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Can you sell your information business if you are the star?

by svedski
8 replies
This is something I've been thinking about lately. The purpose of a business is of course to sell it. That's when you make the real money. But what about an information business where you are the product so to say? Is it still sellable?

And if it is, what's the typical pricepoint for it? 3, 5, 10x yearly profits?
#business #information #sell #star
  • Profile picture of the author sadiecopywriter
    Are you really the star or is it your system/information. After all, Thomas Kincade, Caldwell Banker and Dale Carnegie are all brands based on 'stars' that are no longer involved with the company.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeadStartSEO
      Originally Posted by sadiecopywriter View Post

      Are you really the star or is it your system/information. After all, Thomas Kincade, Caldwell Banker and Dale Carnegie are all brands based on 'stars' that are no longer involved with the company.
      Good point, and this is a model used in the self help industry: find a moderately successful personal help book that never made it huge, buy the rights, then repackage/redecorate the canard.
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  • Profile picture of the author JessZ07
    If you are the sole reason your business is so successful, you could sell it ... you'd generally be required to go with it though .. make it into a process/system.
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  • Profile picture of the author China Newz
    Originally Posted by svedski View Post

    This is something I've been thinking about lately. The purpose of a business is of course to sell it. That's when you make the real money. But what about an information business where you are the product so to say? Is it still sellable?

    And if it is, what's the typical pricepoint for it? 3, 5, 10x yearly profits?
    Are you trying to determine a price for a speaking fee? Are you trying to sell your expertise?

    If that is the case, maybe research how much others charge for their speaking fees that would compare yourself to: authors, professionals in your field, etc. Surely, you can find this information on the internet or call their agent or the actual person to inquire. Just tell them you are researching speaking fees.
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  • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
    Banned
    Originally Posted by svedski View Post

    The purpose of a business is of course to sell it.
    Whoever or wherever you found that out from it's wrong. For the majority of people the intent of setting up a business is for a livelihood and to make money, with no thoughts at the outset of selling it. If it's successful, you can of course sell it on when you've had enough, are retiring, or receive an offer you feel you can't refuse.

    I'm talking about proper business's here - not cheap dollar website flipping.

    Originally Posted by svedski View Post

    But what about an information business where you are the product so to say? Is it still sellable?
    Any business will sell if it has a value. There's no-one that's a master of information in such a way that he/she is irreplaceable.

    Originally Posted by svedski View Post

    what's the typical pricepoint for it? 3, 5, 10x yearly profits?
    There is none. It's only the value someone is willing to pay, whatever that may be.
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    • Profile picture of the author svedski
      Originally Posted by Horny Devil View Post

      Whoever or wherever you found that out from it's wrong. For the majority of people the intent of setting up a business is for a livelihood and to make money, with no thoughts at the outset of selling it. If it's successful, you can of course sell it on when you've had enough, are retiring, or receive an offer you feel you can't refuse.
      I realize that people have various reasons for running a business. Many do so because they want a job and "to be their own boss".

      I'm in the business of making money however. And money usually comes from selling the business or going public with it. I have yet to see a billionaire who didn't make that money from selling shares in his company.

      sadiecopywriter: Yes you're right, I'm selling the information only. Not doing events etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
        Banned
        Originally Posted by svedski View Post

        I have yet to see a billionaire who didn't make that money from selling shares in his company.
        Sorry, I didn't realise we were talking "floating on the stock exchange". I think billionaires are in short supply on WF. :rolleyes:
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        • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
          Any business will sell if it has a value. There's no-one that's a master of information in such a way that he/she is irreplaceable.
          This is true. Dan Kennedy has sold (or exclusively licensed) his information business several times to different people.

          Normally information businesses that are closely linked to someone's reputation sell either to a raving fan of the featured person or to someone in a closely related business.

          Marcia Yudkin
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