Feb 24
004

“The Envelope Please…”

By Paige Wills in Why Choose Paper?

 
A drawing of an envelope

Image via Wikipedia

Since the Oscars take place this weekend, I thought it was only appropriate to write about the important role paper and envelopes play during these type of ceremonies. One of the most common phrases for television award ceremonies is, “The envelope please…”

This phrase means that the winner is getting ready to be announced. The envelope creates a sort of suspense in the atmosphere.  Everyone wants to know whose name is on the piece of paper inside the envelope.

We hear this phrase on all sorts of award ceremonies. However, people don’t realize the importance envelopes and paper play in these types of ceremonies.

What would these awards ceremonies be without envelopes and paper? What if the winner just appeared on the teleprompter? I feel the show would lose its “suspense factor.”

In addition, many celebrities and award recipients probably like to keep the envelope and paper as a memento. They can frame it, mount it on their wall, or place it in a scrapbook. Without envelopes and paper, this would not be possible.

Here is a short AP YouTube video about the 2011 Oscars envelope.  I was surprised to find out from the video that 2011 was the first year the envelope and piece of  paper inside were designed specifically to be a mementos and keepsakes for each Oscar recipient. Check out the video below.

What are your thoughts? Do you think paper and envelopes play a major role in televised award ceremonies or do you think the shows would do just fine without them? If you were an award recipient, would you like to keep the envelope and paper with your name on it as a keepsake or would you simply toss it away?

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Feb 21
002

Thank You E-mails versus Paper Thank You Letters

By Paige Wills in Why Choose Paper?

 
This antique "letter-box" style U.S....

Image via Wikipedia

Going along with my last post regarding paper and electronic resumes, I thought we should discuss the interview follow-up. After an interview, candidates should thank the interviewer within 24-to-48 hours. However, what is the best method? Is it an e-mail or a card in the mail?

Sending a thank you card or letter in the mail works best in my opinion. You know that the person will receive it. When sending an e-mail, you risk having your note lost via spam or buried in that person’s inbox.

A thank you note in the mail allows you to reiterate your enthusiasm for the job and your qualifications. It also tells that person that you took 15 or 20 minutes out of your day to write and mail the letter instead of writing a quick two-minute e-mail.

Both ways can be effective. A combination of both ways may also work. A person could send a short thank you letter via e-mail and a more in-depth thank you note in the mail. This would guarantee they receive one or the other. The e-mail would be instantaneous. However, a few days later they would receive your letter in the mail. On the other hand, you don’t want to overwhelm the person with thank you notes. Use your best judgment. Depending on the situation and circumstances, you may want to stick with one form instead of both. If you had to choose, I would choose a letter in the mail.

Share your thoughts. Which form do you think is most effective: thank you e-mails via e-mail, mail, or a combination of both?  If you are an employer, which way do you value or prefer?

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Feb 16
001

Paper Resumes versus Electronic Resumes

By Paige Wills in Facts About The Paper Industry, Why Choose Paper?

 

 

English: An email envelope with a US dollar icon.

Image via Wikipedia

          As graduation approaches, I am beginning to search for jobs. In this tough economy, it is tough to stand out from the crowd. We hear claims all of the time that paper is becoming obsolete. However, I think paper gives job candidates an advantage.

           Just think of how many people apply electronically for jobs. It is relatively easy. You read the job description, click on the “apply here” button, and proceed to the application.

            However, sending your resume in the mail has its advantages in my opinion. In this electronic age, it is a lost art. It shows that you took the time to look up the company and found the correct person to mail your resume to. You also have the advantage of signing your cover letter, which always looks more professional.

          Also, some companies have automated scanners that search electronic resumes for key words. This “computer” determines your fate. However, when you mail your resume, an actual person has to open the envelope and read it.

            By mailing your resume in search for a job, you can help others keep their jobs as well. You can feel good knowing that you are supporting the postal service and its employees.

            So what do you think? Do you think mailing a resume versus applying electronically has its advantages or do you think the paper resume is obsolete? If you are an employer, which do you prefer? Share your thoughts.

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Feb 12
001

Paper, Love Letters, and Valentines

By Paige Wills in Facts About The Paper Industry

 
Anthropomorphic Valentine, circa 1950–1960

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Valentine’s Day is just a couple of days away. Most people, women in particular, want something to hold in their hands on Valentine’s Day. An e-valentine’s day card doesn’t have that sentimental touch we are looking for. The television is filled with advertisements, jewelry, chocolate, and roses that you can buy your loved one. However, while these are all nice, sometimes something just as simple as writing your loved one a letter or giving/making them a card means more than all the other gifts combined.

The history of writing notes dates all the way back to the invention of Valentine’s Day. Here is a little history about Valentine’s Day according to Hallmark’s Corporate website:

“According to Roman legend, during the third century, Valentinus was imprisoned for his Christian beliefs and sentenced to death. While jailed, according to legend, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter. The night before he died, Valentinus wrote a farewell note to the girl, which he signed, “From Your Valentine.” His sentence was carried out the next day, Feb. 14, 269 A.D.”

With this economy, money is tight. One advantage of buying or making a paper card or letter is that it is economical. A card will only set you back around $5 or so whereas purchasing flowers, chocolate, or diamonds can really add up.

One other advantage paper cards and letters have is that they can be saved and cherished. Chocolates will eventually be eaten and flowers will eventually die. However, the paper will remain as long as you like, whether it’s a lifetime or a week. (And when you are done with it, you can even recycle it).

So this Valentine’s Day, show your loved one you care by purchasing, making, or writing a paper card or letter that tells that person how much they mean to you.

Check out one of my earlier posts titled “Will You Be My Paper Valentine?” to learn some interesting information about Valentine’s Day.

What would you rather receive on Valentine’s Day, a paper valentine or an e-valentine and why?

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Feb 10
000

The Newest & Hottest App of the Season…Pen and Paper

By Paige Wills in Facts About The Paper Industry

 
Ballpoint pen writing. Streaks of ink are visi...

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Every day a company somewhere comes out with a new app intended to make our lives easier. However, one of the hottest apps of the season isn’t actually an app at all.

According to an article on USA Today’s website by Mark W. Smith of the Detroit Press titled “This year’s killer app – pen and paper,” pen and paper is a vital part of our everyday lives. No matter how technologically advanced our society becomes, nothing seems quite as easy as writing something down.

Smith wrote in the article “But there’s something big that the smartphone, try as it might, has not been able to stare down into oblivion: pen and paper. Even as we scramble to replace our daily activities with simplified digital solutions, there’s still nothing quite like writing something down.”

Pens and paper are agile. Both can be carried from room-to-room, and both fit in our hands, folders, or pockets.

On paper, it’s easy to write something down, mark it out, erase, make a side note, or doodle during a meeting or class. I imagine it’s quite hard, if not impossible, to doodle on an electronic device such as a smartphone.

According to Smith, one paper notebook company, Field Notes, has actually seen sales increase during this technological era.

In the article, Field Notes Brand Manager Michelle Seiler said, “You can hold it in your hand and write it down and it fits in your back pocket. I think people like the nostalgia of that.”

Smith concluded the article by saying, “Reports of their demise (pen and paper) — death by app, apparently — have been greatly exaggerated.”

This article just goes to show people still prefer the good-old-fashioned pen and paper.

To read Smith’s entire article, click on this link.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

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