The domain investment community is relatively small and most of the main participants know each other. There’s a collegial feel among many of us who have known each other for years. Mike Sullivan posted a tweet last week about competition amongst domain investors:
You aren’t in competition with other domainers. Consider yourself part of a team that can help and support each other.
— Mike Sullivan (@Sullys_Blog) May 20, 2022
I wholeheartedly disagree with Mike’s tweet (in a friendly way).
I am in competition with every domain investor who is trying to buy the same domain names I am after. From domain name auctions to private acquisitions to domain name sales, competition is everywhere. Competition is healthy. Competition drives me to try harder and do better.
I may not be a stellar athlete, but I am a very competitive person. When I am playing any sport against my friends, I have a strong drive to win. We may be close friends, but I always want to win regardless of the game. The only exception is when I am playing blackjack with friends and I want us all to beat the dealer.
The same desire to succeed in sports drives me in my business, too. When I prevail in a competitive auction for a domain name it feels great. When I am successful in buying a domain name in private, it also feels great. I probably feel less excited about selling a big name than prevailing in an important acquisition.
After my friends and I play tennis or finish whatever game we are playing, we have a drink or go out to dinner with our families. Our friendships remain strong despite our desire to win on the court or field. The same goes for my domain investor friends. I want to prevail in an auction and have no issues grabbing dinner or chatting on the phone at the same time.
Domain investors are always competing, and I think fair competition is healthy for investors and the industry.
I’m glad Elliot disagrees with me in a friendly way, because I wouldn’t want to go toe to toe with the guy that taught me a great deal about what I know about domaining. Elliot was the first domainer I followed, the first to respond to me with an advice, and probably the blog I read the most over the years. That said, it makes be happy that I can have a different perspective on something than you do and still be part of your conversation. I think the fact that you have taught so many so much makes you a team player more than a competitor.
Well said ES.
Ultimately, I want to win every auction I enter or every URL I desire.
When I lose, you eat.
When I win, I eat.
But I love the competition and try to be a good sport about it.
Your competitors are your friends and your friends are your “enemy” too in the domain bidding war.
They are the one lowballing you.
Part of the jungle of business.
Eat or be Eaten!!
The Official Domain Community is smaller than ever.
The Unofficial Domain Community is bigger than ever.
At least I used to know who I was bidding against.
Now domainers and end-users are bidding on domains from so many different countries, businesses, sectors, startups, venture capital etc.
Thank goodness we’re not fighting over Star Wars figurines. Then things might get nasty!
I have never seen Star Wars.
I tried to win a name in an auction. A great name that I could flip within a year, but I set a ceiling on price due to financial downturn,
Do I consider the winning bidder part of my team? Noooooooooooooooooooooo
Do I wish him/her well? Nooooooooooo
Do I wish this person never hopped in to bid? F yeah
I try to be a good sport – just by turning the page. I don’t blame the person who outbids me. Just wish he/she stayed away from my targets.
for amusement, you should check buyers requests on namepros…
i’ve bought some domains (years ago) on NP, but have never sold one there
for fun, I submitted a domain that i got for a bargain at 20 K USD- it perfectly fit the criteria of the desired name…buyer offered me 500 USD…I responded with laugh emoticon
This domain sold for 45 k last year…
team? lol – no, I prefer to play solo 🙂
I respectfully disagree with both.
I don’t feel I’m in competition with anyone but myself. Challenging myself is the biggest competition.
Makes sense.
I am also self-driven to do better.
Everyone has seen at least one of the Star Wars movies once! What planet are you from? Lol
Star Trek is better IMO.
Have not seen Star Trek either.
Agreed
@Steve Good Sport post.
Elliott is a great guy. I am glad I was able to mentor him when he got into domaining. Great to see him give back.
Your name doesn’t ring a bell, and you didn’t spell my name correctly either.
You did beat me on a few auctions but I am have more wins than you Steve. Keep it up!
Rick you are the greatest domainer of all time and my mentor since I got into the industry in 1999.
You are an A quality person. Hope the family is good Elliot. My son graduates next week from college. Time flies.
I don’t reveal my name on posts anymore just easier being under the radar that way. We met at DomainFest in LA we all went out with Ron Jeremy on afterparty after Playboy mansion party.
I believe we first met at the buffet.
Yes indeed, it was you, the Castillo brothers, Ron Jackson and his wife, Ammar Kubba, all sitting down together as well. Great times great memories.
You mean “every adult male virgin” has seen a Star Wars movie
We are one big happy family