What you should do after you found your penpal ?

First of all, make your name, age and gender clear. It's not a special thing, but I often receive mails without them.

Write where you found your new pal's name. Some people join in many penpal sites. And if you tell your penpal where you get his/her info, it somehow makes a good impression on you.

Tell your hobbies and interests to your penpal. If you have similar interests to his/hers, it promotes friendship. Even if you don't, your penpal will get to know more about you.

If you write your interests are things like music or movies or books, tell them what kind of books you like, who is your favorite movie, books etc.

According to my experience, the best word written at the end of your mail seems 'Your new friend'. 'Yours' or 'Sincerely' is OK too. Women sometimes write 'Love' to their female penpals, even in their first mails. But if you're a male and write to a female penpal for friendship, never use 'Love'. It is scary.

You shouldn't write something that forces your new pal to write you, such as 'Whatever happens, do write back'. It makes your new pal feel bound. Your penpal will be sure to answer if you send a nice mail.

The rate of the answers to your snail mail is higher than those to your e-mails. About 80~90% of my new penpals write me back,but as for e-mails, only 60~70% answer my mails, though I write almost the same things. So if you want to have as many e-mail pals as possible, write to more people than you actually expect as your penpals.

Don't send a lot of e-mails at a time by writing many addresses in one mail, especially by CC. It gives your new penpal a bad impression. Each person who got your mail will think that you don't especially hope for him/her to become your penpal.

Be honest with your penpal. It is the basis of correspondence.

The more personal your letter is, the more influence it has. Say what’s on your mind and in your heart. Use your own words wherever possible, but don’t think you have to write like an expert to have influence. Hand write your letter if your handwriting is legible. Mass computer generated mail is getting so sophisticated that it often looks like it’s done by an individual. Handwritten letters are now the only way that a congressional office knows that the letter really comes from an individual constituent. If you prefer to type a letter, make sure you sign it and then add a handwritten P.S.

1. Local Postcards
   This is always fun to send and receive.
2. Home Photos
   Personal and family photos make your correspondence more special.
3. Unique Envelope
   Select one that reflects your personality. You can even write on the back for an added personal touch. Experiment with a variety of sizes.
4. Special Stationery
   Use different types of paper, different colors, sizes, shapes.
5. Colorful Inks
   You can have fun with lots of color inks. Even use many colors in the same letter. It will be fun to read.
6. Drawings & Doodles
   Sketches, doodles are also fun to include in your letter.
7. Clippings of Local Interest
   Share interesting local stories with your pen friends.
8. Something Very Unique
   Want to share something special? A lock of your hair in a small envelope!
9. Tapes & CDs of Local Entertainers
   You can trade these with each other. Sharing you local popular music.
10. Personal or Business Card
    This or a personal card may also be included. Use your imagination with this. You can make your own with a computer. Include lots of info.
11. Typed or Computer Letters
    If you have an easily readable handwriting, stick with it. Or, a neatly typed or computer letter may be easier to read for your pen friends.
12. Your Voice Message
    A very exciting voice letter is your message on tape. You can talk for an hour and include voices of your family, pets, your favorite music etc. Try it.
13. MORE TIPS
    - Send train tickets or tickets from places you visited
    - Add some surprise confetti that will fall out when the letter is opened
    - Enclose a poem or a literary passage you like
    - Make a little phrasebook of your native language/region's dialect
    - Draw a map explaining where the places you refer to are situated
    -When you e-mail or snail mail them, tell them where you got their name and address.
    -Don't TELL them that you are their new pen pal, ASK them if they want to be pen pals.
    -Don't just answer their questions and send it back or they won't know what to write.
    -Ask at least 1 question per letter.