6,761 – that is the average number of mail pieces to Justin Bieber processed each second by the USPS (Source: Real Simple, January 2011).

Why am I telling you this? I’m curious to know when the last time was that you wrote a fan letter. Perhaps it’s time, especially because Jan. 9-16 is National Letter Writing Week.

I’m not expecting you to write to Justin Bieber or even Justin Timberlake or any other celebrity for that matter. But why not write a note to a staff member acknowledging a good piece of work that they’ve done? You could send a note thanking someone for an act of kindness or for organizing the last conference you went to.  You could send a letter encouraging someone to join or get involved with your affiliate or NFPW.

In this fast-paced, high-tech world in which we live, sometimes old-fashioned notes or letters convey so much more. I’ve received a few in the past month, and they’ve greatly brightened my day.

So why not brighten someone’s day during National Letter Writing Week?