Blog: For Sale By Owner
Would you sell your blog? I’ve never heard of this practice before, but yesterday I came across a post on a blog that I subscribe to from the new owner introducing himself to the former owner’s readers. I wasn’t an active commentator on his blog, but I was a regular reader and for a few seconds I flirted with the feeling of abandonment.
This got me thinking, of course, would you continue to read (or comment) on a blog you frequented if it changed ownership? I visit my regular blogs because that person has become a ‘friend in my head’, I want to know how they are doing. It’s not always about content.
To me it’s like having a ‘friend’ move to another house, but hanging out with the new owners. I’m not saying we can’t be ‘friends’, but it would be awkward at first.
Now I have seen displays on blogs advertising its worth (find out your blog’s worth here) and I never took it seriously but found it to be more entertaining than anything else. It is worthy of a question though: Would you sell your blog? Why or why not? Would you continue to read or subscribe to a blog if the original owner sold it?
The only reason I would sell my blog is because I’m never going to blog again and I know it, besides who would want to buy it? (Uh, if someone out there wants to buy my blog, please contact me, we need to talk.) Maybe the niche of the blog matters? I recently sold a website, complete with forum members because I will never start another one of that kind again. I’m just not sure of blog selling. Heck, I don’t even want to monetize my blog, but I’ll never say never. Did you hear that Oprah?!
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My name is Valerie aka Natural and I will be writing about whatever is on my mind. I love teaching, dialogue, sharing and making people laugh. I never know what I'll share here but this is me, Thinking Out Loud.
I just came across a blog that was looking for buyers. Of course this blog was in the MMO niche so it didn’t seem strange to me at all. Now the selling of a personal blog warrants conversation.
Anyways, I think my reaction to a new owner of a blog I enjoyed reading would depend on how ‘close’ I had grown with the previous blog author. If I just enjoyed the content but never got a chance to know the person behind it, then I would definitely give the new guy a chance.
If I ‘knew’ the previous owner and that sense of friendship added to my enjoyment of the blog, then I would have mixed feelings. I’m not sure if I would stop reading altogether OR give the new guy a chance. I guess if I knew the story behind the sale of the blog, that might help. I know that would be none of my business, but if we were ‘friends’ then I hope I would be privy to that information.
Jillian’s last blog post..*Breaking News*
Natural,
Hmmmmm.
I just saw a story of some guy who bought a blog and others were saying he was ripped off as he paid too much.
Personally, I visit blogs because I like the author. Sometimes I may not agree with what they say, but I will still be loyal to them. If they sold their blog, I would probably give the new owner a chance, but the dynamics of it would probably change.
I’ve never thought of selling my blog. In a way it would be like selling one of the kids. Besides, how would you put a price on it?
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Blogging - Year One - Lesson Six
I probably wouldn’t stick around if a personal blog I liked was sold. Too weird. I’d consider it a whole new blog and would have to determine whether to stay based on its own merits. I wouldn’t sell mine because it would cease to exist the way I intended it. People visiting The Junk Drawer expect a certain thing and I’m not sure a new owner could pull it off (or would even want to, given the material one finds there). They’d have to start from scratch and find new readers, so what would be the point of buying it?
Kathy’s last blog post..Excuse Me, but That’s Not a Table
I don’t quite understand what it is that was sold?
A rose by any other name is still a rose.
If someone “buys” a blog, it becomes a different blog.
Weird.
nameless’s last blog post..4-8-08
a blog is a blog because of the author. They are so personal, I don’t know that I would keep reading if the voice or content changed from what brought me there in the first place. Interesting topic though.
H.E. Eigler’s last blog post..Guest posting
I’d sell my blog for the right price. I’m like you, though, in visiting blogs having to do with the people creating them as well as content.
Lana’s last blog post..Yet More Recent Dreams
Nah..I mean that’s your perosnal blog I can’t see it..if it’s some kind of business blog that I could see
I would NEVER ever ever ever sell my blog. I have really labored over some of my entires….and I have worked my a$$ off preserving memories for my family…That is PRICELESS.
NOw, as for a new owner of a personal blog? I suppose I am with Jillian on this.
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Brain Dead
Really Jillian? I never seen anything like it. The person may have mentioned the selling in a previous post, but since I’m a little behind in reading my reader, I read the new blog owners post first.
Wow, I wonder how much he paid for it. The one I’m referring to was in the 10’s of thousands. Barbara, I can almost put a price on anything except my kid…somebody out there has my numbers though…It wouldn’t be the same though. I guess it depends on the type of blog you keep.
Kathy, I’m not sure I will stick around myself. I might peek at one more post just to see the transition, but I would imagine selling your blog would result in a drop in readers.
Nameless, I agree. I understand a domain name, but a blog? This person’s blog was personal enough…it was his journey. I mean sure someone else could step in and continue writing, but it would be weird.
H.E. Eigler, he could probably keep the same or similar content considering..but there’s just something unique about a person that only they can bring and i guess you look forward to…
Lana, I heard ya, lol. I don’t know what the right price would be, but when I hear it, I would know when to cash in my chips. Of course, I would never blog again afterwards.
Robert, agreed. I would think instead of selling, you would just give it up, but if there is someone out there willing to pay you for what you have built, I guess it’s like any other business. So maybe this will be the new thing of the future: blogs that come with readers?
Meleah, I don’t quite get it myself, but it’s happening. Blogs for sale.
I’ve never heard of that either. I couldn’t imagine selling my blog. And who would want it and why?? It represents my personal thoughts and experiences, it’s not a store.
I’m with you- I read the blogs I do because of who writes them, not just because they are there. I would not continue to read my fave blogs if someone else took over them.
When I’m done blogging, I’ll say goodbye and take down my site. And that will be the end of that.
Corrina’s last blog post..Bye Bye iPhone
Corrina, that’s what I don’t get…who would buy it. I’m still waiting on that person to email me.
Wow you’re going to take yours down? I thought about putting a copy of my blog on something free so it can live forever, like Blogger.
Oh yeah- I never thought of that! Good idea. Ok, I’ll say goodbye then move to Blogger.
Corrina’s last blog post..What I’m Thinking Right Now
I still think thats CRAZY!
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Off The Cuff