This forum has been set up to offer help and assistance to anyone who (like me) collects autographs for charities or non-profit auctions and sales.
I have been collecting for quite some time for a national charity and have been quite successful. I also have a pretty good idea how the PR side of the media works as I work in both TV and radio in the UK as well as in the printed media. This is why I have agreed to take over the "Moderator" role on this new forum!
If you are collecting for a 'special cause' you will be aware just how rewarding it can be to get that special celebrity signature which you know will sell to raise much needed funds. This forum aims to make your collecting even more fruitful - maximum gain for the minimum of effort!
Some collectors believe collecting for charity is easy, but in fact I have found that with the current boom of autograph sales on auction websites, some celebrities are no longer that willing to provide bone-fide charity collectors with "un-dedicated" autographs. That is to say that some stars prefer to write an autograph "To Peter, or To Jemma" rather than leave the recipient open.
Having said that, collecting for charity is on the whole a rewarding experience.
Most celebrities are very happy to provide charity collectors with auctionable merchandise ranging from autographed photos through videos and DVDs right up to signed books, scripts, clothing and even props / costumes from film and TV! By assiting you, celebrities are able to promote themselves to a much wider audience it is also great PR for them!
BUT you have to go about it in the right way. . . . .
Other postings on this forum will help you with getting the most for your cause, but if you have any advice or experience of collecting for non-profit sale, whether for a school, local charity, youth group, hospital or whatever, please feel free to post your experience here.
What have you found to be especially helpful in getting merchandise? Are there any particular celebs who are more generous?
If you have any info, let us all know!
And in the meantime - good luck collecting!
Cheers! {thumb2}
Ian
