Getting Started Steps

Here's the Option Strategies Insider blueprint for everything needed to get started trading options.

Step 1 - Setup Trade Alerts

Make sure you add at least one trade alert service to receive immediate trade notifications when a new trade goes up. For complete trade alert details click the button below.  

Step 2 - Option Training Center

Learn option trading from the ground up with the most powerful option trading course that has ever existed. This course was designed personally by Chris Douthit, a former Lead Market Maker who was trained by the best industry professionals at the world’s top investment bank.  

Step 3 - Open a Charles Schwab Account

When it comes to an investment banking broker, there are many options available and you’re welcome to use any broker you wish. With that said, Charles Schwab is our preferred broker, because they offer the most powerful option trading software, low fees, and highest quality support. This gives us the best chance to make money. Charles Schwab’s thinkorswim software is also the software used in our video training.

Charles Schwab is only available in the US and Canada, if you are outside this region we recommend Interactive Brokers or Googling an option trading broker in your area.

Step 4 - Apply for Margin Trading

In order to trade short options, you need to first apply for a margin account. There is a minimum account balance of $2000 to apply for a margin account. The steps to apply are outlined below.

Log in to your Schwab account
Go to "Profile"
Select "Margin and Options"
Choose the account you want to add margin access to
Follow directions to add margin access

Step 5 - Apply for Option Trading (Tier 2 Standard Margin)

In order to trade strategies such as short vertical spreads, buy writes and iron condors, you need to first apply for a Tier 2 Standard Margin. The steps to apply are outlined below.

Log in to your Schwab account
Go to "Profile"
Select "Margin and Options"
Choose the account you want to add margin access to
Look for an option to "Apply for options approval" or "Upgrade your options level

Getting Approved: Many people complain about not getting approved, which all comes down to filling out the form correctly. Approval is based on your net worth, annual income, and option experience.

I have never heard of a case where the investment bank actually checked any of the figures listed, not to say it cannot happen. People who have a reasonable liquid net worth, a solid paycheck and at least 3-4 years of trading experience are the best candidates.

People who also get approved are seeking trading profits or speculation trading strategy.

When you apply, make sure that the numbers listed on your application also match the numbers in your account profile.

Step 6 - Download thinkorswim

Download thinkorswim trading software provided by Charles Schwab. This software is the best options trading platform around, providing tools geared for the self-directed options trader.  

Step 7 - Setup thinkorswim

Learn how to optimize and configure thinkorswim so that trading is fast and easy to understand. Also included is our customer plugins!  

Step 8 - Familiarize Yourself With Our Site

There are a lot of tools and option to help you become a better trader. The idea behind Option Strategies Insider is to give you professional trading strategies and the ideas behind them. With our trade alert system, you can profit while you learn, see what we do, and in time become a knowledge option trader yourself.  

Step 9 - Introduce Yourself On Our Forum

Everyone comes into option trading a little different. Some people are brand new, some people have tried it in the past, and some people are seasoned professionals. It does not matter where you are on your journey, we all had to start somewhere, even the experts.

Please be sure to tell us a little about yourself and let us know your experience with investing.

Join Us


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