So when he wrote a blog-post/press-release titled "ProBlogger Acquired By Google", there was really no reason to question it.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, see for yourself...
"ProBlogger Acquired By Google"
See, everything seems to be in order. Well apparently more of us should have been more skeptical. This is what Darren had posted the very next day."Press Release: For Immediate Release
1 April 2010
MELBOURNE, Australia. (April 1, 2010) – ProBlogger, the web’s #1 Blog Tips site, today announced that it has been acquired by Google.
This acquisition will be a part of Googles extension of the ‘Blogger’ brand and a precursor to their new professional blogging suite of applications – ProBlogger.
“Blogging continues to grow in popularity, not only for personal use but by entrepreneurs and businesses around the world. Once seen as a ‘fools game’ – blogging has now grown up.” said a Google representative today. “Google’s new professional blogging suite, ProBlogger, will put an amazing array of tools into the hands those wanting to take their blogging to the next level.” said a Google representative today.
“What better brand to align these new tools with than ProBlogger, a blog that has consistently produced blog tips for professional bloggers for just under six years.”
“Some have called me a ‘fool’ for even considering selling ProBlogger,” said founder of ProBlogger Darren Rowse, “but I’d be a fool not to allow the ProBlogger brand to be developed by one of the world’s most innovative companies. I’m excited to see where Google will take ProBlogger going forward.”
The acquisition of ProBlogger will allow Darren to concentrate on his other projects including his main site – Digital Photography School – and an upcoming project – FoolsMedia.
Darren Rowse will remain a part of ProBlogger over the next 331 days where he plans to to begin a series of posts entitled ‘331 days to Build an Even Better Blog’ – a follow up to the successful 31 Days to Build a Better Blog." (Click Here To Read The Full Post At ProBlogger)
"Google Aquisition of ProBlogger – April Fools Day Recap"
"I think most people worked out that my last post (ProBlogger Acquired by Google) was an April Fools Joke – however I wanted to make sure.It was an April Fools joke!
"It’s been two years since my last April Fools Day prank – last time (in 2008) I issued a press release announcing that I was starting a new company – Pay Per Tweet. Of course back then the idea of sponsored Tweets had not happened and it caused some outrage – all I can say is that I hope this year’s prank comes true too! :-)
The idea for this year’s joke started with a dream – a real dream where Google actually did buy ProBlogger for a new blogging platform for professional bloggers. I tweeted the dream and it got such a good reception (including from a few people who work at Google/Blogger) that I filed it away as an idea for April Fools Day.
Yesterday I decided to go for it and wrote the press release announcing the acquisition. I even went so far as to register a domain for my next business venture – FoolsMedia.com and setup a twitter account for it (funnily enough that Twitter account is already getting followers and is featured on at least a couple of Twitter lists)." (Click here to read the rest of this post at ProBlogger)
I have to admit this had me going. ProBlogger is one of the only blogs that I follow on a daily basis... So when I read that it was going to be under the control of Google, I didn't know if it was going to be as valuable to me.
Needless to say, I was relieved when I read the follow-up post the next day. It's kind of funny that I felt that way about some blog, but I did. When you have a good source of information like ProBlogger, you hate to lose it.
I do know that because ProBlogger is so popular something like this can and probably will happen. Don't get me wrong I was happy for Darren, he would have been "rolling in the cash" if this wasn't just an April Fool's joke. (I'm sure he's rolling in it anyway)
But when all is said and done I just have to sit back and laugh. I'm glad to see that Darren has fun with his blog and it's readers. I think that is part of what makes him so successful. I hope i-Blogger is this well known one day soon!
What did you think of Darren's April Fools joke? Be sure to tell me in your comment. Thanks for stopping by i-Blogger.
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