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Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

sendkeeps.com

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Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#1

Post by dinnison »

Hi everyone — I’m Clark, creator of Keeps, a way to send physical postcards that play your voice with a quick QR code scan.

WHAT IT IS Upload a photo (or pick from Unsplash), write a message, optionally add a 60 second voice note, and send a 4×6 postcard. QR code printed on the postcard links to a “digital card” that plays the audio. $5 flat, printing + postage included. No account required.

WHY I BUILT IT I love mailing postcards to my family but hate it's a hassle (finding card, buying stamp, handwriting, praying it arrives on time). I wanted to merge the charm of physical mail, the warmth of voice messages, and the efficiency of software.

HOW IT WORKS Built with Next.js, Supabase, Stripe, Resend, and Lob. QR codes link to hosted audio. Stripe handles payment. Lob prints and mails the cards. Resend emails status updates.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT - Voice note + physical card combo - Minimal editor, no sign-up friction - Transparent $5 price (everything included)

TRY IT FREE 1. Go to https://sendkeeps.com 2. Create your card 3. Use promo code SENDKEEPSFREE for a free send (first 50 people)

FEEDBACK WANTED - Editor UX - QR/digital card flow - Address autocomplete UX - Critical missing features - Interesting use cases (wedding thank yous, airbnb hosts, etc)

Happy to share details or answer questions!

Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice
sendkeeps.com

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#2

Post by ersshh »

Congrats on the launch!

Some honest feedback: isn't the magic of a postcard, especially a physical one, linked more to the handwritten aspect of the note, and less the voice? My old firm emphasized hand written thank you's for everything because it showed time and effort into this sort of item but I feel like that get's lost with a digital postcard + audio file link. Especially when considering going back and reading notes versus having to scan a link.

Curious how you're thinking about all this.

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#3

Post by dinnison »

ersshh wrote: post #2

Congrats on the launch! Some honest feedback: isn't the magic of a postcard, especially a physical one, linked more to the handwritten aspect of the note, and less the voice? My old firm emphasized hand written thank you's for everything because it showed time and effort into this sort of item but I feel like that get's lost with a digital postcard + audio file link. Especially when considering going back and reading…

Thanks! I agree that handwritten notes are special. My intent was not to replace that so much as offer another way to make a physical note feel personal, while removing some of the "burdens" of sending traditional mail.

It was also just a fun way to learn how to connect all these technologies and be able to trigger an event in the real-world from a few lines of code.

Appreciate the feedback.

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#4

Post by czbond »

dinnison wrote: post #3
ersshh wrote: post #2

Congrats on the launch! Some honest feedback: isn't the magic of a postcard, especially a physical one, linked more to the handwritten aspect of the note, and less the voice? My old firm emphasized hand written thank you's for everything because it showed time and effort into this sort of item but I feel like that get's lost with a digital postcard + audio file link. Especially when considering going back and reading…

Thanks! I agree that handwritten notes are special. My intent was not to replace that so much as offer another way to make a physical note feel personal, while removing some of the "burdens" of sending traditional mail. It was also just a fun way to learn how to connect all these technologies and be able to trigger an event in the real-world from a few lines of code. Appreciate the feedback.

> My intent was not to replace that so much as offer another way to make a physical note feel personal,

Your approach is great; I can see a good need for this, and it is a unique offering which amends rather than replaces postcards in my view.

I could even see you having real post cards that have a QR code to the voice version that you sell in shops.

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#5

Post by dinnison »

czbond wrote: post #4
dinnison wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! I agree that handwritten notes are special. My intent was not to replace that so much as offer another way to make a physical note feel personal, while removing some of the "burdens" of sending traditional mail. It was also just a fun way to learn how to connect all these technologies and be able to trigger an event in the real-world from a few lines of code. Appreciate the feedback.

> My intent was not to replace that so much as offer another way to make a physical note feel personal, Your approach is great; I can see a good need for this, and it is a unique offering which amends rather than replaces postcards in my view. I could even see you having real post cards that have a QR code to the voice version that you sell in shops.

Love that idea! Was thinking it'd be neat if there were little signs at museums/landmarks/etc so people could pull up pre-made templates or upload their own photo to quickly send a card.

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#6

Post by 1cool »

Just sent one! It's a lovely idea. I think most people love getting postcards and the voice message is a nice surprise for the recipient.

Two things.

1) The photo upload gets stuck on loading from the landing page. I think this is due to the file size? I uploaded the same photo from the actual page where you can customize the postcard and I was given a size limit warning.

2) I tried using a non-US address for both the sender and recipient. Both addresses were verified, but on the preview all of the address was omitted except the street number. This could only be a preview issue but I re-added the address in the optional section just to be safe.

Edit: actually a third thing. The non-US address was recognized with the appropriate city but the country still shows United States. My order number is #2CD56A

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#7

Post by dzink »

The opportunity for abuse with a similar product is too big. Giving someone your voice and the address of your loved ones means they can potentially mock it with AI send anything any other time, including requests for money. The volume of abusers of seniors will only get bigger.

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#8

Post by dinnison »

1cool wrote: post #6

Just sent one! It's a lovely idea. I think most people love getting postcards and the voice message is a nice surprise for the recipient. Two things. 1) The photo upload gets stuck on loading from the landing page. I think this is due to the file size? I uploaded the same photo from the actual page where you can customize the postcard and I was given a size limit warning. 2) I tried using a non-US address for both th…

Thanks! Will look into these potential issues

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#9

Post by dinnison »

dinnison wrote: post #8
1cool wrote: post #6

Just sent one! It's a lovely idea. I think most people love getting postcards and the voice message is a nice surprise for the recipient. Two things. 1) The photo upload gets stuck on loading from the landing page. I think this is due to the file size? I uploaded the same photo from the actual page where you can customize the postcard and I was given a size limit warning. 2) I tried using a non-US address for both th…

Thanks! Will look into these potential issues

Fixed the upload size bug on homepage

Re: Show HN: Keeps – Mail a postcard that plays your voice

#10

Post by pryelluw »

Would be nice if your demo was front and center with an option to create your own after it plays. Also, maybe add a way to email myself a reminder to send a card. Might be a good option to those that would send one for birthdays but can’t do one now. Capturing their email as a reminder is a great way to sell this. Actually, this would be a great product to sell through email
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