Wilson's Story

I've been an enthusiastic amateur private investor for more than 30 years. Before Stockopedia I mainly used the following sources:

• Barclay Smart Investor, where I still have a trading account.
• Alliance Trust (now Interactive Investor) where I have a stocks and shares ISA and a trading account.
• Trustnet, mainly to monitor the investment trust sector.
• A few investing media outlets.

Since joining Stockopedia I now focus on 3 sources to help my picks - Stockopedia, Interactive Investor and Trustnet.

I focus on investment trusts and equities, but since joining Stockopedia I have been much more active in stock-picking. Currently my portfolio includes about 8 investment trusts and about 25 equities.

I think my investment results are pretty good, most of the time - certainly I get much more right, than wrong. Stockopedia has definitely increased my level of enjoyment in something I have always regarded as a pleasurable hobby.

The biggest mistake I ever made was experimenting with a managed account. Some years ago I gave £100,000, as a trial, to "professional" managers at Beaufort Securities. Sadly they taught me nothing other than how to make poor decisions.

So my advice to a new investor is not revolutionary:

• Learn the basics from books like "The Zulu Principles" and other similar sources.
• Go low-risk until you can afford to have a higher-risk element to your portfolio.
• Join an investment club if you can find one.
• Invest in opportunities you understand.
• If you only have time to use 1 source of advice, make it Stockopedia - and read/watch all the guides and webinars.