callivert - 12:06 pm on Oct 18, 2007 (gmt 0)

It feels really bizarre to know the "secrets" and yet be unable to find success.

clearly, you don't know the "secrets". Sorry if that sounds harsh, but it is simply an irrefutable fact, and the obvious response, given your original post.

My sites were far superior to anything out there but went ignored

My guess is that you've neglected link building.

[edited by: callivert at 12:08 pm (utc) on Oct. 18, 2007]