"How do I get started?" is the question I get asked most when I'm live. My answer is the same every time, and it doesn't start with buying a stock. Here are the three steps I tell every beginner.
Step 1: Hang out and learn first
Before you put a single dollar in the market, spend some time watching and learning. Find someone you're comfortable learning from, whether that's a teacher, a course or a community. Then give it a few days. Watch how they read the market, why they pick the stocks they pick, and how they handle a bad day.
You're not trying to copy anyone's trades. You're learning the language: support and resistance, premarket movers, news catalysts, entries and exits. If what you're watching doesn't feel right for you, keep looking. Trading is personal, and the right fit matters.
Step 2: Get a broker (it's free)
A broker is the app or platform where you actually buy and sell stocks. Opening an account usually costs nothing. Beginner-friendly brokers include Webull, Robinhood, Fidelity and SoFi.
A few things beginners often don't know:
TradingView is not a broker. It's a charting tool for reading the market. To place trades, you still need a brokerage account, and some brokers can connect to TradingView.
You can have more than one broker. Think of it like having more than one bank. Some traders keep one account for long-term investing and another for day trading. If one platform has an issue, you have a backup.
They all do a lot of the same things. The best one is the one you're comfortable using, so try a few and see what you like.
Step 3: Paper trade before you use real money
Most brokers offer paper trading, a practice account with pretend money. You place real trades on real prices, but nothing is at risk.
Use it to practice the things that matter most:
Knowing why you're getting into a stock
Knowing where you'll get in and where you'll get out
Setting your stop loss before you enter
Sticking to your plan when the market gets exciting
Paper trading also shows you something real about yourself: how you react when a trade goes against you. The skills and the strategy are the foundation. Your emotions and psychology are what usually trip people up, so practice both.
Your next step
If you want to learn with me:
Free 7-day watchlist trial: my Daily Stock Watchlist lands in your inbox every trading morning, explained in plain language. Start the free trial
Live Monday to Thursday at 9:00 AM ET on YouTube and TikTok. Come hang out, ask questions, and learn the market with us.
Ready for structured lessons? My self-paced Day Trading E-Course walks you through the basics step by step.
Stay patient, trade smart, and remember: Profit, Patience, Progress.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Trading involves risk, including the loss of money.