Hey Winston; Sorry I've been so scarce. I am getting caught up finally. When I send you all part two this week, it will keep you hopping for a while. : ) ========================================== I rather like the idea of limiting Forums to one for non-paying memebers. It will help eliminate the huge number of emails I used to get with invites to forums I have no interest in and subsequent updates to them. ========================================== I agree completely. Many, many of the people here seem to think that if they send out more posts, they might eventually get a response. Nothing could be farther from the truth. They need to send out more INTERESTING posts. Marketing 101, which most don't understand. If you hate spinach with a passion, it doesn't really matter how much I offer it to you, hmm? A basic lesson many have yet to grasp. ========================================== I've not made more extensive use of Adland because I don't think that most potential customers I'm looking for would be found here. ========================================== Funny story. After my first week back, I almost thought the same. I questioned *why* I came back. It seemed like Adland was the gathering place for people pumping hype. But, I'm glad I stuck around. Eventually I realized that there are some great people here... people like you and Cheri and David and on and on and on. I think the same applies. I think people who are interested in "real" interests, whether it's model building, financial growth, home decor, crafts, candles, sewing, etc... they are here, too. They just sit back quietly and don't say much because they're overwhelmed by the hype offers, too. But when they find you - it's a very, very nice thing. This I know from experience. It may be a small group - but a small and devoted group is a darn good way to start. : ) Linda

Hi Linda, Good to see that you are feeling better! Catching up can be quite a daunting task can't it? LOL. ------------------------------------------ A basic lesson many have yet to grasp. ------------------------------------------ Sad part is. Sometimes it takes years to grasp for some. And even then the lure of all these so called internet marketing books teachs them that that is what you should do....go figure! -- I'll be looking forward to the next exercise. I've been quite busy since I sent my update. Being able to take time and really start to investigate things has opened up new doors that I would never have considered before.

Hi Linda, So glad to see you back, hope you are feeling better. I guess I fall into that catagory of just sitting back and being overwhelmed by hype, but some of the forums do really ask for help or prayers, and I like those. Looking forward to our next assignment. Your Good Friend Deborah

Hello Linda, Glad to see you are back. Hope you are feeling better now. Your first exercise was awesome and left me with many questions to ask you. Lots to think about.

Hi, All Back from the old hometown and trying to catch up, too. Just had to stick my two cents' worth in. ============================================ some of the forums do really ask for help or prayers, and I like those ============================================ That's interesting, because I think a lot of people here feel that way. I know of a few who don't, however. Thought I'd bring this up because it may affect your (our) marketing. Some of you may know Judy Hortin, who is from the UK. Some months ago, we posted an exchange to someone's forum, can't remember whose, and for some reason our posts disappeared. The forum owner denied that he had deleted them, but that's not the point. Judy had posted her surprise that there was so much of what you mentioned, Deb. She said (not in so many words, but as near as I remember) that in the UK it was considered the height of bad manners to mix religion with business. My reply was something like, wow, that's good to know because sometimes as 'Americans' (meaning citizens of the US, because I hadn't yet had that discussion) we don't know about customs in other countries. Not that we mean any disrespect, but we're a bit like teenagers--earnest, but clumsy. Since then, I've been hypersensitive to all the forum requests for prayer or help. If there's something technical I can help with, I'll post. If it's a prayer request, I usually read and give thought to the person in need, but I'll seldom post. Then there are the requests to help someone by joining their opportunity. Virtually never! I think that's pretty manipulative. Linda, Winston, as Canadian Americans, what say you? Cheri