Need Help with Your Follow Up?

President’s Day in the rear, let’s charge ahead,
patriotism clear, ambition widespread.

Ping for progress, honk for the win,
Let’s make this month shine—where success begins!

Bumpity-bump, with ideas so bold,
Building connections, as stories unfold.

Honk, ping, bump—let’s keep the beat,
With That Follow Up Fix, sales are sweet!

The middle of the month behind, but the goals still rise,
Focused, forget the unwind, stars in our eyes.

Let’s raise a hand, with Presidents Day in hindsight,
We’re MARCHing forward like a band— this month’s gon’ be bright!

"Prospecting is about making a genuine connection with your prospects." - Tessa Stowe

🎯 The Problem:

Digital communication has become so prevalent that prospects are drowning in emails and messages, making it harder than ever to stand out and maintain meaningful connections.

😫 The Reality:

Most sales professionals rely solely on digital touchpoints, missing opportunities to create memorable, personal connections that could differentiate them from competitors.

💡 The Solution:

A strategic approach to handwritten follow-ups that cuts through digital noise and creates lasting impressions.

Unfortunately, most sales teams fail at handwritten follow-ups.

Here's why: 

The #1 Reason:

Viewing handwritten notes as too time-consuming and outdated.

Other key obstacles:

· Poor penmanship (seriously)

· Inconsistent execution

· Lack of system for scaling

· Uncertainty about timing

Step 1: Master the Perfect Note Formula 📝

Handwritten follow-ups cut through the noise in a world swallowed up in emails and LinkedIn messages.

(I still send both of the above for the record)

A physical note commands attention—it gets opened, read(hopefully), and remembered.

But for it to be effective, what goes into them must be structured well.

That’s where the CARD Method comes in.

The CARD Method:

C – Concise: Keep it Brief and Focused

Your note should be impactful but short—no one wants to read Harry Potter at length-it’s not a whitepaper.

Aim for 3-5 sentences.

Short and simple.

What I would Write Example:

"Hey [Name], This [specific topic they shared] blew me away. Appreciated your vantage point. Jumping at the bit to see what we might be able to do together. Wild idea to reconnect - next Tuesday, possibly?"

Mistake: 

Overloading the note with unnecessary details.

"Hey [Name], it was so great meeting you at [event]. I wanted to reach out and reiterate all the points we discussed, including [long list of details]. Let’s stay in touch!" (Too much and too and vague.)

A – Authentic: Write with Intention

People can smell basic, boring messages with a simple sniff.

Make it personal and human.

What I would Write Example:

"[Project][their name] stuck with me. Reminds me of [top ranked person/business/leader] and is inspiring. This note is meant to make you smile!"

Mistake: 

Sounding too proper.

Loosen up.

"Dear [Name], it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I would like to extend my gratitude for your time. The extensive conversation revolutionized my consideration of the powers to be and what’s the appropriate pathway to institute moving forward" (Reads like a corporate email, not a human connection.)

Say more by saying less.

R – Relevant: Reference Specific Value Created

Tie your note back to something they said or did to make it memorable.

What I would Write Example:

"[Name], I told my wife about our conversation. It made that big of a difference. It’s a part of how our family thinks now. Grateful."

Mistake: 

Being generic.

"Hey [Name], great meeting you! Looking forward to staying in touch." (Reads bland.)

D – Directed: Include a Clear Next Step

A handwritten note is nice, but it shouldn’t be a dead end.

Guide them toward the next action.

What I would Say Example:

"I sent a personalized video to compliment this writing. I remember you said Friday’s were better to connect, let’s look to that day this week?"

Mistake: 

Ending with no follow-up.

"Looking forward to connecting again someday!" (Someday = Less Leverage.)