"Self-promoting" was used to describe what is perceived to be a Mike Bellm character flaw in the now infamous 125 post Mike Bellm is a JERK thread.

I had not planned to post any further on this thread, but the comment deserves some thought, I think.

"The norm," which I am not prone to following, is to pay for advertising to entice folks to hand you their money in exchange for goods or services rendered, right? This paid advertising money, which for all but the smallest shops probably exceeds $1,000 per month, has to come from some place. The labor and overhead is expended to produce those goods to make the money to finance the paid advertising to promote that shop further and guarantee your continued patronage and encourage new business.

I used to do the same thing, but have taken a different course. Instead of expending "my substance" producing money to pay for advertising, I have taken a path where I use my discretionary time to interact with "the brothers" via my website, emails, and, alas, the hazardous battlefields on forums..... which most barrel manufacturers are not willing to participate in.

It reminds me of a line by comedian Richard Pryor some years back, talking about how he went to a prison to " ....ya know, spend some time with the brothers." Then he shuddered, trembled, stuttered, and blurted out.... "Thank God we have penitentiaries!"

Anyway, instead of paid advertising, I have spent "my substance" putting out information I have found to be both extremely vital to shooting TCs and woefully lacking in the "mainstream" gun publications and "common knowledge," which if popular is most likely wrong. That is just the way human nature is. It is far easier to get the general populace to follow erroneous ideas than it is ones based on fact.

My approach IS self-serving, as I have been acused of being. It DOES create an identity. It DOES create business. It DOES make me money..... but funny thing..... if I don't make money, the vital information stops. You cannot have it both ways. There are no free lunches.

I have made this a two way street where it is a "win-win" situation for me AND for all TC shooters who will avail themselves of the info with an open mind for their own benefit as well.

Plus, I enjoy the exchange with fellow shooters.

It has been so tempting at times to wrap up everything on the website into a package you have to pay for. And I am not so sure that I won't someday do just that. But it would be largely a backlash against the few bone heads that get pissed when they don't get their way and can't do anything but throw a juvenile tantrum.

This IS what it boils down to when the demand syndrome gets frustrated:

My money, my rules, you jump when I yell frog!

Bull.... that is the tail wagging the dog, and as I have said many times.... this old dog doesn't wag for sour owl sweat.

Maybe I should be apologetic for " 'splaining" myself, but apparently there are some who just can't see the forest for the trees.

It works for me and has worked great for thousands of others.... that is sufficient, I think. Let the others do whatever they want.

Any comments you guys exchange here intended for me to see should be copied to mike@bellmtcs.com

Why am I not working on something else right now? I did not want to start something else while waiting for a meeting with a machine shop at 1 pm today. More nefarious things in the works for you guys.

Mike

[ 07-02-2003, 23:35: Message edited by: Mike Bellm ]

Mike, I understand your frustration with some of the pesty little folks who feel the need to try to prove something. There are a lot of us that appreciate you taking time to share your experience and skills with us in an intelligent manner as you do. Your efforts are appreciated. Thank you.

OK Let's NOT start another 125+ post LET'S MOVE ON!!!!!!!!! I want to talk about gun's.Not who is a JERK and who is not.Just move on.