Capterra Glossary
Snail Mail
Snail mail is a term used to describe paper-based mail that is sent by postal services such as the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, and United Parcel Service. Mail sent via postal services often takes time to receive when compared to sending mail via email, hence the reference to slow-moving snails. To ensure time-sensitive business communications reach their destination quickly, companies often use email rather than postal services to send messages to their customers, workforces, and business partners. However, snail mail is sometimes used to send less time-sensitive communications to business stakeholders such as postcards during the holidays.
What Small and Midsize Businesses Need to Know About Snail Mail
Snail mail is often used by small businesses to create better customer relationships. For instance, small corporations often send their customers snail mail in the form of personalized holiday postcards that thank customers for their business and wish them well during the holiday season. Here, snail mail has a greater impact on its recipients, as holiday wishes sent through email are likely to be overlooked. Sending a personalized postcard to customers via postal service makes customers feel they are valued and more than just a source of income to small businesses, which reinforces brand culture and helps increase brand loyalty.