If you’re just getting started in trading stocks, then chances are you want to play your cards right. After all, we’ve all heard stories about people getting hit with criminal charges for stock trading gone wrong.

Besides the risk of breaking the law, there’s also the risk of losing a considerable amount of money if you make the wrong move. For this reason, it’s important that you know not only the right steps to take, but the wrong steps that you should avoid at all costs.  To help you break into the world of investing, here are some of the most important investment mistakes to look out for.

Seeking Quick Gains

Although you may be excited to make a million dollars over night, the truth is that quick gains are often far too risky, and not smart in the long run. The idea is to keep a long term vision, and play the long game.  The more you can keep the bigger picture in mind, the fewer mistakes you’ll make, and the more you’ll think with your head rather than impulse decisions that could leave you in big financial trouble.

Not Doing Your Research

Before putting your money into any stocks, you should make sure that you know the stock market inside and out. Do your research, and get to know what it is you’re getting yourself into. Familiarize yourself with terminology, market trends, and the basics of investing in the stock market. Knowledge is power, so the more that you can equip yourself with the know-how before you even dive in, the less susceptible you’ll be to find yourself in the middle of a sour deal.

Following Trends

Even though it may seem logical to do what everybody else is doing, the truth is that a herd mentality can often lead to getting yourself into problems.  As the old saying goes, just because your friends jump off a bridge doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Trust your own instincts, and do your own research to ensure that whatever you get yourself into financially is the right choice for you— not just everybody else.

Taking The Wrong Advice

If there’s one thing that everybody knows to be true about Google, it’s full of advice. Acting on someone else’s advice on a whim can be disastrous, especially when it comes to your money. Instead of taking advice from an arbitrary website on Google, trust the advice of a qualified and experienced stockbroker who has your best interests in mind.

Letting Your Emotions Get involved

Emotions and money should never go hand in hand. You need to always think with your head and not with the way that you feel. Some people make the mistake of getting attached to a certain company or investment, and ignoring the signs that it’s not the best choice.