Don’t underestimate the art of the handwritten letter

With technology at our fingertips it’s easy to send a quick email, tweet or text thanking someone. Which is acceptable only most of the time — not all.

When someone goes out of their way, exceeds your expectations or just needs a reminder of how appreciated they are, a handwritten note or letter can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be a novel, you don’t need to get sappy… Even a short “Thanks for all that you do! —Joelle” can go a long way if it’s handwritten.

You don’t need to be the king or queen of thank-yous. But every once in a while sending a note via snail mail can hit home. Emails flood into inboxes every day, but, sadly, most mailboxes are filled with bills or promotions.

Picture this: You’re on a golf course maintenance crew. In the middle of sifting through your mail, you see junk, bills and more bills. Then, you come across an envelope that is handwritten. That probably catches your eye already. You see the return address and start to wonder why your boss (insert superintendent) is sending you a letter when you see him nearly every day. It’s a short thank you for going beyond the expectations of your job.

Do you think your crew member is more likely to come into work the next day with a grateful attitude? Maybe, maybe not; but at least you increased the chances.

Many in this industry are willing to share information and knowledge, especially at events. I recommend writing a note to someone at the Golf Industry Show, for example, whose advice or recommendation solved one of your problems. The letter shows your respect and gratitude and can spark a relationship — one that may be useful down the line in your career.

Handwritten letters are mostly recommended for job interview follow-ups, but keep this in mind for your personal life and “just-because” instances as well.

Photo: flickr.com / thetaxhaven