“It’s an anniversary,” my wife remarked. “Oh, oh – what am I missing and is this trouble,” immediately flashed into my head because I wasn’t sure where this was going. But, as luck would have it, before I was forced to ask that loaded question that would reveal I’d totally forgotten something important, she continued: “You’ve been blogging for four years. Congratulations!”

In some ways it’s hard to believe Dealer Outlook has started its fifth year in Trade Only Today. On the other hand, it seems like I just started blogging a short time ago. So, cut me some slack today and allow me to enjoy reflecting for a moment.

Let’s see . . . that’s two blogs a week for four years. That’s more than 400 blogs on virtually as many different topics that either impact or could affect marine retailers, or the whole industry for that matter. Upon reflection, it all amazes me, while also seeming to confirm what my great staff at LEMTA always said: “You talk too much!” Apparently they didn’t see it was a precursor to becoming a blogger!

I recall when Trade Only asked if I’d write a dealer-oriented blog. I knew nothing about blogs. I hadn’t even read any. Surely they were asking the wrong guy. Blogs, I thought, were less-than-serious exercises in cyberspace – something developed for geeks – a time-waster and a certain-to-be short-lived fad on the skyrocketing Internet.

However, after some serious research, I told Trade Only I’d try it for a few weeks. That was four years ago. While Trade Only was the leader in developing the industry’s first blog specifically for retail dealers, today the whole world of blogging (dubbed the Blogosphere) is in the mainstream of daily business and social communications everywhere. And, frankly, I admit it’s fun to be in the Blogosphere!

It’s also fun to be working with Soundings Editor-in-Chief Bill Sisson and my daily editor at Trade Only, Associate Editor Beth Rosenberg. They are genuine professionals driven to produce as much information as possible for this industry. To that end, they have guided Dealer Outlook to cover a myriad of topics over the years. They have put no restrictions on this blog, allowing me to write about everything from new ideas in retailing to political actions effecting dealers (there seems to be a never-ending list of those!)

But the most amazing thing to me has been – YOU! So many people tell me they read Dealer Outlook regularly – and they’re not just dealers, but manufacturers, bankers, trade association executives, and others in our industry. And, I am particularly grateful to all of you who take time to comment. You don’t always agree with me and that’s super . . . because sharing diverse ideas and opinions is what keeps this fresh and interesting for everyone. So, bring it on, please.

In the meanwhile, expect continued blogs containing news and ideas that might make marine retailing more successful. And, thanks for your support – it makes this blog worth doing.