Every domain name investor and broker has the ability to bring something different to the domain industry based on previous experiences. For some, a different approach has meant a highly successful career in domain investing.
Today, we ask our experts to explain what makes them different from other domain brokers or investors. Is being different something that is required to succeed in the domain industry?
Nat Cohen (@Telepathy), Owner of Telepathy.com
Shane Cultra (@Domain Shane), Domain Investor & Publisher of DSAD.com
Frank Schilling (@Frank.Schilling), CEO of Uniregistry
Giuseppe Graziano (@Giuseppe Graziano), CEO of GGRG Domain Brokerage
Mike Mann (@Mike Mann), Owner of DomainMarket.com
Joe Styler (@Joe Styler), Domain Investor & Aftermarket Product Manager at GoDaddy
Tessa Holcomb, Co-Founder and CEO of Igloo Domain Brokerage
Andrew Rosener (@MediaOptions), CEO of Media Options Domain Brokerage
Morgan Linton (@domainflipper), Publisher of MorganLinton.com & Co-founder of Bold Metrics
Bill Sweetman (@Bill Sweetman), President of Name Ninja
These responses have been edited for clarity.
Today, we ask our experts to explain what makes them different from other domain brokers or investors. Is being different something that is required to succeed in the domain industry?
Nat Cohen (@Telepathy), Owner of Telepathy.com
The domains I own are unique to my portfolio, so if someone wants one of those domains, they have to come to me. This "difference" is shared by all domain owners. It helps if the domains in your portfolio have unique qualities and cannot easily be substituted for another domain name.
A combination-keyword domain name, for example, usually has many comparable variations that can be used as an equivalent substitute, which limits negotiating leverage. Similarly, a domain in a secondary extension can be substituted for similar domains in many other extensions and limits the pricing power, as well. One-word domains in a primary extension that name a key product or concept – there really is no substitute for these.
From a blogging standpoint, I was forced to find a revenue source other than banner advertising because none of the companies would advertise with me. And other than the auction houses, they still won’t, but I found a way to earn in other ways.
From a domain investment strategy and business model standpoint, different is absolutely not necessary. What needs to happen is consistent hard work. Most people don’t put in the hours. They spend too much time dreaming and not enough doing and learning.
Frank Schilling (@Frank.Schilling), CEO of Uniregistry
I'm far sighted. I plan for 10 years out, and I'm consistent in the industry. The wheel has already been invented… just use the wheel. Copy what other successful people do.
Giuseppe Graziano (@Giuseppe Graziano), CEO of GGRG Domain Brokerage
Each investor and broker are different and bring to the table specific strengths. Some of the factors that I believe differentiate GGRG from the other brokers are:
Brokerage has become a very competitive business, and in order to succeed, you need to deliver massive value to your clients. I think that for each specific case, there is a broker that can match your needs. I usually recommend @Joe Uddeme and Mark Daniel for outbound sales on premium one-word .com domains, @Bill Sweetman and @Ali Zandi for acquisitions, and @Alan Dunn for premium keyword .com brands.
- Transparency. Unlike some brokers, we do not invest in domain names, and therefore we do not compete with our clients.
- Focus. We specialize only on liquid .com domains (LL, LLL, LLLL, NN, NNN, NNNN, NNNNN, LN & NL) and say no to everything else.
- Market knowledge. I actually lived in China, and I am fortunate to have excellent contacts there and understand the culture and how business is done.
Mike Mann (@Mike Mann), Owner of DomainMarket.com
You don’t have to be different; you have to be better with true information. The entire secondary market of premium domains is based on sound domain appraising, which only a handful of people on earth can do.
I'm not a broker, so if I’m wrong, I lose a ton of my own money. Some others have nothing at risk and don’t make mistakes with their money on the line. If I price a name too high, I could never sell it. If I price it too low, I lose a ton of money. If I can appraise correctly, I can make the market over a long duration and profit accordingly, at the expense of competitors in some cases.
Joe Styler (@Joe Styler), Domain Investor & Aftermarket Product Manager at GoDaddy
The great thing about this industry is the many different types of people involved in it. We each bring our own perspectives. I think the most important thing is to maximize your strengths and find the right niche that lines up with where you want to invest. Finding people you can partner with and trust to help bounce ideas off of is very important, too, whether that is your Premier Rep at GoDaddy, friends on NamePros, or other investors you know in person, getting various viewpoints is important.
No, being different is not necessary to succeed. What is necessary to succeed anywhere is hard work, persistence, and a drive to improve yourself. I think you could benefit by leveraging your differences where they can help you. For instance, if you speak another language, that is helpful. If you understand the financial space, you can target that area. Use your differences to help you, but at the end of the day, the people who are successful are the ones working the hardest.
Tessa Holcomb, Co-Founder and CEO of Igloo Domain Brokerage
While I can’t necessarily say that being different, per se, is necessary to succeed in this business, I do believe that Igloo’s experience, credibility and, most importantly, results do set us apart.
Igloo Domain Advisors focus on our core of working high-value domain names and domain portfolios. We capitalize on our relationships, work ethic, integrity and attention to detail at no upfront fee.
Our clients know that Igloo will always get them the highest price on the sell side and the most competitive on the buy side and provide transparent contracts with no additional charge to keep all details of any sale private.
Andrew Rosener (@MediaOptions), CEO of Media Options Domain Brokerage
My background is in sales. I’m a very aggressive salesman, and I hustle harder than most. This is why I’ve been successful. Most domainers are lazy and afraid of sales.
Morgan Linton (@domainflipper), Publisher of MorganLinton.com & Co-founder of Bold Metrics
That's a good question. I actually think I'm like many other people out there who have a day job but invest in domain names instead of traditional places like the stock market or real estate.
I guess I've never really seen myself as doing anything particularly special or different outside of the fact that I have stuck with it for nine years now. I'm confident that I've made more than I ever would have if I had stuck to a more traditional investment path, and I've had a lot of fun while doing it, but nothing really makes me distinctly different. I've just seen how lucrative this business can be and that has kept me in it and likely will for as long as domain names are around.
Bill Sweetman (@Bill Sweetman), President of Name Ninja
I don’t think of myself as a domain investor since I make my living as a domain buyer broker. The fact that I focus almost exclusively on being a buyer broker makes me different from many of the other domain brokers out there, but that’s a personal choice I made.
I do think that by focusing on something, it helps you improve your techniques and success rate over time, and I am blessed to have that opportunity to focus. I get bored easily, but with my current job, which never feels like a job to me, I am constantly learning and constantly trying to get better at what I do, so that makes it a lot of fun.
I also pride myself on my communication and negotiation skills and behaving in an ethical manner. I am very lucky to have a great team to work with, a large network of international business connections (including other brokers), and clients across many different industries.
These responses have been edited for clarity.