It’s fun when something you should do is also something you enjoy doing.
I’ve grown to truly enjoy sending hand-written thanks (and other notes) to our donors. It’s partly the challenge. For instance, after the end of the year, I had more than 70 in a backlog. That was one marathon note-writing session! But I definitely felt like I’d accomplished something once I wrote them all.
But mostly, it’s the hope that a very personal touch will break through the daily noise. I hope that the people receiving the notes will feel they’ve been acknowledged as individuals. That they’ll feel it’s a genuine person-to-person communication. The thought that a short, hand-written note might make someone smile makes me smile.
(I have to give a nod to my handwriting good angels – I’ve so enjoyed reading about how Beth Ann Locke and Shanon Doolittle celebrate this type of communication.)
So let me encourage you to give it a try. Here’s what I do.
Make it fun
I don’t use “official” stationery. I look for small notecards I like on sale and buy a bunch. Since I’m writing to every person who gives to my organization, I’ve needed many boxes of cards! (I’m trying to find something clever to do with all the cute little boxes.) Part of the pleasure of writing these is picking cards that fit your personality. And using a pen you like. Make this a joy, not a chore!
Don’t be afraid to be emotional
The whole point of this is a genuine, personal connection. So don’t hide from emotions. It’s not unprofessional – it’s human!
Be casual
In the same vein, this is a note. Go ahead and be casual. Spell correctly, and watch your grammar. But go ahead and write like you talk. (Good advice in any case).
Track your efforts
I’m tracking every note. Because along with the “soft” stuff above, I’d also like to see if there’s a measurable response to this personal treatment. So far, a number of the people who’ve gotten a note have made more than one gift – that’s hopeful. But I really won’t know enough until next year, when I can look for changes in their behavior after receiving a note.
But you know what? Even if I find these notes haven’t really resulted in increased giving, I’m pretty sure I’ll keep doing it. Relationships are really what it’s all about anyway, right?
Of course I’m a big fan of connecting with donors via the handwritten note – especially because such things feel very rare today. Love, love, love!
Thanks, Beth. I think of you every time I pick up a note.
Thanks for this Mary. I use hand-written thank you notes on an ad hoc basis, and we now have postcards that we can use as notecards, with a picture relevant to our cause on the front and space to write on the back. A lot of our supporters don’t use email so I really like to write with a personal note when they send in a query etc.
Just wondering, have you ever had any supporters querying the time you spend on notes? We’re starting to have our regular office volunteer write thank you cards in larger numbers, which I think is potentially even better than the notes coming from me, because the supporters can see they’ve been thanked by someone who is so keen on the organisation that they’re volunteering with us… but don’t want to give the impression we’ve got loads of staff time and volunteer time to burn!
Thanks,
Steve
I’ve never heard that, Steve. I think of it this way – what donor is going to really think that spending some of your time on him or her is a bad thing? They might even say they think that, but at heart, I think we all like to think we’re special enough to have a few moments of someone’s time.
Volunteers are terrific – and I think you’re right that they can speak to your organization’s work in a very special way. But I wouldn’t be afraid to make use of those notecards yourself! It really only takes a few minutes for each donor. Time well spent in the long run, I think!