Guest Post: What's a Blog?

If you're reading this, then you already know the answer.

I attended the Home and Backyard Show at the Ontario Convention Center this weekend and met with quite a few vendors. When I told them I was a real estate blogger interested in writing about them, most of them said, "A what?" Many had not heard of blogs, let alone read one. This was a reality check for me. Was I truly living inside the Matrix? Are there two worlds out there - online and offline? I had to step back and remember that most people are not as obsessed with doing business online as I am.

Many of the vendors I spoke with were small- to medium-sized family businesses. They relied on traditional methods of generating business, such as word of mouth and referrals. Advertising online, whether with a Web site or blog, was foreign to them. I went out of my way to explain why setting up an online presence could help them grow their business. Only a few of them were open to the opportunity.

A great example of someone who has an enormous amount of real world expertise and knowledge, but no internet presence, is Ronald Woodbeck, aka "The Granite Master," from HRC - Home Remodeling Concepts. If you have any questions about granite, this is the gentleman to call. I can't imagine the amount of business Ron would get if he created a simple blog and shared his expertise online. Oh Nelly!

How much longer can businesses that have no online presence continue to survive?

--Sellsius Real Estate

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