• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Trading Heroes

Trading Heroes

Forex Trading Education

  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Login

Winners Self-Promote. Losers Do This.

Is self-promotion a bad thing? Some people seem to think so. But are people who promote themselves as traders or trading educators all bad? Here's what I think.

Home / Trading Psychology / Winners Self-Promote. Losers Do This.

By Hugh Kimura

There is a statement that I hear occasionally, that annoys the hell out of me. So I finally decided to write about it.

I'm not sure if this will change anyone's mind, but it needs to be said.

The Statement

It usually goes a little something like this:

“That trader cannot possibly be legit because they are such a big self promoter.”

I get emails like this occasionally and it's just about the dumbest thing that I have ever heard. 

Guess why?

Because you are a self-promoter too!

Discount for TH Readers: Get your Forex Tester 5 coupon here

Everyone is a self promoter…or at least I hope so.

More on that in a minute…

Let's start with the most common reason for the negative connotation around traders who market themselves heavily. Yes, that person could be a scam, like this.

But remember, going out of your way to call someone a scam is preventing you from realizing your full potential, as a trader.

So don't do it. Focus on what you want to have instead (education, a trader to trade for you, etc).

You Are a Self-Promoter Too…or at Least I Hope So!

Winner

Now that we have that out of the way, let's take a look at the facts. You are just as guilty of being a self-promoter as that guy on Instagram or Twitter.

If you aren't promoting yourself, then I feel sorry for you.

But since you want to be a successful trader, I know that you are great at self-promotion and you have probably had quite a bit of success up until this point.

That's just what the law of averages says.

Here are the two big areas where we promote ourselves and might not think about it as self-promotion.

Your Job

Did you send out a resume to get your job? I'm sure that you spent hours on that resume…

…making sure that there were no typos and that all of your achievements were there. Or maybe you paid someone to do it.

Either way, you are guilty of self-promotion!

You hustled, prepared yourself for the interview and did your best to highlight your strengths.

Dress for interview

SEE ALSO: The Best Trading Psychology Books of All-Time

But does anyone frown upon this behavior?

Of course not.

Getting a good job puts food on your table, a roof over your head and makes sure that your family is taken care of. It pays your health insurance and much more.

So why wouldn't you work as hard as possible to promote your skills and get that job?

Nobody else is going to do it for you. 

Your Significant Other

Man with flowers

When you go out on a first date with someone, do you shower, comb your hair and brush your teeth?

I sure hope so. 

Furthermore, you are probably on your best behavior, you might bring flowers and maybe even rehearse a few jokes.

But just to get that first date probably required a lot of work too. You might have joined an online dating service and if you did, you probably used your best picture and description.

…all shameless self-promotion.

If your date was successful and it becomes more, you have self-promotion to thank.

Again, who else is going to do it for you?

Conclusion

The bottom line is that people with any type of business, trading or otherwise, will have to promote their company to stay in business. Regardless if they are legitimate or shady, the amount of hustle required to be successful is the same.

So why not judge the person on references and actual conversations with them, instead of their marketing? 

Since you want to learn how to trade successfully, I'm very sure that you have been successful in these areas…in addition to several others. You have been successful because you are a fantastic self-promoter.

…but you have probably never thought of it that way before.

So before you write anyone off, just because they are doing a great job promoting themselves…check yourself for a minute. That person is busy winning, while everyone is busy doing the other thing.

Which side do you want to be on? 

 

Related Articles

Taking Profit Is Not A Crime
How to Stay in a Trade When Others Bail
How to be a Currency Trader Who is (Almost) Fearless

Category: Trading Psychology Tag: Wealth Mindset and Abundance

About Hugh Kimura

Hi, I'm Hugh. I'm an independent trader, educator and researcher. I help traders develop their trading psychology and trading strategies. Learn more about me here.

Top

 

Share This Article


First posted: November 24, 2016
Last updated: May 15, 2020

Primary Sidebar

Trading Guides

How to Figure Out Your Trader Personality Profile

The Best Trading Books Ever

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Forex Backtesting

How to Create a Precise Trading Plan (with PDF worksheet)

Footer

Company

  • Support
  • About Trading Heroes
  • Trading Courses and Education
  • T-Shirts & Trading Gear

Tutorials & Guides

  • Recommended Trading Resources
  • Free Forex Trading Course for Beginners
  • The Trading Blog
  • Best Trading Books
  • Forex Trading Strategies
  • The Trading Lifestyle Podcast

Community

  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Private Trading Community
  • Contact
Trading involves substantial risk and there is always the potential for loss. All content on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not trading, investment, or medical advice. You should be aware of the risks associated with trading and seek advice from an independent certified financial adviser if you have any doubts. Some links on this page might be affiliate links, where we get a small commission if you purchase through the link. It doesn't cost you anything extra and we only recommend products that we absolutely love. This site uses cookies and using this site means that you agree to the use of cookies.

 

CFTC Rules 4.41 - Hypothetical or Simulated performance results have certain limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, because the trades have not actually been executed, the results may have under-or-over compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated trading programs, in general, are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profit or losses similar to those shown. Testimonials appearing may not be representative of other clients or customers and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2007–2022 TrueLiving Media LLC | Terms | Privacy | Risk