If you’re trying to pick the right B2B go-to-market (GTM) platform to boost your sales, you’ve probably seen the same claims over and over: “AI-powered,” “personalized at scale,” “seamless integration,” and so on. But if you’re actually on the hook for results, you need to cut through the noise and figure out what features are worth your money—and which are just window dressing.
This guide is for anyone who’s tired of demo theater and wants a straight answer about how Handwrite stacks up against other B2B GTM platforms, and what really matters when your goal is scaling revenue.
Why Picking the Right GTM Platform Actually Matters
Let’s get one thing straight: No platform is a silver bullet. If your product, messaging, or fit is off, no amount of software will save you. But the right GTM platform can give you a real edge—especially if you’re in a competitive market or scaling fast.
A good platform will help you: - Find and target the right accounts - Personalize outreach (without burning hours) - Track what’s working, so you can double down - Keep your team working together instead of tripping over each other
A bad one? It’ll just add more steps, more confusion, and more cost.
What Is Handwrite (and What Makes It Different)?
Handwrite is a B2B GTM platform focused on personalized, handwritten outreach. Yes, actual pen-to-paper notes, not just “handwritten font” emails. It’s built for teams that want their outreach to stand out, especially in industries where everyone’s inbox is overflowing.
Most other GTM platforms are all about automation: think Outreach, Apollo, Salesloft, HubSpot, or even the old guard like Salesforce. These tools are great for blasting out lots of messages, tracking replies, and running sequences. But they all start to look the same after a while—especially to your prospects.
Where Handwrite Fits In
Handwrite isn’t built to replace your CRM or email automation. It’s a wedge for true personalization at a time when almost everyone is ignoring mass emails and LinkedIn spam.
So, if you’re looking for a platform to run your entire sales org, Handwrite alone probably isn’t it. But if you want to get through to the right people and your competition is all running the same tired playbook, this is a sharp tool to add.
The Features That Actually Move the Needle
Not all features are created equal. Here’s what actually matters—whether you’re considering Handwrite or its competitors.
1. Real Personalization (Not Just “Dear {{First Name}}”)
- Handwrite: You get actual handwritten notes, sent through the mail. That’s hard to fake, and even harder to ignore.
- Other Platforms: Most offer “personalization tokens” for email, but everyone’s wise to that now. Some platforms let you drop in snippets or AI-written first lines, but it’s still fundamentally templated.
Reality check: If your buyers are getting 50+ cold emails a week, the only way you’ll stand out is with something they haven’t seen before. Handwritten notes do that. (Just know they’re not instant—plan for a few days.)
2. Multi-Channel Sequences
- Handwrite: Best used as a key touch in a sequence, not the whole sequence. You’ll still need email, phone, and maybe LinkedIn.
- Other Platforms: Most let you automate sequences across email, phone, and social. Some (like Outreach, Apollo) can even mix in direct mail or gifts, but it’s usually a bolt-on.
Pro tip: The best results often come from mixing channels. Don’t bet everything on one medium.
3. Data Quality and Targeting
- Handwrite: You bring your own list, or integrate with existing tools. Not a data provider.
- Other Platforms: Some (Apollo, ZoomInfo) come with built-in prospecting databases. Others (Outreach, Salesloft) expect you to plug in your own data.
What matters: Accurate, actionable data is more important than the fanciest automation. Garbage in = garbage out.
4. Tracking and Attribution
- Handwrite: You’ll know when a note is sent and delivered, but tracking opens or replies is trickier (it’s mail, after all).
- Other Platforms: Email and call platforms track opens, clicks, replies, and feed data right back to your CRM. Attribution is easier but can feel a little like vanity metrics—just because someone opens an email doesn’t mean they care.
Honest take: For handwritten or physical outreach, you’ll need to watch downstream signals (responses, meetings booked) more than opens.
5. Integrations
- Handwrite: Integrates with major CRMs and sales tools, but not as deep as, say, Salesforce or HubSpot’s own ecosystem.
- Other Platforms: The big names (Salesloft, Outreach, HubSpot, Salesforce) have tons of integrations, APIs, and app marketplaces.
Don’t get distracted: If an integration saves you real time or headaches, great. If not, it’s just another bullet point.
6. Scalability
- Handwrite: Not built for blasting thousands of people at once—that’s kind of the point. You’ll want to use it for high-value accounts or key moments, not for everyone in your database.
- Other Platforms: Made for scale, sometimes to a fault. Easy to over-automate and wind up in spam folders or on blocklists.
The tradeoff: True personalization doesn’t scale infinitely. Decide what scale really means for your business.
7. Setup and Usability
- Handwrite: Simple interface, low learning curve. You’re not going to need a week of onboarding.
- Other Platforms: Some (Outreach, HubSpot) are user-friendly; others can be a bear to set up and customize. The more features, the more time you’ll spend configuring.
Reality: If you need a consultant to help you send an email, something’s gone wrong.
What’s Overhyped (and What to Ignore)
1. AI Everything
AI is everywhere now. Some platforms tout “AI-powered” personalization, scoring, or even writing entire emails for you. Sometimes it’s useful—summarizing calls, suggesting next steps—but it’s often just lipstick on a template. If you use AI, double-check that you’re not sending the same bland message as everyone else.
2. “At Scale” as the Only Goal
Scaling is great, but if you scale bad outreach, you just burn through your market faster. Focus on quality before quantity, especially if you’re selling high-ticket products.
3. Feature Creep
Most sales teams use a fraction of the features they pay for. Pick a tool that fits how you actually work—not one that promises the world and delivers a daily headache.
When to Choose Handwrite, When to Look Elsewhere
Handwrite is a Good Fit If:
- You’re targeting high-value accounts where standing out matters
- Your market is saturated with automated emails
- You want to add a personal touch to key moments (like after a great call, or before a big renewal)
- You’re already running email/phone sequences but want a unique differentiator
Consider Other Platforms If:
- You need to track every interaction in detail, across thousands of prospects
- Your team lives and dies by speed and automation
- You need built-in data and prospecting features
- Personalization isn’t a priority (honestly, you’ll just pay for features you won’t use)
How to Get the Most Out of Any GTM Platform
- Start Simple: Don’t try to use every feature out of the gate. Nail the basics—good data, tight messaging, and a clear process.
- Mix Channels: Combine email, phone, social, and direct mail. Each channel has a role; don’t rely on just one.
- Personalize Where It Counts: Save true personalization (like handwritten notes) for your most important prospects or customers.
- Measure What Matters: Don’t obsess over vanity metrics. Focus on meetings booked, deals closed, and actual conversations.
- Iterate: What works today might flop tomorrow. Review your results monthly, drop what’s not working, and double down on what is.
At the end of the day, don’t get blinded by feature lists or the latest sales tech buzzwords. The best GTM platform is the one your team actually uses, that helps you reach real people, and that doesn’t bury you in busywork. Keep it simple, pay attention to what moves the needle, and don’t be afraid to try something different—sometimes the least scalable tactic (like a handwritten note) is the one that makes the biggest impact.