investment with a significant multiplier effect. 

 In the early days of your company, you should be gifting customers, partners, and employees frequently. The value of a gift increases as the relationship matures. But there's one group that is always worth gifting: your best customers. 

 When it comes to gift-giving, there are a few cardinal rules:

• Never give a gift that is contingent on the recipient doing something in return. This includes discounts, referrals, or any other type of quid pro quo. 
• Gift recipients should never feel obligated to spend more than they would otherwise. 
• The gift should be something the giver would be happy to receive themselves. 
• The gift should be unique and relevant to the recipient.

Handwritten notes are the perfect way to follow up on a gift, especially if you're not sure what to say. A handwritten note is personal, shows that you took the time to write it, and is something they're likely to keep around. 

 But here's a game-changing consideration. Emails are just emails, but handwritten cards are both a communication AND a gift, which means they build relationships in two ways. They provide a highly personal touchpoint and they give your customers a tangible item in response to their interest in your brand. 

 You can increase this impact by including a small gift inside the letter. With Simply Noted, you can purchase gift cards from a variety of vendors and have them included with each card we send. And soon we'll be offering gift fulfillment services, which means you'll be able to send your clients and prospects a wide range of gifts to complement your handwritten communications.

Boost Your Return on Investment with Handwritten Notes

There's no doubt about it: handwritten notes are a powerful way to connect with your customers and prospects. They're personal, memorable, and build relationships in a way that emails never can. 

 But what about the bottom line? Are handwritten notes worth the investment? 

 The answer is an unequivocal "yes." In fact, we've done the math for you. 

 If you're sending 100 handwritten cards per month with Simply Noted, your cost per card will be $3.25, less at higher volumes. That includes everything — the card and envelope, automated handwriting, and the cost of the stamp — and it's a fraction of what you would spend on other forms of marketing. And that doesn't even take into account the goodwill you'll generate with each card. 

 Simply Noted is the perfect way to add handwritten notes to your marketing mix. Our automated handwriting service takes the hassle out of card-sending, and our selection of cards and envelopes means you can find the perfect message for each recipient. Plus, we'll soon offer a range of gifts that you can include with your cards. 

 Ready to begin building stronger customer relationships with handwritten notes? Get started today.