Quite often, people will ask me why I have such an attraction to blogging, and social media. The answer is easy, I was blogging in our business before blogging was cool. The only difference was that I was doing it by snail mail (US Postal Service).
Each month I would send my clients a correspondence that we internally called the letter from the heart. When people saw me in my starched pressed, french cuffed, tab collared shirts, replete with the obligatory power tie, all designed to flatter my individually tailored suits, they didn't get to really see the personal side of Dave Porter.
The letter from the heart took them behind the scenes, and allowed them a glimpse into the heart of the person, rather than simply being exposed to the mind of the businessman.
I was completely blown away at the overwhelmingly positive response of my clients. Our relationship went to a much deeper, more personal place from those monthly letters.
Here is a copy of my very first letter from the heart, which also included the photograph to the right:
"Dear Friends,
I want to share with you one of the most frustrating parts of my business. I get the privilege of meeting with people from all walks of life, and even all parts of the world. I spend a few hours with them, get to know them a bit, the loan closes, and then the new friendship may go months or even years before we connect again.Well, today I am writing you to let you know that I have decided to work harder on our relationship. It is my intention to write you a letter every now and then just to let you know what is going on in my life. Just like friends would share with each other.I mentioned to you in one of my last communications that I had recently purchased a new toy.
Last fall I bought a new Harley-Davidson. I have to admit this decision was not real popular with my wife. She was convinced that mid-life crisis was in full bloom. When I shared my exciting news with my close friends they looked at me like I was suddenly taken with some rare disease. The clincher for all was when I also announced that I had joined the local H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) club.
The day of my first H.O.G. event, I must admit, I was feeling a bit apprehensive. Twice each week the members of the H.O.G. club get together to ride and have dinner. I had visions of roughneck, tattoo adorned individuals whose command of the English language was based on a solid bedrock of profanity. Just what HAD I gotten myself into? When I got to the first “ride”, I was greatly relieved to see that the people in attendance where not founding members of “Hells Angels” as I had imagined. They were business people, doctors, attorneys, factory workers, etc. They were just a group of people who gathered together to share their love of riding Harleys. Well, it was a blast. You haven’t lived until you have rumbled down the road with 30 other Harleys.The best part of the whole experience is that my wife, Carol, has decided to join in the fun. At first she wouldn’t have anything to do with my new hobby. She thought I had gone off the deep end for sure. However, she found that staying at home while I was out riding around the countryside was not very palatable either. So after a great deal of soul searching she decided to try it out as well. To my great surprise, she had a great time. Now she can’t wait for each week’s ride to get here. I now not only have a new Harley, but I also have a Harley Momma. Life is good!
Well, that’s all for now. I hope that you have enjoyed your summer. Fall is here now and we are enjoying the brisk mornings and the beautiful colors."
When you are writing text for social media, it is incredibly important that you let them see behind the curtain. They need to see your heart, or the heart of your organization.
Have you found this to be true in your organization?
