My Obligatory Article for Donald Pennington

It is a notice that subscribers see in their email when Associated Content Providers have been publsihed. I get them often. Today I got one of those notices and I read an article by Randy Inman wherein he describes how even I, Sharon Cohen with Hearten Soul, can be "discovered" by Donald Pennington.

So I leave Randy Inman a comment for all the world to read: "THIS was an even more ingenious stroke of pure marketing genius than Donald Pennington's original idea! I wonder how many content providers are going to smack them selves on the forehead exclaiming "geewhydidntIthinkofthat"!

I closed his article and practically ran to complete my " interview" with Donald Pennington.

2 Apr: It has been two days since my "interview" with Donald Pennington. I was pretty pleased with the answers I gave.

And then, I spent some time reading Donald Pennington's other. I have to admit, I've gotten a bit discouraged. Just how much effort does it take to create a questionnaire, capture someone's answers and then publish the questions and answers both? I'm no longer impressed.

BUT, if I am really all that discouraged, why do I keep checking and checking and going back to check my emails?

I am anxious to receive an email from Donald Pennington telling me that he has read my answers and finds them absolutely titillating and worthy of publication? I'll give this a few more days.

5-Apr: How exciting! I opened my email today and saw "Message from Donald Pennington at Associated Content"! But, instead of finding something about publishing my interview, it's an invitation to read his articles and check out how he takes interviews.

I already know all about that, Donald.

I did your "interview".

Talk about disappointing. His message continues. He wants me to believe that it is a good thing that he "fav'd" me. I'd be a lot more exited to see that he has subscribed to me. Nope. He didn't. Oops. I forgot to subscribe to him. I'll just go take care of that now.

8-Apr: I've been pretty busy with my regular job and all. Now, where is that interview with Donald Pennington?

Nope. Not today. Today he writes about Kelly Spies. Oh come on now, Donald. I mean, sure, she is an incredible writer and all. But, oh! Will you look at that! Kelly Spies comes from Indiana. She's a real-born-in-Indiana-Hoosier. I have to admit I cannot beat that. I wasn't born in Indiana. I simply chose to live there for 23 years. If you really do like gals from Indiana, I'm only living in Sacramento under protest.

9-Apr: I hate to be teased.

Today I feel teased. I was so excited. There were not one but three new emails fat the top of my Inbox. Each one headlined "Donald Pennington has been published on Associated Content". "Donald Pennington has been published on Associated Content". "Donald Pennington has been published on Associated Content".

I was giddy. Oh, I was so excited, I was squirming in my chair. I was at work. I would have to wait. But, then again:

The boss stepped out for a minute and I logged in quick. I opened the first email. "Welcome Susan Sosbe: An Interview with an AC Content Producer" SUSAN SOSBE? Geez, Don! She joined a mere five months ago. I have been with Associated Content since 2006!

But, Susan Sosbe is from Indiana and anyone who knows me knows how much I miss and love my Indiana home. Susan Sosbe lives a stone's throw from West Lafayette. That's gold, in my book! Today I'm even wearing a shirt that proudly declares "Purdue Mom" across my chest. And I'll bet Susan knows how to get to Rob Roy. Only a real Hoosier would know the answer to that one. "Gotta love her."

Sheesh!

Sneaking a peak at the second email. The second article is titled "Meet J.E. Davidson: Getting to Know an AC Content Producer". Hey, Donald. I'm an AC Content Producer too! What about me?

OH MY GOSH! J.E. Davidson is from Indiana too! Another Hoosier! The odds are in MY favor!

J.E. Davidson is from North Manchester, no less. I remember watching the Manchester Squire Marching Band when my girls were competing in the Indiana circuit. J.E. Davidson is living in small town Americana. What can I say? That is a great place to write from.

Well, no matter how frustrating this is, I can see that Donald Pennington has taste. He's likes Hoosiers. That should place my interview near the top of his "To Do" pile.

Oh, you might be wondering. Donald Pennington's third article today wasn't even about a Content Producer. And it wasn't about Indiana. No matter. I have more important things to do than checking my email, day in and day out. I have groceries to buy.

11-Apr: Hey! Donald Pennington! This obligatory review of your interview process is becoming longer than any article I've written to date.

Heck. I'm guessing that it is longer than the article you may write about me.

13-Apr: I really should know better. There is nothing more discouraging than Associated Content on the weekends. Donald Pennington obviously does not publish for performance payment only.

I'm not waiting any longer. I know that I'm supposed to wait until AFTER Donald Pennington publishes my interview. But, this article has already gone on for over 880 words! No one reads that many words on the web.

Besides, I'm giving up. Donald Pennington probably won't write about me anyway. This entire article is nothing more than a last ditch effort to force him into publishing my interview.

So, Donald Pennington, here is the obligatory link back to your interview process. Getting Exposed by Donald Pennington.

Go ahead, fellow Content Providers. Give Donald Pennington an interview.

But BEWARE- Patience is a virtue.

I hope you have more than I do!