Craig W. Barrett, Hughesville, REALTOR (r)
Hughesville, MD Real Estate
www.hughesvillehomes.com
I ran in the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon and raised money for Injured Marines and their families. My fundraising campaign was successful. I raised more money than my goal, I actually reached my goal early and raised it because folks were so generous. Donations came from friends, family, colleagues, and past clients. I started raising money in mid-May and stopped the last week of October.
When I received a donation I immediately emailed the donor with a thank-you. I didn't expect any response and rarely got one. During the course of the fundraising, folks asked how my training was going and how long I had until the Marathon. They were interested in how I was doing and that got me thinking I should let them all know when the Marathon was over, how the fundraising went, and how I ran (btw it wasn't pretty, but I finished lol).
I wrote each person that donated a short, sincere, handwritten thank-you note that told them thanks, how much I raised, where their donation went, how helpful their donation was and that I completed the Marathon. The thank-you card was "branded". I received several emails, phone calls, and pats-on-the-back thanking me for sending them a nice thank-you note. I was little surprised with the feedback.
I started sending thank-you notes to clients when I received one myself about a year ago after buying life-insurance. I send them immediately after closings thanking them for their business and trust.
I think we don't send them in today's faced-paced world, because it's easier and quicker to send an email, a text message or make a phone call. However, a handwritten thank-you note will have a greater impact and will be more effective and appreciated.
