What do you mean, you want to buy my blog?
December 18, 2008 4:22 PM Subscribe
A company is offering to buy my blog. What should I do?
The company already owns some well-known blogs, and they asked if they can buy mine. They would take it over -- I would no longer be working on it.
I probably won't do it, because I like working on my blog, but I'm mighty curious. What questions should I ask them? If I do decide to sell, how do I know what a reasonable price is? Is there any way this could be a scam? Any advice?
The company already owns some well-known blogs, and they asked if they can buy mine. They would take it over -- I would no longer be working on it.
I probably won't do it, because I like working on my blog, but I'm mighty curious. What questions should I ask them? If I do decide to sell, how do I know what a reasonable price is? Is there any way this could be a scam? Any advice?
How much traffic does it get? Do you get recurring revenue? Did they offer enough to let you start an entirely new unrelated blog and do an even better and funner job?
Like BTGoG said, we need more info!
posted by rokusan at 4:30 PM on December 18, 2008
Like BTGoG said, we need more info!
posted by rokusan at 4:30 PM on December 18, 2008
Try to calculate all the time you have put into development, upkeep, research, content generation, etc. and multiply that by at least $200/hour. High-ball any number you tell them for the selling price, so any counter-offer they may provide will seem reasonable to you.
If you started one blog that was successful enough to attract a suitor, chances are pretty good that you have it within you to start another with a different theme. Congratulations on the offer. If you do get a five figure offer, for example, I would recommend hiring an attorney to address any and all ownership issues.
posted by netbros at 4:33 PM on December 18, 2008
If you started one blog that was successful enough to attract a suitor, chances are pretty good that you have it within you to start another with a different theme. Congratulations on the offer. If you do get a five figure offer, for example, I would recommend hiring an attorney to address any and all ownership issues.
posted by netbros at 4:33 PM on December 18, 2008
Sell it and start another one?
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:01 PM on December 18, 2008
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:01 PM on December 18, 2008
You can always start a new blog. Sell it and get some money out of it.
posted by Electrius at 5:01 PM on December 18, 2008
posted by Electrius at 5:01 PM on December 18, 2008
3rding turgid and Electrius. You can sell and start anew, flush with at least enough cash to pay for several years of hosting, leaving your current readers your new URL right before you leave.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 5:05 PM on December 18, 2008
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 5:05 PM on December 18, 2008
First post on the blog what you will be doing (so everyone that already reads it will go to your new one). Then sell it and start it over.
posted by CaptKyle at 5:05 PM on December 18, 2008
posted by CaptKyle at 5:05 PM on December 18, 2008
I think it's only fair to note that the potential buyers may not be willing to pay as much if the last post discloses the sale and redirects readers. I wouldn't do anything outside of the usual until you discuss terms and make up your mind whether you want to go through with the sale.
posted by GuyZero at 5:19 PM on December 18, 2008
posted by GuyZero at 5:19 PM on December 18, 2008
I think it's only fair to note that the potential buyers may not be willing to pay as much if the last post discloses the sale and redirects readers. I wouldn't do anything outside of the usual until you discuss terms and make up your mind whether you want to go through with the sale.
A good point.
However, if you're saying that the company buying it will not let you work on it anymore, than why would they care if the people that like reading what you write follow you somewhere else?
Just something to think about.
posted by CaptKyle at 5:26 PM on December 18, 2008
A good point.
However, if you're saying that the company buying it will not let you work on it anymore, than why would they care if the people that like reading what you write follow you somewhere else?
Just something to think about.
posted by CaptKyle at 5:26 PM on December 18, 2008
However, if you're saying that the company buying it will not let you work on it anymore, than why would they care if the people that like reading what you write follow you somewhere else?
What else would the buyer be paying for, if it isn't the dedicated readership? How much is all of the other stuff worth combined, and then compare that to the value of the dedicated readership?
posted by Chuckles at 5:35 PM on December 18, 2008
What else would the buyer be paying for, if it isn't the dedicated readership? How much is all of the other stuff worth combined, and then compare that to the value of the dedicated readership?
posted by Chuckles at 5:35 PM on December 18, 2008
Unless they get you to sign a non-compete agreement. (For a blog? Who knows, maybe.)
I would expect one. (That's why I said "start entirely new unrelated blog" up there.)
So factor in whether there's another topic/hobby/whatever your blog is that you could be as passionate about next time. If there's only thing you care about enough to write everyday, and that's what your blog was for, then this is an expensive thing to take away, yes?
posted by rokusan at 5:44 PM on December 18, 2008
I would expect one. (That's why I said "start entirely new unrelated blog" up there.)
So factor in whether there's another topic/hobby/whatever your blog is that you could be as passionate about next time. If there's only thing you care about enough to write everyday, and that's what your blog was for, then this is an expensive thing to take away, yes?
posted by rokusan at 5:44 PM on December 18, 2008
It's hard to tell based on the information you've provided, but I bet that what they're really buying is your Google page ranking.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 6:09 PM on December 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 6:09 PM on December 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
I get offers *all the time* from sleazy companies who want to buy my blog because of it's high PageRank, even though I never update it anymore. They want to throw a bunch of ads on it, abuse the years of PageRank accumulation, simply to turn a profit on their investment.
posted by camworld at 6:41 PM on December 18, 2008
posted by camworld at 6:41 PM on December 18, 2008
The one thing I always say to everyone who I won't be seeing for quite some time is "never sell out." Seriously, i wrote it in everyone's high school yearbook...
I have noooo idea what the market for these things is like but if you're getting enough money so that it's like a year's salary or more, then it might be nice. But if it's sort of mediocre, pass on it. You didn't mention that you were specifically dirt poor so while the extra security padding in your bank account feels nice and safe, your integrity is worth much more.
Also, think about it like this: I don't know if you're making any sort of money off the blog but They're definitely buying it so that they can make a profit off of your blog for more than they paid you. If they can do this, you can certainly make that amount or at least meet half of that.
Can nitsuj please give us a followup?
Good Luck and I hope you make the right choice!
posted by saxamo at 9:26 PM on December 18, 2008
I have noooo idea what the market for these things is like but if you're getting enough money so that it's like a year's salary or more, then it might be nice. But if it's sort of mediocre, pass on it. You didn't mention that you were specifically dirt poor so while the extra security padding in your bank account feels nice and safe, your integrity is worth much more.
Also, think about it like this: I don't know if you're making any sort of money off the blog but They're definitely buying it so that they can make a profit off of your blog for more than they paid you. If they can do this, you can certainly make that amount or at least meet half of that.
Can nitsuj please give us a followup?
Good Luck and I hope you make the right choice!
posted by saxamo at 9:26 PM on December 18, 2008
If I do decide to sell, how do I know what a reasonable price is?
Put the ball in their court. Ask them what they are offering. Assume that the most you can negotiate is twice that amount.
posted by damn dirty ape at 9:27 PM on December 18, 2008
Put the ball in their court. Ask them what they are offering. Assume that the most you can negotiate is twice that amount.
posted by damn dirty ape at 9:27 PM on December 18, 2008
The fact that they're removing you from the writing of the blog that you created is kind of a red flag. It won't really be the same if someone else is writing it, so I'd presume that your situation is similar to Cam's. And, in this case, the right thing to do is to flip the bird to the potential buyers and keep on doing what you enjoy, which is working on your blog.
posted by terceiro at 4:29 AM on December 19, 2008
posted by terceiro at 4:29 AM on December 19, 2008
Seconding terceiro. Unless this blog has become hard, unenjoyable work, it's yours, and being removed from it isn't a good thing in any sort of way.
posted by gc at 6:18 AM on December 19, 2008
posted by gc at 6:18 AM on December 19, 2008
Nice to see Cam here (user 29!)
If your blog has a high enough Pagerank people will buy it (for a lot, but not nearly enough) so they can link various products off your front page. This boosts the position of their products in a Google search for a couple months, then Google figures it out and sinks your domain name into oblivion.
If that's what's going on then I hope they pay you enough (was that your business plan all along?) Otherwise, don't bother.
P.S. - Glad to see that Camworld isn't selling Viagra yet!
posted by twoleftfeet at 8:27 AM on December 19, 2008
If your blog has a high enough Pagerank people will buy it (for a lot, but not nearly enough) so they can link various products off your front page. This boosts the position of their products in a Google search for a couple months, then Google figures it out and sinks your domain name into oblivion.
If that's what's going on then I hope they pay you enough (was that your business plan all along?) Otherwise, don't bother.
P.S. - Glad to see that Camworld isn't selling Viagra yet!
posted by twoleftfeet at 8:27 AM on December 19, 2008
If someone wants to buy it, it's likely that you are either making money (yay, you!) or have the potential to make money. If you want to stop writing that blog, then sell it. Otherwise, read up on Matt's comments, and make money blogging without selling your soul. You'll have to do some digging around, but Matt's written a fair amount about blogging & ads.
posted by theora55 at 1:36 PM on December 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 1:36 PM on December 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by By The Grace of God at 4:28 PM on December 18, 2008