Stock brokering is risky business, quite literally. The trick to being a successful stock broker (i.e. making more money in the market than you lose) is learning as much as you can about every aspect of how the market functions, and how trading works. Fortunately, there are many resources available to you if you are really interested in learning all there is to know about becoming a successful stock broker. Educate yourself through these avenues.
Library books. If you visit your local library in search of books on trading and the stock market, you might be a bit overwhelmed with the multitudinous selection. Therefore, it’s a good idea to research books online, as well as ask established and successful stock brokers, what texts they recommend. Remember that there is a whole lot to trading in the stock market, and that means you must approach your education from a variety of angles. When you build your library of must-read books, be sure to include picks that cover every topic imaginable, from fundamental and technical analysis to the psychology of trading.
Online resources. A quick search of the Internet will reveal to you a whole wealth of information that you can use to educate yourself on what it takes to be a stock broker. Sites like wallstreetsurvivor even offer practice information. Take some time to explore informative websites, and consider the many online courses available to you. Also online are virtual trading games, which you can use to practice trading in a realistic trading interface without putting any real money down.
Formal education. While there is no specific stock market trading degree, there are some degree programs that will arm you with the knowledge you need to build a firm foundation upon which you can grow as a stock broker. Explore degree options in Finance, Economics, Business, Math, and even Psychology. Also, keep in mind that, when it comes down to it, stock brokers are in a way just extremely regulated salespeople. Therefore, any type of formal education path that helps you sharpen your sales skills will help you become a successful stock broker.
One of the most important things you need to remember when you are learning about stock brokering is that your education never ends. There is no way to ever perfect your trading strategy and the market is always evolving to encompass new commodities, industries, corporations, investors, and investment types. Therefore, you can’t expect to stay on top of the trading game if you don’t make continuing education a habit. When it comes to progressing in that way, you can draw from these great resources, and as much and often as you like.