Let’s be honest: digital marketing is a bit like shouting into a stadium packed with marketers all shouting the same thing.
Emails? Sitting unread next to someone’s 40% off pizza voucher. LinkedIn DMs? Lost in a sea of “quick intros” and “just circling backs.” But what if we told you the golden goose of marketing visibility isn’t an AI tool, chatbot, or clever subject line? It’s handwriting and the people using it, do not want you to know! Yes, actual pen-on-paper ink squiggles.
Welcome to the age of handwritten direct mail. It’s not retro. It’s revolutionary and it is making a huge comeback.
Make the First Touchpoint Count — Literally
Digital fatigue is real. Your audience has seen every “disruptive” subject line under the sun. But handwritten mail? That’s unexpected. And in the attention economy, unexpected wins.
- Email open rates hover around 20%.
- Printed direct mail does a bit better at 57%.
- Handwritten mail? A staggering 90–99% open rate.
This isn’t a minor tweak to your marketing mix, this is flipping the funnel on its head. By starting with a medium that actually gets seen, you prime the path for every digital follow-up to work harder and smarter. Letters, then landing pages. Handwriting, then Email Marketing. The past and the future holding hands bringing nostalgia and digital intelligence.
Nostalgia, Meet ROI
Let’s talk psychology. When was the last time you received a handwritten letter? Not a card from Aunt Jean with glitter glue (although shout out to Jean), but a genuine business communication, with your name, scribbled by biro.
Exactly.
It’s serotonin-laced. It’s personal. It’s memorable. It also:
- Gets past gatekeepers
- Avoids filters (email and mental)
- Makes your brand feel like a someone, not a something
Forget mass blast. Think bespoke.
What We Actually Do (So You Don’t Have To)
If all this sounds like effort, don’t worry — we’ve made it plug-and-play:
- Data sourcing – from LinkedIn scraping, API Companies House setups and even API integrations pulling set information from your CRM.
- Advice and campaign strategy – we’re like your favourite marketing consultant, only inkier and with LOTS of experience working for and running agencies looking after both corporate and SME businesses.
- Production – we write, fold, stamp, and post. With real pens. Seriously.
- Optional magic – like Individual QR codes, gamification (“Spin the Wheel” anyone?), personalised signatures, and even scratchcards.
Full campaign management? Absolutely. Custom postcards? You bet. Letterhead design with your dog in a crown? If you want it, we’ll post it.
When to Use It (Spoiler: Always)
1. Cold Outreach That Doesn’t Feel Cold
Most emails are ignored. A handwritten note, though? It stands out in the mail pile and warms the prospect like a fireplace in a Dickens novel. Bonus points if there’s a QR code with a cheeky offer or a gift inside.
2. Reignite Old Leads
They ghosted you. It happens. But a warm, genuine letter shows initiative and emotional IQ. “Hey, we’ve missed you” hits differently in real ink.
3. The ‘Are You Ignoring Me?’ Letter
If someone’s playing hide and seek via email, send a note that says, “Still here, still want to help.” Add a business card. Maybe even a small gift. Nobody ignores chocolate.
4. Say Thank You, Properly
Whether post-onboarding or post-purchase, handwritten thank-yous foster loyalty. Add a discount voucher if you’re feeling generous — your customer might just return the favour with another order.
5. Nurture Key Clients Like Royalty
Celebrate anniversaries, business birthdays, or simply the fact that they’ve stuck around. You can even include interactive treats like QR-enabled games (spin-to-win is our personal fave).
6. Send Invitations That Actually Get RSVPs
Handwritten invites = premium vibes. Whether it’s lunch, a product launch, or a mastermind workshop — personalised, tactile invites elevate your event from “meh” to “memorable.”
7. Request Feedback That Counts
Postcards asking for reviews or feedback can feel like actual gratitude, not a transaction. If you want honesty, put a stamp on it.
8. Deliver Something Unexpected
Pair your letter with a case study, a trend report, or a top-secret marketing insight. Bonus: dress it up. One of our clients once sent an envelope with eco friendly confetti (flower petals). No one forgot that.
The Process (AKA, the Not-So-Fine Print)
We’ve got it down to a science:
Phase 1 – Plan
You give us your audience and goals. We get the data, ensure it is clean, and craft the message.
Phase 2 – Create
Letterheads? Printed ( if you want this added) Envelopes? Biro Written. QR codes? Personalised. .
Phase 3 – Monitor
We track QR code scans, page visits, game plays, and follow up with those who didn’t bite (yet).
Every step is designed to bring your campaign to life — handwritten, heartfelt, and high-converting.
And Finally
While the rest of the world zigs, handwritten mail zags.
And guess what? It works.
So, next time you’re ready to pitch, woo, thank, nudge, or remind — consider doing it with a biro broght to you by Pen Written Post.
Because sometimes, the best way to cut through the noise… is by being different.
