The End Of The Story

Posted on by Ron Shevlin

Remember the Bill Cosby Show (the one where he played Dr. Huxtable)?

There was a scene in that show that I’ve never forgotten. Cosby is talking to his son and tells him: “I brought you into this world — and I can take you out of it.” 

That’s exactly how I feel about this blog. I brought it into this world, and I can take it out of it. And that’s exactly what I’m planning to do.

This Friday will mark two years to the day that I published this blog’s first post. I did so having made a commitment to myself that I would create a great blog — one that would become a Top 10 Marketing blog.

Not that I had any idea what that really meant. I had no idea what Technorati was, no idea if there was a list of top marketing blogs, and actually had no idea what the top marketing blogs were. When I started this blog two years ago, I wasn’t even reading any blogs.

Needless to say, I failed miserably in achieving my goal. 

And thank God for that. Because if I had really wanted this to become a top 10 blog I would had to have written about a lot of things that I don’t really care about writing about. 

And had I done that, I would have failed at achieving what ultimately was the best outcome of writing this blog: Meeting a lot of people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.  (And that’s why, if you’ve ever contemplated whether or not to create your own blog, you should do so. Forget about all this “personal branding” stuff).

But I did live up to my commitment. In two years, I’ve published 360 posts — one every other day. And I can assure you that a helluva lot of time and effort went into creating those posts. In fact, probably too much time and effort.

And I just can’t maintain that level of time, effort, and — most importantly — the required level of mental energy.

So I’ve decided to commit premeditated blogicide. (Premeditated because I’ve thinking about doing this for a couple of months now). I’m killing this blog. 

Just as I made a commitment to writing this blog, I realize that I will need to make a commitment to not writing it. I’m sure that every day there will be things that will happen, or that I will read about, that will make me want to blog about it. And I’m making a commitment to not write about it. 

If it’s worthy enough, I’ll write it as an Aite Group alert note (which, if you’re interested, is available for free even to non-Aite Group clients). But I’m not going to write about here.

End of post.

End of blog.

Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.

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60 thoughts on “The End Of The Story”

  1. I am so very sad to hear about your decision, Ron. I totally understand your reasons why. But you, and this blog, will be sorely missed.

    Not only will I miss your contributions here, I will also miss the community you’ve created here. Yours is one of the very few blogs I check even if *there is not* a new post, because, through the high level of thoughtfulness of your posts, you have a readership with extremely thoughtful replies and responses. That is something quite rare, and something you should be very proud of.

    Thank you for your thoughts over the past two years, and the community you’ve created by sharing your whims with us. I hope you reconsider someday.

    Thoughtfully yours,
    Morriss

  2. Oh, hellfire and damnation. I enjoyed the blogsnark.

    I completely understand though, Ron. It’s why I’ve never been able to maintain a blog about something (other than my own boring life), because I just don’t have the time & energy. You did very, very well to keep it going, and keep it interesting, as long as you did.

    Fare thee well, banner army of tie-guys.

  3. Sad to see the posts stop flowing on Marketing ROI, but I hope we’ll continue to see your snarkiness appearing in comments across the blogosphere.

    You (and your blog) have been a great help to me in the little time I’ve known you. Also, now that you’re going to stop posting, maybe I can actually catch up with all of your posts. 😉

  4. Wow, I’m shocked. I guess I’ve taken for granted that you would always be writing your blog. I admire you for your commitment, both to create an excellent blog and to end it when you felt the time was right.

    I will miss your writing, your point of view.

    Thanks for all the great thoughts and discussions.

    Yours,
    William

  8. Agreed with Morriss and Dan: I’ll miss your voice. But I hope you’ll keep expressing your views, opinions and ideas throughout the web, we could all use a bit more of your plain-spoken realistic viewpoint.

  9. @jpilcher Actually, I think that ending the blog is a *highly* savvy move from a financial point of view. This blog is Ron’s version of a free sample of his keen analytical skills and insights. Now that everyone has seen the quality of his work, there’s nothing that creates higher demand (for something that’s high quality) than scarcity. So I see this move only enhancing Ron’s personal/work ROI. The legend lives on…..

    But maybe I should let the cat out of the bag…. the reason Ron is not going to write this blog anymore is because I’ve hired him to give me personal snark lessons in the time that he’d otherwise be writing this blog. I’m looking forward to enhancing my snark-o-matic skillz!

  10. Ron, yours is one of the most insightful and intelligent blogs I’ve read. I hope Trey is right and you’ll be back.

    Now, what’s up with the snowflakes or are those the collective tears of your followership?

  11. I wonder if content with genuine authority will ever be “popular” on the web, where all it takes to be an expert is to say you are?

    If what it takes to create a “popular” blog is to engage in groupspeak by parroting consensus, what’s the point of measuring popularity? To seek lowest common denominator?

    Oh, the Cluelessness of Crowds…

  12. Ron, sorry to hear that you’re ending this blog. I’ve sincerely enjoyed reading your thoughts and opinions. I’ve really enjoyed being entertained and educated by your blog and snarky commentary.

    Your voice will be missed.

  14. It’s too bad you’re going. Why don’t you simply downscale your commitment and go to one or two posts a week, or even a month?

    Then, if you ever change your mind, it will be easy to ramp back up, and you’ll still be able to keep putting thought leadership posts up there.

    Of course, if you just need a break from the stress, that’s understandable. It’s still a shame though. There’s a lot of good in this blog.

  16. Ron—I applaud your decision. Just don’t stop being an advocate for “advocacy”…OK? Especially when I’ve just started my new blog in that direction.

    http://mycuadvocate.blogspot.com/

    And look…look! You were my first “love link”. We’ll be talking…I know! Well done! Roger

  18. While I can’t imagine writing 360 posts in my whole life, I can’t imagine either that you drop this mean of letting others know when you’re upset about something. Or have you made the decision as well of never being upset again?

    First time I saw your photo at http://tinyurl.com/5v34h3 I actually thought your real name was Mr Cranky, Mr Ron Cranky. So I can’t believe you will not help us live through all the itchy things that poison our lives by giving us a good laugh once in a while.

  19. First, screw Technorati, really.

    Second, just don’t publish so often if you don’t have enough juice. Do like I do, only write when you just can’t keep it inside.

    Third, you did make it to my Top 10.

    I wish you would stay there…

  20. Sorry to see you go! Understandable, of course. May I ask that you suggest other blogs/sites to go to? – your postings will outlive themselves and be stored in the Googleverse for all to see for years to come, but should they find you this way, it might be worth suggesting next steps… THANKS, and best of luck in your ‘traditional’ journalling.

  22. Every ounce of my body wants to use this comment to bitch, moan, and whine about your decision. I love this blog, and have over the years derived great benefit from the humor, knowledge, and perspective disseminated on these virtual pages. I’d beg you to reconsider, but that would be both selfish and (knowing you the way I know you) fruitless.

    Instead, let me just say thank you. Thank you for the two years of entertainment, enlightenment, and, most importanly, friendship. Though the blog may be gone, I’m optimistic that the experience is not. I’m optimistic that our offline relationship will endure.

    Finding adequate time to maintain family, work, and blog lives is nearly impossible – even for bloggers like me who fall well short of your writing production. Though I’ll miss Ron Shevlin’s Marketing Whims, I totally understand.

    BTW – this was EASILY on my list of Top 10 Marketing Blogs.

  23. Ron,

    I’m sorry to see you go. It has been a pleasure meeting you, and although we’ve met in person only once, I feel like we are friends. The community of personalities that have collected and connected through your blog in unique, entertaining, and smart.

    Thanks for helping stir my curiousity and helping me question business decisions everywhere (of course some here at work may welcome your departure for that very reason).

    Ok, since this parties closing down, where is after-hours being held?

    And, to pile on to Trey’s point: only time will tell if Ron is more Michael Jordan or Barry Sanders….

  24. I echo the sentiments already posted here, Ron. I appreciate your writing about topics and sentiments that many of us our thinking, but don’t have the eloquence (or b@lls!) to say or write themselves. It lends a great dose of reality and provocation that I think is needed to keep the online and offiline conversation fresh. Besides, your blog is how I “met” you! Hopefully, we will meet in person some day. Until then, keep the Tweet alive!

  27. Wow – didn’t see this happening! Presume you will still exist online and continue to offer comments etc!

    Best wishes

    Colin

  29. Just fired up my Google reader minutes ago and stumbled across this. This is simply not a good day.

  30. Awwwww! Man! But I just GOT here!
    ok……..
    Looking forward to Finance 2.0 and increased
    snarkiness on Twitter to fill the void.

    For what it’s worth, considering the sentiment of the comments posted, I wouldn’t agree that you failed reaching your goal. Especially, if at the end, you’re smiling, smiling, smiling.

  31. I join many others in expressing my thanks for two years of highly intelligent and humorous writings . . . you will be missed. I have a feeling that your voice will be heard again – – there’s just too much dysfunction in financial services marketing for you to resist!

  32. I don’t know about the rest of you well-wishers, but i’m ticked. I have come to rely on Dr. Shevlin to shed light on the dark corners of the universe. In fact, i was just starting a blog post about Ron’s book and blog on my Dun & Bradstreet blog and well, now, there goes a day of writing…. I guess only half a day because half of it was about the blog. Man, if only i had been a better blogger friend….

    Well, since Ron promised there would be no refunds on the book…. I’ll guess i’ll have to finish the post and make my Amazon commissions.

    😉

    Have a great new life as Mr. Partee’s snarker, Ron.

    I know you’ll probably have withdrawals and all, so you might want to check out:

    http://darmano.typepad.com/bloggers_anonymous/

    Take care, my friend. I guess i’ll have to sign up for the Aite newsletter.
    TJ

  33. Ron – FWIW, this was the first blog I discovered and remained at the top of my list. Thank you for your insights and for recognizing when you had enough.

    In the immortal words of Sam Malone:
    “Sorry, we’re closed.”

    Best of luck,

    Mike

  34. Ron – congrats on making it two years and 360 posts! That is amazing dedication, and your work is certainly thought-provoking, insightful, and helpful. Way to go out in style. I’ll miss this blog, but hope to stay in touch in other ways.

    What a long strange trip it’s been …

    Cheers!

    Paul

  35. Ron, I’m glad I have your book. I’ll be able to revisit some of the classic ideas you’ve covered in Marketing Whims over the last two years. Thank you for sharing your insights and for being fearless in your responses to the financial and marketing worlds. Would you send me an email for the Aite alert note? I’d love to follow you there. See you on Twitter.

  36. Are you sure Ron?

    Why not take a break and write as the spirit moves you?

    The writing effort is much greater than most people realize. So I fully appreciate why you wrote what you wrote in this post.

    The goals for my blog are quite modest in comparison to yours. The desire to stimulate thinking about direct marketing and where it is going drives my blog. I also hoped the effort would eventually provide revenue for my consulting business.

    Not much revenue, but a lot of learning and new blog friends resulted in the effort. It is really worth it.

    Either way you go, stay in touch and let us all know what you are doing. And thank you for your thoughts over the last two years. You were certainly at the top of my blogger list.

    Your blog AND business friend,

    Ted

  37. What an unexpected post! What am I going to do when I have no Ron on the Tube with me every morning. Goodbye here, but we’ll keep in touch elsewhere, I hope.

  39. Ron,

    I’m very sad to hear the news. There aren’t many industry blogs that I enjoyed as much as this. You made the discussion fun and light-hearted but always with an element of truth. Good luck and hope to see you at the next conference.

    -Ken

  40. As a former boss and supporter of your blogging, I like many others am disappointed. I remember our lunch over two years ago with Steve Rubel, where we discussed what it would take to build a great blog. You were quiet, but I knew you were thinking it through. When you decided to do it, you really did it. As I’ve told you before you have a great voice and gift and this is one of the few blogs I read. Hopefully we can convince you to guest blog for us every now and then. You know like when Jerry Seinfeld appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm a few times. Congratulations on a job well done Ron – you are still master of your domain.

  41. Ron,
    I will miss your candor and sarcasm! Any chance you will start another blog that you only post on once every two weeks?

  43. Ron, I have read pretty much every one of your blog posts and have truly enjoyed your honest, direct and cutting insight. Your blog posts will be sorely missed. I hope that at some point, the desire to write builds up again and produces something new.

    Aneace

  44. This blog sucked. All it ever did was polarize normally nice people into different corners of the room and cause mass amounts of in-fighting in the credit union industry. NPS will save credit unions and your silenced voice will make many happy. Statistics are always right, white papers are never wrong. What were you thinking trying to make people think on their own?

    Maybe your wife will have to use this as your eulogy Ron. I’ve never heard so many nice things about Shevlin at the same time.

    You rock.

  45. Ron,

    What did I get from your blog?

    1) A book with a cool cover (Thanks to Brent Dixon)

    2) A love for the Net Promoter Score. If it wasn’t for you Ron, I would not ever have known how amazing this statistic is.

    3) Great commentary on Web 2.0

    4) Links to other awesome blogs to read

    5) Keen insights on marketing and banking

    6) Seen you get dumped on by infamous Boston down pours

    7) But, the best think I got from your little two year old, 360 post blog, is meet an absolutely fantastic group of your readers who took the time to post comments here and then over at Twitter.

    Dude! WTF!

    P.S. Oh and one more, in all seriousness, a renewed interest in Aite, for real.

    @dmgerbino

  46. Ron,

    I’m not sure what to say. But I feel I should ring in. You did shake things up in my world and for that I am thankful.

    I don’t know why you’re bailing on this – and as a lot of people have already said, it makes no sense. BUT, you have your reasons, and they’re probably personal, and I get that.

    One thing I’ve learned from this post – if you want to get a ton of comments, announce that you’re shutting down.

    You have been a great addition to the blog-o-sphere. You’ll be back. Just give me a heads up when you do return!

    Cheers!

  47. When I first saw the title of this blog, I was afraid of what it might mean. As one my favorite blogs to read, I am sad to see it end.

    I’ve enjoyed your perspective and can only hope you will start up again someday.

  48. Ah crap! Yours is one of the few blogs that made me think and was not obsequiously attentive. To everything there is a season and I do know that your voice will still be around in some fashion. I wanted to thank you very much for what you have written. Great writing isn’t read all that often.

  49. Pingback: Crime of Social Passion » Marketing Productivity Blog » Blog Archive

  50. Goodnight, farewell, amen.

    It’s really hard to have a top ten marketing blog when you don’t talk about “Why you can make millions on FriendFeed” or “Brands like Dell and Southwest Airlines are using social media to improve brand perception”.

  52. One of the few blogs I read pretty regularly – mostly for the insight but always for the dry wit and dose of reality. I’ll miss it.

  53. Ron – I’m not even a marketeer, but loved your bold comments and through provoking posts. I am sure it was exhausting. Hope to continue to see you in Twitterville and at some industry conferences. Best – and I loved the snow!

  54. Ron, I have been ill and offlline for a the last weeks and I just found out that you’ve stopped blogging…. Will certainly be missing you overhere but hope you’ll keep on going (t)wittering. So good luck with everything else but blogging and thank you for your writings of the ‘past’!

  55. Just wanted to stop by and wish you luck in your future ventures. I’ve really enjoyed reading what you’ve had to say over the last two months – and you’ll definitely leave a whole in my google reader!

  57. I’ve been offline for a couple of weeks and hadn’t noticed your planned departure. I’ve greatly enjoyed your blog and have probably picked up a few style tips for my own.

    Best wishes for the future – I’ll miss your regular puncturing of organisational pomposity.

  58. Well, I’m late to the party…

    Ron, I’ve enjoyed meeting you (solely due to your blog!) and reading your thoughts. Your unique voice will most definitely be missed. And, I’ll echo the thoughts of your fans–you’re also in my top 10 blog list, for sure.

    With that said, I completely understand your decision. Blogging is a time commitment. It takes a ton of energy and there are times in life when your energy needs to go elsewhere. I get that, and am going through something similar myself.

    With that said, I’ll join your friends who think (and hope!) that this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Ron Shevlin in the blogosphere!

    Take care,
    Suzanne

  60. Ron, a big part of my joy in reading your blog was the fabulous discussion and debate that you heated up amongst some really bright and insightful folks.

    I would really appreciate a current list of bloggers that you read so that we can continue to have these thoughtful musings and rantings. It’s great that you are still in the blogosphere commenting away; the only difference being that you aren’t the instigator, and this blog itself is no longer the center hub for Shev-debate. It’s just harder to find you now, so shed some light.

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