5 Tips to Make Writing a Note Quick and Easy

Note writing is like going to the gym. At first it might be uncomfortable and you have to force yourself to do it. It takes a while to see results, but you feel better about yourself pretty quickly. You’re more likely to do it if you have everything ready to go; and the more consistent you are, the easier it is. The big difference is that going to the gym stinks and note writing is fun.

If note writing is a new activity, be intentional about it until it becomes a habit. It will probably take several months for it to fit into the rhythm of your business, and it may take a little longer for you to see a payoff. I had a note writing schedule that worked well for me.

I wrote thank you notes to hostesses and party guests when I placed their orders or the day after the party. Every guest got a thank you note whether or not she purchased (assuming I had her mailing address). This was the first business activity of the day, and I found it helped set the tone for the rest of the day.

I wrote the majority of notes to my team at the beginning of each month. I'd write a monthly team newsletter and email it to everyone on the team. Anyone who was recognized in the newsletter also got a handwritten note from me. I’d print out the newsletter and check off the names as I wrote the notes. Recognition would include top sales and recruits, anniversaries, incentive earners, etc. One note per person -- not one note per mention. I wasn't a maniac.

I’d also block out a little bit of time at the end of coaching call days to write notes to anyone who needed some encouragement or had something to celebrate.

Other than those two times, I worked my note writing into the nooks and crannies of my day. I kept a large supply of note cards and always carried a pack in my purse or business bag. When I was a taxi driver for my daughters, I’d write while they were at a lesson or the orthodontist. Sometimes I’d take the girls to the playground and write them there. I even booked a few parties that way because it became a conversation starter (probably because someone writing a note was such an odd sight). I’d also write a bunch on long car or plane rides even when I was the driver. Not really. I'm rarely the driver.

1. Schedule time in your work day/week/month to write notes.
2. Have a list of reasons to send notes (recognition, thanks, celebration, etc.).
3. Make a list of people who fall into your note-writing reasons.
4. Carry note cards with you to write during the nooks and crannies of your life.
5. Have an outline for your notes. 

Part of this post is an excerpt from The Note Book which you can download for free.

Celebrate every day,
Kelly