Dynadot

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.
I get you, though it doesn't need to be one word..

You're right. Even two/three word domain names can be extremely lucrative. Domain names like LifeGoesOn.com, DropTheBass.com, NowOrNever.com.. things of that nature can bring about some nice ROI's!
 
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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 Ali for another inspiring write up.I rushed myself but glad I didnt spend up to $1k or more like most people but I sure registered names that sounded good to the ears.I didnt read that much.I have gained a lot of experience since being more active on namepros and having people I see as mentors and can quickly send messages and waiting for their honest response.I have hope and know all the good names have not been taken.

Will share my story in future when things begin to unfod.I have applied Patience as I learn more and I am not rushing to hand reg but looking out for names I plan to hold on for years for the right buyer.
 
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You Posts never fail to inspire me. Kudos, Ali!
 
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Great success story, Ali. You are quite an inspiration already.

Would you like to throw more light on the outbound marketing that you do for the domains?
Things like: Who do you contact? How do you source the contacts? Do you mail other domain owners? What you write to them?
 
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Great success story, Ali. You are quite an inspiration already.

Would you like to throw more light on the outbound marketing that you do for the domains?
Things like: Who do you contact? How do you source the contacts? Do you mail other domain owners? What you write to them?

Thanks!

Sure. I use a platform called Zoominfo to gather my information about a prospect. I seek out the company utilizing Zoominfo, I see who is who, what their title is, I google them, try to find any relevant information I can use to determine if they are the right point of contact for the company. I seek out the decision maker. More often than not when you contact a CEO of a company, they will either disregard your email or forward it to their right hand. In my experience it has been a VP level exec. Generally in marketing/brand development/new product development. More often than not, I email the CEO and CC who I assume to be his/her right hand... at least when it comes to these types of decisions. There are other tricks to find out who the decision maker is. You can call support, low level employees and ask them. They are usually happy to spill the beans (if they know).

I keep my emails VERY brief. Think about it... we are domain investors... how often do you get a 75 paragraph email from some shit "web design" company or some "domain investor" who owns a "similar name" and tries to pawn it off on you and expects you to read a 9,000 word email? No one want's that! ;)

So keep it 2-3 lines max and STRAIGHT to the point. Executives don't have time to play around, they respect short emails. If they want the name, they'll respond. If they don't respond, sent a 1 line follow up 7 days later. The follow up is key. A majority of my sales have happened because of a follow up. People have a tendency to reply to them. It's usually a big fat "NO" but the time when they respond with "How Much?" makes it all worth it.
 
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Lets trade domain names. A lot of mine for a great one of yours :P .
If interested send me a PM and I'll show you which ones I got, lots of Bitcoin related ones, might be a good idea with the technology gaining popularity xD
 
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*then . Can't edit post? Anyway, was a response to someone :p.
 
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Lets trade domain names. A lot of mine for a great one of yours :P .
If interested send me a PM and I'll show you which ones I got, lots of Bitcoin related ones, might be a good idea with the technology gaining popularity xD

This is directed towards me?
 
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Don't remember someone told me to focus on quality instead of quantity so I am listening to that advice and want to do exactly that. I dunno maybe I got really good domains without knowing it.

Anyway, if someone wants to take a gamble and trade a of his good names for A LOT (i have around 4-5 hundred) of mine send me a PM :p
 
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Don't remember someone told me to focus on quality instead of quantity so I am listening to that advice and want to do exactly that. I dunno maybe I got really good domains without knowing it.

Anyway, if someone wants to take a gamble and trade a of his good names for A LOT (i have around 4-5 hundred) of mine send me a PM :P

Well, don't pawn off your quantity on me! :xf.grin: You are on the right track though, you should dump the crap and focus on a few premiums! Might as well auction everything off and redeem as much as you can!
 
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Superb words of wisdom once again Ali, every time I feel like throwing in the towel I read something of yours and keep getting the kick I need to carry on. Would like to find a site where I can check out trade marks. I keep finding what I think is a quality domain then get told it's a trade mark. What source do you use for trade marks? Or is it just common sense/knowledge?
 
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Superb words of wisdom once again Ali, every time I feel like throwing in the towel I read something of yours and keep getting the kick I need to carry on. Would like to find a site where I can check out trade marks. I keep finding what I think is a quality domain then get told it's a trade mark. What source do you use for trade marks? Or is it just common sense/knowledge?

Thanks! I appreciate your kind words man!

I use uspto.gov and trademark247.com, those are both good resources. Trademark247.com has a much better interface but I always check both. The thing about trademarks, they can be tricky. For instance, TurtleBeach.com is trademarked for an assortment of audio gear, however, it's generic enough to be trademarked for something like a Hotel Booking or Tourism Site of sorts. What you don't want to be registering is extremely obvious and major trademarks like Nike, Reebok, Sony, Apple.. Some would disagree with that statement, but to keep myself 99.99% certain I am in the clear, I stick to very, very generic domain names. Mostly very common english words or acronyms (LL, LLL, LLLL), that way.. I know i'm somewhat safe if someone tries to pull a UDRP/Trademark infringement on me.
 
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It looks as though a lot has happened to you since your last interview.
When will we have an update chat between you and Michael Cyger?

Indeed a lot has changed since! We actually recorded a new show that is coming out this month! Stay tuned :)
 
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goose bumps !!!! Actually You are sooooo Positive and I am very impressed with your attitude. I follow your suggestions And Literally after studying for last 5 months I sold my first domain last week on flippa for 199$ my first ever sell !!!

Thank you every one for sharing very valuable information for new beginners like me !!!!!

Thank you Rahul Patil !!!!!!!!! My first teacher in domain business !!

And finally Thank you very much Mr. Ali Zandi Sir !!! You are great inspiration for me !!!
 
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Can you nowvsee that it ia mot too late now that the Chinese premium domain are just begining and bibling in the market.
Especialy the 4, 5, 6 ,7 8 and 9 letters and numeric
 
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Thanks @Zandibot for these great information, but I know it's an old article, but I wish I can know what's the 3rd video of DomainSherpa (I know they are all great) that most important and helped you at starting as I'm now.
 
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I like the 5th point "Book" reads, maybe couple of more Book names will be helpful for Domainers.
 
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Thank you for the recomendations!
 
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Thanks for nice valuable post👍👍
 
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