Just a simple question:

Do you prefer to type your letter of request or write it by hand?

I prefer to type (since my letters are already on the computer when I write and edit them) but since handwritten looks more personal, I handwrite many of my requests. But recently I got some really nice printer paper so I have printed more recently.

BossC

I always write my letters by hand!
I think, it's more personal

I hand write ALL my letters! Must have done close to several hundred that way!!! I find it more personal and I get better successes since I took the time to sit down and put my thoughts comments on paper. Have also gotten many handwritten replies back as well in repsonse to my handwritten letter.

RYAN J.

Like many of the others, I hand write my own for a more personal touch.

I always hand-write my letters. If you can't be bothered to write something why should the person you are sending too? At least that is the way I look at it.

i sent my very first requests out last week and i typed the letters.
after reading all of your thoughts i wish id have written them - im gutted now because i dont think i will get a reply.

Nahhh, you will get a reply mate, my first batch were typed too and I got some great successes!

It doesn't matter really. Some prefer to handwrite because it's more personal, or because they don't have a printer, others prefer to type because they may have poor handwriting or have weak wrists, or that it's simply easier. Everyone has their reason, but it doesn't figure into whether or not you'll get a reply.

My handwriting is not all that great, but I always write by hand. I personally think it makes a bit of a difference. It also helps me to keep the letter short. There is a MLB pitcher who has his own web site and encourages people to send to him for autographs. He once blogged that some of the letters were way too long and a too tedious to read. I just have to remember to pay attention and do my best to make my letters legible.

Pat Neshek by any chance? I've always found his blog quite interesting, since he's an autograph collector, and can be considered a celebrity himself. I remember he once received a template letter and blogged about it, I really thought that was one of the worst LORs I've seen.

Bingo! He played in my hometown on his way to the bigs. A very, very nice guy.



Yeah, that guy has quite a collection, having grown up near the sporting venues in Minnesota. He can get all kinds of autographs IP that we would never have a chance to get--simply because of his status as a ballplayer-collector. But I don't begrudge him of it.

I remember the template letter too. The guy who sent it was claiming he just got out of the hospital and was asking for all kinds of stuff, including a team signed ball. He never bothered to send an SASE. Pat put it on his blog to demonstrate how not to request an autograph.

At first i would type all my letters. Reason was simple. My penmanship is comparable to a train wreck. I'm LONG out of school/college, which means I am long out of practice in hadnwriting; thanks to the age of technology.

I know first hand that typed letters result in MUCH less success. How? Those who didn't reply I wrote by hand and got a success. Also I spoke with other experienced TTM collectors who have had similar results. It's a massive pain to sit and handwrite a letter, especialy for me as i send over 25 a week; but it's worth the investment.

My writing was terrible, with all the letters I have written i have a MUCH better penmanship now. Actually I've recieved comments about how neat the writing is. I recommend to always write.

Not that I personally feel there is a diffference, I think these celebs and their agents realize much of the mail is from seasoned collectors whop use a template letter.

P.S. If you think you can type it and then handwrite a "P.S. My writing is atrocious, so I had to type this letter. I hope you understand". It does NOT work. I did that from the start, it didn't work.