Buying a Blog Like Buying A Mail Order Bride?
There has been a recent trend that has emerged in the Make Money Online niche that has really generated a lot of discussion, traffic and even some good old fashioned white trash feuding. The trend I am referring to is how popular it has become to “sell” your blog.
This subject has generated a number of posts and thousands of comments and has really generated some “buzz.” To date I notice that most of the posts have focused on the seller but what about the buyer? Who are these people and what do they stand to gain?
Lead or Follow
I have a theory that there are only two kinds of bloggers out there, leaders or followers. Leaders set the standard for all others to follow. They are unique and provide refreshing and though provoking content that is a joy to read.
Followers, as you might guess, are the opposite. They provide rehashed content that has already been published somewhere else. They rarely provide a unique perspective or an original thought but rather simply rewrite what they read somewhere else.
Which kind of blogger do you think someone who buys a blog might be?
Window Shopping
I am wondering what would motivate them to part with that much money in order to acquire a blog? What’s the thought process, especially at the 10k and up price point. What chance do they stand of ultimately being successful?
The obvious thought that comes to mind is that they are buying it to get a head start. An established blog will have traffic, subscribers and authority already built and by purchasing it they instantly transform from an anonymous nobody, to a branded somebody.
I don’t know if they fully understand what it takes to be the “somebody” behind that blog? I would argue that they stand a very good chance of turning a 10k dollar blog into a 500 dollar blog within a year. Simply because it was worth 10k dollars today, does not mean that it will be worth anything if they ruin it.
Successful Relationship
A successful marriage will involve some or all of the following: attraction, courting, conversation, trust, cooperation, friendship, lust, love, caring, companionship and a host of other “little things” that combine to keep each other happy.
Many of these are not skills that are inherent in people but rather are learned through trial and error and usually some painful lessons and broken hearts along the way to maturity. All of the mistakes you make in your early relationships, teach you how to eventually be successful in a marriage.
If for whatever reason you are the kind of person that needs instant gratification and would even consider something nuts like a mail order bride, then chances are that you are ill equipped for the rigors of a long term relationship.
Without acquiring the necessary skills to keep a relationship working correctly, you are likely doomed to fail, sooner or later.
Blogging Relationship
One could argue that in order to have a successful blog, you will need to have some or all of the following: content writing skill,ordpress knowledge, social media skills, html familiarity and a whole host of other ingredients.
Much like the marriage example, you acquire these skills as you progress from a blogging rookie to a seasoned veteran. If you skip this learning curve, you will be ill prepared for the trials and tribulations that successful blogging will bring.
Blogging requires a lot of skill and talent if you expect to be successful at it and when buying a blog the existing readership is going to expect you to at least be as good as the former writer and in all likelihood you will need to be better.
People are naturally resistant to change, so they will be watching you with a suspicious eye.
Conclusion
I think it’s too early to tell on a lot of the blogs sold recently as to whether they will be any better or worse than they were. If you want to look on the bright side, the new writer might very well take the blog to an entirely new level of popularity.
That has definitely not been the trend from what I have seen. Two examples come to mind, Cashquests and OneMansGoal. They were both sold several months ago and the new writers quickly destroyed what was a decent blog in my opinion.
In fact, the guy who originally bought OneMansGoal sold it back to the original owner within just a few months. The price was never disclosed but I am sure it was at a strong discount because traffic had plummeted and it wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be.
I must confess that I was about an inch from buying Blogtrepreneur when it was up for sale. I am really happy today that I didn’t because the last 4 months of blogging have taught me a lot and I don’t think learning to blog in front of a widespread audience is conducive to keeping readers. Call me crazy.
Time will tell but how about you, what do you think about some of the blogs that have sold? Downhill, even or gotten better since the sale?
[...] If you enjoyed this post then will find me back here every Friday until the boss kicks me out. In the meantime you can check me out on my own blog at The Blog Entrepreneur if you just can’t wait until then. You can read my latest post “Buying a Blog is Like Buying a Mail Order Bride.” [...]
I enjoyed your post, and I don’t think I would ever want to buy an existing blog. I think the readers would rebel and traffic would suffer.
Futon-Matts last blog post..Will Cotton Prices Effect Futon Costs?
I don’t know much about the development of ones that have been purchased, but yes. Those quick-fix urges people seem to need do not necessarily ensure success. It would take a seasoned veteran (as you call it), to continue the success of a such blog. I didn’t realize this subject was causing minor ‘riots’ in the niche. Heh. That’s another thing people love….action and drama.
Tameras last blog post..Ready to Go
@Matt – depends on the situation. Some blogs are absolutely horrid and you might skyrocket it? Who knows.
@Tam – Hey there Tam…..glad to see you back. Hope the trip went well. You missed a whole bunch of Jerry Springer kind of action while you were gone. It was funny.
I believe OMG sold for about $1,5k less than it was bought for.
As for blogs being sold, the only one I think has gotten better is Blogging Experiment – the rest have tanked, horribly.
Jasons last blog post..Being Greedy Or Being Patient? One time Vs Recurring Income
Great post Bill, I love your comparison between marriage and successful blogging as it contains many comparable’s.
I believe that buying somebody else personal blog is like throwing your money out of the window. If it is a niche site that doesn’t have a true following or a basic website it is a different story as nobody would ever know it changed hands.
Monika Mundells last blog post..Finding Work – Freelance Writing Guide
Hey Bill – good post. You make a good point that blogs AREN’T turnkey (see OneMansGoal) and that you really DO need that 4 months or 10 months or whatever to get seasoned in it first, and at that point you’re EMOTIONALLY attached to the domain you’ve bought, and that’s not such a bad thing either.
hanks last blog post..An Inspirational Quote From A Movie I Watched And How It Relates To The Personal Finance Realm
I like your post for learn about blogging.
bb crews last blog post..Hostgator Web Hosting Review
Hey Bill! I like your site alot. Good input and articles.
I don’t really like when blogs are sold to completely different style writers. I have all but abandoned blogging experiment when Max took over. Not that I dislike max, but I liked bens writing so much better..
Scotts last blog post..The Weekly Recap 4.27.08
Jason – Where did you get a number like 1,500? You said that you believe I purchased it back for $1,500 less than the purchase price. I’ve never disclosed that number, and let me be the first to tell you that you are way off. Had it been only $1,500 less, I wouldn’t have considered it.
Good post. As always you give a refreshing view on the subject, I always make a point of checking this blog and your feed.
It seems like something is missing, no?
Always good quality info from this site!
Hello, I found your blog in a new directory of blogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, Your blog looks good. Have a nice day.
Bonjour! nice stuff you have up there, check out my blog too
Hi, I can’t understand how to add your site in my rss reader. Can you help me, please
Money often costs too much.
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