Myth-Busting Investigation: How to Start a Trading Blog That Actually Makes Money

The Big Misconception:

“If you start a trading blog, you’ll make money just by sharing your trades.”

It’s a common belief floating around finance forums, Reddit threads, and even YouTube videos: Post your trades, write a few thoughts, add affiliate links, and boom—passive income. The appeal is obvious. You're already trading, so why not monetize your thoughts?

Many aspiring traders picture a lifestyle where they wake up, trade the markets for an hour, blog about it over coffee, and watch the ad revenue roll in while lounging poolside. But how true is this idea? Can simply sharing your trades online turn into a profitable blog?

Let’s investigate.

Step 1: Where the Belief Comes From

The idea isn't totally baseless. A few big-name trading blogs—like The Chart Guys, Warrior Trading, and TradingwithRayner—have grown into full-fledged businesses. They rake in revenue through:

• Courses and subscriptions

• Affiliate commissions

• YouTube monetization

• Sponsored content

• Premium newsletters

So naturally, people think: If they can do it, so can I. But here’s the catch—these bloggers aren’t just posting random trades. They run highly strategic, content-driven operations with marketing, branding, and business models baked in.

Step 2: What the Data and Experts Say

Fact: Most blogs never make money

A 2022 survey by Orbit Media found that only 31% of bloggers report making any money at all—and less than 10% make substantial income. Among finance bloggers, that number is even lower due to intense competition and SEO challenges.

"Blogging is a long game. To turn it into income, you need systems, strategy, and staying power—not just good content." — Adam Enfroy, Digital Business Strategist

🔬 Academic Insight: Authority and niche matter

A study in the Journal of Interactive Marketing (2019) analyzed what makes online content trustworthy. Key takeaways:

• Blogs that display credentials or social proof (like verified trades or years of experience) are far more likely to attract loyal followers.

• Blogs in highly specialized niches (e.g., “options trading for busy parents”) build audiences faster than generic ones.

Simply put: people don’t just want to read about trades—they want credibility, consistency, and a unique angle.

Debunked: "Sharing trades is enough"

Behavioral research by CXL Institute (2020) found that financial content without explanation or strategy tends to underperform. Readers don’t just want signals; they crave context, psychology, and education.

“Traders who just drop trade screenshots without analysis are often ignored. The market is flooded with them.” — Brett Steenbarger, PhD, Trading Psychologist

Step 3: What Actually Works

Let’s break down what successful trading blogs do differently:

ElementHobby BlogProfitable Trading BlogContent StrategyRandom trades or opinionsNiche-focused content calendarsMonetizationNone or only affiliate linksCourses, subscriptions, email listSEO and KeywordsIgnoredData-driven keyword targetingAudience BuildingPassiveNewsletter funnels + communityValue ProvidedTrade logsEducation, analysis, tools

Historical case study: Rayner Teo (TradingwithRayner) started as a one-man blog. He grew by consistently offering free education and building an email list of over 250,000 subscribers—long before he launched any products.

Final Verdict

Myth: Sharing your trades online = money Truth: A trading blog can make money—but only if it’s run like a real business.

Starting a blog won’t automatically lead to income. Monetization comes from trust, structure, and strategy, not just content. The idea that "write it and they will come" is outdated. If you're not thinking about audience value, funnels, and long-term positioning, you're just shouting into the void.

💬 Did this surprise you?

What’s another trading or blogging myth we should explore next?