Computer: Compaq Presario, with 1.1ghz processor, lots of memory, blah, blah. But until recently I was still doing most of my work on an old P166mmx laptop - you don't need a super computer to write ebooks and work on Internet.

Years In Business: Full time in Internet marketing since May 1999. Prior to that ran Internet stuff part time and ran my own computer hardware business.

No.1 Marketing Strategy: Being personal on an impersonal Internet.

Most Prized Possession: My Aquarium

Indoor Hobbies/Interests/Activities: Playing cards, reading, occasional video games, conjouring.

Favorite Software/Video Game: WWF No Mercy on N64

Favorite TV Show(s): Newsradio, Frasier, CNN Headline News

Favorite Movie(s): Tucker, Boiler Room, Rounders.

Favorite Book(s): Bring out Magic of your mind by Al Koran., Selling to Win by Richard Denny

Favorite Food(s): Pizza

Favorite Beverage(s): Rum and Coke.

Favorite Actor(s)/Actress(s): Meg Ryan, Nicholas Cage

Favorite Music Artist(s)/Group(s): The living end.

Favorite Color(s): Blue

Your Dream Possession/Vacation: A world cruise.

Wow! What a concept! And just what would it involve? A few hours of database work to start process, then a few more hours drafting an appropriate birthday card/greeting and offer and then --if your processes are automated --just a few minutes each day of year to send a cordial, personal birthday greeting out to your astonished customers/site visitors.

Your offer is far more likely to be noticed and acted on than one in mob of impersonal "sales letters" and other cookie-cutter marketing messages we all suffer through.

This is not new marketing in brick and mortar world folks. For years each of my kids has been receiving an annual "Free Birthday Meal" coupons from both Burger King and McDonald's, a week or two before their birthdays. Do they know something E-tailers don ’t, about building consumer appreciation at an early age?

Why do online retailers seem to ignore this simple but effective marketing practice? It is most likely one of two reasons.

1. They're too blinded by online "mainstream" advertising methods that make no one but advertising agencies rich. They'd rather spend their advertising money on banners, ezines, and other costly ways of acquiring new customers instead of treating customers *do* have in a special way.

2. They just haven't figured out that they can use their existing database of customers to fuel their next marketing campaign and make those customers feel special at same time.

No, we're not talking two-tier chocolate cakes with candles, followed by a magic show. Just a simple tactic that could reap untold benefits to online sites that use existing customer/visitor information wisely.