BashersI've had this article on bashers for a couple of years and thought
I'd share it. Unfortunately I have no idea who authored it. Enjoy!
Bashers:
Lesson 1: Remember, BASHERS NEVER BASH A BAD STOCK. Watch the boards for stocks with no potential. They never have any bashers. Bashers only go after stocks that are going upwards or have excellent potential to go up. Bashers get left behind, so they want to bring the price down to be able to get in at a great price, or because they took a short position.
Lesson 2: BASHERS ALWAYS BRING UP OLD NEWS THAT YOU HAVE HEARD MANY TIMES. The basher will post this over and over again. The basher will try to make the old news a bit fresher to try to fool you.
Lesson 3: BASHERS POST MANY TIMES A DAY. They try to wear you out. They comment on everything, every other post, and can answer every question. THEY KNOW IT ALL! There is no positive comment they won't bash. They try to control the board. True longs may have to address the bashers or they will appear to the newbies as being the people with all the information.
Lesson 4: BASHERS WILL LIE TO YOUR FACE. Never trust a basher. The truth on startup companies is that many mistakes are made and losses happen. The basher will try to make you believe all startup companies make a profit, release financials every quarter and all aspects of the business run smoothly. THIS IS NOT TRUE. THE BASHERS LIE TO YOU. Startup companies go years without profits, financials and good business.
Lesson 5: The bashers know YOU CAN'T VERIFY THEIR STATEMENTS. That's why they make the statements they do.
Lesson 6: The bashers PLAY ON YOUR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. They can lie about information and you couldn't know the difference.
Lesson 7: Bashers play on your lack of patience. YOU have held a stock for a while. You knew it will be a big stock someday, but the BASHER CAN GET TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOUR GAIN. That's when the basher is best. You are tired. You have forgotten the goal for the stock was to hold it for one year. The basher is bothersome, so you dump it on a bad day. Some others also dump. Then you get mad for your loss and return to let everyone know how mad you are. Then you turn into a basher as well. THE BASHER HAS WON, AND GAINED A NEW PARTNER, TOO.
Lesson 8: BRING THE PRICE DOWN. That is the basher's job. The truth is not important. Lies are the norm. Post continuously on the board every day. They are trying to hit the newbies visiting the board. They are trying to wear out the longs on the board. They do whatever it takes to wear the longs out.
Guidelines For Bashers:
1. Be anonymous
2. Use 10% fact. 90% suggestion. The facts will lend credibility to your suggestions
3. Let others help you learn about the stock. Build rapport and a support base before bashing
4. Enter with humor and reply to all who reply to you.
5. Use multiple ISP's, handles and aliases
6. Use 2 or more aliases to simulate a discussion.
7. Do not start with an all out slam of the stock. Build to it.
8. Identify your foes (hypsters) and the boards "guru". Use them to your advantage. Lead them, do not follow their lead.
9. Only bash until the tide/momentum turns. Let doubt carry it the rest of the way.
10. Give the appearance of being open minded.
11. Be bold in your statements. People follow strength.
12. Write headlines in caps with catchy statements.
13. Pour it on as your opponent/stock gains momentum, not you.
14. Don't worry about being labeled a "basher". Newbies won't know your history.
15. When identified put up a brief fight, then back off. Return in an hour.
16. Your goal is to limit the momentum of the run. Not tank the company or create a plunge in the stock.
17. Kill the dreams of profits, not the company or the stock.
18. Use questions to create critical thinking, statements to reinforce facts.
19.Encourage people to call the company, 99% won't. They'll take your word for claims made.
20. Discourage people for taking the companies word for anything. Encourage them to call the company. They won't out of laziness.
21. If the companies history/PR's are negative constantly point to that. Compile a list of this data prior to beginning your efforts.
22. If the price rises blame it on the hype or the PR, temporary mass reaction, the market, etc. Anything but the stock itself.
23. If other posters share your concerns, play on that and share theirs too.
24. Always cite low volume, even when it's not.
25. 3-4 aliases can dominate a board.
26. Goad the hypsters into personal debates putting their focus/efforts on you and not the stock or facts.
27. Promote other stocks would-be investors can turn to instead of the one you're bashing.