Every now and again I like to fantasize about the future of this blog. Will I write a book (and by book I mean 10 page guide that is mostly stick figures and has very little to do with personal finance)? Will I start freelancing and writing articles for major news outlets? Will I begin generating enough income from PDITF that I decide to go full-time? Or, the most likely scenario, will I eventually burn out and throw in the blogging towel?
It’s really odd to write this blog, having no end goal in mind. Very few things I do in my life are so up in the air. When I went to college, I knew I would spend four years working towards achieving a degree. Heck, even though I have no plans to quit my current job, I’m at least working hard now so it will pay off in the future (retirement, building my resume, etc). But with PDITF it’s a whole different experience. It’s kinda like my flavor of the week I guess. Yeah, my 2.8 year flavor of the week.
But this can’t be forever, right? I mean, don’t take this personally, but I don’t want to be writing this blog five years from now (maybe even one year from now). Hopefully my circumstances become so awesome that I sacrifice this hobby for a better one. Maybe MANteresting takes off and requires all of my available attention. Or perhaps my future children will poop, cry, and eat so much (click that link for a good laugh) that the last thing I’ll want to do with my free time is sit down and write a blog post.
I like to pretend that I will go out in an epic blaze of glory, maybe a TV show appearance or an amazing job offer, but in reality I’ll probably just randomly quit one day. (doesn’t that make things more exciting for you? poof, I could be gone in the blink of an eye forever).
The most likely of all scenarios, is that I will eventually sell my blog to someone else. I’ve unintentionally managed to make this more than just a blog. It’s an asset really. I should probably start putting it in my net worth updates ’cause I’m guessing I could fetch at least $13,000 (what I made last year) for it, but might even get closer to $20,000-$30,000. Do you know how awesome an extra $30,000 in my pocket would be? Pretty freakin’ awesome, and not something I’d pass up lightly.
Don’t worry. This isn’t a warning, well not an imminent one at least. I still plan on writing for many months (years?) to come. To be honest, I even kind of want to buy a house or pop a couple babies out just so I can expand my content arsenal. Yup, you’ll still have to put up with my shenanigans and poor grammar for at least a while longer.
I suppose I’m writing all this as a means of thinking out loud, and possibly to stir a little dialogue in the comments section below. If you have a blog (or generate side income in any capacity), what is your end goal? I don’t seem to have one, but I’d sure like to, I work better when I’m aiming for something.
I hope you never stop because I enjoy reading!
I enjoy your blog. If I had to guess, you and girl ninja will make a few mini ninjas and any “free time” you have now will be a thing of the past. Believe me I know from experience how young kids can take up all your time. Even once they’re in bed, all energy otherwise spent on productive tasks is zapped.
For all the the energy and time they take, kids can be quite entertaining. Yesterday when asked where Zebras live, my son answered “California”. He had us laughing hysterically.
First you launch the new Manteresting.com site then you talk of selling the blog. Hmm, I think your subconscious is trying to tell us something, Ninja.
Ha. I should expect that. No, no. Maybe subconsciously they are related, but I promise you I’ve had this thought many times (long before MANteresting was even an idea). Just kind of odd to have such a serious hobby, with no end goal in mind.
I 2nd what Michelle said!!
I 3rd it, but you’re under no obligation to keep this thing up indefinitely, and I imagine there will come a time when you’re either too busy or get more interested in other projects. I wouldn’t worry about an “end goal,” either. Blogs are by their nature fluid and goal-free; it’s not as if you’re writing a book or planning a reality show about unicorns.
Book – yes definitely. 🙂
Blog – set a personal goal. Once you’ve reached that goal, hire a writer for the blog on a per post basis and keep the revenue coming in. Have that person set a goal. Once they’ve reached it, start the process over again.
The way I look at it, if it truly is a “hobby” then there is no need for an end goal. A hobby by virtue of it’s definition is something you do because you enjoy it.
But if you are doing this less as a hobby and more as a way to make extra dough (and there is certainly nothing wrong with that!), then I can see why the end goal may enter your mind. I think selling it is a good thing to strive for, and it never occured to me that you could sell a blog, but it makes sense.
I guess I never thought about “what if one of my favorite blogs just abruptly ended?” It would be kind of weird, but certainly within the rights of the author to do so. Interesting!
I agree- hobbies don’t need to have specific goals or end-dates in mind. And hobbies are also the kinds of things that often get replaced by new and different things when you start to lose interest in them. Or, they are set aside because of new and different demands on your time.
Just to throw a random speculation out there, I’d guess that you will close the blog around the time of your next big “life change” or shortly thereafter- whether that be kids, a house, a new job, or the amazing success of Manteresting.
Don’t leave me!
I feel you should continue to blog until you do not enjoy it anymore. Once it becomes a hassle/stress to write I think is the time to walk away. If you want to do this as a hobby and you enjoy it thats great. I’m sure you can take pride in knowing you have helped people with their finances. You helped me setting up my first budget, which is changing a lot of what I do financially for the better. I also am a goal oriented person, however you can still enjoy things that do not have an end-goal. When the time comes for you to hang it up, you will know.
Its like watching LOST or GREYS ANATOMY. I wish it would go on infinitely, but just won’t. Although reunion shows and special episodes are always a bonus time to catch up.
While I don’t have an “end” goal, I have many goals for my site. I suspect you do too. Things like accountability for my finances, creating a place for people to share and compare, making a little money, and helping people improve their financial life all come to mind. You do those things. I tend to think that with a blog it’s way more important (and beneficial) to stay focused on those daily goals vs some end game. It’s a ‘log’, after all, not a book.
As for selling your site, I think you’d be selling yourself way short giving all of this potential up for $30K. The way I see it, this thing has legs and if you can create something like Manteresting, you can create something greater out of this place.
Sold. You did just offer me $30k for the blog right?
Get my “fun” blog to actually generate income!
I’m going to try to follow the standard Star Trek TV show plan- shoot for a run of 7 years…whether (as the creator) I’m a full-time part of it the entire time or not.
Who would buy your blog? Wouldn’t your blog become worthless if you don’t write it anymore? I’ve stopped reading GRS ever since he hired writers for his blog. I can understand that you are probably burnt out on blogging, I am amazed you were able to keep it going this long. Good job regarding that. Sounds like you do need a break or reboot 😉
ah, from a reader level sure my blog is really my brand, and without me would significantly drop in readership. but someone wouldn’t buy my blog for the readers, they’d buy it for the Page Rank, the Alexa rank, the history, the past content, etc. All these little metrics that really have nothing to do with how many people read. kinda weird, but that’s the way it works.
OMG! I just now found out that GRS was bought out 3 years ago and that the original author turned into an employee! After reading that blog post I now understand more about this! I think you can easily accomplish the same as he did, Ninja. Although, I would miss your ownership of this blog, if you still own it that is 😉
and he made millions (literally) off the sale
What is GRS?
I’m not too familiar with blogging etiquette regarding talking about other websites, but GRS is a PF blog called Get Rich Slowly.
I am with Stacking Cash – your content is so specific to *you* that I am curious if someone else thinks they can buy your url and pull that off!
My blog isn’t personal finance but involves how I spend my money — that’s all it’s supposed to be. To challenge me to shop ethically, document my digging around in that area and to figure out how to get the best use out of my clothes. I guess when I feel like the blog is no longer helpful in that area, I can get rid of it. (Or when I become mortified that I’ve posted years worth of pictures of myself in clothing online.)
What is my end game? I started my blog to stay engaged and build a platform for other things. I am still engaged and enjoy writing articles. Any sales price would be a bonus for something I enjoy.
“It’s better to burn out than to fade away” – Neil Young. Also note that Kurt Cobain used the quote in his ‘suicide note’ (I harbor conspiracy theories!).
Go big when and if you do exit the site – and if you see it, ensure that the contract allows you to randomly post whenever you please.
I started a blog because I want to learn more about money before I graduate from university.
Okay, okay, I was also very bored and desperately needed a hobby… it was a spur of the moment decision, and I’m not regretting it so far :).