Dear Matt,

Please accept this note on behalf of the thousands and thousands of people that you have touched with your videos, your blog posts, your presentations, and your chats. I'm one of those people. We've never met in person, and you probably have never heard of me. But you should know one thing for certain.

If you've said it, I've read about it, watched it, and studied it. I've incorporated your words and videos into my presentations, and I've taken your teachings to heart.

I met you (virtually) in 2009 online shortly after I was laid off from a 30+ year job. I was down in the dumps and wondering what I wanted to do next. Your videos inspired me to start anew. In truth you, have essentially been my mentor and guide to my new career in Online Marketing. In fact it's been the most fulfilling career that anyone can have. Thanks to your generosity, time, and love of your own craft, so many of us are thriving and loving what we do.

I remember once you did a video on whether blog posts should include technical terms. Basically you said 'that it could... or maybe not'... but most of all remember that you are writing for a human, not a machine. That video summed up the kind of person you are. A brilliant technical guy who is a human. And a good one at that. Your genuine personality shined through. In an industry of self-proclaimed geeks, you are the most human of all of us.

There will be times in your life that you might need an uplift of your own. If and when that time comes, read the notes on this blog. They are truly from the heart and are written with eternal gratitude.

So thank you again and remember. There's a whole lot of folks 'out here' who wish you all the best, always. Because you are there for us, we are here for you too.

Gary Steel