Times it’s better to send snail mail instead of email

Email is quick and easy to send, and it’s no wonder it has become such a popular means of communication.

That being said, there are certain times when a handwritten note is a far more suitable form of mail to send.

In this blog post, we’ll outline the times it is better to send a letter than an email and explain why.

To follow up on a job interview

What could stand out to a potential employer more than a handwritten letter? Writing a letter takes time, is personal, and leaves a great impression.

After you’ve been for an interview, put pen to paper and pop a note in the post, thanking them for allowing you to interview.

Also, don’t forget to mention that you are hoping to hear from them soon.

To offer sympathy

Handwritten notes are far more personal, and no event requires more of a personal touch that the passing away of a loved one.

Always send a sympathy card rather than typing out an email when you find out that someone’s loved one has died.

Even if you have to send a text message or an email for speed, make sure to pop a card in the post too — something tangible the bereaved person or family can read, hold, re-read and treasure.

We wrote a guide on what to write in a sympathy card.

To communicate with older people

Some older people don’t have access to the internet, while others have problems with eyesight or typing.

This leads to a whole section of our population who cannot communicate via email.

One glance at my personal email inbox containing 50 unread emails from two days and I can understand how isolating it could feel if I weren’t to be receiving those when others are.

So, why not reach out to the older people in your life by sending them a letter? I guarantee they will love receiving it!

If they can, they will enjoy replying, too.

To communicate with kids

Your 7-year-old child probably doesn’t have an email address yet, but I can guarantee they’d love to receive a handwritten note from you!

Make it more of an event by stamping and posting it, then watch their reaction when it gets delivered through your front door.

Everyone loves to see their name handwritten on the front of an envelope.

Make it even more exciting by adding in a little gift, such as stickers or a pencil!

To complain

There are so many ways to get in touch with businesses nowadays; most complaints will be delivered via email or social media.

Make your complaint or feedback stand out from the crowd by handwriting it. After all, you wouldn’t bother to write it if you didn’t care about what you were writing.

Not only will your complaint be taken more seriously, but they may even reward you more, too!

To enter competitions

Entering competitions via snail mail may seem an odd suggestion, as you often have to pay for a stamp when sending competition entries off in the mail, but I always feel like you might stand a better chance of winning.

This is based on the fact that you’ve put more effort in than those who just sent off a quick email, so it feels like you would be prioritised in some way. There is absolutely no proof for this, though!

Either way, you’ll undoubtedly stand out. Make your envelope or postcard stand out the most by decorating it.

When do you choose to send a letter over an email? Let us know in the comments.