Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve on September 19, 2009 at 3:08am

You just put the card in front of them like any other item. It depends on the rules of the signing really. If its free at a grocery store or something then you just put it in front of them. At book signings you usually have to buy a book and they do 1 item for each book you buy. Depending on the rules sometimes they sign more sometimes they only sign the book. Alot of the older players get hired to sign at autograph conventions. Then it goes by how many tickets you buy for that player. If you have any newer cards you want signed, take an eraser and lightly erase the gloss off of the card. Otherwise the ink wont take to the card properly. Also some players just wont sign certain cards.

Dennis McKinnon from the '85 Bears will not sign any rookie cards. He explained to me that he signed a certain amount of them already and if he signed any more then the value would go down.

Permalink Reply by Chris Maksylewicz on September 19, 2009 at 7:39am

No No.. I mean business cards.. Take for example ex NHL Hall of famer Tony Esposito. Or say Old wrestlers.. if they are doing a book signing and you want to hand then YOUR business card and say "listen you are great, you should really think about a website..OR Your website is never updated I would love to help you with it.

How do you do that?

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Cole on September 20, 2009 at 12:06am

I think you've got a good idea, Chris. Hot players now have web sites, but a lot of the older players in all sports don't have web sites, and don't have the wherewithal to build web sites. Sometimes a "group" web site will represent them -- such as the Negro league web site (http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/)

If I were you, I'd set up a sample main page with navigation -- i.e., will this site give mini-bios? History of the sport? Will it offer a mechanism for collectors to request and/or buy signed items? Can players designate a charity that any proceeds will go to?

Then, do a one-page sheet explaining the site and showing the main page mock-up and, yeah, take it with you to signings. And send it to them through the mail.

I really think there's a market for this kind of site.

Permalink Reply by Chris Maksylewicz on September 20, 2009 at 12:09am

And what about players who HAVE a site, but it is never updated, the traffic has dropped, and there seems to be NOBODY keeping it up..

How would you suggest one goes about getting to those players.

Keep in mind.. this would all be FREE work. I would not charge,

Permalink Reply by Steve on September 20, 2009 at 4:07am

Id say your best bet is through the mail. At most signings there is someone sitting with them at there table and others standing around to make sure there isnt anyone soliciting there business to the celeb. Also at signings with long lines, like Tony Esposito, people who paid for an autograph do not want to wait while you try to explain what your website is and does . Plus they are there to sign autographs not to listen to business propositions.

Permalink Reply by Louis Becerra on October 5, 2009 at 1:48pm

This is a double-edged sword. For people who do a lot of collecting TTM (like myself), if more celebrities and athletes started charging for their autographs via a website or TTM, then that will make less of them available that might sign for free TTM! But, on the other hand, I would say that there is a demand for the service you're offering. I think you just have to size up the situation when you get there and use your best judgment on when or how to approach the celebrity. Also, I think organized signings, such as book signings or autograph shows, are the perfect opportunities for you to present the celebrities or athletes with your card. For one, unless they're talking to an agent or someone else while they're signing, you'll get them one-on-one and will have their undivided attention, even if only for a moment. Someone else mentioned mailing your card to them, which might or might not work, depending on if they read their own mail or have an assistant screen it for them. It probably wouldn't hurt to try that method as well, though. In general, I think you have to be somewhat aggressive if you want to get your card out to a lot of people. If they're interested in what you're pitching, they'll give you their attention.