Recently reported in many newspapers is an announcement by
the United States Postal Service to team with HBO Studios.
The rationale for this decision is to assist promoting a
new mini series by HBO- John Adams.
Aside from his former role as President of the United
States, Mr. Adams and his wife Abigail are credited with
writing over 1000 personal letters. With the proliferation
of electronic inventions from the personal computer to the
Blackberry, such feats as letter writing seem unfathomable.
Writing a letter takes time, energy and concentration.
Imagine in today's world taking time for all three
simultaneously.
Letter writing is an art. One need not only to take the
time but find the proper language. Moreover, good language
achieves emotion; both happy and sad. Therefore letter
writing creates activity and differentiation.
The present world is too muddled with distraction and
basics. The lack of articulation is bromide. People are too
busy to take initiative. However, the greatest success tool
for any business is differentiation. Being different
captivates attention and helps rise above a crowded field.
One of the best methods is letter writing.
There still exist a number of organizations and individuals
that believe Cold Calling is functional for selling
success. Show me a successful real estate agent,
stockbroker or insurance agent that achieved financial
prosperity from cold calling. This technique is an
intrusion. If you want the attention of a decision maker
research the organization first and write an articulate
introductory letter. Then inform the person of your
intention of calling at a particular date and time. The
difference in writing an introductory letter must be the
variable that gets you through the threshold.
A terrific mentor informed me recently that there is a
"Dumbing Down in America". I concur. While preparing for
this article, I read a recent article in the New York Times
that the readability index of Microsoft Word is set for a
fifth grade reading level. What has happened to the power
of language? Writing with distinction requires good
language skills. I recently conducted a training program
and no one in the audience understood the word voracious.
Read books, magazines, anything you can get your hands on
and learn a new word everyday. When possible use these new
words in your correspondence.
Finally, one of the best methods and most succinct forms of
communication is a thank you note. Clients new and old
appreciate the time spent. Individually written thank you
and holiday notes are terrific means of maintaining contact
while illustrating differentiation. These need not be the
great American novels but they should be articulate.
The ability to write a good letter or concise note
illustrates your empathy for building solid client
relationships. Writing takes time and commitment but
rewards will come. Writing can also be completed anytime,
anywhere. Unlike computers and personal digital assistants;
pads and pens do not crash and require rebooting. I wrote
this article for you in the first few moments of my son's
baseball practice. The power of the quill.
----------------------------------------------------
Drew Stevens PhD
http://www.gettingtothefinishline.com
Drew Stevens Phd works with organizations to maximize sales
in less time. Drew can assist your organization with sales
or customer service. Order his latest book now, Split
Second Selling available on Amazon.com or at his
website,http://www.gettingtothefinishline.com/products.php
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