WickedFire is not for sale.
The $16M offer was for the entire company, which was rejected. They assumed the name of the company was the same as the site's name. It was a serious offer by someone who has more than enough cash to make a stab offer without thinking twice.
It's a good thing most of you guys are good at affiliate marketing or blogging, because in terms of properly appraising internet properties, no offense, but you suck.
Two months ago I asked three different analysts to appraise what they thought the WickedFire community was worth with the information we agreed to provide to them. One of the analysts is a friend from JP, but he's used to dealing with major companies, so his valuation was WAY inflated (Wall St people seem to think that if you can take a site and start it up with under $100k and make it popular and profitable overnight, then it MUST be magic). The other two, one works at a tech VC and the other works for a tier 1 search engine.
The appraisal values came back as between $22M-$36M. Our revenues are actually fairly low compared to all other forums, since it's clearly not our primary focus. But if that was at an average range then the value would have increased by a lot more. The real value that they all agreed on was the "influence" within the industry. Being that a very large majority of our members are medium-large affiliates. While most of them don't even post here, they do visit and they are active enough to provide business to most of the ad networks and many of the freelancers here too. Another pretty cool aspect was that WickedFire is considered a "one of the few credible sources of information in an industry plagued by hype and dishonesty. When a web source is referenced many times over by agencies such as the FTC, FBI, FL/NY/NV/CA State Attorney Generals offices, then you can consider the value to skyrocket even if the revenues are low. It's a rarity nonetheless".
Legal troubles? I think not. If we caved and ran away with our tail between our legs, then yes, I would say we are prone to a never ending plague of legal troubles. But that's just the opposite. We, quite clearly, DO NOT give in without a fight. We know our rights, we even stick our neck out, and I stick MINE out for members of this forum when they get into trouble. I've mediated TONS of arguments and misunderstandings over the last two years for no other reason than to help both parties reach a fair agreement. Never charged a dime for it. We are being sued by ClickBooth. Have we asked anyone for a dime in legal fees? Nope. We probably should, being that it's coming out of our own pockets and we are also standing up to a bully that no one else seems to be willing to take on.
I take personal offense when people speak first about WickedFire and "assume" we are these evil bunch of people or a bunch of "kids". Really? And on what basis do you make these assumptions:
+ Because we swear?
+ Because we have a sense of humor?
+ Because we don't pretend to be fake or someone we aren't?
+ Because we don't give a shit what you pretend to be an expert on and demand proof first?
+ Because 9 out of 10 of the biggest single person affiliate operations are active members here?
+ Because every major network, whether they like us or not, insists that their AM's read WF over any other?
+ Because some of the largest PPC/SEM affiliates are here?
+ Because we have some of the largest independent mailers here?
+ Because we are younger than you?
+ Because we like long walks on the beach at sunset?
Overall, I think the valuation of WickedFire from those three sources isn't deadly accurate, but isn't far off. I certainly don't want to be around here forever, but I will stay for as long as WF needs me to. When the time comes to leave, I sure as hell won't offload it to someone that will undermine everything we've come to love about this place.
So if you think otherwise, I think you should hold in your opinion and tell me in person instead. Or tell the group of loyal WickedFire attendees at any of the industry conferences. But I'll bet, whomever you naysayers and doubters are, you'll just cave in and keep it to yourself, because without the security of being behind your computer or your prepaid lawyers, you folks are just a big bunch of PUSSIES.
