Hand written letters are in my bag of tricks.  Nobody sends them anymore.  It makes the phone ring.  Almost always the letter is acknowledged with a phone call. 

Chris - thanks so much for stopping by!  You're right, so few people seem to send them.  Maybe that's why they stand out SO MUCH these days.......

Thanks,
Ann

That's very nice Ann, It's funny because I always go to the post office and pick up the mail. Monika usually receives a hand written note from one or two of her students after she teaches a class. I find that very touching as in our busy lives today it is a compliment to her that someone would take the time and write a thank you note and they seem very complimentary and appreciative of her.

Nice post Ann

Go Pats!!!! 

Hey Jay!!!  Thanks for your comments, and how nice for Monika to get notes like that.  They do make an impact when you get them, that's for sure!

GO PATS for SURE!!!  

Ann

I LOVE handwritten notes too Ann, and I also received one this week and what a great surprise it was.  I have gotten listings with hand written notes too - It's important to be personable.....that's what blogging is doing to the Internet, it's presenting us as people.  Great Post and great reminder to all of us.

Exactly- handwritten notes are the only way to go if you want to show someone that they really matter - you just don't think of the person as another #. 

Hi Ann, it's nice to see the notes are not a 'lost art,' and how fun to get four in a week! I think there is something very special about handwriting a note, and I am guility of not doing it enough. I am trying to be better at it - I think you have motiviated me to do so. I used to belong to Providence Systems and thisi was a big part of their strategy, do the notes and have stacks of different kinds of notecards. I would get notecards every month from them. Good post and I don't think I have seen one on this at all!

It's in my business plan every year, to send out 5 handwritten notes per day, for each team member.  Makes a huge difference in your impact on people.  I also send them to agents who co-broke my listings, seems that quite often they don't get thanked.

Ann, you have motivated me!  I read your post and immediately wrote a thank you card to the buyers agent on a difficult transaction we just closed yesterday.  I walked it directly out to the mailbox and then came in to thank you for the reminder -- everyone likes to know they are appreciated.  I will be writing a thank you to the mortgage company as well, but I think I'll hand deliver that one with a box of chocolates.  (Like I said, this one was difficult!)  I'm going to try to get better about thanking the other people involved in helping us get to the closing table, not just my clients.  And THANK YOU.

Ann,

I'm with you, I like getting hand written notes!

I like sending them hopping the receiver feels like we do.

My only problems, I can't find a pen with a built in spell checker and stablising gyro to correct my spelling and make my writing more legible.

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

http://www.reii.org

Ann,

Go   Pats!!!!

I got a handwritten note this week too!!! It really made my day!

I have to laugh at Bills comment...if only a pen would have a spell checker....I find myself writing little notes in word and then copying them after I've used my spell checker. Double the time but at least I have a chance at sending off a note without spelling errors :)

Ines - thanks for your comments.  Handwritten notes do make such an impact, and I'm not surprised notes helped you get a listing!  I am making a resolution to do more myself.

Thanks,

Ann

Marc - Thanks so much for reading and commenting.  With today's technology making things so easy, it's really important to remember the personal touches that so easily fall by the wayside. 

Carole - thanks for your comments, and receiving those notes certainly has motivated me to write and send more than I typically do!

Thanks for reading and commenting, Marc & Carole!!

Ann

Leigh - Good for you for having those notes as part of your business plan.  And I love your idea of sending them to co-brokes!  In the past, I've gotten a few of those, and they did make a big impact when I'd receive them.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
Ann

Congrats on the featured blog Ann.

GO PATS!!!! 

Sarah - I'm so glad to read my post motivated you as it did!  And I've no doubt the person receiving your note that you mailed today will be thrilled to receive.  Your mortgage company will surely appreciate that note and the chocolates as well - what a great thing to do for them to show your appreciation.  That says alot about you!

Thank you so much for your comments and feedback - very much appreciated!

Ann

I'm a very strong believer in the hand written note!  I have never sent an e-card.  People (myelf included) truly appreciate the few minutes it took the writer to write the note.  I send them to co-brokes as well as to people I have just met. 

Bill - thanks so much for stopping by!!  Seems like your notion of a pen with a spell-checker might be a good one that others would love to have, too......hmmm, maybe you should invent one and market it?!?  That stabilizer would certainly come in handy, too.   ;-)

Thanks for your comments, and may you receive a handwritten note this week!
Ann

Monika - even though you do them twice, the person receiving them loves them and appreciates that time.  Maybe you and Bill should hook up and invent a pen like that - might be a good idea that would sell!!  Thanks for your comments!

Jay - you snuck in there while I was writing responses!  I didn't realize this was a featured post - thanks for mentioning that!!  COOL!!!

GO PATS!!!!!   
Ann

Debi - you snuck in there, too!!  Thanks for stopping by, and good for you for always sending out handwritten notes.  I always did that for years and years, and then slipped into e-cards and email.  Now I'm going to take the time to send handwritten notes to people - I loved getting mine!

Ann

Thanks for the reminder.  I know I love it when I get them. 

Ann...

I am with you on this. I am a big fan of the handwritten word. I don't send e thanks. I buy cards. Before signing them I always try to say something that will make someone smile, laugh or think :)

The way I see it...If I like getting handwritten cards then others do too.

Great post...And you got a star. Originality comes with it's own reward :)

Kyle - thanks so much for reading, and you're welcome!!  I love them, too!

TLW - Every time I see your AR logo, I just smile - it's so perfect for YOU!!! 
     Thanks for reading and for your comments.  I am going to get back to sending MORE handwritten notes myself.  Some of the 'old'fashioned' things we used to do are still valued and mean alot to others.

Ann

Ann---You are so right  I try to send out hand written cards everyweek because I to know how nice it is to receive something that has a personal touch....George hanson

Ann - great article.  Knowing how it makes us feel to receive great notes, we should do it on a daily basis.  It's something that makes us stand " Above The Crowd"!  LOL

Very nice post, Ann. I always send handwritten thank you notes, afor a variety of reasons, and they are always appreciated, as you well know. It is hard to get ot of the habit of sending those quick emails and e-cards, adn there is a time and a place for the certainly.

Thanks for sharing.

Jeff

George - thanks for your comments!  The personal touch means an awful lot to people - and good for you for sending out the notes you do.

Kay - You're right - "Above the Crowd" - I need to follow your lead!  Thanks for your feedback.

Ann

Jeff - you got in there while I was responding!!

Thanks for your comments, and hooray for you for sending out your handwritten notes.  I am going to follow your lead, and others on here who've commented, and send out more notes myself.  It is too easy to pop off a quick email, but so special to receive a personally written letter or notecard.

Thank you for your feedback!
Ann                                                                                     
                                                                                 

Ann, I love this post! There are so many special people on AR that have written these wonderful handwritten notes! Thanks for the reminder. My husband says that I work for thank you notes and I agree with him.

Back in September Bonnie Cox wrote this post: From Baltimore to Denver - By Snail Mail - Love, Margaret Rome

www.HomeRome.com                       

Baltimore,Md.

Hi Margaret - thank you so much for your comments!  Working for thank you notes - how wonderful and what a great way to work!!  I'll check out Bonnie's post.

Thank YOU!
Ann

Ann, When speaking to new agents,my suggestion is to work for Thank You notes. When the notes start coming in, the income follows! And it is a great way to work.

Ann,

Thanks for the post. I always send a handwritten note to acknowledge the personal service. It's a nice way to show your appreciation and as you say it's out of the ordinary.

Although the internet has made it easy to "connect" with all kinds of people, it has also made it easier to avoid personal touches. The USPS will never go out of business- regardless of how "paperless" our society gets. A handwritetn note/ phone call says volumes more than an email ever could. Congrats on the gold star! :o)

Margaret - what GREAT advice to give to new agents.  And it works for "older" agents, too!  ;-)

William - thank you for reading and commenting.  That kind of appreciation will always be special to those receiving it!

Ann

Ann,

When I had an assistant in training, together we sat in on the Brian Buffini's "100 Days to Greatness."  She learned well and implemented the handwritten notes naturally into her business and into her life.  I, on the other hand, said great idea and then wen't back to business as usual.  I will start to send those notes out.  Thanks for the nudge.

Geri - Thanks so much for reading!  I just heard Brian Buffini for the first time a couple of days ago.  I liked his method of the handwritten notes, and have every intention of following through on that.  I have been thinking about taking his "100 Days of Greatness", and have already been formulating how I'm going to do some of his methods now, even before taking his course.  Thanks for bringing that up!

And here's to handwritten notes for all of us!!
Ann

Ah Mariana - I missed your comment while I was responding!!  You're right about the internet making it all too easy to have our communications become too impersonal way too easily.  YOU have the right personal touch, my friend!   ;-)

Thank YOU!!
Ann

Ann, You are SO right!  A note, sometimes even a phone call, can make someone's day and make them realize how important they are to you!  I hate it when I hear from my clients and they say "I don't know if you remember me...".  That is my fault though!  I'm going to get back to the basics and start writting at least 5 notes a week!

I am a firm believer in hand written notes.  I keep various cards at my desk for just that occasion.  A very good CRS instructor Ed Hatch told our group a year or two back that at a certain time every week he stops taking phone calls and sits down and writes notes.  Great tip!

Chris - It is so easy to brighten someone's day, and one of my NEW goals is to do just that - MORE handwritten notes to let people know I'm thinking of them and appreciate them.  In whatever way they impact my life, I'm going to thank them for it.

Thank you for your comments!
Ann

Ann, great logo for your site and yes the sincerity of the handwritten note can't be beat!  Especially when people know how busy you were.

Randy - I like Ed's advice, and appreciate you sharing that with me.  Thanks for your comments!

Teri - thanks for the feedback on that logo!  Nick the Appraiser made that for me, and I love it, too!  Thanks for reading and commenting.

Ann

Nice post Ann! I kinda gives you the warm fuzzies. You right these days many people send mass email or bulk mail. It's so nice to get handwritten letters and four in a few days, how wonderful :) Thanks for sharing with us :)

I agree the handwritten note is very powerful. Keep those cards and letters coming.

Dusty Irving
United Country Real Estate
Fort Worth, Texas

Who do you send the handwritten letters to, Why do these letters work better than post cards

Ann, thanks so much for pointing out to us just how most people feel when opening a hand-written note. It's easy for us to forget with today's technology but taking that extra step can really make someone's day. Why not make people's day when we have the opportunity, right? Thanks again.

I did Brian Buffinis 100 days to greatness program and the only thing I really use is the hand written notes.

Orville McCallister

Roxanne & Shannon - thanks for your comments and feedback!  I did have a nice week receiving those handwritten notecards, and warm fuzzies for sure!  Thank YOU!

Dusty - thanks for reading and commenting.  I'll have some notes going out this week!

Ann

Daniel - handwritten notes are much more personal than postcards or mass mailings.  Think about when you get your mail - do you open the handwritten letters/cards before anything else?  I know I do, and I know I LOVE getting something like the 4 cards I got this week.  Made me feel special to get those.

Some ideas for who to send notes to: past clients and customers, folks who call on your ads/signs/websites/etc., someone who touched you in some way during the day, a co-broke that you worked with (closings, showings, went out of the way to help you, etc.), loan officer, title company, sphere of influence, friends, family, etc.  I think you could probably come up with more, but that's a start to help you come up with people who'd be impacted by a personal note from you.

Hope that helps!
Ann
                                                  

Ryan - thanks for stopping by and commenting!  It really is too easy to forget those kinds of personal touches in this day and age, but it's so important to do.  Go ahead - make someone's day!!  ;-)

Orville - I appreciate you reading my post, and for your comment.  Have you found that people enjoy receiving your notes?

Thanks for reading and commenting!
Ann

Ann - I never really thought much about the handwritten note - until I received two of them this week - they really had an impact!  OK - I give!  They are now on my list of things to do!

I was hand writing my farm letters. But after a hundred or more, I gave up and typed a general one....

Sometimes I still drop a written one. 

Tony - what an impact they made, right?  There ya go - that's the reason to do them.  I've put 'doing more' on my list as well.  And they'll be on my list continually so that I continue to do them/

Thanks for your comments!  And may you get more handwritten notes, too.....  ;-)

Ann

Ann - I am so glad this post got featured!  it has such a powerful message!  CONGRATS!

Ann, You are absolutely right ... hand written notes are a thing of the past and are so very much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding all of us that it's the little things in life that really mean a lot. By the way, I just love your signature!

Am -thanks for the great reminder. I have reverted to sending real birthday cards these days too instead of email greetings! I even buy the Happy Birthday stamps which I think are very cool!

Ann - No doubt... hand written notes are one of the most effective cost/time things that you can do.. . I wish that I was better about it. This is one of those things I keep setting myself up to do... and then forget.

Excellent post.

Ann- Great Post !! A handwritten note is a much more personal way to communicate...  I send Thank you notes and handwritten cards to my SOI as much as possible...It's always nice to include something special that touches their heart...

Joeann, Real birthday cards and Happy Birthday stamps!  Terrific just like you! Gotta go get some! Thanks for sharing this neat idea.

Ann, THere's a  little check in the mail for you. Better than a pay check!

http://www.homerome.com/

Ann, did you buy stock in Hallmark this week?  Just kidding!!  I agree that the art of card and letter writing is becoming extinct and that would be a terrible shame.  I actually have it in my schedule every Sunday afternoon to write a few cards to folks.  But the road to failure is paved with good intentions.  3 out of 4 times I ignore the reminder.  I'm going to try and get better about that!  The last one I mailed was received with such delight.  What an easy way to make someone's day.

Ann,

The power of a handwritten note means so much to me.  We want things now, and want them fast, but that note took time, meaning, and purpose.  Thank you.

I learned to write 5 hand written notes per day at a Brian Buffini seminar.  Simple idea, but hardly ever implemented I am sure.  Thanks for the post

Sending and written notes in a world full of e-mails, spam and computerized mail merge letters makes you really stand apart from your competition.  Using actual postage stamps instead of a postage meter and a hand written envelope does wonders for getting your message across in a much more personal way.

I have to agree that in this day and age of techno communication, the hand written note goes a long way to making the recipient feel human, and to making them think of us as human, rather than as a geek screen yeller...

Great Post... Keep those cards and letters coming!

Christy - I can imagine what a pain trying to do 100+ letters by hand would be!  Urghhh.....  I think I'd do those by computer, and then send handwritten notes at a different time.  Thanks for reading & commenting!

Ines - thanks so much!!!  It is nice to have this be a featured post - nice surprise indeed!

Gena - thanks for the feedback on both my post and my new signature logo - I love that, too!! (thanks Nick!!)  More handwritten notes will be showing up on my daily to-do list, that's for sure!

Thanks for the comments!
Ann

Joeann - thank you so much for your comments.  I LOVE the happy birthday stamp - I'm going to have to buy some of those tomorrow!  Email greetings are so easy to send, but the "real" ones are really special to get.

Moo - hey you!! Stop forgetting and "Just Do It!!"   ;-))    Thanks for reading & commenting!

Lauren - thanks for your feedback!  Good for you for sending notes out like you do - that's my goal.  And I'm going to "Just Do It", as I said to Moo. 

Thanks for reading and commenting!
                                                          Ann

Margaret - that link led to a great post - I love testimonials and that's a great one for you to have.  How special it is to receive letters and cards with messages like that!  Thanks for sharing that "paycheck" with me.

I LOVE Joeann's idea about the birthday stamps!  I'm off to buy some for me tomorrow.  Thanks again Joeann for that idea.

Ann

Maggie - I probably should go buy Hallmark stock!  With all the folks here sending out cards, that might not be such a bad idea!  ;-)

My road of intentions sounds a little like yours, but we should both hang onto the way your last card was received, and let that be our motivation to get more of them done.  It is so easy to make someone's day, and we can do just that.......and we will!!  Won't we?   ;-)

Thanks for reading and for commenting.
Ann

Ray - I love your words - "time, meaning and purpose".  That's exactly what those handwritten cards meant!  Every once in awhile, we need to step back from the 'immediate' world we live in and go back to basics and the personal touch.  Thanks for reading and for your comments - much appreciated!

John - I just heard Brian Buffini the other day, and what he had to say about the 5 handwritten notes a day made so much sense to me.  I used to always send out notes like that, and then fell in love with email and e-cards, so that part of my every-day plan fell by the wayside.  But I'm going to change that!  Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment!

Ann

Sam - you are so right about those kinds of things making one stand out.  I know when I go through my mail, at the office and at home, anything handwritten and/or with a real stamp tends to get opened first.  And knowing that, one would wonder why we don't all do that, since it means so much to be on the receiving end.........     Thank you for reading and for taking the time to share your comments!

Paul - thank you for your comments!  A "geek screen yeller" - that's a new one on me, and it doesn't sound like something I want to be known as!!!  ;-))  
I want my stuff to be more personalized, and I guess in doing that, I will become more of an actual person on the receiver's end as well.  Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated!

Ann

Ann -- Congratulations on a Gold Star!   I tried calling you yesterday, but you were out...   I am so glad that my little note made your day!

Hi Ann,

Loved this post!  I am a firm believer in hand writing notes to people.  What makes it stand out is that it's so rarely done in this hurry-up world we live in.  Would love to develop an equally lovely signature as yours.  Would you share with us how you did that?

You are so right, Ann! Things that please us and bring us joy also please others and bring them joy. I have found that if I'm having a difficult time getting invited to a real estate agency to speak that a handwritten request to the correct person generally gets the job done! And nothing beats a handwritten thank you to a client, closing attorney, agent, loan officer ...etc. Thank you for your post to remind us of the Power of Personal.

Colleen - thanks so much!!  It was SO NICE to talk with you this morning - great to put a voice with a name and a wonderful card!!!  Thank YOU!

Ken - thank you for your feedback.... I love your saying the "Power of the Personal" - perfect!!!

Thanks-
Ann

Lisa - Thank you so much for reading and for your comments.  I saw a couple of other signatures scattered around the Rain, and then came upon the person who did them.  With that, I did a little 'whining', added a 'pretty please' and next thing I knew, up came my lovely new signature!  I love it, too!!! 

Look around the rain for a certain appraiser........uses just his first name....... He ROCKS!!! 

Thanks again for stopping by!!
Ann
                                                               

Ann, great idea.  I currently use an online program that sends cards for me with my handwriting and signature.

Karl, Would be interested in seeing your online program. Can you post an example for us?

I have been using www.emailacard.com 

www.HomeRome.com

Baltimore,Md.

Karl - thanks for reading, and like Margaret, I'd love to see an example of the program you're using. Always interested in learning about new programs!  Thanks for sharing.....

Margaret - thanks for providing the link to that program you use.  I've heard about that program but never really checked it out.  I appreciate having the link.

Thanks,
Ann