Use a Domain Lawyer, Not a Forum Legal “Expert”

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When it comes to learning about investing in domain names, there are many things you can learn on public domain forums such as DNForum and Namepros and others. They have a plethora of information available from experts with all kinds of experience. However, when it comes to legal issues, you should get advice from a domain name lawyer.

Let’s say you are arrested for something (hopefully, very minor if you are arrested), would you search Google for information about your crime? Probably, that’s what most people would do unless they have a lawyer on call. Would you visit a public forum and post information about your crime hoping one of the members gives you good legal advice? I sure hope not.

Over the years, I’ve seen many

Offer Transfer Assistance to End Users

Someone shared some valuable advice, and I want to pass it along to you. When you are sending emails to end user buyers for your domain names, you might consider adding a line in your email offering assistance with the domain name transfer.

There have been countless times that I’ve discussed the sale of a domain name with a potential buyer, and he or she has mentioned the need to speak with their Internet, IT, or SEO guy. Many business owners aren’t tech savvy, but they have the desire to own a great domain name that can help their business, especially because the shelf life for many marketing and advertising initiatives is very short.

One issue for many small business owners is the

Domain Search Tool Helps gTLD Applicants

I’ve written about how the Domain Search Tool  helps me find potential buyers for my domain names by showing me lists of registered domain names that have a specific keyword string in them. I think gTLD registrants can use the tool to help project sales figures and potentially use it for outbound sales.

I can assume that gTLD registries will want to target domain name / website owners who use the gTLD keyword at the end of their domain name. For instance, the .Inc registry will probably want to convince WidgetsInc.com and similar domain name owners to trade “up” to Widgets.Inc. The name is shorter, and it may be easier to remember. The DST can help search for domain names that

How to Get Back at a Low Baller

Receiving low ball offers on my domain names is a slightly annoying part of this business. Having someone try to convince me why a domain name I own is worth what they are offering is much more annoying. I want to share a method I use to get back at someone who has lowballed me on an offer and tried to convince me the offer is good.

Days, weeks, months, or even years later, when you’ve received a far more adequate offer for the domain name, I like to rekindle the email thread where this person gave his low ball offer, and let them know of the high offer and ask if they want to beat it. Most likely, they will pass, but it’s a subtle way to tell them their analysis was wrong and their offer was silly.

Since many low ball offers are the result of automated programs (or even paid contact centers), I don’t bother doing this to the people who made a low ball offer but didn’t follow up with a discussion about why their offer was good. This is a time waste and will likely end up going to an email address that doesn’t work any longer.

Chances are good that this won’t result in a sale, but at least it will be an opportunity to gloat a bit when someone wasted your time.

Sizing Up a Buyer

Since moving to our home, my wife and I have undertaken various home improvement projects. I am far from a “do it yourself” type of person, so we’ve had a number of contractors come to our house to give estimates for the different projects.

Here’s how the process has gone. The contractor will look at the area that needs work, and we’ll bring the discussion about the job and pricing to the kitchen table. More often than not, there will be some small talk before getting to business, and invariably, the contractor will ask what I do for a living, followed by more probing questions about my business.

Generally speaking, I try to downplay my business as much as possible for obvious reasons. The first time it happened, I had a painter who thought I owned a big Internet company (my “you’ve never heard of my company” line fell on deaf ears). His price was almost 3x the price of the painter we selected who ended up doing a fantastic job.

I can’t criticize contractors for trying to size me up to see how much I can afford and quote a price accordingly. I do the same thing when a buyer inquires about a domain name, although my methods seem far less intrusive, and most buyers wouldn’t even know I am seeking out this information. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty about doing it, especially because there are many people with great jobs who are looking for a particular domain name to go out on their own, but it’s a part of doing business.

If you want to get the most for your domain names, you need to do your research on the buyer, just like most other businesses.

Things You Should Be Knowledgable About Before Investing in Domain Names

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Anyone can go out and buy a domain name or buy a portfolio of domain names. Without some basic knowledge though, it’s unlikely that a person will be successful investing in domain names. I want to share some advice on what I think you need to be knowledgable about before investing in domain names in order to make money.