Trading is a very popular method of investing. It involves downloading and using a trading app, which then allows you to make purchases of stocks and shares. It is also possible to trade cryptocurrency, a form of digital currency that’s gained a lot of popularity in recent years.
If you are interested in taking up trading, then there are a few things that you need to know first. Educating yourself will make trading much easier for you to master. The good thing about it is that you can set yourself up from home. Here’s how you can do that:
Finding Platform
The first step that you need to take if you intend on trading is to find a platform. One thing that you will quickly realise if you are planning on trading is that there is no shortage of trading platforms, there are hundreds of them. However, not all are equal. Some are considerably better than others. One platform that’s very popular is eToro, primarily because it gives users the opportunity to watch and then replicate the trades of experienced investors. However, the platform can be confusing, so spend some time learning how to sell on eToro, how to buy, how to follow trades, and how to use the platform properly. If you would rather use another, then again, research the platform you plan on using extensively.
Researching Stocks
The platform that you plan on using isn’t the only thing that needs research, you also need to take some time to research stocks and shares. If you have no prior investing experience, then it is very likely that you won’t know where to start when it comes to buying stocks and shares. A lot of first-time investors buy stock with large companies like Ford or BlackBerry but buying penny stocks can actually be a lot more profitable for beginners. However, penny stocks can be dangerous, so take some time to learn about them and their dangers first.
Educating Yourself
Trading isn’t easy. It’s very common for overconfident beginners to lose all of their money. Part of the reason for this is social media and the film industry making it look like trading is a get-rich-quick scheme. Unfortunately, it isn’t. You aren’t going to become a millionaire overnight. Trading can be very profitable and can help you to achieve financial independence, but it takes a while. You need to invest as much time and effort as you possibly can into trading so that you can give yourself the best chance at success. It may be a good idea to take an online course in trading, so you can learn more about it.
Demo Trading
Going back to choosing platforms for a moment, when you are looking for one, make sure that you find one that allows you to do demo trading. Demo trading is just practice trading, with virtual money. Unfortunately, it’s not something that a lot of platforms offer. Demo trading will give you the ability to watch a real market simulation, and participate, without losing any of your own money. Some platforms require you to create a paid account in order to access demo trading, while others give you entry for free. Demo trading is great practice, so use it often.
Trading Sensibly
When you are trading, you need to trade sensibly, and responsibly. Again, a lot of people lose money trading today because they treat it like they’re gambling. The stock market is not a roulette wheel. A lot of people say that the best way to become an expert trader is to attend a real professional’s masterclass. If you cannot afford to take classes online, then you should read as many tutorials and guides about trading as you can. There are also lots of videos that you can watch about trading online too.
Using Margin
You should only ever consider using margin when you know exactly what you are doing. It involves borrowing money from a trading platform and then trading with it. Unfortunately, many people have bankrupted themselves by trading with margin. If an account you have been using to trade in the margins drops below 40% of its value, the platform that you are using will perform a ‘margin call’ which is when they basically ask you to pay them the money that you owe them. If you cannot afford to, then they will report it as a debt and could take you to court.
Trading isn’t something that should be taken lightly. While it is indeed possible to learn to trade from home, you need to spend as much time as you possibly can devoted to becoming an expert at it. The more you know, the less likely you are to lose money. Make sure that you trade responsibly, and don’t treat it like you’re gambling.