Thank you for your answers.

Also, I am now contemplating on whether or not to send a photo with my LOR. It's a copyrighted photo but there is no watermark. Do I have anything to lose if I go ahead and send it?

Thanks.

Hints on how i make my letter stand out.

I hand write the LOR
i use cool paper (im curently using bagpuss and tracy beaker paper)
I send the request in a Bright coloured envelope (like luminescant bright) and covered in Stickers
My SASE address label is currently a Simpsons address sticker label with my name and address on.
My SASE envelope is Luminescant pink

Write a Long letter saying why you like the celeb ask a few questions (e.g what is there favorite color ect) then tell them about yourself your name age ect.
then polietly ask "if its not to much trouble because i know how busy you are may i please have a signed picture of yourself dedicated to your name"
Because you have took the time to write and its not like your writing to someone you dont even like to get a freebie it shows the celeb you have really tried hard with your LOR.

Good Luck

well I am kinda of new too this too but here is what i find so far: i put the LOR, SASE & Photos in a bigger envelope. sadly i have never put any return address on the SASE. i don't know why but i like the idea of putting it on both sides that is not a bad idea. as far as decorating i am not the best artiest but i do write their name larger on the outgoing Envelope and i use the words Mr. for Males and MRS, or Ms for females depending on the person. when i started i used self adhesive envelopes but then when i ran out i used regular envelopes i find no difference in that regard. i have only been collecting for 1 year now and this system has worked for me just fine. i hope this helps. good luck to you i hope it works out well.
Best Wishes, Sean Sjazz [us]

-It does not matter. I prefer to put the photos and LOR inside the bigger envelope.
-You may write the return envelope if you want to. Some people even put their address on both sides just in case anything goes wrong
-I have tried using self adhesive envelopes and regular envelope. Both rate is successes are still the same.
-Yes, it is acceptable. I have decorated my envelopes to celebrities in the past. I sent a request to Stefanie Scott and she wrote a short note about how she liked my cute drawings on the envelope. Decorated envelopes definitely will catch their eye.

If you have any more questions shoot me a pm

Hi, I have never sent fan mail before. I live in Canada and wish to have Jayma Mays (actress on Glee) autograph a photo that I will send her. I want to maximize my chances of success, so I would like some more insight on sending fan mail before making costly mistakes.

[b]Envelopes[/b]
-Do I place the photo AND the letter of request inside the SASE? Or do I place only the photo in the SASE and the letter of request in the bigger envelope (the one that will be addressed to the actress)?
-Do I write the return address (Jayma's fan mail address) on the SASE? Or will Jayma include a label?
-Do self-adhesive envelopes increase the rate of success? Since there is no licking involved, envelope sealing would be quicker and easier, I would think.

[b]Letter of Request[/b]
-Are coloured paper, stickers, or coloured ink (that is still legible) acceptable for a letter of request? I simply want my letter of request to stand out among the rest and catch Jayma's attention.

Thank you in advance.