Comments on: Interview with John Lamerton from Net Free Stuff about the sale of his site to IBG http://www.here.org.uk/2007/03/interview-with-john-lamerton-from-net-free-stuff-about-the-sale-of-his-site-to-ibg.html Welcome to Kieron's blog - the life and times of an Internet Marketeer Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:33:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: John http://www.here.org.uk/2007/03/interview-with-john-lamerton-from-net-free-stuff-about-the-sale-of-his-site-to-ibg.html#comment-512 John Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:49:16 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/wordpress/?p=194#comment-512 Hi guys, thanks for all your comments.<br/><br/>The third party was someone who used to work for us who we're still really good friends with - and whom I owe a few beers to methinks!<br/><br/>I can't really say how the valuation was arrived at, as obviously that was done by IBG. They did initally ask what ballpark figure we would be looking for, and the final selling price wasn't too far away from that figure.<br/><br/>It's an interesting point that Jason makes about whether my time out had any influence on the decision to sell - It's not something I'd thought of really, but I guess it must have in some way, although if I hadn't had the time out, I probably would have sold earlier!<br/><br/>I'd like to think that the decision to sell was purely a business decision, but as you say, it's my baby - my first site, so emotions are bound to come into it.<br/><br/>However, I now feel that my baby is all grown up, gone to uni, got a job and settled down with a nice girl (or fella I suppose), and doesn't need me any more, leaving me free to enjoy having a life again.<br/><br/>And yes, I know I'll always be John from NFS, same as you will buried with that duck - but isn't that the point... to be remembered for creating something fantastic? I hope that in a few years time I'll also be remembered as "John from Bingo Bongo" or "John from PrizeBug" or whatever long after I've sold them for millions and retired to my island in the sun... Hi guys, thanks for all your comments.

The third party was someone who used to work for us who we’re still really good friends with - and whom I owe a few beers to methinks!

I can’t really say how the valuation was arrived at, as obviously that was done by IBG. They did initally ask what ballpark figure we would be looking for, and the final selling price wasn’t too far away from that figure.

It’s an interesting point that Jason makes about whether my time out had any influence on the decision to sell - It’s not something I’d thought of really, but I guess it must have in some way, although if I hadn’t had the time out, I probably would have sold earlier!

I’d like to think that the decision to sell was purely a business decision, but as you say, it’s my baby - my first site, so emotions are bound to come into it.

However, I now feel that my baby is all grown up, gone to uni, got a job and settled down with a nice girl (or fella I suppose), and doesn’t need me any more, leaving me free to enjoy having a life again.

And yes, I know I’ll always be John from NFS, same as you will buried with that duck - but isn’t that the point… to be remembered for creating something fantastic? I hope that in a few years time I’ll also be remembered as “John from Bingo Bongo” or “John from PrizeBug” or whatever long after I’ve sold them for millions and retired to my island in the sun…

]]> By: Jimmy http://www.here.org.uk/2007/03/interview-with-john-lamerton-from-net-free-stuff-about-the-sale-of-his-site-to-ibg.html#comment-511 Jimmy Fri, 02 Mar 2007 19:31:17 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/wordpress/?p=194#comment-511 Really interesting interview.<br/>I'd love to know what sort of revenue it makes.<br/>There seems to be a feeling that freestuff sites don't make much money, but to sell for £120k must have been doing reasonably well.<br/>It'd also be nice to know how the figure was arrived at - how much they valued the members vs income vs traffic etc Really interesting interview.
I’d love to know what sort of revenue it makes.
There seems to be a feeling that freestuff sites don’t make much money, but to sell for £120k must have been doing reasonably well.
It’d also be nice to know how the figure was arrived at - how much they valued the members vs income vs traffic etc

]]> By: Jason http://www.here.org.uk/2007/03/interview-with-john-lamerton-from-net-free-stuff-about-the-sale-of-his-site-to-ibg.html#comment-510 Jason Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:37:50 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/wordpress/?p=194#comment-510 Interesting interview! The being typecast bit is interesting... but I think you will always be John from NFS as much as Kieron is UKOffer and I'm associated with a yellow duck!<br/><br/>You did take some time out of AM, and I'd love to know whether that had any significant influence on your decision? Was going back to what you'd left behind a step back as opposed to moving forward?<br/><br/>Also, in essence you've sold your "baby", your first site, how do you feel knowing someone else now has it? I'm not really sure how I'd find seeing Loquax in another's hands for example.<br/><br/>Still, I can fully understand the "it takes time" to run these kind of sites. Anyway good luck with everything NFS John ;o) Interesting interview! The being typecast bit is interesting… but I think you will always be John from NFS as much as Kieron is UKOffer and I’m associated with a yellow duck!

You did take some time out of AM, and I’d love to know whether that had any significant influence on your decision? Was going back to what you’d left behind a step back as opposed to moving forward?

Also, in essence you’ve sold your “baby”, your first site, how do you feel knowing someone else now has it? I’m not really sure how I’d find seeing Loquax in another’s hands for example.

Still, I can fully understand the “it takes time” to run these kind of sites. Anyway good luck with everything NFS John ;o)

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.here.org.uk/2007/03/interview-with-john-lamerton-from-net-free-stuff-about-the-sale-of-his-site-to-ibg.html#comment-509 Anonymous Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:34:16 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/wordpress/?p=194#comment-509 Interesting interview, well done John.<br/><br/>Is it possible to expand on the comment "approached us via a third party to test the water regarding a possible sale".<br/><br/>Who was the third party? How did the process operate?<br/><br/>This may be valuable to other affiliates that may be approached in the future.<br/><br/>Good luck for the future John! Interesting interview, well done John.

Is it possible to expand on the comment “approached us via a third party to test the water regarding a possible sale”.

Who was the third party? How did the process operate?

This may be valuable to other affiliates that may be approached in the future.

Good luck for the future John!

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