What makes the difference between the desk or the shredder?

Inside: I include a short cover letter, head shot with resume.

The outside/ On the large envelope?
Do you suggest mailing labels, or handwritten pen/ marker like a Sharpie.

(I don't use crazy stamps)

Do Not Bend stamp a necessity?

Colors?

etc.

Interesting.
I want to know the answer for this too. Maybe you should post at another section but I'll post it on SAM for you. So check it out for answers.

A simple envelope with PRINTED labels is good enough.

Printed or hand written, doen't seem to make a big difference. I have done both. Always about a 2% return.

My logic was thet hand written woukld show that I didnd't just print the list out and send it to everone, that I took some time to send to agencies that would actually be a good fit... didn't matter.

No "do not bend" necessary

Send postcards instead with multiple headshots on the front and a link to your website, where agents/cds can see your reels, resume and more headshots.

Nothing to open with a postcard. Someone HAS to see my face. Even if it's just a cute intern. HA!

Does anyone have an answer to the stamps question? Does it matter? I've noticed that the post office will just give you a bunch of stamps instead of printing the postage...

The post office used to give me a dollar stamp and a 5 cent stamp for each envelope

Yeah, I don't think printed or hand written would make much difference. The printed labels make it a lot easier I think.

Where do you get your contact lists? I know you can download lists to print here. How up-to-date are they. I've used the labels from showbizltd.com and liked that I got them mailed to me already printed up and I though they were pretty updated.