Making Money Through Autograph Selling And Collecting
Autograph collecting is a fun and rewarding hobby
, but it's also a lucrative business for many entrepreneurs.If you're a casual collector, you can get some satisfaction from owning a piece of merchandise or a paper signed by your favorite Hollywood star, rock or pop star, or your favorite NBA, NFL or MLB player. The world is filled with collectors of autographs always seeking to add another one to their collection.
You can go out to seek an autograph yourself, or you could order one through the mail. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where sports competitions or movie filming is plentiful, then you may have a lot of in-person autograph opportunities. For the rest of us, contacting our idols through the (snail) mail is still popular, just as it was decades ago. Athletes can be written in care of their sports team, celebrities in care of their television show or on location at a film set while musicians can be reached through their agent or a venue at which they are performing.
An easy way to tell the value of an autograph is by judging the celeb's stature through an appraisal. You can save money by foregoing the appraisal and going online to check autograph dealers' sites for the most updated prices. If you are looking to sell autographs, the number of potential customers can be impressive if you know how to market your business. You can market your website by emphasizing the right keywords for search engines, or advertising it on social networking sites, or by building your reputation in auctions. Tell the truth when advertising your autographs - let people know how exactly you obtained the autograph. Let your customers know if you requested it via mail. Buyers of autographs obtained in person will often require a certificate of authenticity that states the date, time, and place where you obtained the autograph.
Here are some common sense tips for any autograph seeker. Be courteous when asking for an autograph in person or via mail. Always use "please" or "thank you". If you are attending an autograph show, take your own item to be signed along with a sharpie permanent marker. If you are sending mailed autograph requests, always include a self-addressed stamped envelope. It is impolite to ask for more than two items at the same time to be signed. Some of the best items to be signed include photos, blank 3x5 index cards, t-shirts, baseballs, golf balls, footballs, books, etc. Courtesy is the key to obtaining an autograph - whether as a hobby or for resale.
by: Evan Grant.