Blogs are the new Corner Store

Back in the day, as people came and went in their busy lives, they would certainly venture past the local crossroads store like Keeler's Corner in Lynnwood, WA or this one in Melrose, LA - on their way to anywhere. In order to be relevant on a continuing basis the storekeepers felt they needed to carry every conceivable item crammed in to any space left unfilled. Of course in they end they had to prioritize and make sure they provided the essentials, the things people in the community needed to have or they would risk becoming irrelevant. The irony was that whether or not one actually needed anything, you would generally make a stop either outbound or on your way home, to find out what the latest news in the community might be and pick something up anyway. These corner stores have long since faded into history in many parts of the country, replaced by the ubiquitous 7-11or Wal-mart. Stores that still try to carry everything, except the personality and heartbeat of a community. As the internet has proliferated and information washes over us like one tsunami after another, we see small communities being reformed in every conceivable area of common interest on the web. People want to go where the information they get is not only current, but relevant. These small communities are thriving once again. Blogs are the new country store. Treat your customers well and make sure in your attempt to stock your shelves with what you think they want, in order to remain relevant you have carry what the community needs.