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Tech. Tip 7: Thank You Notes

Posted 12/29/2009

This “Tech.Tip” column is normally devoted to technological tricks and tips.  But now that the gift-giving season is over, we thought we would go “Old School” and suggest something positively retro: Take out your pen and stationery, and handwrite your Thank You notes.


“Why can’t I just email or call and say ‘Thanks’?”, you ask.  Well, you could.  Any Thank You is better than none.  However, if you want to bump it up a bit, a handwritten Thank You note shows more effort, thought and care and is appreciated far more by the recipient.


Some general guidelines:


1. Your handwriting must be legible.  In this age of texting and typing, many of us find our penmanship skills may have degraded.  You can compensate for this by: (1) write a bit slower (fast writing often results in chicken scratch); (2) relax your grip on your pen (your writing will flow more smoothly); (3) revert to basic print letters if your cursive writing is poor; (4) tilt your stationery at a slight angle - - it will make your print letters look more italicized; and (5) practice your pensmanship online, such as at www.handwritingsuccess.com or www.handwritingthatworks.com


2. Use decent quality stationery or purchase some Thank You cards from any drugstore or retail shop.  Photocopier paper or, worse yet, using your kids’ lined composition notebook paper, does not make a good impression.


3. Relax when you write and use good lighting.  Don’t strangle the pen or hunch over your desk, especially if you have a lot of Thank You’s to send out.  Your fingers, hand, neck, shoulders and eyes will appreciate it when you use good posture and lighting.


4. Specifically mention the gift and why you appreciate it (even if you don’t) or how you will be able to use it later on or why it is unique.


5. Keep the note short.  Four to five sentences is sufficient.  For close family and friends, there is, of course, no limit.


6. Send it out timely:  The rule of thumb is to send a Thank You note within two or three weeks of the gift.  (Exceptions: For a job interview, send out within 24 hours.  For a wedding followed by a long honeymoon, send out upon your return.)  However, a late Thank You is always better than none at all.


7. Out of stamps?  Go to www.stamps.com or http://www.usps.com/onlinepostage/welcome.htm and print your postage or shipping labels from your computer.  No more trips to the Post Office. Now start writing!

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