Thanks, Donald! This is what we need - for folks to tell us what they want and see if a consensus can be built around anything we do, so I can focus my efforts on the analysis.
In order to really make ETFYourself a top-tier publication, we feel we need to "rally around" my "very best thinking, and do so efficiently for all concerned. Many investment subscription products are run by greedy, self-serving types just trying to make a sale. Not here.
We are in this to make an impact. Otherwise we have plenty else to do in our semi-retirement phase of life. But we are encouraged by all those who have stepped forward and told us what they like or what they want, so thanks!
Still gathering feedback for a bit longer, but this is what we've come to understand so far, what is most valuable and dovetails with best use of my research time:
1. ROAR in multiple forms (so folks learn portfolio balance between offense and defense over time)
2. Watchlist/depth chart of eligible ETFs (i.e. those I am considering for use on offense or defense "at the right price"). This is at the ETF level, no consideration for what my or anyone else's portfolio will do with that info. Short summaries of why I'm following each ETF.
3. ETF charts/quick comments to tell market story with fewer words and more visuals (so folks learn charting over time). Thinking about 1 chart every weekday plus Sunday, and Tuesdays will continue to be the "big" day each week. However, it will be the same chart-headline-quick notes each time, just with premium subscribers getting several more (5-10) each week, and a watchlist for premium subscribers that essentially points out which ETFs are "at the tails" of my analysis. That is, which ones look very good or very bad, and the rest are unremarkable.
4. That 7-ETF portfolio, which is more educational than anything, since the overwhelming response we get from subscribers is "tell me what looks good or bad and I'll take it from there." That's perfect for us, since I left the advice business 4 years ago. And since my own investing can be very proactive at times and use options and other wrinkles to try to protect/enhance gains and income, I don't see how we can translate all of that for any less than $300 a month, which is the Institutional service.
So we'll finalize these service improvements, and also determine if the current $40 a month/$400 a year should remain or possibly be lowered, since we will be streamlining a lot of this. More on all of this soon, thanks!
Thanks so much for the feedback. Truly helps. We tend to agree with you. More likely we will move Sunday to during the week, perhaps going to a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday or MWF weekly routine.
Thoughts on the latter part of the “ask” in today’s note?
If you are asking about expanding the ROAR score...or what we like/portfolio construction...I think an expansion of the ROAR score would be good to try out and at least for subscribers to visualize what it looks like. The current ROAR score is effective and as someone who might have a large amount of funds available in a few months (via a house sale) I could see the ROAR score being a starting place for new money in a pricey market. But I could also see the value of modifying the ROAR score for different time frames with (I am guessing here) a variety of ETF's suggested as you do with the 7 ETF list. This circles to portfolio construction, and if I recall correctly during the meeting we recently had with the group you suggested that the 7 ETF list was a guide and could be used by us or something similar that might not be on the 7 ETF list. I think there are subscribers who would want the portfolio construction as a guide (like myself) but ultimately it is up to us as individual investors to hit the buy button at the appropriate. Regarding "what we like" that is an excellent enhancement and I would welcome that with the same reasoning that as individuals we would have to decide whether this fits our goals or not. I would hope that you would present why you like the investment, risks, etc., at the time and how it fits into the portfolio.
as an example for the options for the 7 ETF mix you mentioned on the presentation, you use BIL as a "default" treasury investment while I use CLIP (higher yield and lower expense ratio). I know you are not big on expense ratios (neither am I) but with a treasury fund every 0.01% is important.
Hi Rob...I hope that you will not combine Thursdays and Sundays UNIQUE posts into one please. My reason is the word UNIQUE. They should stand alone as they serve a different purpose. You have a great product and I look forward to your continuing education to novices and someone like myself who has been investing for decades and yet know that I'm am never too old to learn from someone who has more experience and who generously shares that experience. Keep up the good work!
EXCELLENT feedback. We are taking it all in, and will roll out the enhancements in the near future.
Thanks, Donald! This is what we need - for folks to tell us what they want and see if a consensus can be built around anything we do, so I can focus my efforts on the analysis.
In order to really make ETFYourself a top-tier publication, we feel we need to "rally around" my "very best thinking, and do so efficiently for all concerned. Many investment subscription products are run by greedy, self-serving types just trying to make a sale. Not here.
We are in this to make an impact. Otherwise we have plenty else to do in our semi-retirement phase of life. But we are encouraged by all those who have stepped forward and told us what they like or what they want, so thanks!
Still gathering feedback for a bit longer, but this is what we've come to understand so far, what is most valuable and dovetails with best use of my research time:
1. ROAR in multiple forms (so folks learn portfolio balance between offense and defense over time)
2. Watchlist/depth chart of eligible ETFs (i.e. those I am considering for use on offense or defense "at the right price"). This is at the ETF level, no consideration for what my or anyone else's portfolio will do with that info. Short summaries of why I'm following each ETF.
3. ETF charts/quick comments to tell market story with fewer words and more visuals (so folks learn charting over time). Thinking about 1 chart every weekday plus Sunday, and Tuesdays will continue to be the "big" day each week. However, it will be the same chart-headline-quick notes each time, just with premium subscribers getting several more (5-10) each week, and a watchlist for premium subscribers that essentially points out which ETFs are "at the tails" of my analysis. That is, which ones look very good or very bad, and the rest are unremarkable.
4. That 7-ETF portfolio, which is more educational than anything, since the overwhelming response we get from subscribers is "tell me what looks good or bad and I'll take it from there." That's perfect for us, since I left the advice business 4 years ago. And since my own investing can be very proactive at times and use options and other wrinkles to try to protect/enhance gains and income, I don't see how we can translate all of that for any less than $300 a month, which is the Institutional service.
So we'll finalize these service improvements, and also determine if the current $40 a month/$400 a year should remain or possibly be lowered, since we will be streamlining a lot of this. More on all of this soon, thanks!
Thanks so much for the feedback. Truly helps. We tend to agree with you. More likely we will move Sunday to during the week, perhaps going to a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday or MWF weekly routine.
Thoughts on the latter part of the “ask” in today’s note?
If you are asking about expanding the ROAR score...or what we like/portfolio construction...I think an expansion of the ROAR score would be good to try out and at least for subscribers to visualize what it looks like. The current ROAR score is effective and as someone who might have a large amount of funds available in a few months (via a house sale) I could see the ROAR score being a starting place for new money in a pricey market. But I could also see the value of modifying the ROAR score for different time frames with (I am guessing here) a variety of ETF's suggested as you do with the 7 ETF list. This circles to portfolio construction, and if I recall correctly during the meeting we recently had with the group you suggested that the 7 ETF list was a guide and could be used by us or something similar that might not be on the 7 ETF list. I think there are subscribers who would want the portfolio construction as a guide (like myself) but ultimately it is up to us as individual investors to hit the buy button at the appropriate. Regarding "what we like" that is an excellent enhancement and I would welcome that with the same reasoning that as individuals we would have to decide whether this fits our goals or not. I would hope that you would present why you like the investment, risks, etc., at the time and how it fits into the portfolio.
as an example for the options for the 7 ETF mix you mentioned on the presentation, you use BIL as a "default" treasury investment while I use CLIP (higher yield and lower expense ratio). I know you are not big on expense ratios (neither am I) but with a treasury fund every 0.01% is important.
Hi Rob...I hope that you will not combine Thursdays and Sundays UNIQUE posts into one please. My reason is the word UNIQUE. They should stand alone as they serve a different purpose. You have a great product and I look forward to your continuing education to novices and someone like myself who has been investing for decades and yet know that I'm am never too old to learn from someone who has more experience and who generously shares that experience. Keep up the good work!
I like the split Sunday, Thursday. Just started, but like 7 ETF portfolio in paid version.