Months in the making, this free service offers marketers 10-35 reviews in each of 40 marketing categories, including: Email Marketing, PR, Direct Marketing, Brand Advertising, Affiliate Marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Increasing Website Traffic and Link Popularity.

From concept to reality, this project took seven months. When it formally launched, site traffic more than doubled and has sustained itself at the increased levels. In fact, traffic levels continue to rise steadily. I wanted the site to be a "go and do" site rather than a "go and read some more stuff on a website" site.

People to Thank

This site is a breeze to use. Someone on the Web for the first time could get around easily and confidently. Getting the site to look that easy wasn't easy. I had input and help from many people.

Bryan Eisenberg: Co-Founder, FutureNow
Last August Bryan and I talked about how to optimize the Web Digest For Marketers site. Having reviews in so many marketing categories was the key. Creating 40 categories, each loaded with 10-35 site reviews and links, was the answer. The value to the marketer who is searching for something is that it brings order to what can otherwise be chaotic.

Eileen Shulock: Managing Editor, Web Digest For Marketers
Eileen went through each and every single review in the WDFM database. She updated, deleted where necessary and rewrote most of what is now housed at this site. Huge amounts of fact-checking were involved. It is a never-ending task, in fact. She did it quietly and with great determination. Gayle Kerley deserves mention here as she is a WDFM Co-Editor and has written numerous reviews in this database too.

Mary Gillen: IdeaSiteforBusiness.com
Many of you know Mary from her own newsletter, which has been publishing almost as long as this one. It's called Marketing Ideas by Email (formerly known as A-Marketing-Idea-a-Day-by-Email). In addition to publishing her own newsletter, she is a diligent webmaster/producer. She built and battle-tested the database and executed the interface design set down by Bryan Eisenberg's designers.

Industry Experts:
Most of the reviews in this new service are reviews that originally appeared first right here in Web Digest For Marketers. Many of those reviews were written by industry experts. They include: Mike Grehan, Andrew Goodman, Heather Lloyd Martin, Detlev Johnson, Ruth Stevens, Eric Ward and Ken McGaffin.

Sounding Boards and Pipe Organs:
When you ask someone's opinion, it is easy for the person asked not to challenge you and to simply say, "It's a wonderful idea, congratulations." But Mac Ross, David Garfinkel and Jim Edwards would "pipe up" and challenge me whenever they thought something wasn't quite right with this project. Moreover, instead of just criticizing, they would bring constructive solutions to the table, nearly all of which were employed by me. Thank you, guys.

You: The Reader
A few weeks ago I put out an FYI to all subscribers inviting you to be the first to see this new service and kick the tires. Many of you did and were kind enough to write in and give me your feedback, 95% of which we incorporated into the site. Thank you for your input. It makes this a better service all the way 'round. LC