I don’t think successful outbound domain name sales is easy. In fact, it can be pretty demoralizing depending on the response to your outbound efforts. From not receiving a reply to being told off, there’s nothing really glamorous about outbound sales.

If you’re looking to sell an industry defining domain name via outbound, I thought I would share a tip to help find prospective buyers that goes beyond what I typically find with Google, DomainLeads, DomainIQ, and AI searches. Find an industry trade organization and reach out to some of the public facing member companies that would benefit from buying the domain name.

When you agree to a lease-to-own (LTO) domain name deal, you’re making two bets: one on the buyer’s ability and willingness to complete the payments, and another on the platform’s ability to stay operational for the entire lease term. It’s easy to focus on the buyer, but the platform should also be considered, and that decision shouldn’t be made based solely on the transaction cost.

There are some platforms that have operations governed by a governmental authority. I believe Escrow.com, for example, has specific escrow requirements in the different states it operates. I think it also has California-specific escrow requirements it must meet to operate because the business is located there. Law firms and attorneys also have specific governmental requirements and oversights for managing escrow payments and transactions.

When it comes to selling domain names via outbound marketing, credibility is very important. If a prospective buyer receives an unsolicited and unexpected email about purchasing a domain name they’re interested in buying, the first thing they’ll most likely do is check to see who the sender is. Without a having a presence online, you could look less legitimate and prospective buyers may be apprehensive about buying your domain name.

One of the best ways to establish trust is by having a professional website that explains who you are and what your business does. For instance, my corporate websites (TopNotchDomains.com and Embrace.com) ensure prospects can see that there is a real business behind my email. Both websites outline my experience and the company background. They also show that I’m not hiding behind a free email address, and I am a real person. They should be able to surmise they can safely do a deal with me/my company.