Joann Sondy

Graphic Designer
Traverse City, Michigan

Articles » Marketing & Sales »

Greatly helpful

8.0

out of 10

2 votes

Handwritten Note = Personal Communication

Have we become so techno focused and dependant that we are turning away from an activity so human?

Written Aug 11, 2008, read 1199 times since then.

Re-discovered a font brochure while cleaning my desk. It features award-winning handwritten styles from House Industries (a collection named “Studio Lettering). I see a lot of potential for future uses (and abuses) of this style.

However, it also brings a question to mind: What happened to actually writing notes, postcards and letters?

Have we become so techno focused and dependant that we are turning away from an activity so human? Imagine if DaVinci, Shakespeare, Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt and many others had used a computer.

How has the impact of text messaging, emails and “twittering” affected our ability to convey thoughts and ideas in written form?

I recall the weekly letters my mother received from her mother and sisters. Since long distance phone calls were reserved for special notifications and occasions; my mother sometimes set aside a unopened letter to be read later… a fresh cup of coffee and no interruptions..

Our household was never out of stamps or writing paper. My mother truly believed in written correspondence and instilled in us the duty of thank you notes, a letter and picture to a distant relative and birthday cards.

How many women have saved love letters in a shoebox hidden under the bed? Would a love letter inkjetted by your printer have the same meaning?

After my parents passed I became the unofficial keeper of photos and other documents. I guess my siblings figured I would know what to do with everything. Among the boxes of unorganized “stuff” I ran across so many postcards, letters and saved cards. I’m not sure why I didn’t throw them away. I even got back a postcard I sent to my parents when I/we went to Europe!

There are so many hidden gems in these saved and forgotten documents.

A letter from my deceased cousin to my father poking fun at his mustache during his last days in flight training before shipping out to Vietnam. (Probably one of the last letters my cousin had written to anyone.)

A birthday card to my grandmother on her 100th from her sister back in Wales.

These notable are gems that should be saved and preserved.

Will everything we input via our keyboards be preserved and have similar humanitarian value? How can we bring back this type of personal contact?

I was browsing the small boutique, here in downtown in Traverse City that sells a variety of stationary products. I made note of some the product lines by Vera Wang, The Art Group and others plus the exquisite pens, paper weights. As a designer, I was interested these modern version of stationary, postcards and invitations

Personally, I think the value still exists and try to make an effort to hand write a letter or postcard at least monthly to a family member.

While reading one of Tom Peters books; he also talks about the value of a handwritten not, if even on a Post-It. “Great job!” “Excellent initiative” etc.

To whom can I send a note today? A colleague who gave me encouragement? The associated I’m meeting later today at a local coffee house?

Learn more about the author, Joann Sondy.

Posted by Jacqueline Gardiner-Veal, Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Aug 12, 2008

I received a lovely hand written note from an associate whom I met for coffee a couple of weeks ago. I was so impressed! She knew I wasn't able to afford her services 'for now' but she really did make a lasting impression with her little note, and I will remember her once I do have money to play with.

She prompted and inspired me so much that I went out and bought a caligraphy pen and plan on sending notes to folks I meet with too!

We are always stressing how important it is to 'build relationships'. One of the easiest ways to do it is to show you care - a hand written note is inexpensive and takes no time at all, but worth so much in our effort to build our business relationships!
Posted by Sandra Watson, Seattle, Washington | Aug 12, 2008

Joann - You hit the nail on the head. I have always valued the importance of a hand written note. My mum instilled the importance of this deliberate, thought out duty long ago.

I always thank a client, vendor or new contact via hand written note. I want them to know that their time, connection, business or wisdom was greatly appreciated. It's all about the relationship!
Posted by Loren Jennings, Walla Walla, Washington | Aug 12, 2008

I totally agree with the article and comments regarding hand written notes.

It is amazing how few people actually do this. In my opinion, looking for opportunities to show appreciation is an unselfish art form that is cultivated over time. In our society, the "me-me" attitude is too prevalent and is a stumbling block when it comes to building relationships.

I heartily endorse sending handwritten cards as a valuable tool when building relationships with everyone around you.
Posted by Judy Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Aug 13, 2008

I'm laughing at the "unopened letter" reference because my mother used to put my letters---still in envelopes---on the coffee table until the coffee was made. Swedish? Yes. But unusual? No.

The handwritten note is one of those powerful "secrets" that has such an impact. I still use them a lot, and, yes, they take time to write, but the impression they leave is lasting.

Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by Philip Shaw, Seattle, Washington | Aug 14, 2008

Amen, Joann! This is something I advocate for amongst my team, friends, clients, everyone!

In fact, I strongly encourage my clients to make one of their components in a business paper package – a simple note card that carries their identity forward.

This can be accomplished really easily/affordably a number of ways if the designer can plan for it, so that it doesn't become an added expense.

Simply having tools like notecards, stationary, pens you love nearby make this such a joy to do and can effectively have an impact on a person's business and more altruistically on the recipient's day.
Posted by Ira Weiss, Staatsburg, New York | Aug 17, 2008

There's just one problem. My handwriting was always atrocious. I switched back to print as opposed to script in high school as soon as the teachers didn't care anymore. And what's worse, the more I type, the less I use my hand muscles, the worse it gets.
Posted by Susan Anderson, Ridgewood, New York | Jan 04, 2009

Your thoughts match mine exactly!! I've always loved writing letters to my friends. I started when I was a teenager and I wrote letters to my cousin, who only lived about 10 miles away! We could have talked on the phone but i enjoyed the excitement of getting a piece of mail.

Now I wonder where we will end up. Everyone seems to want an instant response. And I get caught up in it as well! When I discovered text messaging on my cell phone, I got hooked! (Until I got the fist phone bill! Now I have the special package rate added on so I can text as much as I want.)

But this raises questions in my ind. I'm an artist and I use my art to design greeting cards. I'd like to develop a following. But I think that no one has time to write a note these days. My friends certainly don't, since we have each others' e-mail addresses....I still enjoy getting a card in the mail, though there were a lot less this Christmas season.

And I wonder who is out there who needs or wants a box of cards?