There was an article in Long Island Business News yesterday focusing primarily on Andrew Hazen, a Long Island Internet marketer and domain investor. The article discussed how Andrew got started with his domain investments and on how domain investors are finding success. Although the article requires a subscription, you can read a free version, here.
In addition to information about Andrew, the article also quoted Mike “Zappy” Zapolin about his company’s Beer.com purchase for $80,000 and subsequent sale for $7,000,000.
I was also quoted in the article:
“Elliot Silver, chief executive of Manhattan’s Top Notch Domains, is not as gung ho as Zapolin. “There’s no such thing as easy money in the domain investment industry, but if you know what you’re doing and take calculated risks, it can be lucrative,” Silver said.”
When the reporter reached out to me, it seemed that it was going to be an article about how lucrative the industry is. Based on first hand experience and observation, I know it’s not as simple as it seems to make money. I hate to be the “Debbie downer” but I don’t like to see people blindly enter our industry thinking they are easily going to get rich by buying and selling domain names. I’m no rocket scientist, but it did take a few years before I was able to do this full time.
One recommendation I have for anyone who is just getting involved in the industry or anyone who wants to grow their domain investment business, is to read advice from successful domain owners.
Elliot:
Word of advice – when asked a question by the outside media it’s best to always accentuate the positive and the super-positive (even though what you said was 100% true it was also 100% safe). Over the years, these people have had no problem calling us cybersquatters and accentuating the negative. In 2009 we’re still swimming upstream when, in fact, domains are one of the best investments out there.
Over the years the “off” media still didn´t understand it right what is really going on when it comes to write or talk about domain business and so they are doing, in the US, in Europe. As well as the millions of people “out” of the internet still doesn´t get it and they are still the majority of the society, things need time, fortunately there is a generation now who will change this, sooner or later 😉
Regards
El-Silver, I’m with David C on this. You’ve been in the game for “several years”, and look where you’ve arrived. Ten thousand investors in other business ventures can only DREAM of achieving what you’ve done, and it is based on you and the opportunities that domaining gives you and all of us.
Many domainers have been involved in “this game” for ten years or longer, including myself. It took me five years to be able to make good money on domaining, through various monetization methods available. And it’s true, when talking to mainstream media, especially about a business that bringing in NEW MEMBERS is valuable for all of us, tell people how “new and explosive” the domain business is.
Because I know that’s what you really think and know about the domain industry.
Hey Elliot,
I’m glad you were able to connect with Ambrose from LIBN. It’s unfortunate but so much education about domaining is needed; however guys like us and others in the industry are wlling to do it and that makes it worthwhile too.
All the best,
Andrew