I keep a box in my closet filled with handwritten letters and cards. Some are from family members, others from former interns and team members at Pitch Publicity. On tough days, when work feels isolating or unappreciated, I reach for that box. There’s something about seeing a familiar handwriting, the curve of a letter or the slope of a signature that brings a rush of connection, a reminder of the person behind the note. Losing my dad and grandparents has made some of these pieces of paper even more priceless. Maybe you have a similar box tucked away. Maybe that makes you a little old-school, like me.

As communication moved online, I tried to preserve meaningful emails with professional kudos, or personal encouragement in the same way by printing, cutting and taping them into scrapbooks. Then at some point I stopped. Printers vanished from my office, messages migrated to text and social media, and capturing moments of real connection became more difficult.

Our writing has evolved, or devolved, depending on how you see it. Long letters documenting life’s details have given way to structured emails, quick texts, emoji-laden threads and now AI messages polished to perfection that often feel devoid of personality. Technology has sped up communication, but it has also stripped away much of its humanity.

Yet there is hope. In a world dominated by instant messages and AI-generated responses, business leaders who embrace thoughtful, low-tech communication can rise above the impersonal flood of algorithm-driven correspondence. These timeless methods aren’t just sentimental, they’re strategic. Sometimes, the smartest way forward is to step back to the basics.

Call Without Agenda

New clients can be intimidating. At the start, building rapport often feels like walking a tightrope: You’re eager to prove yourself, while navigating their doubts and fears. Early on, clients may push back, not out of malice but out of concern that they made the wrong decision. In my line of work, until the media coverage starts rolling in, uncertainty looms. Sometimes there’s silence or no acknowledgment, and no encouragement. It can leave you wondering if your efforts are noticed at all, or if your role is at risk. I’m sure any leader, whether managing clients, customers, or a team, can relate.

So, imagine my surprise when, just six weeks into a new client relationship, the CEO of the company called me. My first reaction: panic. I couldn’t answer her call because I was in another meeting, and therefore in the meantime my mind raced through worst-case scenarios. Surely no one calls without a problem, right? When I finally checked my voicemail, dread set in. Then I heard her message:

“You are so good at what you do. I’m watching this master at work and it’s really extraordinary, so I just wanted to say what a great job you’re doing. That’s it! Nothing else! Have a great weekend!”

I was floored. I called her back immediately, and she piled on even more praise, again with no request, no agenda, just recognition.

Calling without an agenda is rare, and that’s what makes it so powerful. In today’s world, spontaneous voice communication has largely disappeared. Many of my team members admit they freeze up when I call them because they assume they are in some sort of trouble. So that’s why I make it a point to call frequently, whether it’s to offer feedback or celebrate wins. Hearing tone, excitement and sincerity in real time makes a difference in how messages land. Sometimes I even call after sending a quick congratulations or thank you text, just so they can feel the energy in my voice.

An impromptu call is simple yet profoundly validating. That voicemail from my client remains saved in my phone and I replay it on quiet days when client feedback is scarce. Making a call without an agenda is a simple, low-tech gesture, but one that proves the human voice still carries extraordinary power.

Unleash Your Handwriting

Putting your thoughts into writing is a permanent statement. Words on paper can’t be unsent or deleted. If they’re harsh, they stand as a lasting reminder, and in some cases, can be rather damaging. If they’re uplifting, they become treasures and proof of kindness that resonates long after the ink fades. Remember that box in my closet I mentioned earlier? Ironically, while writing this article, I had one of those days. The kind of day that shakes your confidence and makes you question your purpose. I decided to take my own advice and opened the box labeled “interns,” filled with handwritten notes and cards I’ve saved over the years from people, who I often refer to as “Pitch Stars” who’ve worked with me at Pitch Publicity.

As I sifted through the stack, my spirits lifted. Across different years and handwriting styles, a common thread appeared: gratitude. Many thanked me for being a mentor, a role model, a boss who believed in them. One note stopped me cold. The ink had faded, but the words were as clear as the day I first read them: “Dear Amy, You taught me everything. I cannot explain what an amazing experience it has been to work for you. There were days when you had me cracking up laughing and others when you scared me to pieces. Nevertheless, I completely freaking idolize you. You taught me your tricks, made me recognize and practice good ethics in this field, and most importantly, you taught me to take chances. That’s something that has helped me grow in this profession and in my life. Thank you for everything. I’ll be back.”

That card remains one of my most valued keepsakes, not just for what it says, but because of who penned it. Handwriting carries emotion that digital words can’t touch. It takes time, intention and effort. And what’s most powerful is how its meaning evolves. Words written a decade ago, like this note written to me, now read differently; they reflect not just that moment, but everything that’s happened since. With time, ink gains gravity. What once felt like gratitude now feels like legacy.

Writing by hand forces you to slow down. You can’t hit delete or backspace your way to perfection. Every crossed-out word or uneven line makes it more human, more real. A handwritten message does more than convey gratitude, it carries intention. It says, I took the time to think of you.

Leaders have the power to revive handwritten communication and set an example for the next generation. Write a thank-you note to a team member who went the extra mile. Drop a note to a colleague or client who made your week better. No reply required, no expectation, only a gesture of genuine appreciation. In a world of instant messages, the simplest way to stand out might still be putting pen to paper.

Leverage Your Voice

Sometimes, corporate rules or legal protocols mean all written communication must be vetted, stripping away much of the human touch. In environments where everyone is cautious about risk, messages can feel formalized, sterile and distant.

I experienced this during a recent professional event that went poorly. I was disheartened, even upset, and I needed to communicate my concerns. Writing a formal letter to higher-ups I didn’t know felt risky. I was afraid it could come across as overly harsh or even whiny. How would they understand my perspective, my values or the intent behind my words if they didn’t know me personally?

As the event concluded, I unexpectedly crossed paths with one of the key leaders I might have addressed in a letter. Following my intuition, I chose to speak directly, human to human. What followed was a 45-minute conversation in which I shared my concerns, expressed my disappointment, and even allowed myself to show a little emotion. By the end, I felt heard. I walked away confident that a formal, stiff letter wasn’t necessary and trusted that the situation would be addressed.

Weeks went by without follow-up, and I began to second-guess my approach. Then, after a couple more brief check-ins, I received a thoughtfully crafted email from the organization acknowledging the issue. Shortly after, a voice message from one of the event leaders changed everything. He spoke sincerely, acknowledged the misstep, expressed concern for the relationship, and offered a gesture of goodwill. Hearing his words in person, in the human tone of his voice, made the corporate response feel real. What could have remained a cold, transactional situation became an opportunity to reinforce trust and connection.

The lesson is clear: while formal emails, reports, and letters have their place, nothing replaces the impact of your voice. Speaking directly, whether over the phone, in a meeting or leaving a voice memo, adds nuance, intention and empathy that written words often cannot convey. A human voice can calm tension, validate effort, and strengthen relationships in ways that no amount of carefully vetted text can. Leaders who put their voice, their pen and their presence into communication rise above the noise, strengthen relationships and leave a lasting impression. NIE

Ready for more communication and pitching tips? Subscribe to “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast on YouTube, or wherever you consume podcasts, for direct access to the secrets, strategies, and success stories that prove the power of “The Pitch”: www.pitchpublicitynyc.com/podcast.

Amy Summers, founder and president of Pitch Publicity, has three decades of experience working with major clients in the natural products industry to increase national publicity exposure across all mass media outlets, while also developing key strategic communication strategies. As a pioneer in remote work and virtual mentorship, Summers launched INICIVOX® to help individuals improve a wide range of soft skills centered on the complexity of communications. This work has earned her business, education and communication awards in entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and diversity, equity and inclusion from PR News and Nutrition Business Journal. Headquartered in New York, NY, Summers is committed to supporting, nurturing and lifting the growth of the natural products industry that has served her well throughout her career. Her book, “Lift: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career” (Page Two, February 2026), offers a modern approach to leadership grounded in presence, purpose, confidence, and connection. Learn more at: LiftToLead.com.