Take Action #13: Thank someone - in WRITING

Today's action item is simple.  Write a thank you note by hand.  There is nothing more special than a hand-written note that comes in an envelope with a real stamp and real hand writing on the envelope - not a printed envelope or one with a label.  Don't know about you but 80% of my e-mail is spam or newsletters or mass e-mails.  I have to weed through 100's of e-mails a day just to see if there is one that needs my attention.  If you really want to get the attention of someone, send them a note in a colored envelope or odd-sized envelope - not a traditional business envelope.  Of course this action item came to me because I have at least 2 thank you notes to send, one birthday card and a sympathy note.

Some friends that are great at hand-written notes are Karen Hoffman, Laura Schact and Joe High.  Karen will even tear out articles that pertain to something I am working on and mail it with a note.  Laura sends me notes every once in a while just to tell me she likes me.  We even have the same birthday and she will always send a card - I, on the other hand will call and bring by beer......  Joe has a system for networking that includes sending notes, a book, documents needed before your first meeting with him, etc. 

When to write a hand-written note:

• After an interview
• After/before meeting someone for the first time
• When someone goes above and beyond
• When a client places a big order
• When a vendor saved your butt
• When a colleague goes out of their way to help you out
• When you need to say you are sorry
• When you are thinking about someone
• When you love someone
• When someone dies
• When someone is sick
• When someone divorces
• When you are praying for someone
• When someone makes a charitable donation

When do you send hand-written notes?  When was the last time you sent one?  Share your ideas here!

Enjoy Taking Action!

Angela