What is the point of having a voice if you don’t use it?
For years, I’ve kept my opinions very neutral. Afraid of what people may think of me. Afraid that it would sway their opinion that I was this ‘cool chick’ that they could chop it up with over lattes on a Saturday afternoon, and instead become that outcast that sat at the not-so-cool kids table.
In photos, I look like THAT girl that hangs out on the scene, has celeb friends on speed dial and lives the rockstar life in between blogging juicy tidbits about your favs in a coffee shop. Or if I really had my way, a corner office that overlooks the city skyline and takes up an whole entire floor.
Unfortunately, that’s not my life.
First of all, I’m kind of boring. My ideal of a great Saturday night is curling up with a nice book, my lemon meringue pie candle lit (so that my house actually smells like I can actually bake) and a few notebooks to jot down any person referenced or word used that I don’t currently know so that I can look them up later. That excites me. Learning arouses me. Reading other people’s stories awakens my creativity.
The other day, my friend and I were texting back and forth frantically about Henry and June Miller and Anais Nin’s obsession with them and I stopped and thought, ‘Who in the world does this on a Friday night?” Like, don’t we have a good party to go to or at least a nice fella to go out on a date with and engage in some thought-provoking conversation with, without it leading to the morning after, when I’m in my car suddenly relating to Trey Songz’ ‘Can’t Be Friends.’
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with getting laid, but I do believe in soul ties. Now, when I meet a guy, I gotta make sure our minds and spirits are somewhat aligned before our bodies and souls intertwine.
For that reason alone, I go extremely long periods without engaging in fornication (LOL! putting it that way sounds so evil!) and trust me, when I do break my celibacy bouts, I almost always regret it. Actually I’ve ALWAYS regretted it.
How did I get on the topic of sex?
Anyway, back to the topic at hand, “Having a voice!”
After about 2-3 years of living with invisible duct tape over my mouth, I somehow found my voice during Spring cleaning. I have opinions damnit! And I want people to hear them, regardless of if they agree with them or not.
It seems as though we have entered a day and age where people who voice an opinion that is not that of the majority will be picked apart, slandered and dragged to the depths of “dontsayanythingelseness,” which most people aren’t prepared for. If you ever experienced this on Twitter, it sometimes can make you want to run away with your tail tucked like a puppy who’s just been beaten and never ever speak again. The crazy thing is, the majority of those people who have issues with what you may say will not challenge you with a healthy debate of why they don’t agree with your argument. They normally show their inability to contribute anything of value to a discussion by taunting you with explicits like “B-tch, Kill Yourself,” and will be mad at you for stooping to their level and responding, “Go Ride One!”
Anyway,
The reason why I love those roundtable talk shows that are gaining popularity right now like ‘The View’ and ‘The Talk’ is because they put a group of people together who offer different opinions and perspectives on what is going on in the world–especially news and entertainment. How boring would the world be if everyone agreed on the same topics and had the same thoughts or ideas? It would seem a bit robotic.
I can’t tell you how many times a week, someone tweets me “You are so bias!” Of course, I am, my name and face is plastered in the header of my website. Am I not supposed to be? That sounds insane!
I blame myself though! If I had more of a voice over the last few years, then people wouldn’t have confused my site, and what it is supposed to be, with a traditional objective news site. They would know that in 2008, when I first started, I was very much loud and proud with my opinions and I did a lot of blogging on my own life as well. No one complained, because it just made sense. I come to Necole Bitchie to see what that Necole Bitchie chick is talking about or to see her commentary, versus, now, I go to Necole Bitchie for the news, I don’t want to hear what the hell she has to say about the news or my favorite artist.
And if I need to get into politics. It’s about influence as well. I have more influence in 2013, than I did when I first started and that scares people. Especially when the opinion may not sway their way. This is why I’d rather not post on something that I don’t have anything nice to say about than to post on someone (say their music) and bash them. That doesn’t do anything for any of us (and I’m not the bashing type.)
I’ve lost passion for this thing more times than I can count, but my purpose in doing this has always been deeper than the latest celebrity scoop. I battle every day with, “How can I reel these girls that are a reflection of me to the site with the latest tea, and then feed them something inspirational and empowering that will make them dust off their vision boards and go harder for that dream that was once deferred.”
Every time, I tell my fam or friends, “I’m about to quit! It’s time for me to move on,” their response has always been, “What about the young girls you blog for and the people you impact daily?”
I recently realized that my frustration was lying in the fact that I was just existing in the space. Doing the bare minimum possible to at least stay near the top while dipping and dabbling in other things that I felt would bring me some type of fulfillment.
[And trust me, if you are doing the bare minimum at work, you definitely ain’t getting no raises or promotion. Good luck with that dead end!]
Celeb gossip blogging is a very demanding job. How in the world anyone can manage to maintain awesome relationships and friendships while keeping up with the pulse of breaking news and what’s hot daily is beyond me, and I’m in the THICK of it. Being swallowed up like quicksand, while dwelling on my biggest shortcoming of not having nearly enough funds to really do what I’m capable of. I’m running a self-funded site that is as big as sites that have millions of dollars in investments and full staffs pumped into them. The thought gives me constant anxiety every day and fear of not keeping up with the keep up, which results in me missing baby’s being born, friends weddings and even funerals.
[I missed my grandmother’s funeral in December. And don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t because of blogging –I’ll explain later, but that has been a recurring theme in my life and I’m ready to put an end to it. I’m the most consistent, inconsistent…]
I think another thing that bothers me is that I can pinpoint when I was at the peak in my career. I’m not at my peak right now, I’m actually descending the mountain and I either have a choice to start climbing back up that mountain, or I need to come down completely, not in a sense of quitting or failing, but to put this journey to rest so that I can start climbing another mountain and start another chapter in my life.
It reminds me of the first time I ever climbed Topanga Canyon in Malibu. My friends told me we were going hiking, so I thought we were going to just walk a trail and talk. I came unprepared, with no water, and I knew I was in trouble at the first sight of a sign that said, “Ambulances can not get past this point.” Holy snap!
About 15 minutes into climbing the trail, I literally felt like I was about to fall the hell out, but I had my game face on because I’m not about to look like a punk in front of these folks that are climbing with me. I remember I was almost to the point of hallucinating from dehydration, and I saw this girl that was about 8 years old, come walking past me with ease. I didn’t even see her coming! (I’m just not a big believer in always glancing in the rearview to see what’s coming up behind me. Tunnel vision!).
But yes, here comes this little girl climbing past me and I was like, “Oh hell naw!!! She’s not about to beat me!” So I started power walking, while giving myself pep talks. The only thing that slowed her up from passing me was that she was with an older man, probably her grandfather, and she had to keep stopping to wait on him.
We finally got to what I thought was the top, and I felt triumphant. I was taking pictures, smiling, and if I had a champagne bottle, I would have popped it open right there while overlooking the LA skyline.
Then it happened. I looked up and saw people climbing another mountain about 1000 feet higher than where we were standing. I said, “Wow, they are brave!” My friend said, “Oh no! That’s the rest of the trail! That’s where we are going!” I like to have died.
The lesson I learned that day was: Even when you think you are at the top, there is always so much more higher you can go.
When we came down from the top of that trail, it was so much easier. We walked through a waterfall. It was so beautiful.
It’s so much easier to come down, or to stay in one place than it is to climb. Most people settle for that.
If I decide that I’m not going to settle with where I think was my peak, than I have to start climbing again, versus being content with descending. I’ve gotten comfortable in my descending, BUT I’m also a person that’s very uncomfortable with being comfortable.
To climb again, I have to face my fears, challenge myself…And I can’t just settle with existing in this space. I have to LIVE in this space.
_______________________________
This is my random thoughts on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 3:55pm.
It took me 41 minutes to write this.
I hope you think I’m still the ‘cool chick’ even though I’m sitting with my book at the not-so-cool table.
Hi, I'm Necole!
<3 it
I found your site in the beginning of my gossip blog quests. Probably when you began the site. I always enjoyed reading your site. Thanks for not quitting. I am excited for you and your new journey. I do miss your personal stories.
Necole, I LOVED this post. So, glad to hear something so real and raw from you. Thanks for sharing!! Can’t wait to read more.
Beautiful!! Yes, let´s see more of you Necole. You inspire me!!
I appreciate you baring your heart and soul on this blog the way you have. This is the first time I am reading this blog, although I am a long-time fan of http://www.necolebithie.com. I also appreciate what you had to say about soul ties and fornication. i understand what it means to have regrets after fornication.I was that girl with the one night stands and all of that, and I still had the regret, I just didn’t show me. I have been celibate since Dec 2012 and I am waiting until I get married. I know your choices are none of my business and this is coming from a place of love, if you feel regret, (which is a negative emotion) just wait for God to send you the man that you can be with in that way for the rest of your life with no regret! Trust me, if God can keep me, He can keep you too 🙂 xoxoxo Now back to my reading….You have an amazing gift 🙂
Wow. I fet the exact same way…until last month when I started writing my first web series. I won’t say too much on it, but this screenwriting experience has certainly taught me a lot about myself, and the people that I surround myself with (for the good and bad)
My point: You’ve forced yourself to step outside of yourself, and you will never loose when you “out do your last effort”. At least that’s how I see it.
Oh, and I think that you’re both a cool and inspiring chica, woot:)
Whew! I feel like you’ve been holding that in for a while. Glad you unleashed. That’s a good thing, by the way. That was an extremely refreshing read. I love the metaphor about climbing. That ish is HARD!!! But even though you’re near passing out, just know that the pursuit of betterment will strengthen you! You are not alone on that mountainside. Keep these type of blogs coming!!!
You’ve built a BRAND. You have a voice and platform. DO NOT GIVE IT UP. Hire writers that work in shifts 24 hours a day to stalk twitter and instagram for the next story. You don’t give up your site you keep going expand into television, but do take sometime off to live your life.
So inspiring! Love it!
This was great! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more 🙂
I love your site necole your blog posts are always full of inspiration your past post about leaving everything behind has actually encouraged me to do the same thing to reach where I want to be in life and that’s relocating to a new city and I’m from barbados keep up the good work much love
I never doubted that you were amazing. Reading this I realise how relatable you are. W/E you decide I support you.
Well that reflection you´ve been trying to reel, I just definitely connected w/after reading this…an innovator staying true to yourself #loveit!!!!!
“50 Jesus said, “You believe[a] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[b] you[c] will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[d] the Son of Man.” John 1:50-51.
I thought of this scripture when I finished reading this post. I really believe God loves to “show off” and wow us with so many types of experiences that strengthen and inspire… And the trade off is just to have a little faith and a dash of hope. I’m cheering for ya Necole!!
Omg! Necole, this is the most excitement I’ve gotten in so long!!!! Well I couldn’t finish the whole thing, cus I do need to get showered to show my house to possible renters, but I’m already looking forward to later! I’m the same way & ppl always call me emo, because they think I should be out on a weekend, or if they see 2-3 pix with celebs & I get invited by the same celeb, they think it’s a must I should go & I’m stupid for not going, but they don’t understand one I’m in Los Angeles & two I think those who I do spend time with are lucky to be around me. I’ve experienced a lot in life. I was only raised with my mom & brother, and that was a mom who never wanted a daughter. I had 2 girls with my ex, who I not surprisingly had known, since 2nd grade & asked him to leave one day, without even working on our problems. Ppl call me strong, but the truth is I’m so broken inside. Ever since my friend committed suicide October 7th 2012 I started letting it all out. When I found out, I ran to my FB, to see if he had told us about it, because he did not show any signs. He went out, fishing, hunting, everyday. The night of, he went to dinner with his gf. His last status was a simple “f**k” which left me searching for answers. I never really, got any, even though his family did helppp. I was curious, because I live with an intense pain in my chest, that nothing cures. Ya a night out, clears my head, but I can’t imagine ending my life & I have no one who would even find me (if I didnt’t have kids). I can go without months even questioning, because that’s how much I isolate myself & the only reason ppl say they wouldn’t believe it, is cus sof how I look. I don’t know what I’m supposedd to look like, but being alone is what I’m best at. Ever since my friend took, his life, I have been posting about what I was put through dealing with a mother who has never hugged me & has developed a mental illness, because of my institutionalized brother. Their love is not normal & has only hurt me. He only has phone relationships with her & even when he gets out, he will only come get money and leave. He’s been in and out 20 years and she’s been crying about it, but they’ve made eachother handicap. They can’t spend time with aother, but love eachother (in their own way), but constantly put me down. When I grab a glass of wine, she says I shouuldve never been a mom. He left his daughter who was only 2 months old in a coma & went to prison in 2011 & will be coming home next month, but he doesn’t stay out long. I even went to school to balance my life out & earned my B.A, being a single mom & at my graduation she told me, to not feel so proud, because she will forever be more proud of her son…who was in prison at time! With the help of teachers/counseling, I never cared about it. What urkes me is that we are 1/2 Black 1/2 Armenian. Well my mom is full Armenian. Well Necole, they think they own me. Part of the reason I wanted kids, was so that can stop. It’s crazy. They both feel like I should love them. I’ve never received love & they wish for my death. I just want them to not acknowledge me. Anyway. I don’t hold nothing back now. I don’t plan on taking my life, but God forbid I was gone, I wanted some of my story to be out there. My friends text/whine cus they haven’t seen me in months and ask if I’m ok. Those friends are on FB. I have really few friends & I’m the same exact way when it comes to sex!!!!! When I read that I was going to pass out!!! I haven’t had sex at all in 2013 & maybe once in 2012, so that I don’t lose myself, but of course it was with someone I feel that way with. I also sit back & love to read stories, but when I see real mean things, about ppl I know aren’t like that…it hurts me too. Like Kim K. It was her advice on MySpace, that helped me. Her communicating back & forth. She didn’t need to do that. I met her & she recognized me asking if I was the 1/2 Black 1/2 Armenian girl from myspace with the 2 cute babies. I seen when Ray J posted about the tape, I know how hurt she was. What did ppl want her to do? She already found out, where his loyalty was. So God knows how many copies she had backed up & how many friends he showed. If she didn’t handle it than, she would live with the worry if it haunting her again, cause it would’ve been a story again, like if someone had stole it, it would’ve been leaked, put on sites than removed. It was out there. There’s not much she could’ve done, cus once he showed one person, she knew it was just something she was going to have to deal with. They were together for years. Only thing she’s at fault for is making it in the 1st place, but we’ve all done things in relationships, which involved trusting someone who is now an ex. I’m guilty of trusting an ex. That’s not why she was who she was. They’re hard workers & weren’t liabilities. Weren’t addicts and always showed up. They were driven. Most ppl wild out & if she was so crazy, we would’ve seen it after the money. I’m still waiting from any sister. They did pretty good, having what they have & being famous & constantly talked down upon. I don’t read newstand tabloids tho. I only read you and TMZ. TMZ comes off a bit racist though. Like I can’t believe they retracted Cory Monteith’s story about exactly what heroin killed him, & he’s dead. With LiL Wayne, they released info that an “insider” gave, so it wasn’t supposed to be released and they led all fans to start mourning for him & he called in & news wasn’t made out of it. To me it sounds like they were trying to do an intervention on Bieber using Wayne, cus they had just witnessed him with a Double Cup, because in 2012, when he had a seizure they said, because he went to the Miami game, the seizure was so he can miss court. So he was lying about it. Cory was an addict & his death was tragic & talked about so respectfully & Wayne was trashed when he was still alive. So I do lik your site better. It does have different news, but its really not the celebrity I care about. I do like to read opinions. I would love to hear yours. All I do is write about my life on FB & twitter. That a change would be nice. I appreciate you so much, because while others think I “look” like I should be out on a Saturday night, I get to read your postings. You’re amazing & there’s nothing wrong with not doing what others think you should.
This blog post has made me feel like I can relate to you much more than any other thing you have posted. It also gives me a sense of relief to know that others are experiencing similar feelings to what I am feeling at this time (uncomfortable with comfortable, whether to climb back up the mountain or choose a different mountain). I appreciate this post so much. Your honestly helped calm some of my ‘thinking too much’ anxiety for today lol
Thank you for this post Necole. I can relate to so much of what you said and this was another reminder to continue to challenge myself on my journey and not get comfortable. Good luck to you with your future endeavors.
I believe it takes a lot of courage to be able to stand out in indifference and to be able to say what you truly feel without fear of being judged. Too many voices are shunned out of fear of not being understood or being judged and the voices that are quieted are usually the ones that make the most impact. The ones that have something valuable to say. Voices that influence and pave the way for greatness. In short (lol). Go for it. Be the voice for your followers. I think it’s great.
Continue to keep it real and do what makes you happy! The first part of that blog post is so me. Boring.com on a Friday night. Lol 🙂
I truly enjoyed your post it is honest, thought-provoking for anyone reading, and gives your fans a glimpse into your world.
I just wanna say, I’ve been a fan of you and your site from the beginning (2008)….and I rarely ever comment on a thread, maybe like 5 times in 5 years! But this post struck a cord with me and I had to tell you THANK YOU! This testimony of yours has spoke volumes to me and re-lit a drive inside of me that had been beat down due to self-doubt and financial circumstance. So, again I thank you for being courageous enough to find your voice, b/c you have in turn inspired me to find mine!!! Much love and success to you!
I absolutely LOVE the “boring,” “not-so-cool” woman in this post. Please bless us with her presence, words and realness more often.
Reading this made me realize I am not the only one climbing this mountain! Though my mountain is a cosmetics mountain. It made you so HUMAN. I am also no the only one who has no use for the rearview mirror for both your metaphorical reasoning and mine.Mine being the past has no business in the present.The part I identified most with is on the climb up and realizing the growth and being capable of keeping up with the UPKEEP financially. Creating growth and missing family time and being celibate for 3 years. Reading it created a mirror for me to view into and feel proud of the determination I have. You are a diabolical woman Necole! My Virgo sister whatever you choose to do next I will surely be in the wings rooting for you with all my heart!!!
your still the shit Necole… the coolest kids are the ones at the not so cool table…. we rock the hardest…. we’re the most determined…..
Bravo Necole! Real & Raw.
Most inspirational blog post I have read in awhile.
Being true to yourself is liberating! I felt you in your words. That is a gift that not many writers have. Don’t give it up! I agree with Ayanna, you’ve built a brand, use that brand to transition & take it where you feel it’s most Authentic to who you are becoming.
Keep climbing lady!!
Honestly, I always look for your opinion in stories but I understand if you feel it is best not to state it. This was a good read, although I hear that i’m too opinionated more often than not. 🙂
love it, love it, LOVE IT! I admire u so much Necole and this just proves to me why I love and wanna embody ur spirit as well… U have the same fears as all of us girls, the same goals, the same needs.. and u aren’t afraid of sharing that with us. Thank you for this post..
One thing about you Necole is that you’ve always been consistent.. Someone once told me you want to run LONG not fast.. After years of blogging you are still here.. You are still inspiring people.. It does suck to not be able to maximize due to funds but I think in your position you can somehow find those funds to do what you want. Eventually maybe it will be time for you to move on, but that time isn not right now.. It’s crazy how my life seems to mirror yours.. I too stay in the house all the time and stay celibate from year to year.. Something has to give someday and I’m sure yours is on the way.
I’ve become such a fan of yours, Necole. I can only imagine the amount of pressure you have to know that young women (as well as your peers) look up to you, and that fact that you’re still able to hold yourself up so gracefully, is amazing. You legit ROCK! 🙂 Anywho, I too am a hermit on the weekends, me and my book/kindle/ and my laptop….and you know what? I like it that way! Can’t wait to read your next unfiltered post! xoxo
I LOVE YOU FOR THIS!
Necole, you are so great! Your analogys & your honest self MAKE for a good read! Always stay true to YOU. Life is to short For woulda coulda shouldas, jst LIVE! AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH NOT BEING A LOSE GRL, LOVE WILL COME & IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD LET HIM GUIDE YOU! REMEMBER YOUR LIFE IS PREDESTINEND! GOOD LUCK.
You’re still cool! There’s quite a few of us at the “not so cool” table, most of us haven’t ripped off that invisible tape yet. You’re living your truth and encouraging us to continue living ours from one friday night to the next. I’m very grateful that you chose to share such Necole, be blessed and I’ll pray for you and support you no matter what mountain you choose to hallucinate on, decending or ascending lol. Stregnth and Love!
This is wonderful Necole! It’s the first time I actually leave my first name on a comment as opposed to a handle and it has everything to do with how personal I think this post is.
I have been a fan of your site for many years and I do appreciate that you are not spewing negativity or bashing people on it. However, I do not condone you feeling stifled or like you are silencing yourself. I firmly believe there is a way to say everything (even if your opinion is not the most popular) so please… opine! 🙂
Looking forward to reading more of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions.
Kat
I love you.
When I think of all of the young ladies out there who just want a glimpse into your life(as boring as you may think it is) , a glimpse into your thought process, the girls who wish they could grab lunch with you, go shopping with you. Or offer you water on that mountain. Well, it makes me feel so honored and grateful to call you friend. My inspiration for almost a decade. Whatever you decide will turn to gold. Wherever your path take you will be abundant. Continue sharing yourself. Continue your passion to inspire. It’s working babe. I will always be in your corner…cool table or not
I loved this blog post and am so inspired by it. I also agree with Ayanna. You have a great platform and don’t have to give it up. You can hire writers or use interns to help run the site if it gets to be too much at times. I believe that is what Perez Hilton is doing now too, and you can still post every once in a while just to keep your voice involved in it. Anyway, great post!
Amazing, Showing The Real, Is Art, Writing.. Makes The Great…Break Free two step wit the Pen Again And Again….. Nice You Rolling Again Wit the Duct tape gone.. Though isnt part of the World Robotic, or In Movie terms Zombies ..lol Run away and stay away.. Keep up The Great Thoughts, And remember on a trampoline we get lower then before just to bounce to Heights Never imagined
Necole, *loves this* I’m like jennia who commented above, I never comment and Ive been down for a few years *like an online voyer*….I love how real and honest this is and FEARLESS! Bold people become successful while others sit back waiting to be bold *point to me*. Good thing is Im in self-defeating rehab, trying to get beyond the voices within that try to silence me and tell me I’m not meant to be great. Thanks for the encouragement through your words!! Time to be bold
As someone who remembers your early days, let me say the following. I think it’s important that you mention how bloggers have to eventually grow, and the opinions we like having needs to stand to the side in order for the “brand” to grow. In a way, you HAD to create Ms. Bitchie as the cool chick eith all the connections and parties because a) people love it and b) because it was YOUR road to success.
It’s obvious how much you’ve changed, but it’s not like you’ve changed your core being / principles. You have the gossip stuff still going, but posts like these remind me that you appreciated blogs with a little more candor and political activism, and interacted with people online who didn’t necessarily do gossip or celeb blogs.
Perhaps you can use this site, as you always have, to discuss those political and social issues that frankly has no space at Necole Bitchie. You have a platform, and every year, we are reminded that, when given a gift, we (and I do mean people of color) ought to use it every so often for social change.
Bless.
Dope and honest blog post. best wishes with decision making 🙂
Very Interesting and Insightful. I can understand how Popularity can stifle progress, since most people equate it with success. This in turn probably put you in a position where you had to live up to the fame you received and left you in a situation where you could not attend to “your baby”.
This type of thing happens more often than not. I told another Blogger friend of mine, (whom said I should read this post by you) that the difference between those other sites with the Staffs and Big Budgets, and Self-Maintained sites that want to be bigger, is the Business Plan. Most Bloggers don’t start with one because they don’t consider Blogging a Business.
A lot of times people get into blogging with the intent of creating a Massive Following, which in turn can result in monthly revenues from Ad Placements and Google Adsense Money. This is the definitive example of being Self-Employed. But because for the most part, you struggle on the way up, you never consider where you want to go when you hit the first mark of success which unfortunately is popularity.
When you start to weigh how much you receive in Ad Placements from monthly clients and those monthly Google Checks… you realize that you can only go so far with that money, and by that time you have built a life around those funds, but you want more… if for no other reason than to Do More.
This means that you need to now look at your blog like the Global Grinds and TMZs of the world… Like a Business! And your posture should be that of a Business Owner… which means that while you still have a viable Revenue Base… take the time to “Help your Child Grow into an Adult” by mapping out a clear strategy for growth.
How do you do this? I have some suggestions if you would like to chat further… Hit me via email and I will offer you some painless solutions. No charge since we are only emailing for now.
I have a Blanket Solution that I will be sending out to Celebrity Bloggers which should Increase your Revenue Intake but you will still need a Plan of where you want to go with your Company so that you may build it properly and become an Employer and not just Self-Employed.
I Enjoy Your Posts and Watching Your Success… Please feel free to contact me at your leisure.
C.F.
Hi! @C.F. Hutton, I guess now I am left with the question of, “Is it time to sell” or at least get an investor. I’ve been presented with some buy out offers over the past few years and I have consistently turned them down. Most of them allowed me to retain control over the editorial direction, voice of the site, etc. I do feel as though I’ve brought this brand as far as I can without some type of seed money pumped into it to execute things that will help it grow tremendously. I went and did my research and I saw that sites like Pop Sugar had 5 million in investors a year into the blog being started, and after selling it to NBC and then buying it back, they have acquired up to $46 million or more in investments. The more I dived into research, I realized that there aren’t many sites on the Internet that are at this level that 1) don’t have millions of dollars pumped into them 2) or hasn’t been bought or sold. It’s a scary thing because this is my baby! And I don’t want to lose it but I also want to see it grow. Like a child, I want to see it grow wings and fly and become the site I know it can be.
I wrote this openly in my comments and I wrote my struggles openly in this blog post because I want people to know what decisions you have to make at some point as a blogger and business owner and so when they come to this stage, they aren’t completely lost.
And you are absolutely correct. If it’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this is to have an exit strategy or business plan when first launching a business.
@Necole, Selling your site is a viable option… but its not as attractive of an offer to an Educated Investor that understands that you Branded the Blog with your Wit, Imagery, and Style. This means if they lose you… the investment goes in the toilet.
Global Grind and TMZ are not Branded with the likeness of any one particular person, so another company could easily come in and take over the reigns without missing a beat. This doesn’t mean its impossible to sell, I understand that dude Perez Hilton sold his site.
When this happens it would be because the business structure is in place, with staff that understands the Brand, and the use of your name and likeness is licensed to be used independently. Which may cause problems if you erect another business which may be perceived as competition.
You seem extremely intelligent and I’m sure you’ve put a lot of thought into your next moves. I know you want to see it grow. I do believe that there is an untapped market that Celebrity Bloggers are missing out on though which could Free You to Grow and Run your Business as you see fit… without selling it!
I will email it in a couple days to a few people so when you see it let me know what you think.
Necole, I must say that I absolutely love this post for so many reasons. And although I have barely begun to climb this mountain (of what I’m not really sure of yet) this post lets me know that I have to keep going despite the things that can hold me back… thank you for writing this post!
It’s so much easier to come down, or to stay in one place than it is to climb. Most people settle for that.
If I decide that I’m not going to settle with where I think was my peak, than I have to start climbing again, versus being content with descending. I’ve gotten comfortable in my descending, BUT I’m also a person that’s very uncomfortable with being comfortable.
PREACH NECOLE
sidenote;i was reading this with nene leakes voice lol
Thank you. I won’t go into a long thing. But just know you dropped some life class jewels in here. ☺
Necole, I have been coming to your site since the later part of 08 to 09, and I feel like I have grown with you over this years, and I have become apart of this site in a sense. In reading this blog, I feel like I totally understand where you are coming from. In the beginning you did have much more of an opinion and a voice, but I don’t think you have lost your way.
As far as you giving up, I would hate for that to happen! I come to your site EVERYDAY! I look to you for ALL of the true and correct information (I wont say gossip because I don’t see the things you post as being gossip) , Now as for selling it, I would also HATE to see that happen as well. necolebitchie.com is such a personal site that if it was to be sold (even in the smallest of ways) I think it would not be a great move. I know I didn’t give any solutions to the problem (sorry lol).
Anyway just wanted to say that I love and support your site on a regular and that you are such an inspiration to me, you inspire me to become the successful and grounded women I know I can be! And you also inspire me to become someone that make can change and to spread positive energy.
Thank you and continue you be GREAT and successful! 🙂
Its yours! Don’t Sell Out!!!
Love your humor, honesty, and down to earth personality. Keep the posts coming!
This is a great personal blog. I think you come across very honest and respectable. I look forward to reading more.