Does blogging provide any real value for market participants, students of the markets, or blog readers?
I recently came across a few posts and discussions that speak directly to this question, and seem to answer back with an emphatic "yes" on all counts.
First, let's take a quick look at Michael Bigger's recent post in which he states that 99 percent of traders are missing out on the benefits of blogging.
Michael highlights a short clip of Seth Godin speaking about the advantages of writing a blog and how the act of writing helps to sharpen one's thinking and understanding of the subject at hand.
He adds that a trader's blog is his home base, and that everyone should think of blogging as their "thinking out loud" platform. I could not agree more with his visualization of the blog as an idea scrapbook or journal, as this was the initial purpose for Finance Trends Matter, but check out Michael's post and hear his (and Seth's) view on the subject.
I also want to highlight two worthwhile clips from StockTwits TV. First we have Tadas Viskanta at Abnormal Returns discussing the value of financial blogging.
As he makes clear in this discussion, the costs of and ease of entry to blogging have come down to the point where just about anyone get started writing their own blog. There are still risks (sometimes reputational), but the value of archiving one's thoughts and receiving feedback from engaged readers is a great benefit to investors, traders, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
You'll also find a link in Tadas' post to a new interview with Charles Kirk (The Kirk Report), one of the "godfathers" of the market blogosphere, who discusses his writing and trading methods with Howard Lindzon.
Be sure to check out some of the related items mentioned in Tadas' talk, and think about starting your own blog (or engaging with those you follow) to help you journal your ideas and learn from others in the financial blogging and trading world.
