Autographs: Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks that I haven't given you in previous posts in regards to my Autograph Collecting.

You're going to want to send out some 8x10s. I know I do. The 8x10's I send out are usually because I really am a huge fan of that person. If you use the regular Manila envelopes you'll find that the tabs can damage your photos. THAT SUCKS. It really does. There are envelopes that don't have the tabs, that instead have a sticky adhesive, but you'll find those are much more expensive and if you're like me...you have limited funds for this particular hobby. I save my money where I can.

Here is how you can save your photos from the dreaded tab puncture wounds.

1. Open up the inside of the envelope you will see the metal tab ends sticking out. That is what damages the photo. The way they stick out punctures the photo and can scratch if it moves around.

2. Cover it up! Use tape. Washi tape, Stickers. Whatever that will stick well and not come off to cause damage to your photos. This keeps the photo from becoming scratched or punctured. MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS TO BOTH YOUR OUTGOING AND RETURNING ENVELOPES.

Do not use bubbled envelopes. That's a quick way to get your photos all wrinkled up. I've never gotten a successful perfect autograph in a bubbled envelope. They are usually wrinkled pretty badly.


Another tip is in regards to finding addresses or PR and Management info. Look for press releases. I kid you not. Press releases are where you can find a TON of information. Press releases have gotten me a lot of great responses or they can point me in the right direction.

If you are sending photos, sign up for Shutterfly, Snapfish, CVS Photo and Walgreens Photo. They run sales all the time. Freebies and cheap photos galore.

I've heard that people have spent upwards of $15 per request. That is way too excessive. I get my photos for free or cheap, I buy envelopes (standard at the Dollar Tree 40 in a box for $1 or at Walmart 40 in a box for .97). Stamps are .49 each. So let's say I use 2 4x6's (which were free), two standard envelopes (2 would be a total of .05) and two stamps. 1 to get there and 1 to get back. That's a total of $1.03. Typically I send out 10 requests (if I'm only using 4x6s) because I'm limited to 1 book of stamps a month. That is pretty cool. I can fit about 3 4x6s in there with the return envelope and the letter of request. So that's about 30 photos signed if I get all 10 envelopes back.

I typically only use TTM addresses that are proven. To ensure at least an 80% chance.

I do try new TTM addresses, though it's very rare simply because I want to ensure successes.

You also may be asking me what all these abbreviations mean.

TTM - Through the mail
SASE - Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
LOR - Letter of Request
RTS - Return to Sender
SP - Signed Photo
PP - Preprint
PS - Presigned
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photo
IC - Index Card
TC - Trading Card

So if someone types "I sent a SASE, LOR, IC and 3 4x6s. Received ISPs, IC and PS photo."

What they just said, "I sent a self-addressed stamped envelope, letter of request, index card and 3 4x6 photos, received inscribed signed photos, signed index cards and an additional pre-signed photo."

Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments below!


If you are interested in my other Autograph posts please check out the links below!

Autographs: How to Request Autographs Through Email + My Favorites!
Autographs: How to Request a Playbill + My Playbills
Autographs: How to Find Celebrity Addresses
How to Request Autographs Through the Mail

Autographs: How to Request Autographs Through Email + My Favorites!

One of my favorite means of collecting autographs is through email. Don't be fooled though it's not send an email and reap the benefits, sometimes I don't hear anything back and sometimes I get rude

responses but the autographs I've gotten through email are typically not ones you can get through TTM. So I've been able to expand my collection to some hard to reach people by just being myself in a well written email. :)

Q: How do you find emails?
A: So many places. The possibilities are endless when it comes to searching for emails to send to. Facebook can provide you with some. Go to a celebrities Facebook page and click on ABOUT, sometimes contact information can be found there. There are also fanmail.biz which does list email addresses as well as TTM address (TTM = Through the Mail). You can look at the CONTACT US section on webpages. Sometimes it will list an address or a CONTACT US form. If you don't see an e mail address but it lists their PR or Managers name, google it. Google is your friend. You can pretty much google any celebrity and the name of their manager so search LITTLE BIG TOWN MANAGER or LITTLE BIG TOWN PR EMAIL. Just play with the words you'll be surprised.

Q: What do I write?
A: This would be the exact same as if you were writing a letter to your favorite celebrity you are just

addressing it to whomever's email address you have. So if you have a manager's email address write the exact same thing you would write in a letter. You want to be polite, thank them for their time. I always wish them a great day, weekend or holiday :)

Q: Does it really work?
A: Yes, it really works. I've gotten some awesome responses and I've always been thrilled with the autographs I've received. Yes, every once in a while I get the dreaded preprint or autopen but I get more real signatures then not.

 Q: Are you sure they are real?
A: Yes, 8 times out of 10 they are real. What happens is you'll see that a celebrity will sit down and sign a massive amount of autographs for their managers or public relations teams. So when one is requested they just pull it out and mail it. That's why you probably wont get an inscription OR you'll get an inscription that doesn't match the autograph. That happens when the secretary or PR person writes your name on the photo themselves.

Q: What if they say no?
A: No biggie. You aren't out any stamps. You haven't mailed anything. And if they say they can't help you then ask if they have an address you can mail a photo to on your end. Sometimes they will give you a fan mail address that you otherwise wouldn't have found. These are regular people just like you and me, the only difference is they have a cooler job. lol. Just be natural. Don't be too aggressive and be polite.

TIPS:

1. I always say Good Morning or Good Evening...a well written email will get you far. If you are just writing one or two little sentences you are missing an opportunity.
2. If you get a rude response don't panic. Just make a note not to use that particular email again in the future. These people work in a high stress job. Think of it like Customer Service (I've worked in CS for many years). You don't know what their day has been like. You don't know what's going on in their lives. You just may be the catalyst that sets it off, or that persons punching bag. I've gotten a few rude responses. I've written back and apologized and thanked them for taking the time to read my letter. I've even gotten a few apologies. Just don't take it personally. It's not YOU.
3. If you receive one, it's always nice to write that person back and thank them. If it's a conversation I've struck up with the sender then I always, always thank them. They took the time to get the photo out, mail it, and keep in contact with you when they are extremely busy.

YOU CATCH MORE FLIES WITH HONEY THAN WITH VINEGAR!

Have you tried emailing? If so what is your favorite Email response?

If you are interested in my other Autograph posts please check out the links below!

Autographs: How to Request a Playbill + My Playbills
Autographs: How to Find Celebrity Addresses
How to Request Autographs Through the Mail

Autographs: How to Request a Playbill + My Playbills

No Longer in Production

I LOVE receiving Playbills. It's one instance that can get you a mega-stars autograph. It's a no brainer, honestly. It takes a few more stamps than a 4x6 but it's soooo worth it.

 1. Get together your paper and envelopes. I use either one of two different kinds of envelopes. I use large greeting card envelopes (I find these ALL the time at the Goodwill or any second hand store cheap by the packs, usually has large Christmas Cards. I just toss those. :O) Or I use the smaller Manila Envelopes sized at 6x9.

Playbills are about the size of a 5x7 photo only thicker. If you've never seen one they are pretty nice looking books that tell all about the play/musical and who stars in it. You'll also find ads for other productions.

2. Write a nice letter to the set manager or the
cast and ask for a signed playbill. Don't be standoffish, be polite, tell them what you love about the production or the cast.


 3. I fold my envelope up and put it in a regular standard mailing envelope. One stamp will go on this envelope. Two stamps on your SASE.

4. To find the addresses of the theatres that these plays/musicals are being performed you can check on their official websites or go to Playbill.com. Each show has it's own page and does display the address of the theatre. Address it to the Play Name (I.E. The Little Foxes, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, etc).

5. Mail and WAIT. Be patient. These productions are super high energy and super busy. I'm still waiting on some I mailed off two months ago. I know they will come...I just have to be patient. I've received some in as little as two weeks and some in about 4 months.

6. Open and Enjoy. These can be a bit pricy to protect. I'm hoping Dear Old Santa Clause sees fit to bring me a Playbill keeper, as of now I keep them in 8x10 sleeves in a binder. A lot of the time they will be signed in silver or gold. I think those look stunning but they are really tough to protect as those two ink colors tend to flake (RIP to some of my lost Autographs).

No Longer in Production

There are some productions that will not send you a playbill. Hamilton will send you an unsigned playbill with a letter stating they can get upwards of $300 per playbill.

Hello Dolly is another one. They will send you an unsigned Playbill then ask for a $50 donation to Broadway Cares/Artists Fighting Aids, which is a very good cause. If only I had $50. 

 I'm eagerly waiting for Waitress and Kinky Boots. I'm hoping they come really soon. What Playbills have you gotten? Let me know if you have any questions. I've only been collecting autographs a year and I learn something new every day! :)

For other Autograph Collecting with Casey posts click below:

Autographs: How to Find Celebrity Addresses
How to Request Autographs Through the Mail

Autographs: How to Find Celebrity Addresses

Part 2 on how to request an autograph! So now that you have the basics down on HOW to request, now we need to know WHERE to request. There are a lot of different types of sources for addresses so I will cover some of them for you. From FREE to Paid.

Free Sources:

Fanmail.biz - There is a very comprehensive list as well as a forum where people post their successes and failures. I started out using Fanmail but quickly found that a lot of addresses were outdated in the listing. But it's a great source to start. I recommended using the forum for up to date addresses.

Star Addresses - They also have a pretty good list and this site does keep count on Return to Sender and Successes for the different addresses.

Facebook - There are LITERALLY tons of Facebook groups dedicated to this hobby. People are very sharing and will share autograph addresses in those groups, but please be respectful and share what you receive as well. :) It's a very giving community. One of my favorite groups is That's Nice Ink autographs and more

Instagram - A lot of collectors post successes on Instagram, but they will not always share the address. Simply put, some are private successes and they will consider it a prize that they received a hard to get address. Just be respectful.

Paid:

Startiger.com - I absolutely LOVE Startiger. Not only are the addresses pretty up to date but when you send you are able to track what you send and receive. It will tell you exactly how long it took for that request to come back. Addresses are added daily, and there is a very nice forum, but be careful in there, some people take this hobby a bit to seriously and are easily offended. But for the most part for $4.99 a month you can't beat it! If you have never had Startiger before there is a FREE trial so you can check it out. It's either 1 month or 2 weeks, I'm not sure what the current offer is.


The above are the best resources available at the moment. I will keep this updated.

A few tips before I let you go: There are celebrities that DO NOT sign through the mail. Your Ariana Grande's and Britney Spears most likely will not sign through the mail. I know Britney sends out secretarial autographs (meaning her secretary signed Britney's name!) So just know that you may not get everyone you want.

And secondly, if you see a response from Spanky Taylor or Studio Fan Mail those are not real autographs. Chances are they are autopens or preprints. An autopen autograph is an autograph a machine has put on the photo and a preprint is actually a color photo copied autographed photo.

Anyway GOOD LUCK! And tell me how you did :D

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2017 Autographs

I have a lot of different hobbies. It keeps my mind busy and hobbies are meant to be fun. :) 

Last summer I kind of fell into autograph collecting again. I had collected many years ago but life go tin the way and I stopped, the autographs I did have were no longer with me as I had lost them several years ago in a move. 

One of my favorite things to collect are beauty queens. I know, I know, some of you may think "Why Beauty Queens!?" Well, think about it, beauty queens work hard to champion their causes, they are also models and actresses and singers. They are some extremely talented dedicated women, so why not collect them? The Miss USA girls are very generous and I've received several of them the past few weeks. I've requested all the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA girls via email or through the Miss USA website for that particular state. You can even find them on Facebook and Instagram. 

Here is a running list of who I have received so far (I have some responses saying that they are sending, but some I have not received and others I'm sure are very busy at the moment gearing up for the Miss USA title.)

Current Miss USA titleholders:

    

Miss Delaware USA 2017 

Mia Jones

Miss Oregon USA 2017 

Elizabeth Denny

      

Miss California USA 2017 

India Williams

Miss Maryland USA 2017 

Adrianna David

Miss North Carolina USA 2017
Katie Coble

Miss Virginia USA 2017

Jacqueline Carroll

Current Miss USA Teen Titleholders:

Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2017
Kalina Hamilton

     

Miss Alabama Teen USA
Claire Scott

 

Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2017
 Megan Ski Hollingsworth

Miss Delaware Teen USA 2017
Grage Lange

Miss Oregon Teen USA 2017
Vanessa Matheson

Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2017
Alexa Papigiotis

As you can see I have a few ladies, I'm hoping to get autographs from all the contestants so I hope to see that soon :) Each one is very unique in the way they sign their photo cards. I'll add more as they come in!

To request autographs of this nature, just reach out to each state through either their website or social media, you can then request an autographed photo, some have come within a few days, some have taken a few weeks. Just remember these ladies are extremely busy so be patient.

And good luck!