Want to get someone's attention? Appeal to their personal interests.

Example: As far as I know, I'd never gotten a first-page mention on blogs4god. I went and read up on the moderator of the journals category, where my blog lay dormant. I discovered she teaches statistics at the Univ. of Auckland. So I sent her this email, with the title "Statistically speaking":

What are the chances you've peeked at Random Variables (http://random.antville.org) lately? You may find a blog or two of interest for your blogs4god cache.

Rolling the dice,

Randal

It worked, and she gave me a very nice mention, even with the Bradley quote put on display.

Of course, that we have top-notch, positive content might have something to do with it as well. Right, Rachel?