Letter Layout

As a through the mail collector, I have read and heard a number of recommendations for ways to improve your response rate. These have included the fact that handwritten are better than typed, don't make them more than one page long, tie in a personal experience, etc. I am sure we would all love to improve our response rate when it comes to through the mail autographs, and I would love to hear what has worked for others and what hasn't. I'll start.....

- When writing to professional athletes, I have seen an increased response since I started sticking team logo stickers to the envelopes in order to make my letter stand out from others that they may have received.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by lynn m williams on October 1, 2009 at 3:47am

I usually type my letters since my handwriting isn't very legible. I do use the most colorful stamps I can find at the post office thinking that maybe the envelope will stand out from those with everyday stamps. The "forever" stamps are great for the return envelope because you never know how long it will take to receive a reply. I just received a signed video box for "Apollo 13" from Kathleen Quinlan and I mailed the letter, video box, and SASE on March 7, 2007.

Permalink Reply by Alex Cutter on October 1, 2009 at 12:29pm

I agree that adding color helps the envelopes stand out. I fill out my SASEs with all kinds of different markers. Sending something for them to sign helps increase your success rate as well. My handwriting isn't great so I usually type my letters, then sign them in ink at the bottom.

Permalink Reply by Dean Konop on October 2, 2009 at 8:41am

I guess I just think before request. I tell the kids at school to do this first and it is amazing what and who they wanted to contact. Dead people, dictators, people that are mass murderers. I finally said to write to people you like and admire. Then I got all the A-list stars and sports people that are above reading mail of any kind. Finally I said pick the people that are a 100% approved to send something back for your first try. I had a list. It doesn't matter if you type or hand write your request as long as it is neat and readable. Add an experience, keep it short, and do not threaten.

It may seem like common sense but when dealing with children, you cannot take anything for granted. After a few weeks we got our first response from cartoonist, an actress and an All-star ballplayer.Not bad for a first try.

Permalink Reply by Al Baggetta on May 15, 2013 at 3:25pm

Hi Dean. Glad to hear you are inspiring your students to use autographs to connect with people. When I was teaching I developed a whole lesson plan for just this purpose, as part of a biography unit. You sure are write about not taking anything for granted when it comes to kids. Best of luck.

Permalink Reply by will Jenkins on October 20, 2009 at 5:52pm

I have had good luck with sending sports cards to the athlets and I have stated to send out what I call mini posters of dvd movies, ebay calls them promo cards. They can be picked up at most video stores.

Permalink Reply by Shane C Smith on October 25, 2009 at 4:58pm

I must be the exception to the rule. I send out a printed 3 to 4 sentence letter that is to the point. No extras. I will include a handwritten signature and sometimes an extra handwritten "thank you" but that's about it it. Of course I always include an item to be signed and a SASE. I imagine I have a 60 to 65% success rate with this approach.

I have though read a few of the prior replies to this post and might try to add a little color in the future

Permalink Reply by Robert Babb on October 25, 2009 at 5:18pm

I have had a couple successes through the mail using americana donrus celebrity trading cards that i have got returns on corey feldman and ami dolenz.

Permalink Reply by steven foster mills on October 30, 2009 at 3:49pm

I do the 5 x 7 cards and and try to m ake it personal to the person i'm writting too. Why try to make it look like a Business Letter to anyone. I just like being real with whom i'm writting too. Thats just me !

Permalink Reply by Stephen Duncan on November 4, 2009 at 6:45am

Just another tip to consider: When using index cards to have signed, use the 4x6 size in lieu of the 3x5's. The bigger the card, the bigger the signature. Also it leaves much more room should the celeb wish to inscribe. I have used 4x6's during my entire collection, and they simply enhance the autograph so much bolder. They really do.
Good Luck to all,
Stephen Duncan
www.rockandrollcollection.com

Permalink Reply by Louis Becerra on November 10, 2009 at 1:37pm

I always hand write my letters. I've heard from other TTM collectors who just printout their letters on the computer and say that they have high levels of success, which I don't doubt. I just think that hand writing the letters adds a little more of a personal touch. Also, being a veteran, I always mention that somewhere in the letter unless I have a unique story to tell them. Any little bit helps these days! I will close out the letter by wishing them success with whatever major project they're working on and thanking them for their time. Additionally, I always send something for the celebrity or athlete to sign, as well as include a SASE and sometimes a marker or pen if I would like the item signed in a particular color. I mainly do 8x10s, sports cards and sometimes books, but in general I will not send anything too valuable or something that can't easily be replaced. I was burned several times early on in my collecting career sending out valuable or unique items that were not returned, so I now just reserve those types of items for possible in-person attempts. Finally, I know a lot of collectors are keen on just sending out general requests for autographs without including something for the celebrity or athlete to sign. I personally think that this practice just invites pre-prints or ghost signatures, if you even get a response at all. I think that with my system of hand writing the letter, including an item of my own to get signed, and including a SASE I'm at least meeting them half-way since I have invested some on my own time and money in preparing the request. It has worked well for me so far, and I hope some of these suggestions will help other collectors out there as well!

Permalink Reply by Darrel Wayne Cray on November 16, 2009 at 3:59am

I ahev been sending out snail mail requests for many years and have gotten plenty of results with the typed letters. I explain and apologize for these types of letters they seem so inpersonable, but, i am dealing with a severe back ailment that keep me full of pain to a point that i cannot hold a pen for any exstended periods of time. and the celebs are very understanding and great signers. I also send a sase with all my requests, it seem only fair to meet them halfway. I have sent cards in the mail with my typed letters and get the cards back signed aswell as other pics otr items back with them.
Do i think that the handwritten letter is better? yes I do . but, for those people that have difficulty writing, they have to do what they have to do.
i will add my most recent snail mail successes in another submission. if you want to see more of my earlier successes visit my site at www.afterhourssuccesses.webs.com , sign my guest book and let me know what you think.happy signing to all.

Permalink Reply by Jeffery Kite on November 19, 2009 at 4:43pm

I have been collecting autographs through the mail since I was in 10th grade. I am now 31! I have written no telling how many letters, and I always have hand written them, asked for their autograph politely ("...If you could, could you please take a moment of your time and sign my ______? It would mean so much to me...") sent a SASE, and, very important, send only 1 item to be signed. I have never requested more than one card, picture, etc. I have had tremendous success over the past 16 years following this technique. I must say, however, Hall of Fame baseball players are the toughest. Rarely do they ever sign. I get most of my things back unsigned, if at all. All other Hall of Fame sports figures seem OK with it.