Welcome to
Proform Trading
Getting Started
Let us be the first to congratulate you on your decision to learn more about making your money work for you. This little pamphlet was created to give you a broad overview of how to get going with Proform. It is not intended to be an in-depth composition on investing or the software involved. We’ll cover these topics: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Goals and purpose of Proform Trading Brief Overview of the Proform Robot Three Steps to Getting Started The Essentials of Successful Investor
Welcome We have two simple goals:
Goal #1 Show you how to launch a
successful investing campaign. Teach you basic investing skills
Goal #2 to improve performance.
We ultimately accomplish these by offering financial tools, training, and resources.
Financial Tools Financial tools make it easier to accomplish your investing goals efficiently. It is absolutely possible to invest using only a newspaper, pencil, and telephone... and most investors did exactly that for several past decades. However, the tools now exist to automate your processes and streamline your workflow using software. The human element is still absolutely necessary for the successful execution of any system. Actual intelligence will always have its advantages over artificial intelligence. The Proform Robot, for example, is a collection of several unique tools to help you better read, understand, and act in the financial markets. The same way a farm tractor is a set of tools, you will need the understanding of the concepts to use it effectively.
Financial Training Training is the foundation for success in any venture and it is even more important when the venture involves your hard earned savings. The intention of Proform Trading is to offer education that will result in the financial success of people of all learning types (visual, audial, interactive, etc). As a result, several options are available: Those who learn best in classroom settings may find the Trading Labs most effective. Those who learn by practice and emulation may get the most out of the Trading Room. The availability of a forum and eLearning Modules amongst other assets allows students who wish to research at their own pace to do so as well. Whatever training you choose, it is necessary that you have the conviction necessary to apply the knowledge you receive to your investing practices. Knowledge is nothing without execution.
Proform’s Bridge to Success... In the beginning, there is a gap between your current knowledge and the fine tuned financial machine you want to become. Proform Trading has built a bridge to span the gap. The Proform Robot allows you to begin trading successfully sooner, while you build your bank of knowledge and skills in our training facilities. We built the bridge, but it will be up to you to cross it.
The Proform Robot The Proform Robot incorporates over 25 years of trading expertise into three core features: Indicators. Having trained thousands of investors, we understand what you need to succeed and have developed our tools to offer a professional perspective at the trainee level. Advisors. Over 120 proprietary algorithms have been used in the programming of our advisors which provide a comprehensive analysis of any investment including buy and sell recommendations, trend description, support and resistance. Scans. Not only will the Robot analyze your investments, it will also scan the market for current opportunities that match your income and objectives!
Indicators The Proform Robot includes several indicators that are unique and proprietary and were created to simplify your investing experience! Price Cycle. The financial markets, like waves of the sea, moves in cycles. With this tool you can find the profit potential of these cycles. Time Cycle. Just like the price cycle, the time cycle measures market trends telling you how long trends will last. Percent Used. If you’ve ever wondered if your timing is right, this tool will help you know how much of the expected trend has been used.
3
Steps to
Getting Started!
There are three goals we recommend you complete to get started. 1. Install the Robot. If you own or purchase MetaStock and the corresponding data, you will be able to install the Proform Robot immediately. Its functionalities will then be viewable as Expert Advisor options within your charting software.
3. Open a brokerage account. You will need a brokerage
account to initiate any investments. If you are uncomfortable using real money at the beginning, most brokers will offer demo accounts with virtual money for practice.
4. Register for your class. In your first training class, you
will learn how to get started investing the simple way. Plus you will learn the most important basic skills for investing. We recommend getting started right away with the next available class.
Step 1: Install the Robot The Proform Robot was first introduced to the public as an Expert Advisor plugin to the MetaStock charting software. It is now in the process of being expanded to other platforms. To use the MetaStock version, you will first need to obtain the MetaStock software and corresponding market data. Market data is the streaming information that sends current market prices to your computer like a television signal and usually will require a subscription. That data is then used to display charts and is used by the Proform Robot to analyze the price action. Once MetaStock is installed and running properly, you will be able to install the Proform Robot. You can find the link to purchase or download it on the “Gadgetry� page of proformtrading.com.
When the download is complete, open the file to run the installer. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the Proform Robot. After the installation is complete, open MetaStock and choose the “Expert Advisors.” Entries with the prefix “!PFR” will be functions of the Proform Robot. Each function will clearly label pivot points of resistance and support as minor, intermediate, and major. They will also color the chart’s candlesticks blue or red each time a resistance or support zone is broken. This will help you more easily identify breakout trading opportinities. If that sounds like a load of jargon to you, it would be wise to take some of the courses offered by Proform Trading.
Step 2: Open a Brokerage Account There are many options when choosing where to open your brokerage account. Who you choose to do business with will most likely depend upon what instrument you plan to ultimately specialize in. For example, if you want to primarily use combinations of options contracts for stock, you will want to look comparitively at the prices offered for those services, specifically. If you plan to trade foreign currencies, you may be more interested in advertised spreads. The main comparitive points between brokers are usually commission prices, ease of use, and customer service. These are also all aspects of a brokerage that are easily researched before committing to one. You will be able to find the commission prices for different instruments by visiting the
broker’s website. To find how easy and informative their system is, set up a demo account which will allow you to trade virtual money. Call the brokers you are investigating with a few questions ready to determine how helpful their customer service is. You may quickly find that the first broker you thought of could turn out not to be the best choice. Remember, it’s your money. Do your due diligence to feel comfortable with your decision. Once you have chosen, setting up the account and transferring money will be similar to opening a bank account.
Step 3: Register for your class Now that you have all of the tools and assets in place to successfully invest, knowledge is the only thing left. As we mentioned earlier, several options exist for learning to invest with Proform Trading. In the “Brainery” section of proformtrading.com you will find the portals to different educational products. These services consistently evolve to meet the needs of students currently involved. If you are unsure of which educational path with Proform Trading will be best for you, press “Contact” at the bottom of the website. You can use the information there to call us directly or send us an email. We can then assess your individual situation and needs to recommend the best solutions for you.
Congratulations, you’re ready to start! Now, before you begin, here is some helpful information to help you become familiar with the markets.
Your opportunity to invest is greater now than ever before. When done properly, investing will improve your financial success and has the potential to provide the lifestyle you have always dreamed of. However, you need to understand that becoming a skilled investor will take time. Proform Trading is here to provide you with The Essentials of a Successful Investor.
The Essentials of
a Successful Investor
1. Learn your investing style. 2. Learn to navigate. 3. Learn to avoid the traps.
Learn Your Investing Style Risk One of the main problems investors face is knowing where to draw the line. Investing involves risks. You need to understand the different levels of risk and when you have reached the limits of your comfort zone. We recommend taking an inventory of yourself. Discover your tolerance for risk and trade appropriately. We will guide you through this process by providing different trading “personality” profiles and offering helpful strategies that match your tolerance level. Proform Trading provides the book “Investor Profile” as a resource for investors. You can use this resource to identify your investing personality based upon risk tolerance and emotional involvement and apply the
appropriate guidelines to invest right for your type. Managing your own psychology and wrangling your emotions is as much a part of investing success as any money management strategy. Discipline You are your greatest asset, or your own worst enemy. When it comes to investing, it is all about you and the markets. The key to success is understanding yourself and how you react to stressful situations. Investing should not be a “get rich quick� scheme, but a long term tool to increase your financial stability. Learn to develop patience as you seek for increased profit returns. Have the discipline to control when and how you invest.
The Learning Puzzle As you invest, whether you are exiting a stock position or completing options contracts, you will be learning how to make good decisions. Don’t feel that you need to prove yourself on every investment. In the beginning you will have winning investments and, unfortunately, some losing investments. Be patient with yourself as you work through the learning curve. Also, remember to reflect often on your goals and ambitions. It will help you keep a positive attitude as you invest.
Learn to Navigate What is your Quest? What do you want out of the market? Are your goals realistic? Or do you seek the metaphorical Holy Grail? First, discover your vision of success. As you define success, you will be more focused and disciplined in your investment career. Your personal vision of success will help to define your style of trading and the performance goals you want to achieve in the market over the next year, five years, and longer.
Set Your Marks! After you identify your vision of success, you will need to chart the course. Specific goals will point you in the right direction and help you make critical investment decisions. One way many traders find success is to set monthly and daily objectives. Accomplishing these monthly and daily goals will provide clear measurements to track your progress. These specific goals should answer the questions, how much money do I need to make each workday, and how many hours do I need to work each day to achieve that? Be sure to set realistic goals, don’t get discouraged by mistakes, and steadily move toward the vision you have created.
Go Forward & Conquer
Learn
to Avoid
the Traps
Diversification Never put all your eggs in one basket, or in other words, you must learn to diversify your portfolio with different types of investments. Diversification is a sure way to protect yourself from taking a major hit if something goes wrong with any one of your investments. Diversification is smart investing, and the only way to avoid catastrophic loss of your investment funds.
Learn
to Avoid
the Traps
Impulsive Trading There are two elements to a successful investment: money and time. Both are essential. You must give your investments time to mature. Impulsive trading is dangerous because it is driven by emotion, and not by proven techniques and discipline.
We are here for you! Obviously, there is alot to learn and you are on the first steps of the path. It is a great feeling to get down the road a little ways and look back on your progress. Remember that it takes commitment, and it is our commitment to you to always be there for you. We can’t do the work for you, but we can be there with help when you need it. The opportunities are rewarding. The journey is memorable. The end is rich! May Success be Yours!
Copyright 2008. ProForm Trading, LLC. All Rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction, or distribution is allowed without written consent.