I’m sure a lot of you dedicated bloggers would probably say “no, I would never sell my blog,” but deep down inside you guys are probably thinking “well, maybe if the price is right!” So Bob Barker (former host of the Price is Right game show for those of you who had that shoot right over your heads), does that mean you would sell out?
It’s interesting how so many things change when it comes to money. Of course, it becomes even more interesting when that money is right in front of your face.
So, last week I wrote a post “Would you sell a permanent ad on your blog for $1,000?” and I got a lot of feedback (through forums and comments on that post). A majority of those people said they would not do it because it’s not worth it. Though, a few people said they would because they would work around the permanent ad and they’ll be $1,000 richer.
I know that was a hypothetical situation and if it was real, I’m sure a lot of people would do that deal. Unless, of course, you’re making more than that a month, then I’m sure you wouldn’t.
Now, what if someone offered to buy your blog for $10,000 and you’re making somewhere between $500-$1,000 a month? Would you do it?
Of course, there’s a big difference between being a sell-out and simply selling your blog. For instance, one of the forums I checked out recently sold it for somewhere around $65,000 because they simply did not have the time to manage the forum anymore. Now, that’s understandable. If you can’t manage what you started, then you might as well sell while your site/forum/blog is at its highest point.
On the other hand, I have also read that people build up these sites with the intention of selling it. (Yes, I’m one of them) So, if it’s a blog, wouldn’t you be deceiving your readers? I mean, if you don’t forewarn your loyal readers ahead of time, aren’t you screwing them over in the long run after you sell?
I wouldn’t think so, because your loyal readers are there because they like your writing, your knowledge, etc so more than likely, they’ll follow you to your new blog – if you choose to start another one.
Honestly, I started a new blog with the intent to sell it within a few months. I feel I have built enough knowledge to do so, and plus, it’s an experiment. If it works, then I will let you guys know and you guys can try it out. If it doesn’t, well, you guys don’t have to know about it LOL!
So, how much is enough before you sell it?
I was having a conversation with Jason of TheUniversitykid.com and we were talking about Graham, the owner of Entrecard.com, and he told me that Entrecard was worth somewhere around $1,000,000 now.
Holy shit! Over $1,000,000?!
I’m not sure how accurate that figure is, but I highly doubt Graham is making anywhere close to that amount while running Entrecard. As I told Jason the other day, I think Graham should sell while it’s at its highest worth. I know Entrecard could become extremely big, but with all the people abusing the system, how can it actually get better? Let me correct myself, how can the site profit even more?
I doubt Graham, who is a fellow Bostonian like myself, will read this but in the slightest chances he does, “sell, sell, sell!”
So, in my opinion, no, you are not a sell out if you sell your blog/site/forum/whatever. People do it all the time, especially if someone approaches you with a crazy figure like $1,000,000.
And if you think I’m a sell out for thinking about selling my site, well, I’m sure I’m not the only one!
If you are a pro blogger (someone who makes money blogging), then you are running a business, a home based business. So therefore, if you are doing it properly, and your readers like it, and an offer is made, then I say sell. It’s a business decision, nothing else. Great post. I dropped some EC love too.
TeasasTips’s last blog post..Domain Name Happy Hour
A blog is more like a business to me and I don’t see any harm selling out a “business” if someone approaches with the right figure.
Nk’s last blog post..Commonly Used Idioms and How They Came to be
I would sell TUK for ten dollars, buyer would have to cover Paypal fees though.
Seriously though, nothing wrong with selling it if you get a good price – I’ve always let my readers know that I will find it very hard to turn down a five figure offer as that could easily be reinvested in another project or two, including a new startup blog.
People have varied opinions, but ANYONE will sell for the right price.
Jason’s last blog post..WTF Is With Entrecard?
My only problem with or that I might have with selling my blog, would be do I get to keep and migrate the list. I have built a bit of a list and talk to them weekly, as a result some shoot emails back and forth, some of the people on my list are really actually very cool people. So If someone were to buy my blog I would seriously want my list intact. Tough question really
shane’s last blog post..AdSense Optimization Tips For A Higher Click Through Rate
I can only echo the other comments… if it’s a business, sell it at an above value offer. If not a business, it’s a personal decision
esoomllub’s last blog post..Unsolicited Blog Posts About Making Money
Tough decision Jay, it depends on whether u are blogging for passion or business.
Haney’s last blog post..Swap Your Snack
Teasas – You definitely bring up a good point. It is a business but there are tons of people that just do it just for pleasure. So if you do it to NOT make a profit, would you?
NK – That is true. I’m assuming you would sell Blogsvine for the right price?
Jason – Hey, like I said, anyone WOULD if the price was right. What if someone offered you $9,000 though?
Shane – Of course you’ll get to keep your list. You can take down all the info you need before selling it.
Esoomllub – Well, let’s say you have a personal blog that means something to you, would you sell it for the right price?
Haney – Either way, passion or business, would you sell it for the right price?
Jay
Jay’s last blog post..Are You a Sell Out if You Were to Sell Your Blog?
I’d negotiate, I’m a hard ass.
With enough persuasion, they could probably be brought up to around $11,000
Jason’s last blog post..Stop This Fluffy Sh!t | Time To Make Money
I don’t look at it as a sell-out. It’s business. Readers have hopefully learned something from the writing along the way. However, as a business deal, one has to consider if it generates more monthly revenue and will continue to do so in the future. This might mean that one could make more money in the long haul by keeping it, rather than a one time sale. Depends. Some might use the extra capital to one-time invest in a bigger project, and some may not have the time for the daily operations of writing/blogging.
Tamera’s last blog post..Personal Development and Relationships. What the heck?
One of the key principals of economics is ‘a little money now is worth more than a lot of money later’. ie, if someone offered you $1,000 for a site now or $3,000 in six months, you should take the $1,000 (assuming the site isn’t really growing). That $1k could easily be worth $5k in six months, assuming you use it properly.
$1,000,000 for Entrecard? I wonder where he got that figure.
Geoff’s last blog post..The Cow Might Sell His Blog
As much as I use EC, I love the posts you do here bashing on them
As you have already noticed, I do a lot of hating through my posts too 
I also think Graham should sell now because he’s a college drop out and if he does not succeed, he will have nothing.
-Mike
Mike Huang’s last blog post..The Secrets Of eBooks
Hey Jay funny post, This reminds me of the argument that “artists” have, are you a sell out if you try to make money being an artist or a musician. The biggest problem I have with people selling their websites/blogs is hat who ever buys them doesnt keep posting. Case in point wpdesigner was sold a few weeks back and since then there hasnt been any posts. So I;m guessing the guy who bought isnt a blogger or isnt going to hire a blogger and obviously doesnt know anything about Wordpress design. Maybe thats something to consider when buying a blog I haventchecked but I wonder what is happening to that blogs RSS and newsletter subscription base, i’m about to unsubscribe if there isnt content coming up soon.
shane’s last blog post..How to get Relevant AdSense Ads
Jason – We all know you’re a hard ass lol!
Tamera – I think everyone that I know or knew that sold their site almost always invested that money in a bigger project. And I think it’s usually affiliated marketing which is MY next project as well!
Geoff – It’s tough to say on how any site would be in six months because it always has it’s ups and downs. I mean, we all hope it’s going to be worth more down the road but who knows? And supposedly Entrecard was quoted for somewhere around that amount…
Mike – LOL! I wouldn’t say I’m bashin’ Entrecard but more on the people who abuse the system. But yes, Graham should sell it now if it’s REALLY worth that much.
Shane – LOL! Yeah, that is true. I listen to a lot of rap and everyone who goes mainstream ends up being some sort of sell out but hey, they’re a lot richer, aren’t they? But I’m not sure why people buy sites for that much because it’s going to be hard trying to keep the readership, you know?
Jay
Hi im aware that youre not selling this blog at all dont do it
Aaron Rivera’s last blog post..creating a niche online can greatly enhance youre income earnings
Well as a business he ought to be able to sell at a 10-12% cap rate.
But as a Blog who would buy it. What makes a blog is the personality and the posts of the blogger. If that person leaves What’s left?
Ned
Ned Carey’s last blog post..My Day in Court
Re: Entrecard. The investment made into the company ($112k) makes it valued at roughly $1m+ should all other shares be bought out at similar rates.
No one knows what’ll happen though, the new system is pissing off quite a few people
Jason’s last blog post..Moving Hosts, No Posts
Wow I see a couple of good hard working Bloggers already posted here.The whole business rap and thinking you and your blog is all that and worth Alot more then it is to me a BIG turn off.Anyway I have had money and been flat ass broke.If your a Goof/jerk off when your Broke your basically the same( RICH) except you have more people kissing your ass.It’s not all it’s cracked up to me Trust me.
Wow I see a couple of good hard working Bloggers already posted here.The whole business rap and thinking you and your blog is all that and worth Alot more then it is to me a BIG turn off.Anyway I have had money and been flat ass broke.If your a Goof/jerk off when your Broke your basically the same( RICH) except you have more people kissing your ass.It’s not all it’s cracked up to me Trust me.
John Sullivan’s last blog post..How fast is your connection
I’m pretty sure Entrecard isn’t worth a fraction of $1,000,000.
He is not selling links, his 125×125 ads are pulling in about $10 day..
thats $300/month converting to $3600/year.
Yea.. Sure Graham.
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I don’t think I would sell my blog… but I guess I will never know unless I am faced with that decision, I guess everyone has a price.
Millionaire Mindset’s last blog post..Issue 47 : What is Business Networking?
When looking at a blog’s worth its like looking of the worth of any business.
There are many financial calculators that can calculate the worth of a business, and how much you should accept for a buyout.
Whether your blog is a business site or a personal weblog, it’s yours and nobody else. You reserve the right to do what you want with it. Sell? Why not, if you get a good offer – and you’re probably getting bored with it. And that’s what John Cow is planning to do. “Sell Out” should never come into the reckoning at all. You don’t owe it to anyone, not even your readers or so-called fans. That’s how I see it. When the price is right I’ll take it. I can always start another blog, maybe even better than the previous one, because of the experience gained. If you have a horde of regular readers, some of them will probably follow you (even to Timbuktu) if you can still churn posts that warm their hearts. Yes sir, if the price is right!