I think the absolute most important advice for new colloctors is HAVE FUN! I have collected X-Men for 20 years now and I still get excited about seeing the next issue. I had no idea that the X-Men would get so popular. And to tell you the truth, when they started to get main stream, it kind of turned me off to them. The bottom line is buy comics because you like the stories, characters, art etc. Don't buy to get rich because you probably won't. Read your books, then take care of them. Bag, board and box your collection because they are valuable to you and you alone. Like I said, I have been collecting for 20 years but I have never been to a convention. I would recommend going though. It could open you up to a new title or even a new age of books. When I was a kid, I couldn't afford those silver age books, but now I enjoy those early X-Men stories. Anyway, to wrap things up, collect what you like not what may be worth something in a few years.
Gary