I’m sick of email. I want it dead.
There’s not a day that goes by that I have to clear out my inbox.
In a lot of ways, I wish for snail mail.
Then, something unexpected happened: I received a post card from Davy of GhostBloggers.net – a website in which I’ve worked with in the past to sell articles.
Wait …. huh … a post card?! YES.
In this digital age, we often get consumed with the ability to instantly connect through email, Twitter, Facebook and all the other silly social media platforms we feel are essential to our daily being.
Davy took the next step in networking to send me a post card … from Belgium.
My immediate reaction was “holy shit!”
My second reaction was “why don’t other bloggers and online business owners do this?”
Think about it – email is extremely impersonal these days + people have very little time to dig through their inbox (I know, I do it every day). A post card, even though simple in thought, immediately made me feel connected to Davy’s business project.
Prior, I had sold a few articles through GhostBloggers but getting this post card really made me dig back into the site and submit even more articles than before. It’s a win/win for both of us. I write more, I get paid. I write more, Davy’s business expands.
This one little post card was enough to make a lasting impression. The fact that it came half way around the world stunned me.
I wish more businesses would do something as simple as this.
A post card costs maybe $0.50 – add postage and you’re looking at about $1.50 to shoot one off to your valued customers. If that post card was enough to get them to become brand ambassadors (or happen to land in the right hands with people that will talk about it on their blogs – see where I’m going here?) than it’s well worth it. Hell, I wish I had been doing this for a while.
These little thank you notes go a long way especially when everyone is tired of online communication overload.
Think about it. Share what your impressions are about this …
Post cards and cards are an awesome way to strengthen the online connection! I can’t recommend them enough!
My address is as follows (hint, hint):
Stan Faryna
Stirbei Voda Nr. 71, Ap.4,6
Sector 1
Bucharest, Romania 010105
I’m looking at a card right this minute. It’s from Christian Hollingsworth.
Christian writes:
Thank you for being a defender of all things good in this world, Stan.
Your friend and brother,
Christian Hollingsworth
Recently on my blog: Is Social Media for Me? A Guest Post by @BetsyKCross http://wp.me/pbg0R-si
The human connection of a handwritten note is powerful.
When you order new business cards, consider ordering 15-20 note cards with the new logo or slogan. You can send them as thank yous to the people who have helped you recently. Don’t forget to include your new business card in the envelope as well.
Wow pretty awesome! I think I would have the same reaction you had. Another thing is people get tons of emails daily. It’s hard to make yours stand out and make someone read it. It’s just another ordinary email to them. As for the post cards, this is unique and they would feel touched that you would go through all the trouble to get through that. Anyways thanks for this post. Pretty cool idea. Keep it up!
I’m sick of email. I want it dead.
….Don’t listen to the bad man, email. He is only teasing…..
To spite your unwarranted (well, maybe semi-warranted because of the spammers) attack on my livelihood I do have to agree with you on your major point.
Approaching through snail mail, or any “unexpected” method is something that will produce some great results. Like you pointed out for just a little time and money invested it is a way to show people they are much more than a number and deepen a relationship
Hi Murray,
Nowadays we are surprised for more offline things that for the speedy online stuff.
And I agree with you someday hate emails…overflowing my day…
I received some months ago some business cards, for being a good customer and nothing compared with paper on hand
In terms of marketing relationship is the ideal to target if the costs aren’t too high to send to many customers.
Cheers,
Gera
People don’t use post cards because it takes slightly more effort. But it conveys MUCH MORE effort to the recipient. I actually have though about this before. Definitely need to brainstorm what the most effective use of actual mailing for networking might be.