Why Direct Marketing and Handwritten Notes?

Direct marketing is a powerful tool to engage with customers because it has a personal touch that no other approach can provide. Handwritten notes are more effective than digital methods since they break through the clutter of emails, generic text messages, and online surveys, leaving a lasting impression on recipients. The handwritten note signifies that someone took the time to think about you. 

If you choose to use templates, remember to customize them to give your direct marketing strategies an extra dose of authenticity. It will also show the recipient that you have gone out of your way to ensure that their feedback matters and that you value them as individual customers.

Why Notes for eCommerce Marketing Work Better Than Other Marketing Methods

Handwritten notes are often more effective than digital marketing when driving customers to purchase in eCommerce. This is because there is something special about personally crafted communications that cannot be achieved with standardized emails. Take the concept of urgency, for example; when a customer receives an impersonal email, they may not interpret the message accurately and, thus, miss the sense of urgency. 

Whereas if someone takes the time to write a physical note or card conveying the same message, it makes the customer much more likely to act on it. There is genuine care inherent in every handwritten note, so take advantage of this powerful resource when crafting your next eCommerce marketing campaign!

3 Handwritten Notes Every eCommerce Marketer Can Win With

1. The “Welcome” Note

A handwritten “Welcome” note is the perfect way to welcome new customers into your eCommerce business. Not only is it more personal than an email, but studies have shown that direct mail marketing campaigns result in higher response rates than digital marketing campaigns. 

Additionally, when crafted cleverly, a “Welcome” note can be used as an effective sales tool. With the right template and some creative writing, you’ll be able to give your new customer a friendly reminder of why they wanted to purchase from you in the first place. It could just be the last touch needed to close the sale and make the customer yours for life.

Welcome Note Sample:

Hello Kyle,

We’re super excited to see you join the Boot Country community.

We hope you’ll be happy with our boot selection and that you’ll shop with us again and again.

Our goal is to offer the broadest range of boots at the highest quality. If you think we should add any items to our store, don’t hesitate to contact us and share your feedback.

Until then, enjoy your shopping!

Best,

Candace Mays
candace@email.com
(555) 555-5555

Welcome Note Template:

Hello [first name]

We’re super excited to see you join the [company name] community.

We hope you’ll be happy with our [product, service] selection and that you’ll shop with us again and again.

Our goal is to offer the broadest range of [product, service] at the highest quality. If you think we should add any items to our store, don’t hesitate to contact us and share your feedback.

Until then, enjoy your shopping!

Best,

[sender]
[email]
[phone]

 

Pro Tip: When handwriting notes and letters, opt for a high-quality rolling ball gel pen with blue ink. That way, the recipient will be certain it is your handwriting. The pen should deliver smooth, even lines that look unmistakably human.

2. The “Thank You” Note

The thank you note is an often-overlooked yet incredibly effective form of direct marketing for eCommerce businesses. Taking the time to deliver a handwritten ‘thank you’ to customers goes far beyond simply catching the eye in their mailbox; it tells them their purchase matters. Such a simple gesture helps cultivate customer loyalty and ensures that shoppers return to your business repeatedly. 

With ready-made templates, businesses can quickly and easily create effective notes without having to write them from scratch every time – while maintaining that personal touch. In today’s highly automated interactions, cultivating human connections with customers through direct channels can give your business a leg up on the competition!

Thank You Note Sample:

Hi Carla!

Thank you for filling out our survey.

You can find your 20% off coupon code below:

THANKYOU20

If you have any questions about how to apply the code, don’t hesitate to contact me at delilah@email.com.

And once again – thank you for your help!

Regards,

Delilah Anderson
delilah@email.com
(555) 555-5555

 

Thank You Note Template:

Hi [first name]!

Thank you for filling out our survey.

You can find your [number]% off coupon code below:

[code]

If you have any questions about how to apply the code, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email].

And once again – thank you for your help!

Regards,

[sender]
[email]
[phone]

 

Pro Tip: When you send handwritten notes, make sure to use a genuine first-class postage stamp. For that extra touch, avoid a presorted stamp, as the word “PRESORTED” printed along the bottom may give the impression that your letter was part of a large mailer.

3. The “I’m Sorry” Note

Undoubtedly, one of the most powerful notes we’ve incorporated into our eCommerce marketing strategy is the “I’m Sorry” note. These handwritten notes are an excellent touchpoint and can be used to turn around customer dissatisfaction quickly. 

We’ve seen fantastic returns regarding reputation and repeat purchases in areas where this type of direct communication has been used. Due to their effectiveness, we’ve created templates our team can customize to make sending out these unique messages easier at short notice. 

Unlike many traditional marketing strategies, handwritten notes require thought and personalization, allowing us to build relationships with customers who may otherwise be dissatisfied with our services or products. With an “I’m Sorry” note, we can surprise customers by taking ownership of issues and showing them that we genuinely care about their experience.

I’m Sorry Note Sample:

Dear Leslie,

We’ve really messed things up. We’re so sorry. I know where we went wrong, but I’d like to learn as much as possible from this.

Would you be willing to share how we could improve? Please send me an email with everything you would like to be changed about your experience with your recent purchase.

This isn’t only about keeping you with us but also preventing an experience like this from happening again.

Thank you for being awesome!

Harold Day
harold@email.com
(555) 555-5555

(Gartner)

I’m Sorry Note Template:

Dear [first name],

We’ve really messed things up. We’re so sorry. I know where we went wrong, but I’d like to learn as much as possible from this.

Would you be willing to share how we could improve? Please send me an email with everything you would like to be changed about your experience with your recent purchase.

This isn’t only about keeping you with us but also preventing an experience like this from happening again.

Thank you for being awesome!

[sender]
[email]
[phone]

 

Pro Tip: Adding a graphic familiar to the viewer effectively increases the bond between sender and recipient. When choosing your graphic, make sure it’s unique—it could be a painting, an illustration, or a photograph of a local landmark—but it should not contain any branded logos or images. Using this non-branded visual on the front of the note will have more impact and encourage people to share it with others.

Handwritten notes are a great way to stand out from the competition and show your customers that you care. Notes work better than generic cards because they are personal and specific. 

The “Welcome” Note, the “Thank You” Note and the “I’m Sorry” Note are all great examples of how you can use handwritten notes to improve your customer relationships. These templates will help you get started, but feel free to be creative and customize them to fit your business. 

If you’re unsure where to start, our team of experts is here to help. We can create a custom direct marketing plan that includes handwritten notes and other personalized touches to make your customers feel valued and appreciated. Contact us today to learn more!