Would you pay to have a handwritten letter sent to someone as a gift?

[Krommm]

If someone supplied the words they wanted to use and just couldn't write very well, I suppose. I would assume most people would want a personal note and all jokes aside several more people these days can actually write so I'm not sure how much it would catch on. You're probably on the right track, but I would focus it more on labeling than handwritten letters.

[Aeriel]

My ex used to do this, but he mostly did placards and invitations. Oh and medieval style documents. Those are where you can make money as they are art pieces rather than a basic letter.

If were to actually handwrite something, then I would probably ask someone else to do it. I have a doctor's scrawl.

[Deleted]

No. I have abysmal hand-writing (lefty) but if I was going to the trouble of writing a personal note, I would want it to be in my own writing. Having someone else write it for me, no matter how "fancy", would take away that personal touch. That's how I'd feel if somebody sent me one too; why couldn't you write it yourself? Am I not worth the 5 minutes it would have taken you?

[Warwithin]

If someone supplied the words they wanted to use and just couldn't write very well, I suppose. I would assume most people would want a personal note and all jokes aside several more people these days can actually write so I'm not sure how much it would catch on. You're probably on the right track, but I would focus it more on labeling than handwritten letters.

Can you elaborate a bit more on that? You've piqued my interest.

[Ebildays]

If you don't mind me asking, what type of peripheral services could you see accompanying this one; or, conversely, what services could you see that could take center stage and position handwritten letters as a side-offering?

Peripheral services, hmmmm.

The only other thing I can think of is a gift giving services as a peripheral to the letters. What kinds of gifts depends on how you are marketing your service. If you are playing up the artisan part of the letters you are going to have match the gifts to that. I would focus on keepsakes that incorporate calligraphy in them some way.

[Warwithin]

Peripheral services, hmmmm.

The only other thing I can think of is a gift giving services as a peripheral to the letters. What kinds of gifts depends on how you are marketing your service. If you are playing up the artisan part of the letters you are going to have match the gifts to that. I would focus on keepsakes that incorporate calligraphy in them some way.

Rather than filling the thread with chat, I'll PM you at some point today. I'd love to chat more if you've got time

[Kalis]

Yes, I am aware the service exists but that does not mean he cannot start up a similar service. The difference would be the angle he would take in marketing. Also services can be expanded on so starting off with limited services is not a big deal. As the business grows so can the services but it would crazy to start off with too many.

This is an additional service that companies offer, and it isn't limited competition they're up against - wedding services, florists and stationers already offer forms of this, and some offer the exact same thing.

It's like setting up a card shop that only sells 'Get well soon' cards...a waste of time and resources to a market so tiny it likely doesn't exist.

Even if they were offering the whole range of services that you associate with bespoke stationers it would mean they are entering a saturated market, but at least it would be a sensible business, however this is a niche within an already overpopulated niche, and so it isn't a realistic business proposition.

If they had a range of poets on hand to create individual poems, or some such, then they might be able to tack onto the market.

[Tharkkun]

I really could have used this service in 1853 when I was a slave trapped in Georgia for over 12 years.

[lockedout]

Hey everyone,
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link, but you can check out the landing page I threw together

Thanks

So you're not sure you can advertise but you decided to do it anyway?
I think it's a good idea though.

[Shadowmelded]

Isn't this what Joaquin Phoenix's character did in "Her" ?

[Eliandal]

I have beautiful handwriting, always have - so I wouldn't use the option. I would rather receive handwritten chickenscratch from someone - it's the thought that counts

[Ebildays]

Rather than filling the thread with chat, I'll PM you at some point today. I'd love to chat more if you've got time

Sure I don't mind.

This is an additional service that companies offer, and it isn't limited competition they're up against - wedding services, florists and stationers already offer forms of this, and some offer the exact same thing.

It's like setting up a card shop that only sells 'Get well soon' cards...a waste of time and resources to a market so tiny it likely doesn't exist.

Even if they were offering the whole range of services that you associate with bespoke stationers it would mean they are entering a saturated market, but at least it would be a sensible business, however this is a niche within an already overpopulated niche, and so it isn't a realistic business proposition.

If they had a range of poets on hand to create individual poems, or some such, then they might be able to tack onto the market.

I still don't see why that is a problem. It is like saying people should stop opening up restaurants, banks, malls, or anything else because there are already places that offer those services. It can work but it will take work and a clear vision for that to happen. If you are looking for a handwritten keepsake or handwritten personalized stationary you are not going to think wedding services or florist. A person may not even know where a stationers is located where they live but they maybe able to find an online store very easy. They could even sell to other businesses as well because a wedding planner may not know someone who does this. A person may run a B&B and would like little blank cards with "Welcome" or "Thank You" on them that they can leave for guest.

It is an interesting idea in an increasingly digital age. How many women would love for there partners to give them something like the lyrics to a song framed and matted with a matching card that said "A song I will always remember to a woman I will never forget". Cheesy yes, but would it work or sell is the big question.

[Kalis]

I still don't see why that is a problem. It is like saying people should stop opening up restaurants, banks, malls, or anything else because there are already places that offer those services. It can work but it will take work and a clear vision for that to happen. If you are looking for a handwritten keepsake or handwritten personalized stationary you are not going to think wedding services or florist. A person may not even know where a stationers is located where they live but they maybe able to find an online store very easy. They could even sell to other businesses as well because a wedding planner may not know someone who does this. A person may run a B&B and would like little blank cards with "Welcome" or "Thank You" on them that they can leave for guest.

It's not like opening up a normal restaurant, it's like opening up a restaurant with only one item on the menu that people rarely order, and when they do order it, they do so from the restaurants that offer a larger menu.

You can keep insisting this is a good idea, but that doesn't make it one, and you can keep thinking this is an novel idea, but it isn't - if the OP came up with an actual practical idea, then I'd give him some advice, but the only advice I can give is don't bother with this folly.

There has to be a market for any product (dubious in this instance), and that market has to have the ability to be profitable (virtually impossible with this), failing to realise that is the downfall of numerous startups.

It is an interesting idea in an increasingly digital age. How many women would love for there partners to give them something like the lyrics to a song framed and matted with a matching card that said "A song I will always remember to a woman I will never forget". Cheesy yes, but would it work or sell is the big question.

That is going into copyright territory and increases overheads, or breaks the law.

[diddle]

kind of defeats the purpose

[Xargoth6634]

I'd say no not based on the cost, but on the "that's kind of weird" factor. Handwritten notes are great, but not done by a third party. I'd have something else done up with calligraphy probably, but not a note to someone else.

[Zoaric]

Letters? No, those are supposed to be personal, typically. However, calligraphy and
the like is a pretty good money maker if you go in for making specialty place settings
or invitations.

[Ebildays]

It's not like opening up a normal restaurant, it's like opening up a restaurant with only one item on the menu that people rarely order, and when they do order it, they do so from the restaurants that offer a larger menu.

You can keep insisting this is a good idea, but that doesn't make it one, and you can keep thinking this is an novel idea, but it isn't - if the OP came up with an actual practical idea, then I'd give him some advice, but the only advice I can give is don't bother with this folly.

There has to be a market for any product (dubious in this instance), and that market has to have the ability to be profitable (virtually impossible with this), failing to realise that is the downfall of numerous startups.



That is going into copyright territory and increases overheads, or breaks the law.

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=handwr...o=US&ref=auto7

It is a good idea and people are making money from it. While it may not seem practical to you that is not the case for other people who would enjoy a service like this. The problem with a lot of start ups is they fail to do enough market research and find out who they are marketing to. The type of customer that you are going to go for will dictate everything from the image of your start up to the cost of items. If you keep looking at it from the narrow stand point of just handwritten letters then yes it is going to fail. But if you move past letters to other sensible items it would work.

They are handwritten luxury items for busy people that still want a bit of a personal feeling to items.

[Palinn]

The point of a hand-written letter is that it took time and thought for the writer to create it. That time investment doesn't exist if the writer is someone else so it takes away from the purpose.

[Kalis]

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=handwr...o=US&ref=auto7

It is a good idea and people are making money from it. While it may not seem practical to you that is not the case for other people who would enjoy a service like this. The problem with a lot of start ups is they fail to do enough market research and find out who they are marketing to. The type of customer that you are going to go for will dictate everything from the image of your start up to the cost of items. If you keep looking at it from the narrow stand point of just handwritten letters then yes it is going to fail. But if you move past letters to other sensible items it would work.

They are handwritten luxury items for busy people that still want a bit of a personal feeling to items.

You've just linked proof that the market is saturated with such ventures. 2,700 providers, and that is only those on Etsy.

Entering a saturated niche market is rarely a good idea, and if your product is no different to anybody elses in that market then it's an absolutely dreadful idea.

Knowing whether a business has a decent chance of survival is basic business training, and this proposal has "No fucking chance!" written on it in 10 foot high letters - you can have the letters written in calligraphy if you want.


A friend of mine makes personalised pet bowls, it may have a lot of competition (850 on Etsy), but at least there is a largish market for it due to the amount of odd bods that worship their four legged flea bags. https://www.etsy.com/search?q=person...ef=auto1&all=1

It has the two ingredients that every business needs to succeed...demand + idiots willing to spend money on tat.

All you need after that is a product and marketing, which aren't easy, but the latter will be much easier to do than flogging handwriting services to a nation of people that can write.

I'm not suggesting they sell personalised dog bowls - as Natalie would rip my bollocks off if she found out I gave her competition - but it's that sort of thing which has a chance to succeed.

[apepi]

I might do it if if was cheaper, I have horrible handwriting >.>. Seriously a child's is worse than mine.