The Most Helpful Traders on Twitter: 30 of The Most Helpful Traders on Twitter Share Their Methods and Wisdom
By Steve Burns and Holly Burns
Quick Summary
A survey-based compilation of trading wisdom from thirty of the most popular and helpful traders on Twitter (now X), as voted by readers of NewTraderU.com. Each featured trader shares their trading process, tools, psychology, recommended resources, and advice for aspiring traders. The book offers a mosaic of diverse trading styles -- from technical analysis and swing trading to options and macro -- providing readers with multiple perspectives on what it takes to succeed in the markets.
Categories
- Trading
- Trading Psychology
- Social Media Trading
Detailed Summary
"The Most Helpful Traders on Twitter" (Stolly Media, 2016) by Steve Burns and Holly Burns is a 179-page compilation based on the authors' annual poll of the most helpful traders on Twitter, conducted through the popular trading education site NewTraderU.com. The 2015 poll results formed the basis for this book, in which thirty top-voted traders responded to survey questions about their methods, tools, and philosophies.
The book is organized alphabetically by Twitter handle, with each trader receiving their own chapter. The traders featured span a wide range of styles and markets:
@AdamHGrimes (Adam Grimes) shares his perspective as a quantitative trader and author who emphasizes the importance of statistical edge and disciplined risk management over prediction.
@Alphatrends (Brian Shannon) discusses his approach to technical analysis using multiple timeframe analysis, volume-weighted average price (VWAP), and his emphasis on "trading the trader, not the news."
@Ivanhoff (Ivaylo Ivanov) contributes insights on momentum trading, focusing on identifying stocks with catalysts and following institutional money flow.
@JBoorman (John Boorman) shares his swing trading methodology and the importance of adapting to changing market regimes.
@Northmantrader (Sven Henrich) provides a macro-technical perspective, discussing how broader economic and monetary policy conditions inform his trading decisions.
@OptionsHawk shares options flow analysis techniques, showing how monitoring unusual options activity can reveal institutional positioning before price moves.
@Rayner_Teo discusses his systematic approach to forex and futures trading, emphasizing the importance of backtested strategies and process over individual trade outcomes.
@SJosephBurns (Steve Burns himself) shares his evolution from losing trader to profitable one through systematic trend following and strict risk management rules.
@Traderstewie provides insights on technical pattern recognition and the discipline required to wait for high-probability setups.
@StockCats adds humor and community perspective, noting the importance of not taking yourself too seriously while maintaining trading discipline.
Common threads across the thirty profiles include: (1) the primacy of risk management over entry technique, (2) the importance of having a written trading plan, (3) the psychological challenge of maintaining discipline during drawdowns, (4) the value of community and mentorship, (5) the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation, and (6) the emphasis on process over outcome on individual trades. Most traders recommend reading classics like "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator," the Market Wizards series, and trading psychology books by Mark Douglas and Brett Steenbarger.
The book serves as both a reference for finding quality follows on financial Twitter and a panoramic survey of modern retail and professional trading approaches. Its interview format allows readers to compare and contrast different methods, identifying commonalities that transcend specific strategies. The diversity of featured traders -- including day traders, swing traders, position traders, options specialists, and macro analysts -- ensures broad relevance.