Plan of Action to Make Elite Trader “Great Again” 1. Reinforce Identity & Value Clarify Mission: Position ET not just as “another trading forum” but as the premier online hub for futures, options, and systematic trading insights. Heritage Leverage: Highlight the forum’s long history (dating back to the early 2000s), noting that many legendary traders and system developers once contributed valuable research there. 2. Upgrade Content Quality Expert Threads: Recruit respected traders (retired CTAs, quant devs, prop desk veterans) to run AMA-style threads. Example: “Ask Me Anything: CTA Risk Management”. Curated Summaries: Assign moderators or volunteers to post weekly “Best of ET” digests to cut through noise. Educational Archives: Resurface classics in a curated “Hall of Fame” section. 3. Modernize Engagement Gamify Contributions: Points, badges, and reputation for quality posts—not just quantity. Mobile Optimization: Forums are clunky on phones; invest in smoother UX for mobile trading professionals. Integrations: Light-weight charts or trading simulators embedded directly in posts (TradingView widget, for example). 4. Expand Beyond Text Video & Podcasts: Launch an “Elite Trader Live” YouTube/podcast channel interviewing traders and reviewing notable forum discussions. Data + Threads: Weekly threads built around real economic or market data releases (FOMC, CPI, OPEC decisions). 5. Culture & Moderation Strict but Fair Moderation: ET has historically suffered from flame wars, trolling, and endless political bickering. Solve this with: Clear rules separating “Trading” vs “Chit-Chat.” Zero tolerance for personal attacks. Transparency in moderation decisions. Mentorship Culture: Encourage veteran traders to mentor newcomers. Maybe even formalize “Mentor-Mentee” threads. 6. Community Expansion Institutional Tie-Ins: Invite CTAs, fintech startups, and clearing firms to sponsor Q&A sessions. Research Competitions: Hold quarterly system-building contests Networking Value: Create sub-forums for regional trader meetups or virtual trading groups. 7. Revenue & Sustainability Monetization without Spam: Sponsored educational content (brokers, software providers). Tiered membership (basic free, premium with access to archives, curated reports, or “quiet rooms”). Transparency: Make sure ads are clearly marked—trust and credibility are the brand. Vision Statement Elite Trader should once again be the go-to global community where independent traders, system developers, and professionals exchange tested strategies, cutting-edge research, and hard-won lessons—without the noise.