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Step 1
Open a brokerage account that gives you online access to your account (see Resources below). Familiarize yourself with the trading procedures of your broker by reading available information on the broker's website and any written information provided by the broker.
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Step 2
Deposit cash funds into your brokerage account. Use a check or wire transfer to send the funds to your broker.
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Step 3
Look at top-performing stocks, stocks in companies and industries that interest you and other stocks that your broker tells you about to find prospects for more in depth research. Find potential stock picks at your broker's website with online research tools provided by your broker.
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Step 4
Do your own independent research of each stock that you are considering as an investment, and use the results of your research to decide whether or not you should invest in a stock. Use the online fundamental, technical and industry research tools that your broker gives you. Use stock research tools at sites that are independent of your broker (see Resources below).
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Step 5
Decide how much of your investment funds you will use to purchase each stock. Split your funds between more than one stock and keep some funds in cash to balance your investment risk.
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Step 6
Place trade orders with your broker to purchase each stock you have decided to purchase. Follow up with your broker to get confirmation that your trades were completed successfully.
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Step 7
Follow the investment performance of each stock in your portfolio and news events that will impact the stock's performance. This information can be obtained on your broker's website. Use this information to decide whether you should hold your investment, purchase more shares or sell your investment.
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Step 8
Place trades to sell shares in stocks when you need to raise cash for other stock investments or for personal spending. Use stop loss orders to automatically sell shares when the stock price drops to a specified level.
