except that it shouldnt be intrusive, blatant and obnoxious. I thoroughly enjoy all the intuitive ways advertisers and marketers come up with to reach consumers like me. But that doesnt mean I support concepts like cold calling, telemarketing, SMS spamming etc unless I opted in to receive them in the first place. Totally in agreement with that! Writing for free is a great marketing tool. It shows what is your worth. It demonstrates your thinking habits, and what COULD be done. It is a platform to discuss and experiment and provide you with feedback. BUT the day I will not be able to promote my business by offering a little bit more - and expecting to be paid for it !- is the day I will strike this out of my life. The trick, as I mentioned in another discussion group a few weeks ago, is to give back to the community. The way you do it beautifully week after week in your blog , by the way. It IS a two-way street! And as my business partner would say - Passion without Profit will eventually Perish! Thank you again for your insight! Thanks Mitch for posting this article with authority and certitude! I really do feel that we shouldn't lose the plot when it comes online communications. Free shouldn't be taken as such a strict rule that we feel constipated before do anything. In my opinion, the first rule should be value and enhancement, free is secondary. I am