The fundamental analysis approach:
This is an approach that is primarily concerned with value; it examines factors that determine a company's expected future earnings and dividends as well as the continued dependability of those earnings and dividends. Once you have evaluate the company and its potential and stability you put a value on the stock. The idea is to use this approach and find stocks that are priced low compared to the value you perceive them to have. The idea is that the stock market will later recognize the value of the stock and its price will increase.

The technical analysis approach:
This is an approach where you, the investor, attempts to predict the future price of a stock or the future direction of the market based on past price and trading volume changes. In other words, you use technology to determine some of the patterns of the stock market, and apply stocks to that pattern to see if they will yield high returns or not. Many find that basing your investments solely on this strategy is unwise.

The buy-and-hold-the-market approach:
This is a strategy where you buy several stocks, etc. and build a portfolio that closely resembles the S&P 500. This strategy provides the returns that would be obtained by buying and holding the stock market, often defined as the Standard & Poor's 500. In other words, you diversify enough, and hold the stocks long enough that even if some go down, others go up, and thus you will come out ahead. In other words, the investor determines how much risk they are willing to take and builds their portfolio accordingly. This approach or strategy is not as focused on individual stocks, rather it is worried about the portfolio makeup. However, many investors choose not to take this route because with research and luck you can often outperform the market, and make a better investment without applying this strategy.

These are just a few of the most popular investment strategies out there. Before you invest, using any strategy you need to take the time to familiarize yourself with the investment world, understand how investing works, and determine what your risk tolerance is. While some investment strategies offer higher potential for payout, they often also offer greater risk, and if you can't withstand that risk, or deal with it, then it would be smarter for you to choose an alternative strategy.

If you are trying to find an investment strategy that will work well for you, it is a good idea to talk to an investment professional and get some advice, however, remember your opinion and feelings matter, so do not take everything they say to be fact without question.