>> There is something to be said for promoting yourself, and I think, within the parameter of "that antique store down the street with the neat doohkickies and the pretty art," people know what to expect when they come to your corner of the interweb.<<

Agreed. The main thing I need to communicate is: "Contrary to popular practice, I sell the STEAK not the sizzle. If you are looking for steak, sit down and eat. If you are expecting sizzle to be sold, you'll probably be happier at McFantasy's down the block." Then it's just a matter of directing people's attention to the steak menu.

But branding is primarily about how to sell the sizzle, not the steak.

>>I think you have hit the nail on the head with buy-buy-buy is boring; I won't read people who are like that. Why bother? I already know what they're going to say.<<

*laugh* Yeah. There's a wonderful installment of "The Three Micahs" on unslimy advertising.

>>This is a particularly amusing discussion for me because I'm in the process of branding myself and it amuses the hell out of me (I am working with an artist to design an alder-leaf tatto).<<

Cool. Have fun with it.