Since I started learning about blogging over a year ago (with a personal blog), and blogging to make money a little while later, I’d heard the term ‘blog flipping’, to make or do up blogs and sell them on, used as a way of making money. For months I knew it would be great for me to try, but it took me a while to get the confidence I needed to get going. In August I sold my first site, and since then I’ve received a few questions on what I’ve been up to, which I hope to address in this post.
Getting Started With Blog Flipping
One thing I realised is that one of the hardest things in blog flipping is actually getting started in the first place. For weeks, probably months, I put it off because I was worried my blogs weren’t good enough or didn’t provide enough value. I’d thought that only blogs earning a good monthly income could be sold – but that simply isn’t true.
If you’ve got the same fears and worries, then I’d recommend taking the following steps:
- Learn about the process of flipping blogs using this free eBook ‘Quik Cash’ by Michelle Adams. It’s great for beginners and also those who know about creating blogs but are scared of getting started with selling.
- Visit Flippa.com and take a look at some of the current auctions. You’ll see there’s a huge variety, some good and some less good. You can note down things you feel the good ones have in common, and after a little research you’ll feel more confident in what you can sell.
- Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, and even if your first site doesn’t sell it doesn’t mean it’s not good enough. There is a learning curve, and the best way to tackle this is just to get started.
The Process of Setting Up Blogs
I’ve now sold around 10 or so blogs and they have been in a mixture of formats. One thing they have in common is that they are all brand new – which means none of them were earning money when I sold them. In the future I’d work towards selling sites that earn money, but for now selling new sites is a great, fast way to earn some money.
Basically I’ve learnt that there’s no set way to do things. You can choose to sell a blog with unique content (which is what I prefer), or you can use PLR (which works well for some blogs and some buyers). You can also setup review type blogs with product reviews from Amazon, or Clickbank reviews etc. And you can setup blogs that come with a PLR eBook, or even a uniquely-created eBook (which would, of course, be worth a lot more than a PLR book).
I mentioned that my favourite is to create unique content, though I don’t always have time for this. I have decided I’m going to start outsourcing some of the writing. Not having to worry about the writing, setting up a blog can take just a couple of hours (once you’re experienced with what needs to be done), and can get you back a few hundred dollars.
The Problem With Blog Flipping
I am still finding my way, so am trying to learn more about what sells, and what to do with sites that don’t sell.
One thing I’ve realised is that buyers aren’t always looking for the same parameters when it comes to keyword research. Personally I’d set up sites/domain names with very small competition, but also a smaller number of searches (as researched through Micro Niche Finder). Some buyers would like this, and other simply want more brandable domain names.
The truth is that not all sites will sell. If they don’t, the best idea is probably to hang onto it and build it up to sell for more in future. Which is why you need to think carefully about whether you will use the site if it doesn’t sell, not just whether buyers will like it. This is something I’m working on.
So I’m continuing to learn about what makes a successful blog, as well as how to feel when my blogs don’t sell! All in all, the process has been very exciting and rewarding.
~ Web Career Girl
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October 5th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I understand the outsourcing model on content for a longer term investment in blogs, but what are your thoughts on this for ‘flipping’ blogs?
I have recently sold a new site through Flippa and must say it is nothing to be feared of!!
Regards,
Scott
Twitter: webcareergirl
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October 5th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Congrats on your Flippa sale
I was scared of failing, but it’s such a good feeling to sell a site!
I want to start outsourcing for the writing part of my blogs to flip, simply because I think it can save me a lot of time and help me get sites out quicker. It depends on the topic though, and I will write some of the articles myself.
I’m still experimenting with the way I do things, but I’m really enjoying it
Twitter: hanjicode
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October 6th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Great post! I really need to explore blog flipping. I have a bunch of sites that aren’t performing that great and being neglected, and it seems like I can work on those then flip them.
Thanks!
hanji
Twitter: webcareergirl
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October 6th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
It’s a really good idea to do that. It always makes me feel better if I can at least get something from my efforts if I don’t want to continue with a site.
Twitter: MichelleRAdams
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October 7th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Ruth thanks for the recommendation.
Good to hear you’re thinking about moving into selling sites that are already earning money, the chances of a site selling are greatly increased if there is some revenue to speak of.
And you’re wise to be contemplating the issue of what to do with sites that don’t sell. I usually work at this two ways: When I build the site I build it to ‘keep or sell’, or just to sell. When I say to ‘keep or sell’ I mean I won’t be worried if it doesn’t sell as I know the site will be profitable and can be kept long term or sold later on. Sites that I build with the intention of not wanting to add them to my own portfolio I will ‘price to sell’.
Good luck with your future sales.
Twitter: webcareergirl
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October 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Thanks Michelle, I think the idea of two lists is a very good one. In some ways I’d been doing this in my head already, but in others I haven’t been putting enough thought into it which has left me confused lol! The only problem is having the time to keep working on the ones that don’t sell. BUT the good thing is, hanging onto them for a few months could lead to them building up some revenue.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Blog flipping is new to me! I have heard about Domain flipping!
Can you tell me what an average blog with 100 pageviews per day be flipped for? (tech niche or love-stories niche) any estimates?
Twitter: webcareergirl
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October 18th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
It is almost impossible to say. There are many factors involved, like if it’s been marketed, if it gets organic search engine traffic for any good keywords, if it has potential to be motetized. My advice is to go to Flippa and see what sites are selling for. It can take a while, but it’s the best way to get an idea
December 19th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Thanks for the Reply! I mostly use SEDO for this purpose..As there is no listing fee in SEDO.
Twitter: webcareergirl
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December 19th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Ah yes that’s an even better idea! I haven’t used that but I have heard about it for domain flipping.
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
This is good stuff.
I am currently researching blog flipping and this was very informative.
Thank you
December 6th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Hello Ruth,
Great blog you have going here.
Unique content is always an attraction for blog buyers. You can make the deal juicier by adding an Ebook or a short coaching course (if that is in line with the site)
I have read so much about blog flipping and I want to DIVE into it in the New Year, but the mot important part still eludes me. that is doing NICHE RESEARCH. I cant afford paid keyword research tools. Can you recommend any free tools just to get started?
Thanks.
Tola
Twitter: webcareergirl
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December 8th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Hi Tola, Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment
I definitely agree that adding a coaching course or eBook is a great way to add value to your sales.
My advice is that you really don’t need to use paid keyword tools. I use Micro Niche Finder, but mainly it just does the same as the free Google keyword research tool (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal). Google does everything you need really
Twitter: idhusseys
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January 4th, 2010 at 4:28 am
Ruth –
Blog flipping, definitely in the works. There’s a guy out here locally who owns “Bodybuilding.com” – what a lovely domain, right? – and he sold PART of his shares for…
oh…
$100 MILLION
So, around here, blog flipping is a big deal, though those are unheard of numbers (it’s an authority site, too, and I’ve been to the guy’s house…he’s a customer of ours in our brick-and-mortar family business, pretty neat story).
Anyhow, great content, as usual.
James M Hussey´s last blog ..Dog Behavior Questions
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 4th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Hi James, wow that is incredible! I really want to start flipping some sites that are earning an income, that’s my goal for this year I think, as a lot of people are selling the turnkey sites that I am (though mine are completely unique, a lot of others are doing their own completely unique sites too lol). If you need more help getting into the early stages of blog flipping I highly recommend that free report I linked to in the post up there.