Learn Stock Trading as a New Investor

1. Open a stock broker account

Find a good online stock broker and open an account. Become familiarized with the layout and to take advantage of the free trading tools and research offered to clients only. 

2. Read books

Books provide a wealth of information and are inexpensive compared to the costs of classes, seminars, and educational DVDs sold across the web. Here on the site we have a full list of 20 great stock trading books for investors to consider. 

3. Read articles

Articles are a fantastic resource for education. Recommended websites for investment education are investopedia.com and of course Google search.

4. Find a mentor

A mentor could be a family member, a friend, a past or current professor, co-worker, or any individual that has a fundamental understanding of the stock market. A good mentor is willing to answer questions, provide help, recommend useful resources, and keep spirits up when the market gets tough. All successful investors of the past and present have had mentors during their early days.

5. Study the greats

Learning about the greatest investors of years past will provide perspective, inspiration, and appreciation for the game which is the stock market. 

6. Read and follow the market

News sites such as Yahoo Finance and Google Finance serve as a great resource for new investors. For in depth coverage, look no further than the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. 

7. Consider paid subscriptions

Paying for research and analysis can be both educational and useful. Some investors may find watching or observing market professionals to be more beneficial than trying to apply newly learned lessons themselves. 

8. Go to seminars, take classes

Seminars can provide valuable insight into the overall market and specific investment types. Most seminars will focus on one specific aspect of the market and how the speaker has found success utilizing their own strategies over the years.

9. Buy your first stock or practice trading through a simulator

With your online broker account setup, the best way to get started it to simply take the plunge and make your first trade.