… and a quick email counts, but not for much. Make it a real, paper thank you note. I send dozens each month.
Personal makes a difference. According to this article in MarketingProfs:
- A printed letter generated a response rate of 36 percent.
- A printed letter with a handwritten message boosted this by one third to 48 percent.
- A printed letter with a handwritten message on a Post-it note pushed the response rate to 75 percent.
Tom Peters shares a few hints:
1) Make it “permanent”—send a note.
(2) HANDWRITTEN notes beat emails!!!!!!! (3) This applies equally at age 18 in a “powerless” job, as well as at age 48 as Honcho. (4) Do this especially when you “don’t have time”—at the end of a stressful day. (5) Make it a “formal” habit—do it at the end of the day, say, every 2 or 3 days. (6) If you can’t think of anything or anyone to say “Thank you” to—I suggest you go see a shrink.
(Get some nice note cards: Small quantities from Noteworthy Notes, big batches from PrintingForLess.)