I noticed that a few domain investors forward at least some of their higher value domain names to their LinkedIn profile. I think this is a neat idea for a multitude of reasons.
When someone visits another person’s LinkedIn profile, the person whose page was visited will be able to see who visited unless the visitor has a paid account and chooses to browse anonymously. I would venture a guess that most people do not.
By forwarding a domain name to the owner’s LinkedIn profile, the owner will be able to get an idea of who is visiting. This, importantly, includes representatives from companies with that name. It also includes startup founders seeking out domain names for their company.
Forwarding a domain name to a LinkedIn profile allows a prospective buyer to know who to contact to make an offer to buy a domain name. The prospective buyer can contact the owner directly through LinkedIn or can search for an alternative channel for contacting the registrant.
Prospective buyers who land on a LinkedIn profile will be able to learn more about the registrant of the domain name. Perhaps they will realize the owner of the domain name is an expert about domain name valuation and will perhaps make a better effort to acquire a domain name.
When forwarding a domain name to a LinkedIn profile, there is no pricing or valuation guidance given. I would imagine there could be lots of tire kickers or lowball offers. This isn’t much different than a standard inquiry form without pricing guidance though, so it might not be a drawback for some people.
One possible drawback I can imagine is that a trademark holder could potentially claim that using a forward to LinkedIn is not a bonafide good faith usage of the domain name. Personally, I think that is bullsh*t, but companies will make claims to try and not pay market value to buy a domain name. I can’t gauge what the risk level for that is though since I have no legal expertise.
Forwarding a domain name to your LinkedIn profile is a neat idea. If you’ve tried it, feel free to share your results.
Hello Elliot,
We agree with you on this. Linkedin is becoming a hot bead for leveraging traffic to your Platform.
We? What “we”? You playing us, Jeff?
You’re an oldtimer. You must know Jeff always speaks in the plural.
Decided to call him on that. Like how he finally just recently embraced the truth about his “UseBiz.com” having originally been “USeBiz.com” in another blog, which I had addressed with him quite a while ago. Sometimes I’m in a slightly bad mood, and Jeff picked on Epik under another blog recently, and sometimes I don’t want to just let Jeff skate all the time. 😉
(Note: no affiliation with Epik other than a client who recognizes how great they are and won’t stand for the personal and other nonsense about it. I’m also very much an oldtimer when it comes to dealing with “cancel culture” and such great things don’t just grow on trees in this business either.)
I’ve noticed this as well. Good for private sales.
The only issue with forwarding domains to LinkedIn that I’ve observed while trying this method is that if they aren’t logged in they will be prompted to do so. What is happening is that many people who don’t just stay logged into LInkedIn aren’t doing so and that results in them not seeing the bio also the page owner not seeing the visit whether the ID or the anon indication. This is something we’re still trying to figure out a solution too. But I like the idea of showing my bio and hope this issue can be resolved. Btw … not logging in I believe is due to people not knowing if this is a legit request and being concerned it’s a phishing attempt.
I do this quite a bit and have had good success with it, pointing names to my LinkedIn profile which has quite a few emerging tech followers.
Anyone figure out a solution to get those not logged into LinkedIn when redirected there to log in? I see it as a matter of building trust somehow. I know I don’t log into anything I am redirected too and feel anyone that is even a little aware of phishing don’t either. Obviously we’re not seeking to and malicious but I know I’m missing out on visitor info, Thoughts?
I point djc.co.uk to my LI profile. The rest go to my businesses or, most recently to Dan.com.