From hamburgers to gemstones, people invest in millions of ventures every day. But what if you aren’t sure how to get started? How can you break into the mystic world of stocks, bonds and oil reserves? Here are just a few tips for investors.

1. Start Small

Don’t throw your entire bank account behind your first investment. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trendy product or a new restaurant run by a friend; if it’s a good idea, it will pan out sometime in the future, and you can increase your investment accordingly. Just don’t go for broke with everything that you have. It’s a common piece of advice in the investment world: If you can’t afford to lose it, don’t invest with it.

2. Find a Niche

Have you worked in the hospitality industry your entire life? You might find success by investing in a resort. Do you love natural resources? Talk to some oil and gas royalty buyers and see if there are any exciting opportunities on the horizon. Instead of jumping headfirst into a strange field, start with something that you know for a less risky investment.

3. Invest With a Group

If you’re worried about losing your money on a particular investment, find a partner or two to help you share the burden. If your relatives are also investors, you can all buy into a company together; if you don’t want to mix family and finance, there are “investment clubs” where like-minded individuals can come together and make investment decisions. Whatever you decide to do with your money, just know that you don’t have to do it alone.

4. Conduct Some Research

Everyone has to start somewhere, so there’s no shame in not understanding technical terms or not knowing how to recognize the “big dogs” of your industry. Ignorance can only excuse so much, however, especially after you’ve been in the business for awhile. Make it a point of educating yourself as quickly as you can. Read finance blogs; follow smart people on social media; join newsletters and mailing lists that cover the activities of Wall Street.

These are just a few things to keep in mind as you start investing your money in likely ventures. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your decisions and confident with your choices. Good luck! Happy investing!