“From Digital Dreams to Physical Realities: The Algorithm, The Plan, The Person
Crafting Code, Creating Caps, and Carving a Unique Path
Hello, StockStars!
Let me start with a statement again:
Progress isn’t always about sprints and speed; sometimes, it’s the slow and steady walk that takes us further.
If you’re new here, a warm welcome from my side! If not, you know what to do.
I’m Michael and on a mission to make beating the stock market as easy for you as choosing your favorite ice cream.
Last year, I started on a wild journey to write an algorithm that does exactly that.
Read the full story here.
Updates … a lot
Since our last chat, a lot happened. I first hit the brakes on refining my algorithm until two days ago. A mix of deeper research and waiting for an answer from a former investment banker I know.
And when you know me, I don’t let any free time go unutilized.
So, I asked myself some questions.
For example.
What’s the point of having a star product if it remains the universe’s best-kept secret? Imagine screaming about the tastiest ice cream...on Mars. Gets a bit lonely, right?
So, the real topic?
Getting the word out there
While my Substack channel is the end goal for my audience, the journey for them starts much earlier. A big nugget of wisdom I got from
.The chicken suggested I should emphasize micro-engagements.
So I did.
First on X (Twitter).
I’ve checked what other accounts did and adapted it to my topic. I coded a script that posted tweets through the X (Twitter) API.
I’ve tweeted every 2 hours around the clock for about 5 months.
Roughly 1,800 tweets later - almost no growth.
And since the API changed (I think it’s only available for money since Elon took over I post manually, but with less frequency).
I also invested $8/month in blue batch to get more “reach” (as Twitter claims) – with the same lame result.
Next, I talked to a guy who grew his account to over 100,000 followers, and he said usually nothing grows until 12 months pass. So I will continue and see.
Substack is changing fast. After introducing Notes it became a bit like X - but in a good way. I like Notes, and since Twitter is not friendly to Substack links, I need to do something else as well.
Let’s focus first and foremost on Substack Notes and Instagram (@valuevantage) for micro-engagements.
Until now, I just used this fancy tool to track where I have to share my articles.
But that’s not appropriate anymore, especially when you want to post fresh and different stuff on different platforms.
And an online presence without a plan or roadmap?
That’s a ship waiting to hit an iceberg.
An Eisenhower matrix might be my guiding star here. Google will be my friend.
There was more
In my algorithm downtime, I’ve been playing around with the plethora of data at my fingertips.
The experiment
A quick video offering a daily glimpse into the stock world’s victors and victims.
Give it a peek! (I’ve added some dramatic music)
The possibilities are endless; it’s just about connecting the unknown dots.
So if you have suggestions, feel free.
I will send you a cap to say thank you.
A cap? Yes!
On the “brand” front, I gave TheValueVantage.com a real touch.
Smashing how the logo looks on the cap!
The color? Nice!
But the shape? Uhhh.
Like it’s never met my head before. Time to find another manufacturer that really understands my head!
The statement on the back.
And More
I have also experimented with my website and successfully funneled some code results to my website.
Are daily data updates in the future possible? Yes. Check!
What a journey so far
Speaking of journeys, this post from Mr. Beast encapsulated the essence of perseverance for me.
Look how he grew over the years.
It surprised me that it took him 4 years to break the 1,000-subscriber mark. His trajectory from humble beginnings to a YouTube star is a lesson in patience, something I’m still mastering.
Behind the Scenes
Progress:
All the goodies I just shared! Plus 😊
After I got the answer from the investment banker I finished my research 40% of the planned enrichments are in place. The endgame is clear, though the path there demands rigorous testing and data validation. I can see the light.
Plans:
The next version of the “ValueVantage 2.0” algorithm awaits.
The goal is to post articles on a weekly basis.
Post-publishing this one, my next rendezvous in the evening is with a flight theory book.
Where’s my head?
It’s been over two years since I bid adieu to the corporate corridors of Mercedes-Benz R&D. The initial phase felt like an identity crisis; my profession had defined me. Today? If you ask me, I’d confidently say, “I’m on the path to becoming a quantitative stock analyst.” And let’s keep the pilot aspirations our little secret for now, shall we?
So, if you are in the place of searching your identity - keep going, keep looking and you find that hidden place where you find your new self. Pause and Reflect.
Tap that heart button to give the poor cap some love.
That’s it for today.
Until next time StockStars!
Michael
If you think somebody should read this, be a good human, share it, and make them happy
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is my personal opinion. I’m not a certified investment professional. It is not consulting, nor does it constitute investment recommendations.
I do my research carefully and follow my personal investment strategy.
The stock market is a complex building with its own rules. There are no rules set in stone, like the rules of physics.
Therefore, use the contents of this newsletter at your own risk and do your own research as well. Investing in the stock market can lead to a total loss of the capital invested.