Currently Bitcoin is expected to have a bull run and halving in coming time as we all know it.
Now if you were to make an investment of $100 as a beginner regardless of your country and as it stands Bitcoin is experiencing a bear market (an example) after you made 5% capital.
Initially you want to hold for a very long time but as a result of the bear market you loose your capital and half your investment yet the market is showing no sign for you to recover.
What's your next step as a first timer in Bitcoin /Altcoin trading?
That is the more reason why experience is needed in every investment and we are being advised on a long term investment because that is where the greater profit awaits you, now as a long term hodler you have no business with the bear season because you already know that you will recover in bull run and since every halving, the current ATH always goes more than the previous one so in a case of a bear season all an investor need is to forget about the Bitcoin he already has in his portfolio and buy more after which he can still DCA till the next bull run though i prefer buying during bear season and selling to make some profits at bull season.
Seeing that the request by OP is about the next step to take as regards a newbie encountering the bear market, I must first iterate that there should be a need to know the distinction and how to know when the bear season comes.
Since prices go down by or increase by 20% or more from its current ATH making it clear it's a bear or bull season, it would be wise to accumulate coins during the bear and sell during the bull season if the dream is to excel at trading.
For long term investment however, a good DCA strategy would be nice irrespective of bear or bull seasons, but buying at the moment when prices are low is the best way to save money still.