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PART ONE:

I am a tour manager of a pretty well known band (sorry, won't tell you) and also an autograph collector. We get requests at almost all venues...some days 1, some days 25. Every venue SHOULD pass along any correspondence sent and actually it is in most artist(s) contracts that "anything pertaining to the show", i.e. mail, be sent to the management team. Many venues break this rule by not forwarding the mail.

For those venues where you don't get your stuff returned...it IS opened and more than likely the person opening it (office manager), will keep the photos and get them signed or give them to friends and get them signed for themselves. I've seen this with my own eyes many times. Remember, the office manager works at the venue and is able to go backstage and leave things on the "artist table" for the artist to sign. Every venue has one, where CD's, posters, etc. are layed on a table and the band goes around signing whatever is on there. Sometimes one or two miss an item and that is why an item may be returned missing a member. There are usually 50-60 things on the table per night, most are for employees, contest winners, promoters, and radio station sponsors.

WHEN an autograph requests gets forwarded, it is given to the tour manager 99% of the time. I always open it and YES, I DO READ EVERY LETTER and half the time at least one band member will as well...those requests that just say, "You are great, sign the photo please", will be politely returned unsigned, provided you send a SASE (will get to that topic in the next paragraph). A sincere, at least eight to nine sentence, letter will get your item signed (if you send more than two, the rest will be returned unsigned.) Sellers on eBay, make this rule happen...sorry collectors!

PART TWO:

The SASE....must, MUST be included in every request and must be able to fit the signed item in it. Believe it or not some people send a 5x7 envelope to return an 8x10...sorry, I get to keep it! If you live in a foreign country, if at least $3.00 isn't attached for US postage, it is my item again...best bet is to send a $5.00 bill. Unfortunately, any foreign requests only get sent out every 5-6 weeks as an assistant only goes to the PO once a month or so to mail foreign requests with the US dollars sent for postage. I remember one time we sent 50 or so envelopes and paid $180 in singles for postage...the PO employee was most happy as he thought we planning a trip to an 'adult venue' (wink,wink).

Most items, if not signed at the venue, are brought on the tour bus as it gives something for the band to do, while not sleeping or playing xBox 360, travelling to the other venue. Bottom line is...I see every request actually given to me and if the above rules are followed, you get your up to two items signed. I am a collector too, so I do emphathize with those venues that don't forward mail, like they should. Hope this helps!

That's great to read Thanks for posting it ;)

Very, very useful! Thanks!

Wow, it really helps!
Thanks for writing

Good tips! One question, though: sometimes I keep my VV letters pretty short (4-5 sentences) out of deference to the artist's busy schedule; does keeping them so short prevent results? If so, I'll restrict myself less!

Cheers for the tips

Remember, the tour manager gets the letter first, IF it is forwarded! My own personal requirement is that someone at least make one or two compliments, then the request. You won't believe how many two sentence requests I receive. Unfortunately, many people want to get items signed to sell on eBay, a lot of tour managers are aware of that, as I am one myself.

Great info and helpful tips for us to follow -- thanks for posting!!!
It really is a shame that people who aren't really fans try to get items signed just so they can sell on ebay, so I understand some artist's reluctance to sign as generously as they used to. With that said, though, I have recieved quite a few VV requests back from artists who I really didn't expect to hear from....so the bands/artists who do sign when it's obvious the person writing is a big fan are much appreciated!

Thanks for the tips. I hate how Ebay sellers ruin it for everyone else. I never send for more than one request other than a few times when I've asked for one for my brother also. Plus im kinda affraid to send VV, just in case I never get what I sent back, I sent my first VV last week and I think the letter was very good. I said how much I liked said person and that I wanted to go to the show so bad but I was to young for the venue. And that I love her new CD and my fav songs are such and such. Does that sound like a good one? I so hope I get something back. Oh ya i sent it to Miranda Lambert
She's my favorite Singer