Many years ago, I sat at my desk in our home office, staring at my laptop screen. I was in the early stages of launching a new side hustle—a high-end Nigerian men's clothing line specializing in customized dashikis. A dashiki is a colorful garment that covers the top half of the body, worn mostly in West Africa.
Everything was coming together except for one crucial detail: the domain name for my future website. I understood the power of a strong online presence. My brand needed a domain that was catchy, classic, memorable, and professional—a name that would instantly inspire trust and confidence in potential customers.
But there was a problem: I was on a budget. Like most startups, I had to make every dollar count. I spent hours searching through domain listings, carefully narrowing my options to a handful of names. Yet, when I reached out to domain owners, I was met with resistance.
The responses were cold, disinterested, and unhelpful. One owner refused to negotiate, showing no flexibility on price. Another simply ignored my emails. I couldn’t understand why these domain investors didn’t see the bigger picture—why they didn’t recognize the opportunity to be part of something greater than just a transaction.
Frustrated, I wondered: Why weren’t these domain sellers acting like they cared about the businesses they were selling to? Didn’t they realize that a sale wasn’t just about numbers—it was a chance to help a startup founder grow and thrive?
If this scenario sounds familiar, it’s because many domain investors approach sales with a single-minded focus: profit. To them, a domain is just an asset—a piece of digital real estate to be sold at a fixed price with minimal interaction. They expect buyers to meet their asking price without question or negotiation. But what if there was a better way? What if domain investors started thinking like the buyer, like the end user?
When you start seeing your domains through the eyes of your potential buyers, everything changes. Pricing becomes easier. Relationships flourish. And sales start to happen more naturally. In fact, by adopting the buyer’s mindset, even if every inquiry or counteroffer doesn’t lead to a sale, you may be creating a lasting connection—turning a one-time buyer or inquirer into a loyal client who refers others to you.
When domain investors shift their perspective to think like end users, they realize that business success isn’t just about making a sale—it’s about building relationships. Here’s how communication, empathy, and connection can transform the way domains are sold:
Effective communication bridges the gap between a domain investor and an end user. By understanding a buyer’s vision and needs, you can position your domain as a strategic asset rather than just a name. Clear, personalized, and engaging communication fosters trust and helps buyers see the real value of the domain. It’s not just about selling a name; it’s about helping buyers envision how it aligns with their goals.
Empathy means seeing things from the buyer’s perspective. What challenges are they facing? What are their hopes for their business? When you take the time to understand your buyers’ industries and aspirations, you can offer relevant domains that truly resonate. Instead of delivering a generic sales pitch, you approach them with insight and genuine interest—building a relationship that goes beyond the transaction.
In business, relationships are everything. Instead of focusing on one-off sales, consider how you can foster long-term partnerships with buyers. Offer post-sale support, share insights about branding, or simply check in to see how their business is growing. This ongoing engagement builds loyalty and opens the door to future opportunities, transforming a simple transaction into a meaningful, mutually beneficial connection.
A New Mindset for a Thriving Business
By adopting a founder’s mindset, domain investors can move beyond transactional selling to become trusted advisors and partners. It’s not just about capitalizing on a one-time deal—it’s about building a sustainable business model fueled by human connection and collaboration. When you start thinking like your buyers, you don’t just sell domains—you help shape the future of businesses, one name at a time.
Everything was coming together except for one crucial detail: the domain name for my future website. I understood the power of a strong online presence. My brand needed a domain that was catchy, classic, memorable, and professional—a name that would instantly inspire trust and confidence in potential customers.
But there was a problem: I was on a budget. Like most startups, I had to make every dollar count. I spent hours searching through domain listings, carefully narrowing my options to a handful of names. Yet, when I reached out to domain owners, I was met with resistance.
The responses were cold, disinterested, and unhelpful. One owner refused to negotiate, showing no flexibility on price. Another simply ignored my emails. I couldn’t understand why these domain investors didn’t see the bigger picture—why they didn’t recognize the opportunity to be part of something greater than just a transaction.
Frustrated, I wondered: Why weren’t these domain sellers acting like they cared about the businesses they were selling to? Didn’t they realize that a sale wasn’t just about numbers—it was a chance to help a startup founder grow and thrive?
If this scenario sounds familiar, it’s because many domain investors approach sales with a single-minded focus: profit. To them, a domain is just an asset—a piece of digital real estate to be sold at a fixed price with minimal interaction. They expect buyers to meet their asking price without question or negotiation. But what if there was a better way? What if domain investors started thinking like the buyer, like the end user?
When you start seeing your domains through the eyes of your potential buyers, everything changes. Pricing becomes easier. Relationships flourish. And sales start to happen more naturally. In fact, by adopting the buyer’s mindset, even if every inquiry or counteroffer doesn’t lead to a sale, you may be creating a lasting connection—turning a one-time buyer or inquirer into a loyal client who refers others to you.
The Power of Communication, Empathy, and Connection
When domain investors shift their perspective to think like end users, they realize that business success isn’t just about making a sale—it’s about building relationships. Here’s how communication, empathy, and connection can transform the way domains are sold:
1. Speak Their Language
Effective communication bridges the gap between a domain investor and an end user. By understanding a buyer’s vision and needs, you can position your domain as a strategic asset rather than just a name. Clear, personalized, and engaging communication fosters trust and helps buyers see the real value of the domain. It’s not just about selling a name; it’s about helping buyers envision how it aligns with their goals.
2. Step Into Their Shoes
Empathy means seeing things from the buyer’s perspective. What challenges are they facing? What are their hopes for their business? When you take the time to understand your buyers’ industries and aspirations, you can offer relevant domains that truly resonate. Instead of delivering a generic sales pitch, you approach them with insight and genuine interest—building a relationship that goes beyond the transaction.
3. Build Long-Term Relationships
In business, relationships are everything. Instead of focusing on one-off sales, consider how you can foster long-term partnerships with buyers. Offer post-sale support, share insights about branding, or simply check in to see how their business is growing. This ongoing engagement builds loyalty and opens the door to future opportunities, transforming a simple transaction into a meaningful, mutually beneficial connection.
A New Mindset for a Thriving Business
By adopting a founder’s mindset, domain investors can move beyond transactional selling to become trusted advisors and partners. It’s not just about capitalizing on a one-time deal—it’s about building a sustainable business model fueled by human connection and collaboration. When you start thinking like your buyers, you don’t just sell domains—you help shape the future of businesses, one name at a time.
