A strategy that wins 35% of the time can make money if...

Its wins are much bigger than its losses

Win rate isn't everything

One method wins 8 trades out of 10. Another wins only 3 or 4. The second can still be the better one, and expectancy shows why.
Expectancy is what a method makes on average per trade: (win rate × average win) minus (loss rate × average loss).
Method A wins 80% of trades at +US$100 but loses 20% at -US$500. 0.8 × 100 = 80, and 0.2 × 500 = 100. Expectancy: -US$20 per trade.
Method B wins only 35% at +US$300 and loses 65% at -US$100. 0.35 × 300 = 105, and 0.65 × 100 = 65. Expectancy: +US$40 per trade.
Over 100 trades, Method A loses about US$2,000 and Method B makes about US$4,000. Spreads and fees come off every trade, so subtract them too.
Common mistake
Myth: a high win rate means a good method. Many small wins can be wiped out by a few big losses. How much you win and lose matters as much as how often.
Key takeaway
A high win rate feels good. Positive expectancy, after costs, pays the bills.

Expectancy tells you... The average result per tradeExpectancy blends how often you win with how big wins and losses are, giving one average per trade.
80% wins at +US$100, 20% losses at -US$500. Expectancy? -US$20 per trade0.8 × 100 = 80 and 0.2 × 500 = 100. 80 minus 100 = -US$20.
A strategy that wins 35% of the time can make money if... Its wins are much bigger than its lossesWith few wins, each win must be big enough to cover several small losses.
Win 50% at +US$200, lose 50% at -US$100. Expectancy? +US$50 per trade0.5 × 200 = 100 and 0.5 × 100 = 50. 100 minus 50 = +US$50.