I know this is contrary to some things I’ve said in the past few weeks, but today I feel like registering a few new domain names. Lately, I’ve felt quite a bit of pressure due to a variety of factors (mainly the launch of a new website), and there’s nothing like finding some nice unregistered names to get me back in the domain spirit!
To find some hidden gold, I am going to start by doing some Google research on new technology trends. I am going to think about ways in which people might go online to search about the new technology, and perhaps buy a domain name or two. I do keyword research when buying domain names in the aftermarket, so why not do some hypothetical keyword research on my own. I will ask myself, “if this thing gets big, how will people search for it?” I don’t necessarily need to rely on what scientists or developers are calling it – more like how people will intuitively search for it.
I really enjoy this aspect of domain investing. In some respects, I felt like I went from a gold miner to a jeweler, as I decided I would be better off developing a few of my domain names rather than relying on the sale of my names to make a living. While some people have the luxury of earning passive PPC revenue, I am more interested in building a business.
Sure it’s difficult and unchartered territory for me, but I am working with a great developer, a few great SEO “advisors,” and I have been receiving amazing advice from people who are already very successful. With guidance from experienced veterans, the development process is much easier. Today, though, I am going back to my roots and going to search for some domain nuggets.

I was away for much of the weekend, so I didn’t have a chance to listen to Ed’s interview with David and Michael Castello until today. The Castellos are two of the smartest guys in the industry, and this is a great interview. As I’ve mentioned many times, David and Michael gave me tons of great advice along the way to developing Lowell.com, and I am grateful to them for their contributions.
I recommend that you take some time to listen to the interview when you have a chance.

On Sahar’s Blog today, Sean Stafford writes about how DNZoom came about and how the company is helping domain owners manage their portfolios. Sean discusses how his desire to build a management system for his own domain names led to the creation of an application that can now be used by other professionals in the industry.
DNZoom is now a part of the Bido portfolio, and Sean is at the forefront of the domain industry. Read the full article on Sahar’s Blog.

I have it on good authority that something neat is going to happen on NamePros at around 3pm today. Check it out if you get a chance…

A lot has been said about social networking sites being huge opportunities for advertisers. There is a captive audience who navigated to a particular website, and they spend countless hours meeting up with friends, sending messages to friends old and new, and building their own online homes. It would seem like a great place for advertisers to get their messages out and attempt to generate interest in their brand or product.
The social networking sites typically have the consumer base, and the advertisers wish to reach these consumers. The problem is converting these users to paying customers, and that might be harder than first imagined. I haven’t heard about or seen a very successful business model that is mutually beneficial for the website, the advertisers and the website’s visitors. I know there are countless people trying to monetize this traffic, but what happens if they can’t? I sure hope someone can identify a successful model integrating social networking and ad spend, because there is a lot of money banking on it.
For me, I am sticking to the “old fashioned” directory type of site. It will evolve with time, but I think there is still a place for it even in 2008 and beyond.

Posting will be very light (if at all) today, as my friend and I are finishing up the directory for Lowell.com. While development has taken longer than I thought it would, I think that is the case with every website.