RedWine
06-23-2006, 10:55 AM
Want to drop a line to your favorite movie star or singer to let them know how much you like their work? Or, are you trying to get into autograph collecting? Unless you live in Hollywood or New York City, you probably won't be bumping into a lot of celebrities on the street, but you can still send them fan letters or request autographs by mail. Here's how!
Steps
Look up the celebrity's official web page or fan page on the internet. You'll likely find an up-to-date contact address there.
Go to your local library and look for the Star Directory. This book contains tons of celebrity addresses that are mostly up-to-date. Many libraries will have an annual edition of the book. You can also pay to access the updated directory at the company's website at FanMailAddresses.com.
Check the person's Internet Movie Database page (see external links). If you're looking for a movie star or someone who has had some part in the making of a movie, you can search for them on IMDB. This site contains free interesting information about stars and the films they've been in, and if you subscribe (or get a free trial subscription) you can get contact information, as well.
Search the internet for autograph collecting sites and forums. You can get great tips from fellow autograph collectors at these sites, and if you join a forum you can talk to hundreds or thousands of other people who might have the address for the celebrity you want to contact. Check the external links for a couple of these sites.
Write a nice, short letter. If you just want to say "hi" or "congratulations" to the star, write them a nice letter saying so. If you want an autograph, be sure to specifically request it. Keep your letter short and positive, and address the person by their formal title (Mr., Ms., Sir, etc.). Throw in a compliment or two, but don't go overboard.
Include a SASE. A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) is an envelope on which you write your name and address and place a stamp so that the celebrity doesn't have to take the time to address the envelope and stamp it himself. Yes, celebrities have enough money to buy stamps, but if you can save them some time, they'll appreciate it, and you're more likely to get replies.
Consider including something to sign. If you have a picture of the celebrity, send it along for them to sign. Make sure you don't mind losing the picture, though, because you might not get a reply. Otherwise, consider including a 3X5 notecard so the celebrity doesn't have to track down something to sign.
Use the right envelope and adequate postage. If you're just sending a letter or 3X5 card, you can use a standard envelope, but if you are sending or requesting a photo, send a larger envelope and SASE. Write "Photos: Please
Do Not Bend" on the outsides of both envelopes. Be sure to include enough postage on both envelopes.
Be patient. Famous people do have busy lives, and they also get a lot of mail. While many are very good about sending autographs, you may still need to wait several weeks or even months for a response.
Keep your head high. Autograph collecting is a rewarding hobby, but it can be frustrating sometimes. You'll probably get a lot of mail returned for having an outdated address, and sometimes you just won't get any reply--some stars simply don't give autographs. Don't worry about rejection; it's nothing personal. Keep trying.
Tips
Write "Forwarding Service Requested" under the destination or return address and the Post Office will hopefully forward your letter to the celebrity's current address.
If you have legible handwriting, hand-write your letter for a personal touch.
It shows you put some effort into it and you're not using a form letter.
Politely request a personalized message. This will mean more to you in the long run and may also help you avoid getting an autograph that has been signed by auto-pen rather than by the person.
Don't ask for more than one or two autographs at a time or send more than two photos. This will show the celebrity that you are a collector and not, perhaps, a real fan.
Don't give generic compliments. Mention things such as a specific movie the star appeared in, a specific character he or she played, your favorite song by the star, or a great play they made in a baseball game. You'll seem like a true fan.
Don't say that you are collecting autographs or that you're a collector. Celebrities are generally happier to give autographs to fans than to collectors.
Warnings
Celebrities often change their agencies. The addresses you find on the internet or in books, may be out-of-date in a few months.
Your letter will probably be seen by a lot of people, so don't say anything too personal or embarrassing.
Don't call, continually pester, or stalk a celebrity. If you don't get a reply after one or two letters, give up on that person for a while. Repeated or rude requests are annoying at the very least and can constitute harassment or stalking in more serious cases.
Things You'll Need
Stamps
Envelopes
A pen
Patience
Steps
Look up the celebrity's official web page or fan page on the internet. You'll likely find an up-to-date contact address there.
Go to your local library and look for the Star Directory. This book contains tons of celebrity addresses that are mostly up-to-date. Many libraries will have an annual edition of the book. You can also pay to access the updated directory at the company's website at FanMailAddresses.com.
Check the person's Internet Movie Database page (see external links). If you're looking for a movie star or someone who has had some part in the making of a movie, you can search for them on IMDB. This site contains free interesting information about stars and the films they've been in, and if you subscribe (or get a free trial subscription) you can get contact information, as well.
Search the internet for autograph collecting sites and forums. You can get great tips from fellow autograph collectors at these sites, and if you join a forum you can talk to hundreds or thousands of other people who might have the address for the celebrity you want to contact. Check the external links for a couple of these sites.
Write a nice, short letter. If you just want to say "hi" or "congratulations" to the star, write them a nice letter saying so. If you want an autograph, be sure to specifically request it. Keep your letter short and positive, and address the person by their formal title (Mr., Ms., Sir, etc.). Throw in a compliment or two, but don't go overboard.
Include a SASE. A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) is an envelope on which you write your name and address and place a stamp so that the celebrity doesn't have to take the time to address the envelope and stamp it himself. Yes, celebrities have enough money to buy stamps, but if you can save them some time, they'll appreciate it, and you're more likely to get replies.
Consider including something to sign. If you have a picture of the celebrity, send it along for them to sign. Make sure you don't mind losing the picture, though, because you might not get a reply. Otherwise, consider including a 3X5 notecard so the celebrity doesn't have to track down something to sign.
Use the right envelope and adequate postage. If you're just sending a letter or 3X5 card, you can use a standard envelope, but if you are sending or requesting a photo, send a larger envelope and SASE. Write "Photos: Please
Do Not Bend" on the outsides of both envelopes. Be sure to include enough postage on both envelopes.
Be patient. Famous people do have busy lives, and they also get a lot of mail. While many are very good about sending autographs, you may still need to wait several weeks or even months for a response.
Keep your head high. Autograph collecting is a rewarding hobby, but it can be frustrating sometimes. You'll probably get a lot of mail returned for having an outdated address, and sometimes you just won't get any reply--some stars simply don't give autographs. Don't worry about rejection; it's nothing personal. Keep trying.
Tips
Write "Forwarding Service Requested" under the destination or return address and the Post Office will hopefully forward your letter to the celebrity's current address.
If you have legible handwriting, hand-write your letter for a personal touch.
It shows you put some effort into it and you're not using a form letter.
Politely request a personalized message. This will mean more to you in the long run and may also help you avoid getting an autograph that has been signed by auto-pen rather than by the person.
Don't ask for more than one or two autographs at a time or send more than two photos. This will show the celebrity that you are a collector and not, perhaps, a real fan.
Don't give generic compliments. Mention things such as a specific movie the star appeared in, a specific character he or she played, your favorite song by the star, or a great play they made in a baseball game. You'll seem like a true fan.
Don't say that you are collecting autographs or that you're a collector. Celebrities are generally happier to give autographs to fans than to collectors.
Warnings
Celebrities often change their agencies. The addresses you find on the internet or in books, may be out-of-date in a few months.
Your letter will probably be seen by a lot of people, so don't say anything too personal or embarrassing.
Don't call, continually pester, or stalk a celebrity. If you don't get a reply after one or two letters, give up on that person for a while. Repeated or rude requests are annoying at the very least and can constitute harassment or stalking in more serious cases.
Things You'll Need
Stamps
Envelopes
A pen
Patience