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

All rights reserved. This content may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this content without permission is a violation of federal copyright law.