With the current climate of shrinking property prices, constipated credit markets and falling interest on savings accounts, many people are seeking a more effective and safer way to manage their investments.

We are a nation that has discovered the profit potential of property investing. Now it's time to expand our portfolio and add another tool to our belt that also enables us to make money when property softens.

Thousands of entrepreneurs, many of them complete novices, have taken up trading to develop a second income stream out of the stock market. And why not?

Using spread betting, the fastest-growing way to trade the markets, budding traders can start with as little as £500 in their starting pot and profit from moves in the stock market, currency moves, gold and oil prices, even house prices, where all profits are tax-free.

Money is made whether the market is going up or down, which could be very handy in today's downwardly mobile stock and property markets. The best thing is that your trading only takes one hour a day. So that bourgeoning enterprise stays in track while your stocks take off.

Recent graduate Philip Bradshaw attended Traders University, run by Knowledge To Action, in February. "I'm very happy with the results.....the coaching was great," he said. "March is the first full calendar month since the course and here's how it went: £673.82 from a starting pot of £4,776.72. That's 14% for the month."

But, the stock market is too risky... At Traders University, we hear this all the time and it is quite understandable. You work hard to build up a healthy nest-egg and ‘gambling' it away on the stock market is the last thing you want to do. In any business venture there is a risk attached and trading is no different. Trading is all about risk management and our approach will show you how to never allow a losing trade to eat more than 1% of your trading capital.

Five top tips for a successful trading career

Master risk first, not last
Trading is all about limiting individual trade risk to 1%. Never allow a losing trade to eat more than 1% of your trading capital: learn to trade size.

Get a mentor
Just like learning to drive, you need interactive regular feedback on your trading skill. Many people over-estimate their ability early on. Remember what trading strategy works today may not work tomorrow, so get around people that navigate the terrain daily and can focus on you

Look for boring trades not exciting ones
If a stock is moving in a sideways range, look to enter the trade the moment this established range breaks out. Always use a stop loss and remember panic-buying leads to panic-selling

Never trade with money you can't afford to lose
Sounds simple? Most people over-trade and throw too much in too early on. Use money where if you lost 50% you wouldn't be too bothered. Understand the risks.

Let profitable trades run, cut losers fast
Want to know the difference between a successful trader and a loser? Successful traders cut losing trades in nano-seconds, losers hang on in

In our free introductory seminars we will explain how you can build serious wealth from the stock-market with help, support and guidance from profitable, experienced professionals.

The programme has been carefully structured, to ensure each trader is fully prepared, and includes pre-course coaching (orientation), full immersive training and a six-month graduate mentoring program with a full-time trader coach.

This combination of one-to-one coaching and live interactive training ensures that every graduate starts successfully, producing immediate, tangible results.

Greg Secker is chief executive, founder and head trader at Knowledge to Action. For a shortlist of events happening in your area visit www.FreeTradingSeminar.co.uk [1]