CAROL ADDRESSES FAN MAIL
Posted on June 2, 2009 | by Carol Alt
“One of the real delights of my life is fan mail. I think the fact that someone cares enough to sit down and to try to communicate with me by writing a good ol’-fashioned letter is wonderful—I so appreciate the effort.
“But…and there’s almost always a ‘but’, isn’t there?!” she laughs, “My assistant, Karen and I were discussing fan mail the other day, trying to come up with a better, more efficient system to answer my mail! She suggested that we spend a little time clarifying some ‘hidden truths’ about fan mail in the hopes that we can all work together to make this process move more quickly, so that you get your photos signed and your responses back! I thought that Karen was right! We decided to use my blog on my website to try to help you help us with the process, so that you can get your collectors photos more quickly and easily!
“The following info comes from years – no, make that DECADES – of handling fan mail! I hope it helps.
“First of all, I want everyone to understand that whatever you mail to me first goes thru the Post Office and, well, let’s just say that people are human! The mail sometimes never gets to its intended destination as the Postal mail is NOT like email- it is not a sure thing! Snail mail can go astray! However, if it does get to its intended destination, that address is usually my agent’s office. It never comes directly to my home or to my own office. And my agents office gets lots of fan mail for lots of celebrities–so you are at the whim of the assistants at the agency who collect all of my mail, stockpiling it until they get a bunch together, to make it worthwhile to make a trip to the Post Office and to forward it on to me…..(Let me just say that that is usually at their convenience!) Therefore, depending on circumstances, mail can take weeks to reach my agent and then several more weeks to reach my office.
I understand that meanwhile, the writer is probably anxiously awaiting a reply! I can also understand that it feels like that reply may never arrive! They may even assume (perhaps) that I didn’t even bother to read their letter. Well I want to reassure you that nothing could be further from the truth. I PERSONALLY READ EVERY PIECE OF MAIL I RECEIVE.”
Karen picks up and explains further:
“Carol is a rarity is this respect, because she really does read every piece of mail that arrives here and sometimes it can be overwhelming. If she’s out of town on a shoot, for example, she might be gone for several months. All of the fan mail accumulates, unread, until she comes back. Then she has to designate hours and hours of her time to reading and answering the mail, all while she is trying to catch up on the rest of her life.
“That was why I thought if I could explain how the fan mail works in our office, and to set down a few easy ‘guidelines’ we could all help Carol to get thru the fan mail more quickly and thereby get responses back to anxious fans!
“First of all, if you’re requesting an autographed picture, please, please, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). If you live in a foreign country, it is better to put U.S. stamps on the envelope then to buy the postal coupons for foreign postage. The Post Office in America will NOT redeem those coupons and we end up buying the stamps again anyway, thereby having given the Post Office twice the price for one piece of mail!!
“But seriously, the main reason for the SASE is because we put mail into piles and Carol gets to them in a hierarchy! Believe it or not! We choose who we answer first as it is not on a first come/first served basis because the mail arrives all together in a big pile from the agency! Depending on how much time she has to allocate to mail, Carol does the easiest and fastest mail first–those with a photo AND an SASE! Then she does those with just an SASE, moving onto those which have photos and no SASE– thereby leaving the most time-consuming fan mail of all until last- those that have no SASE and no photo included—and that can mean that it may be months that that mail sits in our office, since Carol is answering fans while juggling work and family!
So my suggestion to fans who want a more instant answer to their fan mail? Put the photo you want with an SASE into your envelope with your letter—by the way, some of the celebrities who I have worked for are really LAZY!! If you do not include an SASE AND a PHOTO they just toss your mail unread (I hope that answers any questions as to one of the reasons why you may not have received an answer back to your letter- no SASE, no autograph!) That, or their assistants read, sign and answer their mail FOR them! Not so with Carol, so we ask for patience in order to get an authentic signature!
“Keep in mind also, please, that we don’t keep huge piles of different photos in the office just for the purpose of supplying fans with them. If you want autographs on several different photos, supply them! Also, we sometimes run out of photos and we have to wait until the new prints arrive before mailing them to the fans. And, too, we may send you a photo that we are using at that moment to answer mail but you may not like the photo or the size of the photo! Or you may want your own special photo signed to you—not just whatever we have in the office. To be sure you get what you want, help us out! The last thing we want is for you to be unhappy or dissatisfied!
“Carol, like many other celebs I have worked for over the years, prefers to autograph a photo specifically to the person requesting it. If you’re asking her to sign one for every relative you have (oh, please don’t do that unless you supply the photos, then you have to give her their names. Otherwise, you might wind up with the same name on every photo you send! And that name would be yours–NOT good for gifts!! LOL!
“Next, if you write a return address, please make sure we can read it. I can’t tell you how many times Carol has written to someone, only to realize that neither of us could make heads or tails out of their return address. But because Carol is so intent on writing back to people who have written to her, she has been seen (because I have seen her) trying to copy illegible writing so it looks exactly the same as what appears on the incoming envelope. Or else she cuts the return address off the correspondence hoping that the Post Office or Postman can decipher it! It is funny really to watch her frustration, but sad when you don’t get your response, which we have worked so hard to get to you, because it comes back to us by our return address….
“Then there are the requests for donations. Carol has spent a lifetime donating to various causes and this is what we look for (oh, and just an FYI? We only have books left): Carol will gladly autograph one of her four books that she has written provided we receive the appropriate paperwork verifying the charity’s status. That is fair, right?
“Speaking of ‘requests’…Carol feels awful when something marked ‘urgent’ has been sitting in her agents office for months while she is on location, only to arrive in a pile of mail to sit in her office for some days, weeks or months! We realize that something urgent to you is not urgent to the Post Office or to Carol’s agents. Even though it is important to Carol to get it back to you ASAP, time has already been wasted. We apologize that the fan mail process is so lame! We apologize that we cannot figure out a way to make it any faster or any better. So if something was urgent and did not make it back in time for that birthday or holiday, please forgive us– it is not for lack of caring! And we will send it back anyway– even if I we already know it will arrive late!”
Carol picks up the thread again: “I think the most important thing is for my fans to understand that I’m not ignoring them. In fact, some weekends all I do is answer fan mail! It is SO important to me that I will spend my entire weekend – 10 hours a day – answering mail. So you can understand that it truly hurts me when I get an angry note from someone, because he or she thinks I’ve been ignoring him or her– though I certainly understand why he or she might think that. You might write to me in March, but I might not even see the letter until November, or later! And then, of course, there is always the possibility that a piece of mail can be misplaced or never even arrive. I am a natural target for people who have been mistreated by other celebrities who have ignored them. But please know that each celebrity is different and to keep an open mind. Remember that perhaps your mail never even made it to my attention!”
“And may I take this moment to thank all my fans throughout the years who have written to me! I have read some of the most heart-warming, most incredible letters from my fans! As I said before, it is what I LIVE for! So keep ‘em coming!”
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Brenda Corbeil says:
I am so very pleased that Carol has developed a Raw and Organic skin care line. I do have one concern that Phenoxyethanol is used in the products. I understand that it is a suspected carcinogen. Could you please let me know if Carol will be removing this from her products? I am very much looking forward to her aging line.
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carol alt Reply:
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Hi Brenda,
I so encourage this type of question!!
So, as with all ingredients it depends on where it comes from. We derive all our ingredients from natural plant sources.
It is very hard to read labels these days as synthetic and potentially poisonous ingredients can have the same name as a natural one. And many skin care lines hide behind behind this gimmick!
I remember when i worked for another line and they had Lanolin in it. Someone wrote to us asking if we had animal ingredients- normally lanolin comes from sheep sweat.
But it can also be synthetically made….and you cannot telll the difference by molecular structure–so you HAVE to ask!
As i have nothing synthetic in the line, nothing derived from animals, our ingredients are all natural.
but, if you have any further questions on this, please refer to my skin care site: RAWESSENTIALS.com we explain every ingredient on the site. As we are proud to do it!
By the way, when i saw this in the ingredients i, too, ask this question and was assured by my formulator that this was all natural plant derived and not in any way harmful to the body!
so good question.
Hope this helps!
CA
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pierp says:
Dear Carol i live in Italy and by a friend i have found some stamps to send you a snail mail with s.a.s.e. to receive a little photo with your sign.
Please may I have the exact address?
Thanks
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carol alt Reply:
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
plerp,
All my mail goes to Ford Models
at 111 Fifth Ave NYC, NY 10003
9th floor.
Please read my blog on this site about fan mail so you know what goes on and how we answer….
Looking forward to getting your “snail mail”
CA
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Judy L'Esperance says:
Hi Carol,
I have not seen you on HSN for a quite some. I was wondering if you were continuing your line of RAW Essentials. I love your products! They are wonderful!
I even called HSN today and they don’t have you on for this month or November. I hope you will continue on HSN.
Thanx,
Judy
)
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carol alt Reply:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:02 am
Hi judy,
we just did a show that is why…..
end of Sept.
sorry you missed us.
we go on again in Feb.
sorry it is such a long time between shows but as we are the new guys on the block, the holidays are for established brands.
we hope to work up to that status.
you can find us on rawessentials.com
and there are still some deals on HSN.com even if we have mostly sold out.
thanks for your email,
all the best,
ca
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Judy L'Esperance says:
Oops, I meant to say I have not seen you on HSN for quite some time.
HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!!!!
Judy L.
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carol alt Reply:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:02 am
Hi judy,
LOL!
i knew what you meant!
all the best,
ca
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carol says:
Hi Carol, what a nice name, just like mine haha. I would like to know can you use the wash on your eyes to remove your eye make-up? Also do you ever think that you might bring in your line at Shopper Drug store in canada. I’m from Moncton N.B. I also love your product, make-up would be nice to try, do you have anything for brown-spot. Nothing stays on my face even eye shadow. I would like to know in advance when you come on the shopping chanel. thanks again
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Carol Alt Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Hi foxypinkstar!
i use the wash to remove my eye makeup right now, yes.
i hope to have a remover in the future, but i do like the wash. it removes it so easily.
i will be on The Shopping Channel in Jan around the 26th or 27th. not sure exactly–one of those days! check for me!
my mom had great results on brown spots with my anti-aging line.
and as for makeup-maybe in the future! we are stretched thin right now with skin care! it is going gangbusters!
if you use my wash and daily moisture, your skin should normalize and that should, hopefully, help your makeup stay on!
cheers!
ca
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carol says:
hi carol, can you use your wash to remove eye make-up? and do you have anything to keep your eye shadow and foundation on because mine don’t last. love your stuff so far.
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Carol Alt Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
yes, I use the wash to remove all my makeup! But, be careful around the eyes-
it takes off mascara like no one’s business….
hopefully if you are using my wash and daily moisture your skin should normalize and this should help hold your makeup.
i am not into makeup or foundation primers yet. i have my hands full with skin care….
but i will look into it for the future.
all the best,
ca
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Sal Posimato says:
Hi carol. My name is Sal. I am a big fan of yours for many years. You are still doing an amazing job with your career. I’ve seen you in some videos you did this year as well as seeing you on magazine covers and in modeling runway shows you’ve done over the years. I can see why you became a supermodel. Your beauty is outstanding. You are really the true meaning of what a supermodel is because your beauty outshines every woman including every other supermodel out there. You are truly the most beautiful woman in the world. Please respond back to me soon.
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carol alt Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 3:49 am
Hi Sal.
thank you for your comments. so nice to hear from people who appreciate what you do…..
i hope this Holiday season finds you well and happy.
thank you so much for writing.
hope i responded soon enough?
ca
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Sal Posimato says:
Hi Carol, this is Sal. Thank you for responding back to me so soon. It is a dream come true for me to be able to contact you and you contacted me back. In all the years that I’ve been a fan of yours I never thought I could ever be able to communicate with you in any way. This is unbeleivable and I appreciate so much that you responded back tome so soon. You are really my idol and I always looked up to you that way because of the intelligence and compassion you have towards people. I am priviledged to be able to contact you because I received a message back from you. You are the goddess of beauty. You are the most beautiful woman in the world and the most beautiful supermodel in the world. If it’s not too much trouble, could you please respond back to me again when you get a chance?
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carol alt Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:47 am
Hi Sal,
thank you again for all your lovely comments. i am unworthy!
have a great Christmas and fabulous New Year!
ca
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piero says:
Happy birthday Carol
From Italy with love
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carol alt Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:48 am
Hi Piero,,
Thank you for your Birthday wishes!
Thank you for remembering my birthday!
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
ca
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hélène says:
Hi! I know you speak italian, and I prefer to express myself in these language, because my english is worst…
Devo dire che sono contenta di poter lasciare qualche parola ad una persona che incarna la bellezza, la bravura come attrice e che emana così tanta dolcezza.
Sono felice di rivederla in alcuni film per la TV, come il principe del deserto, missione d’amore, Vendetta…
Un semplice grazie di essere così brava.
Buonissime feste!
Un fan francese,
hélène
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Carol Alt Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Ciao Helene!
Grazie per il tuo email! anque volgio a parle in inglese
per que il mio italiano, cuando mi escrive, non e verimente buono!!
LOL
thank you so much for your email! i am so glad that you
enjoyed my films! i so enjoyed making them for you!
I wish you a Happy New Year and success in 2010!
auguri!
ca
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hélène Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Thanks a lot,
Don’t worry to your italian
I hope to see you soon on new movies/series
best reguards,
hélène
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Carol Alt Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Thank you Helene!
i try! LOL!
ca
samantha Contos says:
Hi Carol!
I make a raw dinner for my family a couple nights a week and my younger sisters soak oats and ground flax seeds in coconut water every night for breakfast in the morning.
Your book Eating in the Raw was the first raw book i picked up while strolling through Barnes and Nobel. Intrigued, i bought it and was so inspired to eat raw that i told all my girlfriends at work about it, most were skeptical but i got one of them to try it with me. That weekend we went to Sprouts together and bought 150$ worth of food each! But that didn’t discourage us, we’re still eating raw 7 months later! And even better, more of our friends and family joined us on our raw food journey!
Thank you so much, I truly am grateful that i picked up your book, you have helped change my life IMMENSELY.
Sam
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Carol Alt Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Sam!
Thank you for your note!
it is letters like this one that keep me going!
keep up the good work!
CA
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Judy L'Esperance says:
Hi Carol,
I have been watching for you on HSN. Last I wrote you here I think you said February. I just looked at RAW products and EVERYTHING is on sale or clearance prices. Are you coming out with a completely new RAW products or are you discontinuing RAW on HSN? I was hoping you would continue on HSN. I love your products!
Sincerely,
Judy
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Carol Alt Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Hi Judy,
thank you for asking. my exclusive year with HSN was
up and so we decided to LAUNCH on BEAUTY.com!
we are not able to top the FAB products we created for
RAW ESSENTIALS! although, i will tweak them! the
results of using this skin care line are so fantastic i don’t really want to mess with PERFECTION!
HSN wanted us to come on again, but we just decided
to let HSN sell what they have and to start fresh with
BEAUTY.com!
so check out Beauty.com! there are more prodcuts than
HSN has left. (but still, if there is something that you
need and it is discounted on HSN-stock up! why not?)
ca
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Carol Alt Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Judy,
i hope you got my reply?
ca
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Judy L'Esperance Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
So glad you got back to me, Carol. Glad to know RAW Essentials will be on Beauty.com. I have bought a few items on HSN to stock up on.
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Carol Alt Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
you are welcome!
this is about the customer and giving you what you need
at an affordable price.
ca
Judy L'Esperance says:
Carol, I just checked out Beauty.com. I saw 8 items. Will you be having all your products and sets available on Beauty.com once you “tweak” them? In the meantime, I know I can go to RAW Essentials.com to purchase my skin care products.
Regards.
Judy
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Carol Alt Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Hi Judy,
yes, i am tweaking the product. i am changing the scent
of the anti-aging line.
As i have an incredible ingredient that is unbelievable
and gives amazing results, i refuse to change out that
ingredient. so i am trying to find a scent that covers it– a
a natural scent that is….
most women go for scent and then results which is
strange to me. I go for results and then scent.
well, i am trying to accommodate the scent issue. i do not
want to lose the Tamanu nut oil!!
Beauty.com is graciously testing us out. the better we
do, the more products we will be able to sell.
It is simple supply and demand….
and i am a small company flying in the face of big business
and all that entails–
so keep your fingers crossed! i hope to have more avail!
thanks for asking.
ca
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Sal Posimato says:
Hi Carol, my name is Sal. I sent you some messages a few months ago. I am a big fan of yours. I wanted to say hello again. It is unbeleivable that I am able to contact you because you are the most beautiful woman in the world. I seen you in the infomercial you did with Jimmy Fallon on the obama health plan. You looked fantastic in that video. You look so outstanding in every video and every pictures you have ever taken. I have never seen a woman more beautiful than you and that includes every supermodel that there ever was. Your beauty is amazing. No other woman will ever be as beautiful as you. You are truly the most beautiful woman in the world and your the most beautiful supermodel in the world. You are the true meaning of beauty and you prove it everytime you do an event or show. All you do is show yourself and your beauty shines so bright that no other woman could ever come close to being as beautiful as you.. Please send me a message back as soon as you can. I would really appreciate it.
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Carol Alt Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Hi Sal,
thank you again for your message!
i think it is just about the nicest email i ever got!
wishing you the best,
CA
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Sal Posimato says:
Hi Carol , this is Sal . Thank You for respnding back to me so soon. I wiould like to keep in with you because you are my idol. and you are the most beautiful woman in the world . This is a dream come true for me to be able to contact you and you contact me back. I will you another message soon..
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