Friday night we spent some time with my wife's Grandmother.  She recently turned 92 years old and is undoubtedly one of the most cheerful people you'll ever meet.  When asked how she's doing, she'll smile from ear to ear and respond in one of two ways "Everything's wonderful.  No complaints." or "Not bad for an old lady."  As many people her age, she jokes about aging and takes it in stride.  Her trademark line is "Old age is no bargain, even with social security." 

Grandma's always excited to hear about my success.  So on Friday when I told her that I had 3 closings this past week and had a contract accepted for just shy of $1 Million, she was overwhelmed with joy (I have to admit, so was I). 

Then she asked "Brian, so where do you get your clients?"

The answer confused her.

"Well, Grandma, many of my clients come from the Internet"

Huh?

My wife chimed in "Gram... the computer.  The clients find Brian on the computer."

Huh?  How?

"I write articles about the local market, the homebuying and selling process and other things of local interest.  Clients find these articles and then contact me to help them with their real estate needs." (In other words, I blog.)

Finally, Grandma gave up with the questioning, but you could see her experienced brain trying to come to grips with the idea of clients finding me on a computer.  I'm certain that she's never used a computer.  She's amazed by cell phones as well.

This episode got me thinking.  Most REALTORS don't understand it either.

I've actually had a similar conversation with more than one agent from time to time.  While these agents see the computer as a tool for business, and have heard of blogging, they just don't think that it's a means for getting clients -- actual buyers and sellers.

While I'm happy to explain it to them, many of them still leave befuddled...

Just like Poor Grandma!