New investors often thrive on the excitement of playing the stock market game. Unfortunately, they can also quickly become disillusioned with the stock game after their first losses, however modest. To help you start investing profitably, try this proven strategy, particularly useful for new investors.

Focus on long-term investing. Simple. Being lured by the excitement of day trading often creates unwanted stress and early losses for the new investor. Learning the basics of online stock market trading does not qualify you to profitably participate in day trading or short-term timing techniques. Sure, you might get lucky and win with your first few trades. However, understand that your victories will involve more luck than skill at this point.

Initially, a buy and hold strategy, made famous by investing legend, Warren Buffet, may be less exciting. However, if you pick your stock paper carefully, it typically delivers profit over the longer-term. This strategy also allows you to continue to build your knowledge base and experience without overt high risk.

As you gain more experience, you might consider being more adventurous and executing more trades. This can be enjoyable, particularly if you are playing the beginner stock market game with “house money” (profits you’ve already made). Keeping your eyes on the prize—investing profitably—reduces both stress and the probability of making day-trading mistakes as a new investor.