We’ve been running Ticker Request Live, my free weekly trading show, since January, and it’s become pretty clear that there are three types of traders who seem to get a lot of value from it.
So if you’ve been wondering whether this show is for you, see which trader you are and find out!
Trader Type #1: The Generalist
The generalist is a Wall Street term for someone who trades across asset classes. In our world of self-directed trading, that still applies and also includes folks who may trade a stock watchlist, or a basket of futures contracts or currency pairs.
The generalist comes in ready to engage, and because of that, they tend to get a lot of useful feedback. That includes not only my directional view on their requested tickers, but also the education behind the analysis and what I’m seeing on the chart.
One thing we’ve done to make this fair for traders who bring multiple tickers is the “5-second rule.”
When I open the floor and traders start putting tickers into Zoom or Youtube chat, I simply ask that if they have more than one, wait about five seconds before typing the next one. That gives their fellow traders a chance to get in the queue too. They’ve still been able to get the feedback they need.while keeping things running smoothly for everybody.
Part of why that works is because Ticker Request Live is an analysis show. The focus stays on the charts, which helps us move at a healthy pace and cover a lot without the show dragging out for hours.
Trader Type #2: The Specialist
A specialist trader is also a Wall Street term, but here I’m using it to refer to a self-directed trader who is more focused on just a few tickers, or even just one. Maybe you day trade SPY options, or swing trade AI tech stocks, or only trade micro gold futures. So at TRL you generally have one primary request.
You might assume that a specialist self-directed trader would spend a lot of time sitting around waiting for their ticker request to be analyzed by me.
But what’s been interesting is how much value they still get while their ticker is in the queue.
I call it side-door coaching.
For example, maybe they came in asking about ES futures, and before I get there, I spend time walking through NQ futures. Those markets are related, so they’re still picking up useful education that applies to what they trade.
In many cases, they leave with broader insight than they expected.
Sometimes hearing someone else’s analysis question helps your own trading just as much.
The pacing helps here too. The show moves quickly enough to stay engaging, but slowly enough that traders can actually follow what’s happening.
Trader Type #3: The Drive-By Trader
This is the person who comes without a ticker, without a list, and generally stays pretty quiet in the background.
And they get a lot of value from being on the broadcast live too!
That value comes from reinforcing what they’re learning as the broadcast unfolds.
Ticker Request Live isn’t a formal coaching session, but I absolutely engage with the audience.
- I’ll ask traders to type into chat so I know a concept landed
- Or I’ll do a quick pulse check and ask, “On a scale of 1 to 5, are you picking up what I’m putting down?”
So if you’ve ever thought, Why would I come if I don’t even have a ticker to ask about today?
THIS is why.
You may hear another trader ask something that highlights a challenge you’ve had yourself. Or something gets explained in a way that suddenly clicks because you were there listening live.
There’s real value in simply being in the room.
So… Which Trader Are You?
The generalist?
The specialist?
The drive-by trader?
Depends on the day? 😉
All three get a lot out of the show.
Whether you show up with five tickers or none, Ticker Request Live is built to help traders learn through real chart analysis.
Tuesday afternoon. Charts on the screen…
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