Finding suitable connections is an important part of any profession; knowing the right people can help create new opportunities and new possibilities. This is, of course, the same for the domain industry. Good connections with investors, brokers and company representatives can help you with both acquisitions and sales, as well as expanding your knowledge of domain name investing.
Fortunately, domain investing has a number of different ways to connect with other people within the industry, both online and offline. Below, I've listed a few ways of connecting with other investors. I would like to add that any connection, in my opinion, should be a two-way relationship, meaning that both parties should be able to profit from the relationship in some way.
Conferences
NamesCon and THE Domain Conference are two of the most popular domain name conferences that happen every year. Conferences are considered an excellent place to learn and connect with new people, which may bring about opportunities that don't present themselves in an online environment.
No matter what your role is within the domaining community - broker, investor, blogger or developer - there is usually something for you at any conference. NamesCon, in particular, has created some specific networking events that allow you to speak with company representatives and top industry individuals that could help you to forge new relationships.
NamePros
With almost 1mm members, NamePros is undoubtably the largest community for domain name investors to post opinions and learn from fellow investors. There are several discussion areas within the site, such as the Meet and Greet section that allow you to introduce yourself to other NamePros members.
Whether you're a new or established investor, creating a discussion at NamePros can allow you to start to forge relationships that will hopefully be of benefit to you. The private messaging system can also be used to continue discussions.
Meetups
Meetups can be spontaneous or planned, and could involve just a couple of people or a couple of hundred people. There are many events across the globe for domain investors. Recently, we covered the first ever DNHouston event, and last Thursday was a DNSeattle meetup that was organised by @DomainSherpa's Michael Cyger.
Similar to domain conferences, meetups can be a chance to connect with investors and company representatives offline, which in turn can help you form new professional relationships online.
Group Chats
WeChat groups, Skype groups and WhatsApp groups are just three examples of how investors can regularly keep in contact, as well as meeting new people. I'm part of a number of WeChat groups - mainly involving Chinese domain names; from which I've made new connections that I can speak with about a number of subjects.
The advantage of joining instant messaging groups is that you can also bounce ideas off fellow investors, or you may be able to learn of new opportunities to invest in - although investments should always be made only after you've done your own research, not off the back of another investor's advice.
LinkedIn
The business social network is another useful place to connect with domain investors. If you are not a LinkedIn member yet, I'd highly recommend joining. It's free for a basic membership, and can be used to expand your connections within the domain industry.
LinkedIn also has a number of domainer groups, some with several thousand members. These groups, which can be found by searching LinkedIn, are a useful source for news updates, and can be another outlet for asking questions and finding new connections.
If you are on LinkedIn, you can add me as a connection. I do accept all invitations.
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What are your tips for connecting with other domain investors?
Fortunately, domain investing has a number of different ways to connect with other people within the industry, both online and offline. Below, I've listed a few ways of connecting with other investors. I would like to add that any connection, in my opinion, should be a two-way relationship, meaning that both parties should be able to profit from the relationship in some way.
Conferences
NamesCon and THE Domain Conference are two of the most popular domain name conferences that happen every year. Conferences are considered an excellent place to learn and connect with new people, which may bring about opportunities that don't present themselves in an online environment.
No matter what your role is within the domaining community - broker, investor, blogger or developer - there is usually something for you at any conference. NamesCon, in particular, has created some specific networking events that allow you to speak with company representatives and top industry individuals that could help you to forge new relationships.
NamePros
With almost 1mm members, NamePros is undoubtably the largest community for domain name investors to post opinions and learn from fellow investors. There are several discussion areas within the site, such as the Meet and Greet section that allow you to introduce yourself to other NamePros members.
Whether you're a new or established investor, creating a discussion at NamePros can allow you to start to forge relationships that will hopefully be of benefit to you. The private messaging system can also be used to continue discussions.
Meetups
Meetups can be spontaneous or planned, and could involve just a couple of people or a couple of hundred people. There are many events across the globe for domain investors. Recently, we covered the first ever DNHouston event, and last Thursday was a DNSeattle meetup that was organised by @DomainSherpa's Michael Cyger.
Similar to domain conferences, meetups can be a chance to connect with investors and company representatives offline, which in turn can help you form new professional relationships online.
Group Chats
WeChat groups, Skype groups and WhatsApp groups are just three examples of how investors can regularly keep in contact, as well as meeting new people. I'm part of a number of WeChat groups - mainly involving Chinese domain names; from which I've made new connections that I can speak with about a number of subjects.
The advantage of joining instant messaging groups is that you can also bounce ideas off fellow investors, or you may be able to learn of new opportunities to invest in - although investments should always be made only after you've done your own research, not off the back of another investor's advice.
The business social network is another useful place to connect with domain investors. If you are not a LinkedIn member yet, I'd highly recommend joining. It's free for a basic membership, and can be used to expand your connections within the domain industry.
LinkedIn also has a number of domainer groups, some with several thousand members. These groups, which can be found by searching LinkedIn, are a useful source for news updates, and can be another outlet for asking questions and finding new connections.
If you are on LinkedIn, you can add me as a connection. I do accept all invitations.
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What are your tips for connecting with other domain investors?
