IT.COM

advice It's never too late...

Spaceship Spaceship
…to become a domain name investor.

“It’s too late! All the good names are taken!”

Sadly, because of that single thought, a lot of would be investors are turned off and leave the industry before ever giving it a chance. Others try it, lose money and give up. I’m here to remind you that it’s never too late. It is still very possible to become a profitable domain name investor. As long as you are willing to learn the business first.

Many of us started the same way, by hand registering a bunch of pigeon s$#% and trying to pass it off as valuable… only to get a very expensive education topped with a rude awakening. So let me help you a little bit and guide you in a positive direction. I will share a few of the most important reads, videos, and pieces of content that snapped me out of my lottery ticket daydreams and put me on the track to becoming a profitable, full time domain name investor.

(This list is in no particular order)

1. DomainSherpa.com - This website is incredible! Michael Cyger is truly an inspiration! He dedicates his time to providing unbiased, authoritative, and insightful information straight from leaders of our industry. The content is impeccable and if you haven't already watched every single video on DS, you are missing out on a whole slew of information! Here are the top 3 videos that helped me:
2. RicksBlog.com - This one is a must read. If you haven't studied this man's approach to domain name investing, then you will never truly understand the industry. The man isn't nicknamed The Domain King for no reason. He is the legend. Here are my top 3 posts from his blog:
3. DNJournal.com - While the posts on DNJournal are incredibly valuable, I learned the most from another portion of their site. Their Weekly and YTD Sales Charts! If you don't keep up to date with every single domain name sale, how are you planning on building your uncanny valuation instincts? You have to know the state of the market and the up to date performance of every type of domain name in order to become and stay a profitable domain investor!

4. NamePros.com - Want a free education? You are in the right place. There is a massive wealth of knowledge in this community. Have you scoured through the thousands of threads on this forum? Any question you may have can surely be answered on NamePros! There is a reason the tagline "Grow your network - Grow your net worth!" is so popular! Because it's true! You cannot reach your maximum potential without becoming a notable member of your community. NamePros is the biggest domain name forum and there is good reason for it!

5. Books. Here is a list of my top three must reads! They are a blend of metaphysical, factual and down right science! Take it from me, they work! Open your mind, free yourself and learn from these brilliant authors:
  • "The Science of Getting Rich" - Wallace D Wattles.
  • "Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale" - By Zig Ziglar
  • "Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness" - By Jeffrey Gitomer
I offer you my advice from my own experience. I don't claim to be an expert or a guru. This is merely a genuine reference to the most important elements of my educational foundation. After I went on my initial hand registering frenzy, I learned very quickly that I had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn as much as I could before ever spending another dollar buying domain names. I put down my wallet and began to dive further into the industry. I learned that domain name investing was not only a science but something like digital surgery... and I cannot perform surgery without the proper education, experience, and tools. Thousands of words, hundreds of videos and a year or so later, I am making a living investing in domain names. If I can do it, then it is truly never too late for anyone!

Just remember, we are all equally responsible for creating and increasing the value of our industry. The more educated we all are, the more valuable our industry becomes. The more valuable our industry becomes, the more valuable our domain names will become and the more successful we can all be!
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
It's not that easy.

I have a 4-5 hundred domains names and haven't managed to sell much.

You're talking about patience. But it takes money to have patience. It's a gamble.
You can't renew hundreds of domains indefinitely, in the hopes of MAYBE selling one for a lot of money.

The truth is, most people are too late. The good names ARE taken or they cost a lot to purchase ($10k+).

I am sure I have domain names with potential, but waiting for the right buyer takes time, and you have to renew the domains until he comes..

Thanks for the comment! You have 400-500 domain names? Why invest in so many domain names from the start? (Assuming you just started).

All the good names are not taken. You have expand your definition of a good domain name. When I first started I was buying names like MonthlyRewards.com for $185 and selling it for $1,500 within a few weeks. I bought Cloey.com for $477 and sold it for $1,999. InpatientDetox.com was acquired for $53 and sold it for $800! This is all within months of starting.. I could go on. It's not about quantity at first. It's about quality and not just super premium quality, all sorts of quality. You have to be very selective with the names you acquire at first, otherwise you'll be sitting on $5k in renewal costs without having any sales. Why throw yourself under the renewal bus before you are profitable enough to afford the renewals and still be profitable at the end of the year?

The truth is, it's never too late.. but you have to go about it in the most logical, lucrative and positive way.

Thanks for this useful post, I'm on the train now, let's see where this train will take me :?:

The best train in the world! ;)

Excellent post Ali, From time to time you prove that you are ready to give back something to this domaining community.. That's the art of successful people..!! Cheers

Thank you for your kind words :)

I think everyone needs a strategy, there are risks involved in every type of business. I had a recent post in the listing out the strategy that has 'worked' for me.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/ho...-marketplace-or-own-site.857905/#post-4857976

There is lot more than just 'intrinsic' value of the name - like planning/marketing/sales channels/negotiations that form the strategy but quintessential for a name is 'quality'. For any name, there are hundreds and even thousands of alternatives, but good alternatives are only couple.

You are absolutely right. It takes much more than just knowing which names to buy. You cannot sell a name without planning, marketing and a solid sales approach. Well said!

Great stuff from a great, hard-working guy! Just a post of appreciation.

Thank you!! :)
 
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Great post!

So much to learn from this stuff.
 
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All your links are awesome and very useful to improve skills.

Thank you for your great collection. Keep sharing good things to our community.
 
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If you like Zig Ziglar, you'd love Grant Cardone.
 
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Thanks, Ali! Another great post! :)
 
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NamePrime said:
Total money spent: 3535.14
Total sales: 7909.01
I'm still dreaming of the day I become an owner of a "real" premium domain :)

You need to spend more :)
 
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Yep. Great post, Ali. It should be compulsory reading for every member on NP.
 
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It's just the way it is, the most popular interview on DomainSherpa is mandatory!:xf.wink:
 
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Hi Ali,
I will introduce myself as your follower, Not from today, but for about a year or more I am following you everywhere!

My question: I recently bought several dropped domains mostly single word OR high quality two words, but then I realize those already lost their age! Although several appraisal services still showing good value for them.

is it okay to acquire such domains for investment ? can I expect top price as it would with it's original age ? also how easy to liquidate ?

I appreciate your passion & love for .COM!

Thank you.
 
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But not anymore easy or cheap. Good ones are getting expensive by day! I was eyeing one for sometimes but it appears off limit as it currently going beyond 2.2k (gusa.com). Milky trade, right?
 
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I was buying names like MonthlyRewards.com for $185 and selling it for $1,500 within a few weeks. I bought Cloey.com for $477 and sold it for $1,999. InpatientDetox.com was acquired for $53 and sold it for $800! This is all within months of starting..

Just two follow up questions, I am sure you will be happy to take them.

1. How come you sold within a week or even a month! when most registers saying 60 days lock period (ICANN Rule), that domain should be transferred only after that 60 days period ?

2. Please share, where you sold your very first 10 domains, like "MonthlyRewards.com", "Cloey.com", "InpatientDetox.com" etc ?

Thank you.
 
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Thanks! I love that proverb! :D

I'm a firm believer that those who fail have only themselves to blame.

Precisely. Things don't happen to you, they happen because of you. LIFE 101
 
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A lot of great info, thanks!
 
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Hi Ali,
I will introduce myself as your follower, Not from today, but for about a year or more I am following you everywhere!

My question: I recently bought several dropped domains mostly single word OR high quality two words, but then I realize those already lost their age! Although several appraisal services still showing good value for them.

is it okay to acquire such domains for investment ? can I expect top price as it would with it's original age ? also how easy to liquidate ?

I appreciate your passion & love for .COM!

Thank you.

I've acquired dropped/deleted domain names here an there but nothing major. I highly suggest to buy from the aftermarket. Hand registering takes quite a bit of skill and if you are just starting out I highly recommend staying away from it for quite some time!

.COM IS KING! :)

A lot of great info, thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to read!

Just two follow up questions, I am sure you will be happy to take them.

1. How come you sold within a week or even a month! when most registers saying 60 days lock period (ICANN Rule), that domain should be transferred only after that 60 days period ?

2. Please share, where you sold your very first 10 domains, like "MonthlyRewards.com", "Cloey.com", "InpatientDetox.com" etc ?

Thank you.

The 60 day lock period is between different registrars. I mostly use GoDaddy and you can push internally to another GoDaddy account without and 60 day hold block. This, I believe, is the same with most major registrars.

I sold most of my domain names on Flippa.
But not anymore easy or cheap. Good ones are getting expensive by day! I was eyeing one for sometimes but it appears off limit as it currently going beyond 2.2k (gusa.com). Milky trade, right?

I guess it depends on what you consider good!
 
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It's not that easy.

I have a 4-5 hundred domains names and haven't managed to sell much.

You're talking about patience. But it takes money to have patience. It's a gamble.
You can't renew hundreds of domains indefinitely, in the hopes of MAYBE selling one for a lot of money.

The truth is, most people are too late. The good names ARE taken or they cost a lot to purchase ($10k+).

I am sure I have domain names with potential, but waiting for the right buyer takes time, and you have to renew the domains until he comes..


1. As a new domainer you should start with 20-40 max domains and ACTIVELY try to sell them and SET GOALS. (weekly/monthly goals).
If you are waiting on some sort of MIRAGE or that BIG SALE to come out of nowhere then you are simply doomed and you need to change your mindset ASAP <<you won't make it as a domainer with your current mindset sorry>>

2. You can still grab quality aged names at expired auctions Snapnames, Godaddy etc for $100-$300. As a matter of fact if you hand register COM names NOW in 2015 chances are most of them will be crap and you will have a hard time selling them.
 
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Why invest into 20-40 domains, when you can invest that money into a quality domain that you can find in the aftermarket.

Quality over quantity.
 
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Why invest into 20-40 domains, when you can invest that money into a quality domain that you can find in the aftermarket.

Quality over quantity.

My point was don't BUY 400-500 names when you first start, especially reg fee names.
If you can afford a 1 word .Com with good metrics from the get-go then more power to you!

I don't think Ali bought Perception.com in his first week of domaining haha ...or who knows maybe he had deep pockets then too :)
 
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I get you, though it doesn't need to be one word..
 
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I don't think Ali bought Perception.com in his first week of domaining haha ...or who knows maybe he had deep pockets then too :)

Ha! Nope, I started with pigeon #$%# using coupons :)
 
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