When I first started trading, like many beginners, I turned to YouTube to learn the ropes. The platform is filled with countless trading gurus, each promising big profits and easy ways to make money from the stock market. It seemed like every other YouTuber was calling themselves a “trading expert” with flashy titles like “How I Made $10,000 in One Week” or “The Secret to Consistent Gains.”
Naturally, I was hooked. I thought, “If these guys can make so much money, why can’t I?” So, I decided to follow one of the more popular trading YouTube channels for beginners. I spent weeks watching their videos, taking notes, and following their strategies—hoping for that big break.
But the real question is, after all that time spent on YouTube, did I actually make money?
Let’s dive into my experience and see if following a trading YouTuber was really worth it for a beginner like me.
Why I Turned to YouTube in the First Place
When I first started out in the world of trading, I was totally overwhelmed. I had no idea where to begin. I kept hearing terms like “technical analysis,” “candlestick patterns,” and “risk management” and had no clue what any of it meant. There was so much to learn, and I didn’t have time to go back to school for finance.
So, like any curious person would, I Googled “best ways to learn trading” and, sure enough, YouTube was all over the search results. There were tons of channels offering free tutorials, trading strategies, and stock analysis. It felt like a goldmine of information just waiting to be explored. I thought, “I could just watch a few videos, learn the basics, and start trading. Easy, right?”
Well, let’s just say it wasn’t as simple as I imagined. But I did learn a lot along the way.
The Trading YouTuber I Followed
The YouTuber I decided to follow was someone with a huge following—we’re talking hundreds of thousands of subscribers. They claimed to have developed a foolproof strategy for picking stocks and making profitable trades. Their videos were polished, and the results seemed impressive.
What They Promised
- Easy-to-understand tips: Perfect for beginners like me.
- Real-time trades: They showed their own trades, claiming to make significant profits in short periods.
- A clear strategy: They promised that with their guidance, anyone could follow along and succeed.
I thought, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” So, I jumped right in.
What I Actually Learned from Their Videos
As a beginner, I quickly realized that there’s a lot of information on trading YouTube channels that’s both helpful and confusing. Here’s what I learned after following this particular YouTuber for a few weeks.
1. The Basics Are Important
The first thing that became clear was that understanding the basics is essential, and that’s exactly what I got from the YouTuber. They broke down complex topics into digestible pieces, from understanding technical indicators to grasping the concept of risk-to-reward ratios.
I started feeling more confident in my understanding of things like support and resistance levels, and I could identify patterns like head and shoulders or double tops on a chart. This knowledge helped me make better decisions overall.
2. The Promise of Quick Profits Was Overhyped
Now, here’s where things got tricky. The YouTuber often shared their real-time trades, showing the profits they made within days or even hours. While it was motivating, it quickly became apparent that these results were not the norm for the average beginner trader.
In reality, trading takes time. Even with a solid strategy, profits aren’t always immediate. I didn’t hit it big overnight—far from it. In fact, there were days when I lost money, and I felt frustrated. I realized that what works for someone with years of experience might not work the same way for me.
3. They Didn’t Teach Risk Management Enough
One thing I didn’t notice until later was that risk management wasn’t emphasized nearly enough. The YouTuber focused a lot on how to spot a good trade, but didn’t go into great detail about how much of my capital should be at risk per trade or how to handle a loss.
Risk management is key in trading, especially for beginners. Without it, I found myself taking on more risk than I was comfortable with, which led to unnecessary losses. Sure, it’s exciting to see your account grow when a trade goes well, but it’s equally important to protect yourself when things go south.
Did I Make Money?
So, after all of this learning, did I actually make money? Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
The Good News:
- I got better at understanding the stock market. The YouTube channel helped me grasp key concepts quickly, which gave me more confidence in my trades.
- I started recognizing patterns and identifying potential trades with more accuracy.
- I improved my analysis skills, like spotting key price levels, reading charts, and interpreting news.
The Not-So-Good News:
- I made some losing trades. Not surprising, right? As a beginner, I took some risks that didn’t pay off, and without a strong risk management plan, it set me back a bit.
- I was impatient. Watching someone else make money quickly created this sense of urgency, which led me to jump into trades without waiting for the right setup.
- I didn’t build a strategy of my own. While the YouTuber’s strategy was useful, I didn’t feel like I had fully developed my own personal approach. I was trying to replicate theirs, but trading is a personal journey, and it takes time to find what works for you.
Key Takeaways: What I Wish I Knew Before Following a Trading YouTuber
While I did learn a lot from the YouTube channel, I also discovered some valuable lessons that I wish I had known from the start. Here are my key takeaways:
1. Don’t Rely on One Source
While YouTube is a fantastic resource, it’s essential to get your information from multiple sources. Each trader has a different perspective, and what works for one person may not work for you. Books, courses, and forums can provide more depth than a single channel.
2. Create Your Own Strategy
Following someone else’s strategy is fine in the beginning, but it’s vital to eventually develop your own. You need to understand the reasons behind each trade you make, not just blindly follow someone’s picks.
3. Focus on Risk Management
This was a huge lesson for me. If I had focused more on managing risk early on, I would have avoided a lot of unnecessary losses. Position sizing, stop-loss orders, and limiting risk per trade are fundamental for long-term success.
4. Trading Is a Long-Term Game
I learned the hard way that trading is not a get-rich-quick venture. If you’re looking for instant profits, you might get lucky here and there, but long-term success comes from patience, discipline, and learning from mistakes.
Final Thoughts: Is Following a Trading YouTuber Worth It?
- To answer the question I posed in the title: Did I make money? Yes, I made some money, but I also lost some. Following a trading YouTube channel for beginners can be an excellent way to get started and learn the basics, but it’s not the end-all-be-all.
- In the end, success in trading comes from practice, consistency, and education. If you decide to follow a YouTuber, make sure you balance it with other resources and don’t be afraid to develop your own trading approach.
- What I learned from this experience is simple: Trading isn’t just about finding the next big stock pick; it’s about building the right mindset, understanding the risks, and staying disciplined.
- So, if you’re just starting out, go ahead and watch some videos, learn from others, but don’t forget to develop your own strategy. The best traders are the ones who combine education, patience, and a solid risk management plan—and I’m working on all of those every day.
Next Article To Read: The Ultimate Budgeting Plan for Beginner Investors