When was the last time that you have written a letter by hand – or did receive one? Thanks to the rapid digitalisation many people prefer writing short text messages or emails. Even the traditional picture post card seems to be a discontinued model, because it is so much easier to snap a picture and send it via text message to loved ones at home.
Why buy a postcard, write something down and then go searching for a letterbox? The answer is simple: if by tomorrow you’ll receive a handwritten letter, you’ll of course be very happy about it – and open it right away. We actually need to discuss why letters are still so well-loved even though the Internet is omnipresent and why they are getting even more popular again.
WHICH MESSAGE DO HANDWRITTEN LETTERS TRANSPORT?
While in school people were still used to writing by hand regularly, but as adults it has become quite uncommon to actually use a fountain pen – even at university or at work. Whoever does not write frequently will quickly realise: somehow it does not really flow anymore. When typing, on the other hand, many people can impress through quickness and a minimum of typos.
Handwritten letters are something special, especially because they have become so rare. The recipient will see right away that the letter writer has taken his or her time and made an effort. That is something that can indeed not be said about a standard response written in a messenger program. Whoever writes handwritten letters (or a handwritten job application or advertisement) will successfully stick out of the flood of digital communication. Especially a good handwriting that is easy to read expresses a person’s personality.
WHY HANDWRITTEN MESSAGES CAN STILL BE CONSIDERED RELEVANT
The positive reactions show that handwritten texts are still relevant. Even so-called “digital natives”, who have grown up with the Internet, know about the appeal of a hand-written letter. Above that a handwritten letter correlates with the growing mega trend of individualisation: a message cannot be more personal or unique than this.
High-quality print products with strong content offer a variety in the middle of our digital daily lives and they help to create attention. A fundamental part of communication can be successfully done analogue – written by hand thanks to Sophie’s handwriting services.
Sophie and her team handwrite addresses on envelopes, they write postcards or acquisition letters. They can write in 14 different handwritings or in your own personal handwriting and produce small or large editions.
A letter has the advantage to be tangible and is therefore immediately present. Letters are still written to be kept as a memorable piece and keepsake. And to be honest: a love message in the traditional medium of a letter is of course more romantic than a digital message. When written by hand such a message can also not simply be deleted. It can be rediscovered even after years.
WRITING VS TYPING: REAL STYLE CAN ONLY BE IDENTIFIED BY A PERSON’S HANDWRITING
Experts have found another explanation for the popularity of letters: it is a counter movement to the digitalisation, especially among young people who rediscover old and traditional values. In this sense more and more teenagers for example not only use their smart phone but also a traditional diary. Among older people the letter has actually never gone out of fashion, even though the generation 60+ is relying more and more on the Internet as well.
Handwritten letters can therefore be considered a true classic. And classics are by definition always modern. People who are writing their messages by hand are showing personality and character. The individual handwriting is unique and so is every letter. The Internet on the other hand is full of plagiarism and duplicate content. This also shows the value of letters in comparison to the short-lived, digital products.
PAPER IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF A SENSUAL EXPERIENCE
It feels good and makes the content more tangible. Thanks do individualising options like letterheads it is possible to heighten the personal momentum of the already unique handwriting. Looking at possible motives the creativity actually knows no boundaries. This explains why print products with handwritten elements are more current than ever. Especially for more unique occasions it is possible to show a visible personality.
CONCLUSION: HANDWRITTEN TEXTS HAVE A RIGHT TO EXIST EVEN IN A DIGITAL AGE
You fancy writing a letter or a postcard again after years? Or you would love to receive a handwritten letter from a friend in the next days? If your reaction to these questions is overwhelmingly positive this shows how important letters till are as a personal medium of communication.
In the end using paper is deeply rooted in our culture. Just considering that e-books still have a comparably small market share compared to printed books it shows that what is well-tried is still of interest in times of innovative technology. It does us all some good to grab a piece of paper now and again and start writing, because that is an ability many young people lose once they leave school. It would be a pity if handwriting as expression of our personality withers.
