As the saying goes, it's not how much money you earn, but what you do with it that counts. There are a number of different options for people looking to manage money effectively that offer the promise of significant returns. One way to achieve this is to invest in stocks. Stock market experts will tell you that investing in stocks can offer minimum yields of 20% over a 5-year period.

There are certain rules for trading one needs to understand and follow carefully to make money by investing in stocks. Typically these rules are framed by certain regulatory bodies for the benefit of investors and the industry. People who flout these rules are liable for legal prosecution. Investors can find all the information pertaining to these rules on the specified webpages.

Two prominent styles exist for people who want to invest in stocks. In the first, the investor takes a long-term view of the market and invests in companies he predicts have a high growth potential. The investor must carefully analyze the companies to identify winners. It is a safe approach to the market, but the downside is that not every person understands the business details of the company being examined.

One style is known as trading, which is where the investor attempts to take advantage of the ups and downs of the stock market. The success of this method will depend in part on the personality of the investor, as the short-term volatility of the stock market can be nerve-wracking. While this style of trading can offer enormous returns in a short space of time, it's not for the fainthearted.

If you keep certain successful trading tips in mind, you can expect to see good returns. "Buy low and sell high", and "don't put all your eggs in one basket" are essential rules you'll need to know. A wise investor will develop an investment plan which will encompass investment goals, personal risk profile and anticipated time horizon of investment. Timing the sale of stocks is more important than timing the purchase. It's best to enter the market in a phased way and then take advantage of the volatility of the market, rather than trying to pick the perfect time.

Despite the inherent risks involved in investing in the stock market, it does offer one of the few ways to make significant amounts of money. The earlier you can start to invest in stocks, the better, as you will be more buffered from the risks involved. Equity related mutual funds offer a less risky way of investing if you would prefer to take a more cautious approach.