Over the holiday break I had the opportunity to visit by phone with a Twitter acquaintance, Lisa Fields.  We talked about all kinds of things and learned more about one another than 140 characters could ever allow.  Perhaps the most important thing I learned about Lisa is that she’s someone I’d like to keep up with.

Then a few days later I received a handwritten follow-up note.

This was remarkable because I interact with lots of people on a weekly basis and receive very few handwritten notes.  There was once a time when my mailbox was plugged with correspondence.  In the era before electronic social tools, the written thank you note was how I cultivated relationships.  I was fastidious with my follow-up.  I still have 2-3 different types of stationary in the bottom drawer of my desk (formal, informal, etc – my wardrobe).

It’s now exceptional when I receive a note.  And exceptional things catch my attention.  Lisa’s note wasn’t necessarily remarkable in what it said as much as what it represented and how it was delivered.

There’s a lot of dialog about what we can do to stand out above the escalating noise of our new social channels.  How can we make an impression that separates us?

A handwritten note is an option.

More than ever, the few minutes of extra time taken to scribble your ideas may send a unique message unachievable in the background of social chatter.