In our lifetimes, phone communication has moved from landlines to pagers to flip phones to iPhones and Androids. And we’ve become inundated with emails. Just 20 years ago all mail was printed or written, but today we are bombarded with hundreds of emails daily. Ironic, isn’t it, that the very transitions that brought us closer together as a society have also moved us farther apart?

While much personal connection has dissipated, one area in particular that is being “recaptured” by society is the art of the thank you note.

In the past, thank you notes were a cornerstone of society. Social events and networking opportunities alike benefited from the art of the thank you. Now, we contact our friends, colleagues and potential business partners by clogging up an already noisy portal of their lives with easy to send impersonal messages. You can cut through the noise, if you embrace the art of an appropriate and personal thank you.

Handwriting a thank you note can make a significant impression. It shows that you made time to express appreciation rather than taking the easy route of email. The personal touch stands out in an often impersonal world.

Here are some ideas you can use:

1. If you are working with a donor or client, send them something that thanks them for their commitment to your organization. It will speak volumes more than an email or social media post.
2. Calling someone who you met at a conference is a pleasantly surprising way to make new contacts.
3. Send a thank you note to a potential client expressing appreciation for the consideration they’ve given you and your firm.
4. Try a note of appreciation to a friend or spouse who needs to know how much you value them.

Notes don’t need to be long although writing specifically and personally makes the sentiment more powerful.

Want to improve your relationships, reputation and business results? Get personal and start with some stationary.