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Turning Retail Trading To A Career

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2021 has been the year of the retail trader. Seeking Alpha statistics highlight that retail trade volumes now threaten that of hedge and mutual funds, taking up 25% of the market share this year. Volatility in the market and mass organized investments have created a situation where anyone can get into retail trading and make a bit of money on it. Many more are now looking to forge ahead with a career in stock investments – but making that change requires careful planning.

Turning a retail investment hobby into a career is difficult - but possible. It is to be treated as any job career, a real vocation that requires the time and input to be made a success. For those with the right mindset, there are huge rewards on offer.Click To Tweet

The Equipment

Every trader relies on his tools. The Bloomberg Terminal is remembered by traders writing for the New York Times for its huge impact – its computerized system made trading easier and put information right in front of traders on a second-by-second update. Today, tools are far more diversified and affordable. Starting traders should look for a research platform with real market pedigree. Options alert service platforms are a good place to start; they can provide an in on well-founded market tips, and give some early wins to traders.

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Choose your markets

Where you play your money on the stock market is important. There are countless routes, from day trading to forex, to fund investments; knowing where you want to focus is important. There are barriers to entry in some markets, too. Investopedia notes that pattern day traders require at least $25,000 in equity before they can be qualified as so by the financial authorities. Do your research into the fields before you choose one.

Develop a strategy

After finding your feet in the markets and getting a feel for the daily processes that they go through, you need to develop a strategy. Trading strategies underpin the success of every trader, no matter how big or small; they create a philosophy for trading that can weather the storm of any volatile, bull or bear market. Developing a strategy isn’t simple, and is something that will come about from the amount of time you can afford to put into the market married to your research focuses and risk tolerance levels.

“The first step towards becoming a successful trader is setting expectations. First, you need to start thinking about why you decided to trade in the first place and what you expect to get out of it. Find your motive and set your goals. Trading will not always be breezy; it actually requires a lot of patience at times because you will come face to face with many obstacles. What will keep you going is remembering why you started doing this in the first place. Set specific goals to guide you along the way, as this will help you measure your progress and push you forward.” – How To Start Your Journey Towards Becoming A Successful Trader

Turning a retail investment hobby into a career is difficult – but possible. It is to be treated as any job career, a real vocation that requires the time and input to be made a success. For those with the right mindset, there are huge rewards on offer.

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