Trader Networking, Trading Success? (Part 1)

This will be another (e.g. see here, here, and here) post about trader networking. Submitted for your approval is the question of whether effective networking has anything to do with trader success?

To understand where this comes from, I am new to the Sunshine State and trying to network with other traders. My hope is to meet people and possibly further my trading at the very same time. My preference would be to meet as a group.

Our old friend Meetup.com is my primary source for potential leads. I have joined a few trading- and investment-related meetups in the area. Only one has actually had an [online] event thus far. I have messaged a number of people through the site in an effort to reach out.

My opening salvo is rather benign:

      > Hi! I am new to the area and looking to network with other traders.
      > Let me know if you would like to chat. Thanks!

I think my bio (introduction) is relatively benign as well:

      > Full-time, independent option trader looking to network with other
      > like-minded individuals. I’m always interested in the possibility
      > for collaborative projects.

I’m a friendly guy. I’m pretty easy going. I’m a good listener. I’m interested in your story and what you have to say. Hopefully I check any ego at the door. Let’s talk, shall we? Sure, why not!*

I approach this in an organized fashion so as not to offend anyone or inadvertently cross boundaries. This means keeping track with a networking spreadsheet (at the risk of becoming a “uses-a-spreadsheet-for-everything” person). If anyone tells me “no,” then I certainly do not want to bother them again. If anyone doesn’t answer then it could be a fake account, a spammer, or someone not real. The notification message could have gone to their spam box, though, or it could just be an oversight in which case a follow-up might be advised. It could also be someone not very consistent with e-mails.

E-mail inconsistency is what really makes me wonder. I used to hear people say things like “I’m not very good with e-mail.” Is that still a thing? As the years go by, smartphone technology has progressed where more and more apps have been created for this, that, and everything else. How many people are away from their phones for lengthy periods of time? I have often considered myself lagging behind on technology but even I am connected most of the time now. I rarely go more than several hours between e-mail checks.

Spotty e-mail response is my biggest problem in these initial networking stages and I debate whether this should be a deal-breaker. I’ve said traders are a fickle lot (e.g. see here, here, and here). I will lose interest if I schedule some small group meetings only to see them canceled because a few people call out sick or [even worse] pull a “no call, no show.”

It’s probably a case of “no risk, no reward,” though, and “you don’t know if you never try.” I’m trying!

I will continue next time.

*—This is the image I’m trying to convey along with the desired outcome.