Comments on: Sometimes I choose the longer road

By: Bergen Larsen

Bergen Larsen — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:53:19 +0000

Honestly, this is one of the best ways to do it. I would take the time, especially if its hand written to open it and read. People don’t think when they email. I read a fantastic article regarding people’s lack of thought behind just sending an email. That lack of thought is what makes people NOT read every email they get and when they do, skim it instead.

You have done the right thing, IMHO, and where you may get a 50% read rate with a mass email, you’ll probably get a 100% hit rate with the snail mail.

By: Tim Jahn

Tim Jahn — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:34:26 +0000

I think the personal touch you created is priceless. There’s something about getting a personal hand written letter in the mail that’s just exciting.

Who doesn’t love opening their mailbox and getting some (non junk) mail?

So many people take the short road. Kudos to you for taking the long road once in awhile. I think it makes a difference.

By: Global Patriot

Global Patriot — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:43:55 +0000

That personal touch means a lot, even though it is much more expensive. Hopefully it’s a way to bring in more prospects that you can follow up with using email.

I know marketers that swear by hand written notes, but they tend to do it selectively, to only those they feel are likely to be a good fit for their products or services. It’s too expensive to do for a large volume.

By: Mark McClure

Mark McClure — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:07:52 +0000

Beth,

Does your letter have a special web page for the readers to go to – or you are going to followup via phone or by ?? later?

Maybe put a web page up with a sample presentation clip (or YouTube) and follow up in a week or so?

Just thinking out loud here – I admire your taking action!

By: Engaging Your Audience | Life on Avenue Z

Engaging Your Audience | Life on Avenue Z — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:03:21 +0000

[...] always, I’m turning the mirror toward myself first. As I mentioned, I just spent quite a bit of time and money sending letters to new prospects. I was very careful to [...]

By: karma_musings

karma_musings — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:42:02 +0000

It sounds great, in theory, using the “personal touch” – but, I have to say, my hubs gave his contact info on several “work at home” sites (I think) and we got a number of snailmails that looked personal because they were hand-addressed, but turned out to be just junk about signing up for various MLM schemes. Poorly created and designed junk, at that!

All that to say I hope your prospects look at what you sent and realize it’s real and not just more junk-in-disguise.

By: Bill Machi

Bill Machi — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:28:32 +0000

First rule of speaking “Know your audience”. Same with any communication. You could tell me to do things all day long – in one ear out the other – you email me it’s practically done. I’ve met some people who like paper, like phone conversations, like lunch meetings. Personally, I like emails especially when I know the person, and I’ve had business with them.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:04:07 +0000

Snailmail has two huge advantages over email.

One, it has that personal touch. People KNOW you spent time and money. So that’s in your favor. Two, snailmail does not have DELETE button. That’s also in your favor.

I heard someone older say he regretted the day he cheered the arrival of email over snailmail. He gets hundreds of emails now compared to the mere dozens of post office envelops that he used to get.

The day Outlook died in our office for a few hours, I could see everyone smiling. Not much does that except free food.

By: SimplyForties

SimplyForties — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:04:03 +0000

I think it was a great idea. It will stand out and be different to your potential client. Many of them will be hard pressed to remember the last time they received a handwritten note! I hope you get a great response!

By: steph

steph — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:39:28 +0000

I hope it was a great idea! I’m curious about your responses. When I first launched Word for Word, I mailed a package to all the publishers I was interested in, and even some I wasn’t interested in, on purpose, as you did, and received one measly response (they turned into my best but thankfully not only client!). When I followed up, some said they’d never received it (but I did my research before mailing as to the correct address and current contact!), and some actually said the package had been recycled.

I’m really hoping you have a much better response. I think the issue is that it’s unsolicited mail, whether email or post. Colin always says to call, because it’s harder for people to ignore you that way. Of course, it’s also the hardest thing to do. Unsolicited calls, or cold calls, are not all that popular, either, are they?