Thanks for sharing your experience, Jessica. There's a great deal of courage in quitting our comfortable work in order to explore something new. Out of curiosity, what made you want to become a system administrator...and what was your process for making that leap from accountancy?

Thanks, Sue. I just try to make sure I'm realistic with myself and my staff when setting up exhibiting options. Successfully managing a trade show is just as much about managing our own energy as it is in managing logistics and visitor experience.

BTW, I was showcasing our time tracking and resource planning software for Journyx at the AACE Annual Meeting.

Thanks, April. That means a lot coming from you. Hope we have a chance to swap marketing tales IRL soon.

Russ, I think I've seen you talking about this at SXSW, right? That seems to be where all the Know-It-Alls convene ;)

Thanks, Felicia. There's quite a bit of ego involved in letting go of the Know-It-All urge. It's a challenge for sure. Wonder why there isn't a Know-It-All's Anonymous?

Thanks, Nanette. It's why I'll probably be recovering all my life. Let's hope my innate sense of curiosity can overcome my need to be right all the time :)

Thanks for adding your perspective, Matt. Since writing this bit o' rant, I've rid myself of a Blackberry and gotten an iPhone (thanks, Verizon). It's made checking in on Gowalla and Foursquare somewhat more interesting. And to your point of utility, I noticed that when we went to our local Red Robin, they had quite a few specials for those who check in on Foursquare. Which is great for them...I'll be more likely to frequent them in the future knowing that on my 10th check in, I get a free burger.

So is there anything we can do to spur this along? Keep evangelizing, maybe?

Didn't know V3 was up to something with AmEx...what's the skinny?

Thanks, Sara. I think there's a balancing act when it comes to design. I've seen logos and websites that try to get way too clever with their design and it bombs spectacularly. I can't remember the URL of a site I saw one time from a design agency and they hid their contact info and portfolio within the cityscape they created for their site. After searching for a while, I gave up. I wonder how many other potential clients did the same?

Tom, thanks for sharing your experience. Based on my own personal experience - as well as the experiences of others in the community - your's is somewhat unique. Consider yourself fortunate that eMusic never raised your monthly subscription rates (happened at least twice for me). And on average, I lost around 5 downloads per month with the shift to a monetary system (even with their loyalty bonuses).

As long as the value is there for you, I hope you continue to enjoy eMusic. I just know that for me, the value no longer substantiated the monthly subscription fees.

Simon, I've had some time to reflect on this post and I think I finally understand what's bothering me about it. *It's not just about promotion.* I've been blogging for six years and still find my blog sits in a state of semi-obscurity. Have I been promoting my blog as you suggest above? Yep. I send updates to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I submit posts to content aggregators like Alltop, CustomerThink, and ClienteerHub. I promote my blog in my email signature. So if I'm doing all those things, what's keeping me from getting the traffic I think I deserve (though I do believe the reader gets the final say)?

Maybe it has to do with the content topics. Granted, my blog isn't solely devoted to singular topics around marketing, management, leadership, careers...it's an eclectic all the above. Sometimes I think that variety may be a turnoff to many potential subscribers.

Maybe it has to do with my lack of connection to "kingmakers". Let's be honest, getting a solid (and continuous) thumbs-up from the Brogans, Naslunds, and Baers of the world doesn't hurt. Maybe that oversells their role in spreading traffic to lesser-known bloggers.

Maybe it has to do with my lack of "extras". I don't have a book, ebook, or regular speaking gigs.

Okay, so maybe I'm not disagreeing at all with you. Instead, perhaps there is more to marketing a blog than meets the eye.