5 easy steps to start your own postcard collection

I'm aware that starting something new is not easy. As a beginner myself, I found it's kinda hard to start my own blog. However, in regards to postcard collecting experience, I believe that I can share you some easiest steps to start your own. These steps are mainly based on my own experience. Nevertheless, I hope that they will be useful and applicable to any of you guys.

1. Grab any postcards that are available--- As a beginner, you need to initiate your intention. Smaller steps can be a perfect way to start. Once I started to have an interest in this hobby, I searched any postcard look-a-like items from every corner in my house. I pretty much found plenty of things such as: a number of old postcards from my high school pen pals, some free postcards from my movie magazines collection, various free postcards that I took from the malls, etc. Grab them as they are your first treasure. No need to be picky, your main goal is to have as many postcards as you can.
   
2. Inform others about your ‘new’ hobby--- The fastest way to build up your collection is to use other people’s help as much as possible. Family, friends, and relatives are usually the best candidates to do that. Since I start this ‘thing’, I end up with plenty of postcards from my friends’ last trip abroad, my colleague’s business trip, and even a greeting postcard from my facebook friend. So, be nice to the ones you loved as they are your closest ally.
3. Join a postcard forum or community--- I believe that this is one of the best things about living in this connected world. You can expand your collection with the help of other people all over the world in just a simple click away. My favorite website is www.postcrossing.com. In fact, this is the main cause I started this whole thing of so-called obsession. This website will facilitate you to exchange postcards with random people all around the world. You can also join various mailing lists that facilitate postcards exchange. These communities are usually built based on trust. Thus, it is very important to maintain your integrity and commitment in order to be well accepted.
4. Build up your interest, be passionate--- Once you have some exposure on this exciting experience, you will start to have more interest in certain (more specific) kind of postcard. That is called your preference. Now, you can shift your focus more to your favorite themes. For example: postcards showing maps (my favorite ones), lighthouses, religious buildings, beautiful castles, landscapes, and plenty of other things. Be passionate about your collection as this will represent your interest and who you are as a collector.
5. Store it well, and share it with your loved ones--- Your collection is your treasure. Based on my experience, the easiest way to store your cards is in a plastic box or in a photo album. However, if you are willing to ensure that your cards will be fully protected, you have to use archival-quality plastic holders for storing postcards that are acid free and contain no PVC. This material will prevent the forming of acidic oils that can destroy the appearance of your postcards. Direct sunlight is also a big NO NO as it can fade the color. Preserving your collection is an essential thing to a collector. Store it well and you can enjoy your collection longer. Who knows you might be able to share them later to your loved ones.