“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
—Bob Dylan

If you’re a little bit handy and you don’t feel like allowing those pretentious people at the Apple Store’s “Genius Bar” to ship your iPod to parts unknown for a battery replacement, you can do it yourself with one ordered from Kokopelli Music.

When I received my nano battery the other day, I also received a pleasant surprise: a square of Ghirardelli dark chocolate with white mint filling. Nice touch.

It’s not necessary that the hotel puts a mint or two on your pillow, but you always feel just a little bit better when they do, don’t you? What a great simple idea that a mail order company takes a page from the Ritz Carlton playbook.

Takeaway for marketers: There are many, many places where your company touches your customers. Are you taking advantage of every opportunity at every touchpoint to make them feel just a little bit better?

Think you’re pretty good with your digital camera? Or, are you looking for good photos to use on your blog or elsewhere? Either way, Lucky Oliver is looking for you.

Back in April, I told you about eCom Expo, a virtual trade show for online marketers. It wasn’t too bad, if you had the time to focus on it, especially if you’re into affiliate marketing and especially considering the price: zip. The next eCom Expo is scheduled for October 24 through 26, so you have plenty of time to register.

Conventional wisdom embraces the long tail and says that the Internet is about micropayments. Of course, Richard Branson has never been one to embrace conventional wisdom, so beginning today you can plunk down a 20 grand deposit on a 200 grand ticket over here and book a space flight. If you don’t have the patience to wait for Virgin’s Flash site to load and see it for yourself (be sure to maximize your browser), read all about it over here at DMNews.