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I am a newbie Trader, how do I start trading

Posted on July 15, 2023

As a newbie trader, it's important to start with a solid foundation and develop a systematic approach to trading. Here are some steps you can take to get started:

 

Educate Yourself:

 

Learn the basics of trading, including different financial markets, trading instruments, and trading strategies.

Understand key concepts like risk management, technical analysis, and fundamental analysis.

There are plenty of online resources, books, and courses available to help you learn.

 

 

Set Clear Goals:

 

Determine your trading goals, whether they are short-term or long-term, and what you hope to achieve through trading.

Having clear goals will help you stay focused and make better decisions.

 

 

 

Choose a Trading Style:

 

Explore different trading styles, such as day trading, swing trading, or position trading.

Each style has its own characteristics and time commitments.

Consider your personality, available time, and risk tolerance to choose a style that suits you.

 

 

 

Select a Trading Platform:

 

Find a reliable and user-friendly trading platform that meets your needs.

Ensure it provides access to the markets and instruments you're interested in trading.

Research different platforms, read reviews, and consider their fees and customer support.

 

 

 

Practice with a Demo Account:

 

Most trading platforms offer demo accounts that allow you to practice trading with virtual money.

Use this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the platform, test different strategies, and gain experience without risking real capital.

 

 

 

Develop a Trading Plan:

 

Create a trading plan that outlines your trading strategy, including entry and exit criteria, risk management rules, and position sizing guidelines.

A trading plan helps you stay disciplined and consistent in your approach.

 

 

 

Start Small:

 

When you're ready to start trading with real money, begin with a small amount that you're comfortable losing.

This will help you manage your emotions and reduce the impact of potential losses.

 

 

 

Manage Risk:

 

Implement proper risk management techniques to protect your capital.

Set stop-loss orders to limit potential losses on each trade, and avoid risking too much of your capital on a single trade.

It's generally recommended to risk only a small percentage of your trading account balance on any given trade.

 

 

 

Learn from Mistakes:

 

Trading involves a learning curve, and you'll likely make mistakes along the way.

Treat each trade as a learning opportunity and analyze both your winning and losing trades to understand what worked and what didn't.

Continuous learning and improvement are key to long-term success.

 

 

 

Stay Disciplined:

 

Emotional discipline is crucial in trading.

Stick to your trading plan, avoid making impulsive decisions based on emotions, and don't let greed or fear dictate your actions.

Stay patient and maintain a long-term perspective.

 

 

Trading Platforms:

 

MetaTrader 4/5: Widely used platforms with comprehensive charting tools, technical indicators, and automated trading capabilities.

Thinkorswim: A feature-rich platform offering advanced charting, real-time data, and paper trading for practice.

TradingView: A popular web-based platform with extensive charting capabilities, social trading features, and a vast community of traders sharing ideas.

 

 

 

Research and Analysis Tools:

 

Finviz: Provides stock screener, market visualization, and analysis tools for equities.

Investing.com: Offers a wide range of market data, news, and analysis for various financial instruments.

Economic Calendars: Websites like Forex Factory or Investing.com provide economic calendars, which display upcoming economic events and their potential impact on the markets.

 

 

 

Financial News and Analysis:

 

Bloomberg: A leading source for financial news, market analysis, and economic insights.

CNBC: Provides live market coverage, business news, and expert commentary.

Seeking Alpha: A platform that offers news, analysis, and insights from both professional and individual investors.

 

 

 

Trading Education and Resources:

 

Investopedia: A comprehensive resource covering various aspects of trading, investing, and financial concepts.

Babypips: A popular website specifically focused on forex trading education, providing beginner-friendly lessons and quizzes.

YouTube Channels: There are numerous YouTube channels dedicated to trading education, including "Warrior Trading," "UKspreadbetting," and "Adam Khoo."

 

 

 

Stock Screeners and Scanners:

 

Finviz: In addition to its research tools, it offers a stock screener with various filters to identify trading opportunities.

Trade Ideas: A powerful real-time stock scanner that helps generate trading ideas based on customizable criteria.

StockFetcher: Provides advanced stock screening capabilities and the ability to create custom filters.

 

 


Social Trading and Communities:

 

eToro: A social trading platform that allows users to follow and copy the trades of successful traders.

TradingView: Apart from its charting features, it offers a social network where traders can share ideas, analysis, and strategies.

 

 

Reddit Communities: Platforms like r/Stocks, r/Forex, and r/Daytrading offer forums where traders can discuss strategies and seek advice.