Naturally, the first thing to decide is what you want to collect. This is a double-edged sword. The good news is that you can collect anything! The bad news is you can collect anything, so how are you going to make up your mind? It might be a good idea to start with one of the old standards. Coin or stamp collectors have the benefit of many guides and large communities to aid them in their searches. Plus, the first entries in your collection could be rattling around your pants pocket or stuck to that old envelope.

Once you have your collection picked out, do a bit of research on the items in question and their market. A pack of baseball cards at the store could go for a few bucks, but the most expensive ever sold have gone for millions of dollars. Figure out what the coveted items in your field are, but also what’s a good first edition to your set. What’s rare, what’s common? What’s the supply, and what’s the demand? Having an understanding of the market is half the battle. After that, you’re off to the races.

As a beginner, starting small is important. It’ll give you a feel for the item you’ve started collecting, and give you a sense of the market you’ve just joined. You wouldn’t want to lay down a lot of money for something only to find out you weren’t getting a fair price. Remember that building up a collection takes a lot of time, and that there’s no shortcuts. A real collection is never quite finished, there’s always one missing piece of the puzzle to be found. Take your time and have fun.

If you’re ever unsure about your collection, seek out a community for guidance. Maybe there’s a group near you interested in the same thing, or an online community you can tap into. There’s an innumerable amount of guides, books, and forums to aid you in your searches, with plenty of seasoned pros happy to help out someone just starting their collection. If you have a question on something, chances are someone else has already asked and answered it a dozen times over. Do your research and see what you can find.

As you start building up your collection, you’re going to want to think about how you’re going to care for and display your pieces. Is this a small collection, lining your bookcase, or a household museum that requires its own room? Do you need display cases, special lighting? Are you collecting something fragile that you need to protect from the elements? Each collection will have its own quirks and requirements–make sure whatever your collection is something you can care for.