I’m on the same page as you. I need to find some kind of middle ground as I am against sucking up and sending emails seems so spammy/used car salesman for me.

On the other hand if I’m standing alone in a forest making my witty comments who’s there to hear them? Do I need a noisy chain saw to be heard or shall I post a discreet sign on the freeway to direct traffic into the forest?

I have no clue.

I’ve relied on comments at other people’s blogs, but my stats don’t seem to show any kind of huge improvement. I’m averaging about 200 hits per day and of course I’d like to double, triple or quadruple that, but it doesn’t seem to be happening.

So I shall continue to scour your site looking for the key to more traffic. Or is that the chain saw to success?

Like you, I have an aversion to sending emails to people who don’t know me. For similar reasons as you list. 15-50 of them! Just reading those numbers gives me that cold feeling down your back.

I’m sorta relying on the long haul. Involving myself in the community, commenting meaningfully on other blogs. And keeping my head down trying to write strong articles that will stay.

I’m a bit unsure of trackback. When I see it on other sites I never click on them. They go into a bit of a blur. Perhaps I don’t fully understand them.

As an aside, I am very much enjoying your site. It is proving very helpful to me. Thank you.