Here are some tips I've learned rather quickly:

1) If you search Fanmail.biz for successes and there hasn't been any posted recently, before you send your kit: A) Do your own research to make sure it's the most current address, B) Post in the "Is This Address Up to Date?" area and see what the admin can tell you.

2) If there is a current venue address, try it. You're more likely to have an authentic success from a venue than you are from an agency.

3) Always send a SASE (stamped envelope) enclosed in your kit. Be kind and polite in your Letter of Request (LOR), and (if able) include your own printed photo that you want them to sign. Some celebrities will only sign if you provide the picture, or they may send an Auto-Pen (AP) or Pre-Print (PP) which, to me at least, are not satisfying.

4) If you question the authenticity, post about it and do research. Sometimes what you think may be authentic may be auto-pen or secretarial. It happens. It's sad, but it happens.

5) When sending internationally, especially to the UK, make sure you either purchase UK stamps beforehand or enclose IRCs (International Relay Coupons) so that they don't have to pay for postage.

6) If you want to protect your autograph in shipment, enclose a piece of card board or insert your photo into a folder or clear sleeve. You may also want to write that you prefer they include it in shipment so that your autograph isn't damaged on the way to you.

Hope I've been of some help! Enjoy!

Last thing and the more important tip I can give you:

PLEASE be patient!

Just saying what I did when I started :

I only started about a month ago so this is still new to me anyway!


First of all, find out what all the abbreviations mean! Otherwise the whole website will confuse you! The other user kindly posted a link to this before! Now depending on who you want to be your first autograph, if someone has posted a success as being quick, and I know who it is, I go straight for them as sometimes this means when they are checking through their fanmail! When you begin to see a few people saying that they are quick at the moment I suggest you go for them as it can mean they are checking their fan mail. I believe sometimes TV shows prefer their actors to concentrate on their acting, which is understandable, so they hand their fanmail out every few weeks or so. Now the term VV which means via venue is the best time to catch a famous actor! If you want someone like Johnny Depp I strongly suggest you try and get him when he is filming a movie. Lots of people on here would be very jealous if you got Jonny Depps, he is a fantastic actor, yet a harder autograph request! I a certain celeb is doing a show in a theatre, that is also another good time too send to them! The main thing is NEVER GIVE UP! And sometimes you will on certain people but sometimes, not very often but for some strange reason some autographs come two years after you have sent the request off so bear in mind they could come anyway. Also if a certain actor is in your country it is a lot easier to send too them then as then you don't have too mess about with postage! Depending on what type of person you want. I.e Athletes, Footballers, Actors & Actresses depends on the time. I have about 50 - 75 requests out now just hoping every day I will get someone I have most probably forgotten I even sent too! Sometimes you will get an Hand Signed autograph / genuine which is what you want. Sometimes, sadly you will get a Pre Print which is like a photocopy if you want to call it that. It just depends on the person or PA. I sent out for Sir Bobby Charlton for instance. I thought it would never come back but just a week and a half later I received a hand signed photo from the legend himself! WOW! It's all a waiting game but my advice is NEVER GIVE UP !

Hope This Helps It Took Me A While !

Abbreviations and such:

http://www.fanmail.biz/mboard/viewtopic.php?t=14169

Always send a SASE (Self addressed STAMPED envelope) with your letter because it will double your chances in getting a reply. & Be polite in your letter.


WELCOME!

I am über-excited to start collecting autographs! If you have any tips, tricks, or addresses of any of the celebrities below, feel free to let me know!