Hello Board
All,
BTE Canada, Nice ---> $4.66 up 3.10%.
I am a long term holder of Baytex. I intend to be for some time.
While doing some cleaning of old documents, I ran across this one from the early days of message boards. Seems not much has changed. Some people want to have real discussions, and other want to control the board, and the stock. Though most people here know who I am referring to, this is nothing new. Here is a document, from decades past, that has been used to control a board, and bash a stock. Tuck it away, and look at it from time to time. It has served me well for a long time.
Message Board Guidlines used by shorters and distorters
1. Be Anonymous
2. Use 10% fact, and 90% suggestion when you post. Facts give credibility, while suggestion does the "sell."
3. Let others "help" you learn about a stock, thereby developing rapport and a support base.
4. Use multiple handles, and develop a unique style for each one.
5. Use mulitple Internet Service Providers.
6. Start each handle slowly, to build acceptance.
7. Occasionally, use two handles to "discuss" an issue.
8. Do not show all your cards at once when slamming a stock. It's a war. It's O.K. to lose a battle as long as you save enough ammo to win the war.
9. Know your enemies, they will end up being your best weapons.
10. Only slam the stock until the tide starts to turn. Let doubt carry the stock back with the tide.
11. Maintain an appearance of being open-minded, but a slant in either direction is acceptable.
12. Don't appear meek. No one follows the meek.
13. Strike just as your opponent starts to gather momentum, but not before, or you lose your sting.
14. Don't worry if people peg you for a slammer. The doubt will remain, and that's what you're after.
15. If pegged, put up a brief fight, then let them feel they have won. This puts their guard down within a few days, and your other handles can take over from there.
16 When slamming stock, the intent is to minimise the rise in price, not to create an instant plunge in price.
17. To slam a stock requires you only to kill the dream, not the company.
18. Use questions to invoke critical thinking, and use statements to reinforce.
19. You can be liberal in your questions, but be specific and precise in your statements.
20. Don't Lie. (Of course we know most do!)
21. When slamming, encourage research beyond calling the company. You know people are far too lazy, and its only doubt you are after, not confirmation.
22. When slamming, discourage people from taking the company's word. Encourage them to seek outside proof. If the company's history is bad, point them there.
23. When slamming, refer to missed deadlines and weak financials.
24. When slamming, if the stock price rises, blame it on a mass reaction to a press release rather than real interest in a stock. Point out low volume and emphasize the selling.
25. Pretend to share the same concerns by learning what they want to hear.
26. Finally, above all else, BE UNPREDICTABLE.
Summary from the author:
There are many sites devoted to the art of shorting. The routine is to always use more than one alias. Sometimes 3-4 people can create 19-20 aliases, and totally take over a message board.