Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

You are reading an ad that contains an intriguing sentence, but it says you need to send a self-addressed and stamped envelope (or "SASE") in order to enter a competition by mail, receive items or information, or send a poem to a literary magazine. What are they talking about?

S.A.S.E. (or SASE) is a self-addressed and stamped envelope enclosed in a letter. This method is used when the company is ready to send you something (or return something to you), but expects you to pay postage in both directions.

Steps

1. 1 Find two envelopes. Ideally, one should be slightly larger than the other. If this is a regular business proposal, then use standard envelopes.You should select both envelopes large enough for whatever you wish to send and receive.
2. 2 On the smaller envelope, write your personal address in the “to whom” column in the middle of the envelope at the bottom; then stick first class stamps on it in the upper right corner. Technically, this smaller envelope is now a self-addressed, stamped (SASE) self-addressed envelope that will eventually be returned to you. Don't seal it! The company itself will do this after the attachment of what you asked for (or everything that you sent will be returned).
3. 3 Place the smaller envelope in the larger one. Then write the company's address on the large envelope. You can add your own address as a "return" address by writing it down in the upper left corner. You will also need to stick the first class stamp on the top right corner of this envelope.
4. 4 It would be nice to write a company note and put it in a larger envelope along with a smaller one. The workers will get your message and the smaller envelope when they receive the larger envelope addressed to them.
5. 5 Lick a strip on the larger envelope (which now contains a smaller unsealed, labeled envelope, and possibly a company note from you), press down and close it, then mail it.
6. 6 Look forward to the opposite response. Expect it to take 4-6 weeks for something to come back to you. This calculation includes the transit time of the postal service, as well as the duration of the processing by the receiving company of your request.

Tips

• Both envelopes must be large enough to accommodate whatever you and the target company are exchanging. Standard “ad mail” provides for business size, aka # 10. You will most likely need one first class stamp if the shipment weighs no more than 28 g or is 1/4 thick. Stationery stores, copy centers and postal shops usually also have slightly smaller size 9 envelopes. However, if the envelope is larger than the post office allows for this type of shipment, you will be charged additional shipping charges.
• If you have only two envelopes of the same size, you can fold one (the “smaller” envelope) three times to fit into the “larger” envelope. The company will unfold it to its normal size before sending it back to you. However, in this case, the larger envelope may seem too thick to be shipped with one first class stamp. If you have any questions, please contact the post office and specify the number of postage stamps you need.
• Don't be surprised when you receive an envelope in your name, signed by your hand... The first couple of times this will probably surprise you. "What?" you say, then quickly add, "Oh, yes, I sent it to them myself, didn't I?"
• The smaller the envelopes, the lower the shipping costs will be, so try to choose a large enough envelope. Don't take giant envelopes, unless you are sending a huge manuscript or something like that.
• Don't forget to stick the stamp on the small envelope! This is the easiest to forget.
• In case of concern, mark the date on your calendar for the request you sent, then scroll forward 6 weeks and put another mark on your calendar to remind you that the answer should already come!
• It's awkward to write on a filled envelope, isn't it? Got it better to sign a larger envelope front by how you put less in it, as you yourself understand.

Warnings

• If you are sending anything other than a small envelope and a note, make sure you have enough stamps on the large envelope to cover the size and weight costs. You may need more than one first class stamp. The post office worker will advise you in case of purchasing two envelopes in advance, along with the one you wish to send.

What do you need

• 2 business size envelopes.Preferably one is slightly larger than the other (eg # 9 and # 10)
• If using standard # 9 and # 10 envelopes, use 2 First Class stamps
• When using large envelopes, you need to send 2 sets of stamps: to forward the letter to the company, and also to send the smaller envelope to you from the company.