Stock investing can be challenging and complex sometimes, especially for newbies. That’s why anyone wanting to invest in the stock market needs to follow a few rules to become successful over time, as becoming a profitable stock investor can't be improvised. You need to be aware of what makes a good stock investor and what mistakes to avoid. So, what sets successful stock investors apart from non-profitable ones?

1# Invest in your education

To become a successful stock trader, you first need to understand what investing is, as well as discover stocks and the way they work. Analyze your level of knowledge and educate yourself, so then you understand what you’re doing when you invest in the stock market. Never stop learning and acquiring knowledge throughout your investment journey - as Warren Buffet, one of the most important investors of all time, used to say: "By far the best investment you can make is in yourself."

2# Determine your investor profile

Understanding your investor profile will help you better shape your investment strategy and the level of risk you’re willing to accept to reach your financial goals. Your financial situation, your age, your personality, your investment goals, your availability, your risk-tolerance, as well as your time horizon will help determine the kind of investor you are. All this information will help you set up your investment plan.

3# Create your investment plan

To make good investment decisions, you have to work on an investment strategy and plan that fits your investor profile. This plan will give structure to how you’ll analyze the markets (fundamental vs technical analysis), how you’ll create your entry/exit orders (setups to follow), what degree of risk you’re willing to take (money and risk management rules), and the allocation of capital between different assets (portfolio diversification).

4# Adopt the right attitude and mindset

Building a strong investment mindset might take time, but it is necessary if you want to succeed in the long term. First, you need to be committed and dedicated to improving yourself. Then, you have to be patient for the right setups to materialize before you enter or exit the markets according to your investment plan - a plan that you should always follow. Finally, you need to be aware of all the emotions that can negatively impact your investing, like anger, greed, fear, euphoria, and disappointment, to better control them and avoid their negative impacts.

5# Use technology to your advantage

Investing and trading the stock market is a competitive business. That’s why you need to use technology to your advantage, keeping yourself up-to-date on new products and services that can help you better analyze the markets and spot profitable opportunities, which can help increase your performance.

Final word

Of course, there are more than these rules to be profitable in your investment journey but understanding the importance of these 5 rules before you start investing is essential if you want to become a successful stock investor.