BetterTrades Blog

One of the best ways to test the pulse of the financial community is by reading the online opinions that are regularly expressed at one of the many blogs published each week on the information highway. Blogs, a shortened version of the term "weblog," offers individuals the opportunity to sound off on a topic of interest. These blogs can attract regular readers and develop a following, especially if the information is legitimate and contains value for the time invested in finding it and reading it.

Many BetterTrades students enjoy reading blogs on a regular basis in order help them stay current about events that move and shape the stock market. Because of their busy schedules, many students find themselves with limited time and enjoy the limited time that a blog requires. Some BetterTrades students have even become bloggers, with their own sites and own avenue to voice their opinions.

Blogging can be a fun way to flame the passions for the stock market and creating a regular list of blogs to check out or subscribe to is one way to find fresh information on a regular basis. But with so many voices being lifted in cyberspace, some BetterTrades students find it difficult to discern the good information from the bad information, the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Here are a few questions to ask before you begin taking every word of the blogger's report to heart.

• Is the blogger credible? Does the author have a background in the material that makes them a legitimate landing point each day? Does the writer have special expertise in the area that's being addressed? For example, if the blog is about trading commodities, is the writer actually trading commodities, or is the writer simply stating opinions that aren't based in experience? Remember, it's easy to mouth off when you have no financial stake at risk.
• Is the blog interesting? Does this person offer interesting concepts and ideas that will keep you coming back for more? Is the writing style compelling or does the writer simply drone on about the topic? If the material isn't presented in an interesting style, you won't be likely to return on a regular basis. Boring is bad. If you want to be bored you should watch network television.
• Is the information financially helpful? Is the blogger helping you make money or just there for entertainment value? While most people enjoy reading some fun material, the idea for most of us is to optimize our opportunities and monetize our time. Until you get more spare time, concentrate on the bloggers who will help you make more money.

When you find a blogger you like, share the site with your friends. They can do the same thing and before long you'll be able to develop some good places to find opinion and information that can be trusted.