Some traders post their trades in a public forum like twitter, a message board, a blog, or in a chat room. As in many things, there are pros and cons. Here is a list of pros and cons, assuming the entries and exits are posted in real time, with real cash (not sim).

Some of the potential advantages for the poster include:  increasing one’s self discipline by being on public display; increasing one’s self-honesty by being publically accountable; showing others what you do and thereby creating an opportunity for feedback, learning, and education; and providing inspiration to others.

Some of the potential disadvantages for the poster include: increased pressure to perform or performance anxiety; distraction that makes it more difficult to focus and recognize changing market conditions; distraction that hinders one’s ability to optimally manage the trade, and for those with significant ego issues it can set up a situation where the poster holds a losing trade too long because they have something to prove.

There is also the phenomenon or perception among some traders that winning posts are in some way showing off, and/or sometimes contributing to feelings of intimidation or the feeling that it will be difficult to trade as well the poster. I have also seen traders spending time trying to learn the set-ups of a poster who displays winning trades but missing crucial information or subtle but important nuances of the poster’s trading system, not to mention not being the right fit or style for their personality.

I have personally gone through periods where I posted all my trades live in a chat room and other times when I have not posted my trades. I seem to go through phases where publically posting live entries and exits can be helpful or a hindrance to my own trading.  I think it is important to understand one’s motivation for posting as well as knowing whether it is helping or hindering your trading. We are all different and we also go through different phases depending on many factors. Bottom line, know yourself, know why you post the trades, and determine if it helps or hinders. Publically posting live entries may be a good idea, or bad idea, but its up to you to know the difference.