Getting Started with Snail Mail

So you want to start exchanging handwritten letters but you don't know where to start? We're glad to help you. Read our basic guidelines in writing a letter for the very first time.

Where do I find pen pals?
There are various of ways to find pen pals. Here are they:
1. Send us your basic info like name, address, hobbies, and the qualities of a pen pal that you are looking for. After doing so, we'll be featuring you on our web site and other audience will see that, and they'll contact you if interested.
2. Try exploring hashtags in Instagrams like #penpalsoftheworld, #snailmail, #snailmailwanted, etc. There are tons of them and they are all waiting for ya!
3. Register on websites like http://www.postcrosser.com or http://www.interpals.net . The two are the most used and trusted websites when it comes to finding a pen pal.
4. Join Facebook groups like Find Pen Pals.

What will I do next?
After finding someone to write with, it's now time to write your very first letter. There are 4 easy steps to follow:

1. Write your letter. Introduce yourself. Be natural and show the real you. You may want to talk about your hobbies, favorite food. Just show how excited you are in your very first snail mail letter!

2. Prepare the envelope. Most people who do snail mail design their envelopes and embellish them with washi tapes, stickers etc. You may also want to use colored pens and other creative writing materials.

On the envelope, write the name and the address of the recipient on the most center part and on the upper left hand corner of the envelope, write your name and the address. Often postmen already know that the one written in the middle is the recipient however, it's still safe if you put signals such as "Please deliver to."

After designing your envelope, put all pages of your letter and other surprises (if any) inside the envelope then seal it.

3. Put stamps on it. Go to your nearest post office and ask an attendant to weigh your envelope/parcel. She will then price it accordingly. Pay that amount and she'll provide you pieces of stamps. These stamps are very important to be securely glued as these will serve as the fare of your letters.

As for the price, they vary depending on the continent of the recipient, the weight, the type of mail (ordinary, registered, etc). In the US, a 28 g letter for first-class mails costs 49 cents.

4. Hand it to the attendant and he'll stamp (rubber stamp) your stamps to indicate that your envelopes are ready to go. Letters are not delivered on the same day. Post office usually has a cut-off day and depending on the policy of the recipient's country it may take up to 60 days for him to receive it. But on the average, it takes around 2 weeks for neighboring countries.

Voila! You have just posted your very first handwritten letter. Don't forget to inform your pen pal that you have just posted his letter so he can get an eye on his mail box regularly.