I don't think I can define myself in this 1% because I don't earn a lot just enough to pay the rent and some extra expenses, but I always return my investment and I can work comfortably from home.
My advice is to study a very small number of the alt's in the top 25 and then decide how much to invest, diversifying the portfolio. 
Buying at a minimum and waiting to sell are the two great secrets

The trader who maintains profitable after so many years are those consistent traders that lost their money, earns money, and learning every single day when trading. Trading is not an easy job to do especially when you don't have enough courage to start and risk your money. When you start trading just because your friend is trading, I'm sure you're going to lose a lot of money.

The key for a successful trading is to study first the basics, so you'll have your foundation, and then apply what you've learned using small entries only to see if it's effective or not. If the results is good, then try to increase your bet, that's how it works.