Some of you may have heard that our editor, Cristina Córdova, and publisher, Kristin Henning, are both leaving the country next month (not together). Without them, I’m afraid that we (The Bartel Cartel) can no longer manage this site. So we’re looking for someone to step up.
Aside from our most valuable asset, the crew of MNSpeakers who regularly post and comment, here’s what we have to offer:
- MNSpeak blog and archives
- Daily Secrets written by Kate Iverson
- A list of 8,000 opt-in email subscribers on the Daily Secrets and Weekly Deals lists
- The 5-year-old Theater All Year ticket program
- An event and restaurant database with over 2,600 local venues (including 800 restaurants)
A few notes:
- We don’t necessarily need a single person or organization to take everything off our hands. We wouldn’t mind splitting off MNSpeak as a stand-alone site like back in the old days. The other assets are severable as well.
- The email lists are only for sale to someone who intends to use them exactly as they are used now, for daily secrets and weekly deals.
ALL offers will be considered. Restaurant meals and plane tickets included. MNSpeak can basically run itself if there are a few people willing to write brief posts a few days a week. Like I said, I’m happy to keep hosting it for now. Whatever we can do to keep it alive. Leave a message in the comments or email matt at secretsofthecity if you are interested in more detail (current revenue, traffic numbers, etc.).
43 Reader Comments
4:00 pm
Another thought:
If a few of you faithful mnspeakers want to set up some kind of co-op editorship, I’d be happy to keep hosting the site.
4:01 pm
Valuable asset, eh? I feel the love…
4:04 pm
You’re right, I probably shouldn’t have called you guys assets. But I guess it’s better than just referring to you as page view generators.
4:05 pm
not it.
4:28 pm
If I had the money, honey, I’d have the time.
4:34 pm
MNspeak was better when Rex bought it back.
4:38 pm
I’ve been called worse.
4:40 pm
By the way: ALL offers will be considered. Restaurant meals and plane tickets included. MNSpeak can basically run itself if there are a few people willing to write brief posts a few days a week. Like I said, I’m happy to keep hosting it for now. Whatever we can do to keep it alive.
4:46 pm
How much are we talking?
4:49 pm
To take the whole kit and kaboodle?
4:57 pm
I got 200 hundred bucks and a wad of half chewed hubba bubba?
5:09 pm
Wow. What an ignomious end.
6:37 pm
Not an end, hopefully, zenrhino.
6:45 pm
I think it might be fun to run a site like this, but I have all the work I need, and then some.
9:46 pm
put together a kickstarter campaign or something Matt…I mean a couple of chicas got 10 k for an imaginary donut stand.
From a post standpoint I could probably wake up early a couple of days a week and wrangle up a couple posts- mostly depending on the amount of dirigible traffic and crazy shit going on in wisconsin in any given week.
6:07 am
how much for the archives?
7:23 am
7:23 am
Somehow I knew that wouldn’t work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8z_5ZtPzWI
7:29 am
Has it been shopped around town? I would think MinnPost would be interested, amiright? They could really use a bit more cool. Bauer is averaging 1.5 comments/post over there.
8:11 am
500 and a half eaten hotpocket….really I just ate the crust.
8:52 am
Rex, don’t be talking about shopping this thing around town… you’re going to mess up the really lowball offer I planned to make.
9:08 am
Let’s go in together. I’m still pretty sure I know how to make money off this thing. And getting sued by Garrison Keillor is not part of the strategy this time.
9:12 am
Wait, nevermind. I forgot I don’t do business with EGOMANIACS.
(Haha. Why is everyone talking about that part of the article. The weirdest part by far was Marsh dropping VIRGIN in there. WAS THIS FACT-CHECKED?)
9:19 am
JD you saying my half K and a hotpocket isn’t rich enough?
Rex, JD, Marsh, Taylor…pretty sure you got any traffic you need right there.
JD can you contractually “own” another media outlet? Is Mnspeak a media outlet?
9:33 am
Rex & Jason: Do it!
Rex: nice video.
9:39 am
Nevermind about the egomaniac thing. All you got to do is meet the guy to see he’s a good, no, a great egg. Smart + goofy. Good combo.
Rex, I don’t know you, but you seem to have thick glasses and cool shirts, which is a form of smart + goofy.
9:40 am
I understand dozens of women from my past have been calling MSP Mag demanding a correction to the Virgin-drop.
Ryanl – I’m not sure if I can or not..I’ll have to look into it. But it would be pretty fun to own this place with Rex and Taylor.
9:50 am
Do it!
9:53 am
The news is out:
Bartel clan puts MnSpeak/Secrets of the City up for sale
Secrets of the City/MNSpeak is for sale!
Twin Cities Thursday
10:01 am
Matt is sending me some traffic/revenue/contract info today, and I know a few other folks have inquired about that stuff, too. So it sounds like there’s interest.
10:04 am
I thought the Bartels were a cartel, not a clan.
10:07 am
Free lunch on me for whomever first posts the Dancing Derusha video with “Like a Virgin” as the soundtrack.
10:11 am
Matt,
If you are willing to remain part of Secrets of the City, I know a couple individuals who are willing to step up and help run it. I sent you an email about it.
But if Jason and Rex are also interested, I’d sit back and watch that play out.
11:12 am
@g_rote: Clans (and tribes) become cartels when there are economics involved.
12:41 pm
@g_rote: You know that I can make that happen don’t you! Hmmmm Like a Virgin…
8:52 am
Hmmm.
10:40 am
email is rlibson at gmail
I really just want to make sure that mnspeak discussion forum goes on. Are numbes over at compete significantly under-reporting?
If 500 is anywhere in the wheelhouse send me an email.
11:46 am
http://www.MNCultureClub.com might be interested in getting in on this action… keep us posted in how we can play a role.
4:22 pm
@G_Rote: You asked for it! I am sure it cannot be imbedded here.
3:56 pm
I’ll see if there’s any way I personally can help, $$-wise or support-wise. To whoever buys and takes over the reins of this site, I would suggest they make it a more uniform like the old Rake used to be. Since it became Secrets of the City, there has been a distinct loss in focus. It’s been hard to tell whether this has been a news site, arts and entertainment guide, blog network, message board, or what. There is so much potential here, and I’d hate to see this site and the wonderful legacy of The Rake go away!
8:45 am
Way to go, DoulasG!
11:42 am
Now I only have to collect the lunch I am owed…
5:43 pm
Matt, I am not entirely convinced that the aforementioned Cristina Córdova is indeed leaving the country. In an unrelated matter, I would love to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime to invest in Puerto Rican Pesos, available now at a deep discount only to you. All profits from this will go to me leaving the country with Cristina.