Here's the latest WOW in the social-investing space we pioneered back in 2005: Associated Press writer Candace Choi just published an article entitled "Clueless about trading? Start networking online". In it she describes how social investing networks like the TradeKing Community have taken on even wider acceptance - and now imitation, as both Scottrade and TD Ameritrade join the collective fray. She also highlights how TK and other players are pushing for greater transparency and accountability by linking community members' comments back to their actual accounts' performance stats and other real-world measures.

Some folks might regard the big boys' entry into social investing as a threat to our little community - but actually we see it as an opportunity. First, it's a huge validation of the concept of community for investors TradeKing pioneered back in December 2005, so it's a mark of our success.

Second, we think there's plenty of room for entrants big and small in this space. TradeKing community users should benefit from the scale these firms' communities stand to offer, but they'll likely also benefit from the niche expertise of options traders and other speciality-players who've already gathered at our community.

Finally, I wouldn't be surprised if a Scottrade or TD Ameritrade CEO started blogging - I've been calling for a number-two CEO in our industry for literally years now - but I doubt CEOs of major brokerages will have the wherewithal to connect directly with their community members as I've been doing for a while now. I really value that interaction and have learned a ton from you guys over the years, so I feel lucky that our numbers are still modest enough (but growing!) that I can keep that direct connection up.

All the same, I'd love to take a peek at these new communities as they emerge - and definitely let me know if you've got a review of their services, too!

[image: WOW by Robyn Gallagher on flickr]

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Follow the markets at the TradeKing Blog, learn options strategies from the Options Guy, or check out expert commentary on real client trades at TK All-Stars. 

The community aspect is a great place to 'throw an idea out' and see what comes back. While this is not a tangible thing you can put a value on, it is by no means valueless. In fact, you could never blog at all and just read the blogs and comments here and develop an entire trading strategy on them and no-one would even know. A little ironic really and something to keep in mind the next any of us are writing a comment or blog.

The bottom line though is that Tradeking's fees are low enough to allow less capitalized investors to get in the game and get their feet wet without losing their shirt or risking their retirement. You learn just as much and probably more from a $200 transaction that you lose on, as you do a larger one. I say probably more, because of the percentages involved, but that really depends on how valuable $200 is to a person I suppose.

Of course not having a minimum deposit to get started is a HUGE plus for Tradeking as well. How many potential investors have been left undeveloped because they couldn't come up with an extra $500 or $1000 or even $2000 just to get started? Such a shame that people can take control of their future, but then are turned away at the door to opportunity. Okay so maybe a little too philosophical, but it is serious business when you are talking about your own future.

Wouldn't it be great if everyone could retire at 40 or 45 because investing was that accessible to them at an early stage in their life. I am encouraged to see so many young people in this community and taking hold of their future by learning 'this stuff' to use a strictly technical term.

People are meant to work and the world will always need and have people to do jobs, but retiring from that job is supposed to allow you to have fun afterwards, not work until you can't physically do it anymore and then try to hold on as long as you can hoping you'll have the money to do so.

While Tradeking does not 'yet' have all the tools I would like, it has certainly been a great place for me to learn and grow as an investor and many others as well. The community aspect is in and of itself an education just waiting to be had and the requirements to get started make it easy for anyone to do so. Keep up the good work.