I scanned the thread about 90%, 10% guess of who is actually trading and who is merely a casual observer or interested party.
Based on personal emails, school attendees, Bright Traders, and many other traders who have come through my office...I think I have a pretty good "feel" for those on the board. No one has numbers for this, but I can give you a pretty good feel....for whatever it's worth.
I respect other "guesstimates"....
I think a big number of "lurkers" actually do trade during the day, and don't post very much. Sort of an "unwind" at the end of the day, like reading a magazine of interest. These Real traders, may on occasion, make a few solid comments or post questions, but mostly just read. Much like the newspaper, how many actually write letters to the editors?
I think we have a pretty healthy slice of relatively "new" traders (those who may trade 10-50 times a month or so), who are seriously interested in the profession.
As far as the percentage who take more than $250K/year, every year from the market, I would guess we have 10% or so ( actually a big number), but they don't post much (see above "lurkers").
I "poll" every class we have, and whenever we have trader meetings, to see how many know about ET, and am often surprised by how many smile at me, pat me on the back as if to say "how do you deal with some of these guys?"
I speak of ET on the radio show (yes, I'm a glutton for punishment at times, lol), and point new people to the site because we do have a wide cross section of traders, retail and professional. I have made some serious friends on this site, and as you all know, I am always dodging bullets from some......but for the most part, even the nastiest of people (at times) have wound up with a mutual respect, and we can go forward.
The reason for saying all this, is because I have been part of "online communities" since the 1980's, and I really think that we have a good group here. Just enough rabble rousing to keep it interesting, just enough professionalism to keep it real, and I think that everyone should be proud of the site....
And, regardless of what some people may say, I do my best to inform when I can, and to do the best for the industry we love....without ever "talking down to anyone"....and I admit that I may come off like "marketing" too much, but the truth is, I feel that the more people know, the better decisions they will make...period!!
Sorry for the long post......
any other thoughts??
Don
Based on personal emails, school attendees, Bright Traders, and many other traders who have come through my office...I think I have a pretty good "feel" for those on the board. No one has numbers for this, but I can give you a pretty good feel....for whatever it's worth.
I respect other "guesstimates"....
I think a big number of "lurkers" actually do trade during the day, and don't post very much. Sort of an "unwind" at the end of the day, like reading a magazine of interest. These Real traders, may on occasion, make a few solid comments or post questions, but mostly just read. Much like the newspaper, how many actually write letters to the editors?
I think we have a pretty healthy slice of relatively "new" traders (those who may trade 10-50 times a month or so), who are seriously interested in the profession.
As far as the percentage who take more than $250K/year, every year from the market, I would guess we have 10% or so ( actually a big number), but they don't post much (see above "lurkers").
I "poll" every class we have, and whenever we have trader meetings, to see how many know about ET, and am often surprised by how many smile at me, pat me on the back as if to say "how do you deal with some of these guys?"
I speak of ET on the radio show (yes, I'm a glutton for punishment at times, lol), and point new people to the site because we do have a wide cross section of traders, retail and professional. I have made some serious friends on this site, and as you all know, I am always dodging bullets from some......but for the most part, even the nastiest of people (at times) have wound up with a mutual respect, and we can go forward.
The reason for saying all this, is because I have been part of "online communities" since the 1980's, and I really think that we have a good group here. Just enough rabble rousing to keep it interesting, just enough professionalism to keep it real, and I think that everyone should be proud of the site....
And, regardless of what some people may say, I do my best to inform when I can, and to do the best for the industry we love....without ever "talking down to anyone"....and I admit that I may come off like "marketing" too much, but the truth is, I feel that the more people know, the better decisions they will make...period!!
Sorry for the long post......
any other thoughts??
Don
