Investors Who Network Trade More

2008-03-07 Word Count: 474 Category: Stock Market

Investors Who Network Trade More

For most investors, the wild market volatility of the past few weeks has been cause for gritted teeth and palpitating hearts. But a few who have become active in online trading communities took some solace in the fact that they at least had found a place where they can see how other investors are riding out the storm. Like many other parts of the Internet, online trading sites are more and more turning into collaborative experiences.

Incorporating social media, or social networking, features such as message boards, blogs, live chat rooms, and podcasts works to the mutual advantage of both brokerages and their customers. Investors want guarantees that they're getting credible information from trustworthy sources, and brokerages realize their business will suffer if they can't ensure the legitimacy of the information and users on their Web sites.

The rise of trading sites centered on social media is seen by some as part of a backlash against the mass e-mails people used to get from unknown people promoting penny stocks and more often than not looking for a quick pop. But it also reflects growing demand for two-way flows of information.

We see today's consumers aren't content to sit back and have their entertainment sent to them, or their news or, increasingly, to have financial advice sent to them. They demand to be part of the conversation that impacts their lives, and that conversation should be empowered.

Why Joining A Social/Investor Network Community is So Important

Social networking can be just for fun, of course. But, Social/ Investor Networking takes on a far greater importance. An Investor Network Community is the town-corner where all who have an interest in seeing the World economy grow can exchange information, wisdom, and optimism.

I firmly believe, and I think the evidence will show, that not since the Great Depression of the early 20th century have the stakes been so high.

The stock market is down about 9 percent since the start of 2008—and that is reportedly the third worst start for any year since 1926, says the Times.

Access to information is key to a democracy and fundamental to the understanding of complex economic inter-relationships. There is a reason why despotic regimes cut off the free flow of information first. If you are engaged in the running commentary of social/investor networking, then you are the guardians of this information highway.

You have a greater responsibility than those who just use social networking sites to exchange pictures, or arrange for dates, or discuss the top ten YouTube picks of the day.

The economy is broken. Those armed with accurate information will be in the vanguard of any remedy…not government, not banks, not Wall Street, not overseas investors.

We are the fix!