Put a stamp on it.

Let’s face it – we’re inundated by emails. It’s estimated that over 280 billion emails are sent and received every day. Some days, I think I’m cc’d on every single one of them.

With all of these electronic messages zipping back and forth, it’s easy for your communication to get “lost in the mail”. So, when I recently received a couple of handwritten messages, they caught my attention.

• I purchased a new pair of glasses a few months ago. A few weeks later, I received a note in the mail from my sales person thanking me for my purchase and complimenting me on what a good choice I’d made. Sure – she sends that same message to every single customer she works with, but it was unexpected and memorable.

• I ordered an item online from an independent retailer. Almost immediately, I received an email that she was out of town on vacation but would mail my purchase out as soon as she returned. When the package arrived, a post-it note was affixed thanking me for my order and noting a “special treat” was included for my patience. Not only was the surprise gift appreciated, but the informal note made it much more personal.

Of course, it’s unrealistic to write notes to all of your contacts or customers. However, it may be worth the extra time to put pen to paper for special clients or circumstances. For example – Joybird, an online furniture company, reportedly sends thank you cards signed by every person who helped create the piece of furniture you ordered. In this case, the value of the item purchased might warrant that extra time and attention.

If you’re looking for a way to stand out in the crowd, consider sending a handwritten note to key clients or customers. A sincere message with no ulterior motive could go a long way in differentiating you from your competition.