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I'm Shane Cultra, Ask Me Any Question

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Lets have some fun. I promise to be open and honest with the questions if we can keep it civil.

A little background. I'm nobody special, just a guy that runs a nursery, runs a lot, and loves domains. I am part of team that runs DSAD.com, used to have a blog called DomainShane, used to be part of a little show called Domain Sherpa, sold my first blog WallStreetFighter to Break.com and Lionsgate Film, part of group that sold a show called WallStrip to NBC for $5 Million, and ran 20 plus marathons and 2 Ironmen in between then and now. Bought and sold a few domains along the way

Post any question and I'll have my team of assistants, just kidding, I'll do my best to answer it.
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
Do geo domains have a future?

I think they will always have a future. I do think it has to be a marketable range though. I think city names are better than wider ranges. The good and the bad is the defined range. You know who your user is going to be but that's all you got. The great part of the Internet is the ability to sell to the whole world but a geo name cuts that down quite a bit


Monetize with parking or lander with pricing details?

All of the above. Lander with BIN and make offer. Listed on as many sites as you can. And definitely at Godaddy and Afternic. I like Efty's product. I also don't worry about parking revenue anymore. Only left names that weren't great names but paid for renewal in parking and didn't present a UDRP problem

Fixed price or make offer? (or both)

See above. BIN on all names under $10K


Thanks...and thank your family for allowing the time. :xf.smile:

Salmon and sweet potato cooking 10 feet away as I type this :)
 
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PS: this is not a solicitation to buy names. While I appreciate the LLLL.coms being sent, the other random domain PMs aren't necessary.
 
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@Domain Shane - I admire your willingness to hold an AMA in the wake of this so called war on trolls. I know Drew refers to me as such, so I'm not sure if you include me in that same category. I don't know much about you, or DSAD, aside from what I've seen on Sherpa over the years. I do appreciate that DSAD has been vocal about calling out some questionable activity when they see it. For instance, (a) Raising suspicious of HKDN / Oliver before shillgate (b) Travis M. recently noted something didn't seem right about Sati.com being for sale for less than $10k after it had recently sold for $100k. DSAD published this prior to the creation of the NP thread discussing it.

I'm curious to know if you've ever had any ethical struggles from a journalistic level on what content you decide to publish -- especially that from private sources, or off the record conversations (both factual and/or speculatory)?

Now that you've been a blogger for several years, do you see yourself as a journalist? Have you taken any courses or read any books to prepare you for such an important and vital journalistic position? If so, any recommendations? I assume you receive leads on domain related stories every now and then, how do you determine what is enough information to blog about, especially when that information presented may be speculative and/or incomplete? Do you take the time to research it, or do you take the approach that if it won't make you any money, then it's not worth the effort?
 
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@Domain Shane thanks for taking the time to do an AMA

Curious to hear you thoughts on the following:

What do you think are some of the next big future themes to come in domaining?
I mean new gtlds, the meteoric rise of CHIPS, or other themes

As someone who came in later to the game I find myself trying to ponder/anticipate
I would also be particularly curious about two topics:
  • Domains in India (1/7 of world population still coming online)
  • General threats to domain industry (apps, elimination of browser to access internet, AI)
Thanks!
DomainDepot
 
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@Domain Shane - I admire your willingness to hold an AMA in the wake of this so called war on trolls. I know Drew refers to me as such, so I'm not sure if you include me in that same category. I don't know much about you, or DSAD, aside from what I've seen on Sherpa over the years. I do appreciate that DSAD has been vocal about calling out some questionable activity when they see it. For instance, (a) Raising suspicious of HKDN / Oliver before shillgate (b) Travis M. recently noted something didn't seem right about Sati.com being for sale for less than $10k after it had recently sold for $100k. DSAD published this prior to the creation of the NP thread discussing it.
On a prenote. That's Drew's war on trolls. I was merely pointing out that a few bad apples ruins it for everyone. I've never been a fan of anonymity. I have always felt you were given your face, your words, and your voice. To hide any of those for any reason other than security is showing lack of accountability. It's tough to fight shadows and I won't. I put myself out there everyday and almost every day I see someone write something to the effect they "despise" me. Nobody likes being despised but any time you write anything there will be someone who doesn't like your words.

I'm curious to know if you've ever had any ethical struggles from a journalistic level on what content you decide to publish -- especially that from private sources, or off the record conversations (both factual and/or speculatory)?

Now that you've been a blogger for several years, do you see yourself as a journalist? Have you taken any courses or read any books to prepare you for such an important and vital journalistic position? If so, any recommendations? I assume you receive leads on domain related stories every now and then, how do you determine what is enough information to blog about, especially when that information presented may be speculative and/or incomplete? Do you take the time to research it, or do you take the approach that if it won't make you any money, then it's not worth the effort?
I am absolutely not a journalist. I am a blogger. Huge difference. I would love to take the time and do more interviews and research stories. I see where you are going with this but I put my reputation and my financial resources in my words. If I say something that isn't true or damaging then you knew exactly where to find me. My name and information is plastered everywhere to find me. I talk every day to people in the industry. It has taken then years to finally quit saying "please don't post this" every time I talk to them. I don't feel a duty to call out fraud or write articles about the dark side of our industry. But I do have morals and ethics contrary to what is said about me in some comments. Generally when I see something I deem is wrong I take action. That action may not always be in prose or on the blog. I have a voice with my blog but that doesn't mean I always have to use it. That is the beauty of this thing. It's my voice, it represents me, and I am the one that is accountable for it. And as long as that is the case I will use it how I see fit on any given day. In short, I'm only going to say something in public I am willing to take the repercussions of those words.
 
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@Domain Shane thanks for taking the time to do an AMA

Curious to hear you thoughts on the following:

What do you think are some of the next big future themes to come in domaining?
I mean new gtlds, the meteoric rise of CHIPS, or other themes

As someone who came in later to the game I find myself trying to ponder/anticipate
I would also be particularly curious about two topics:
  • Domains in India (1/7 of world population still coming online)
  • General threats to domain industry (apps, elimination of browser to access internet, AI)
Thanks!
DomainDepot


1. The future is a tough one. I see dot com still being the future. As those become too expensive I certainly see new Gs being used more and more often. As I stated before the hard part is the holding cost of those domains and knowing which domains will become popular. Popularity shifts on a dime. There is nothing that I feel strongly enough to go "all in" on except dot coms. But I am dabbling in everything else. I do think LLLL.coms go up from here. And one words dictionary will climb very quickly as the demand for them is off the charts. The fringes are a crap shoot. Just have to be watching daily to see sparks before the flames come

2. I don't believe in .IN. They will build on .com. They have a different culture than the Chinese and paying up for domains doesn't seem to be a big cultural trait in my eyes. Quite the opposite. They value good value and returns on their money

3. Threats. Changes in navigation are the obvious threat. Even with voice though, you have to have a marker. I think words and numbers will continue to be the markers. Branding and marketing have existed for thousands of years. I think that continues for quite a while. Apps are that. An application. They aren't websites.
 
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Hey there @Domain Shane!
Just wondering if you could sum up your business philosophy in a few short words, what would it be?
 
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Whats up Shane.

What are your last three or four most recent domain sales?

Date of purchase.

Purchase price.

Sales price.

I think this would be a nice inclusion for the members.

Thanks.
Kevin
 
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Hi Shane.. Thanks for your time..

I've read either in your blog/somewhere.. that you also have few other revenue producing websites?

Are those related to your Nursery/Affiliate marketing? n What's your take on domain development? Any thoughts and Ideas? Thanks again
 
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Thanks @Domain Shane

Could you elaborate on numeric domains. Thank you in advance.

Cheers
Corey
 
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How long until robots rule the earth? many thanks.
 
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Hi Shane

What are your thoughts on the .CAM extension? Mostly for the future rather than the present
 
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Hey there @Domain Shane!
Just wondering if you could sum up your business philosophy in a few short words, what would it be?

Good people, good products, have fun, make money

take out any of these and it's a tough day for me
 
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Whats up Shane.

What are your last three or four most recent domain sales?

Date of purchase.

Purchase price.

Sales price.

I think this would be a nice inclusion for the members.

Thanks.
Kevin


Good question. I guess that is how we make money.

Phormium $2500 Purchased in 2013 for $12

Deejo.com $5000 Purchased in 2011 (I think) for $69

S70.com $3300 purchased in 2015 for $1500

I will say I have sold very little domains this year. Probably the least I've ever sold. But I haven' t auctioned hardly anything and been high on my prices (in hindsight I should have let up a little more on a few) But I had a good year last year. Auctioned off some names fall and spring and put money in the buying account and had my one and one more bigger sale that allowed me the money to buy the names I purchased this year that I have posted. I hate to be that guy but I did have one good sale back in Spring and it was my only NDA in the last few years. But it was enough to allow me to not have to sell anything that isn't a great return. Since this is a side gig, once I've reached $50K in sales my prices become tighter because I have the money to feed my buying addiction for the year.
 
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Hi Shane.. Thanks for your time..

I've read either in your blog/somewhere.. that you also have few other revenue producing websites?

Are those related to your Nursery/Affiliate marketing? n What's your take on domain development? Any thoughts and Ideas? Thanks again

They used to be good revenue producing sites but I have let them go (no updates) and they have fallen off the rankings in the last few years. Heucheras dot com, Coneflower dot com, viburnum dot com, and vermicomposting dot com I have a few others that make a few dollar a week.

I think domain development should be treated like running a business. A lot of time and effort needs to be put in. Almost everyone doesn't or they are like me and go all in and then move on leaving the car to rust
 
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Hi Shane

What are your thoughts on the .CAM extension? Mostly for the future rather than the present

I think people use it. I see a future with dot cam with lots of beaches, rivers, and dicks but very little profit
 
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Thanks for sharing. Here's my question (hopefully the answer is educational to all):

You mentioned "threats" above. With a large domain name portfolio, you must get overzealous companies and trademark lawyers contacting you from time to time, to attempt to threaten your ownership of your domains, rather than buy them in good faith. How have you handled those threats over the years, and do you have any interesting "war stories" to share? How do you minimize those risks?
 
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Hi Shane,

Good to see your AMA, great learning for those inclined to do so.

Ironically you and me started at the same time, though you seem to have done way better because you stuck to .com. I wish I'd done the same, but then hindsight is always 20:20.

Here's my question: If you were to start today, knowing what you know now and with a small (say $5k) budget, how would you go about it?

Always been a fan of your work btw, even when I didn't agree with what you're saying, your level of candour is rare in any industry, specially this one, so keep on doing what you're doing, congrats on your success, cheers!
 
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Hi Shane,
you have daily lists of auctions running for years on your blog, covering Sedo, Godaddy and Namejet

my question: based on your experience, in 2017 Which auction platform is better for which kind of domains? 4L | Brandable | Generic | .com | .org | .net

Kind regards,
Halille
 
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@Domain Shane

You are a well known personality in domain community.

Does it give you hard time while making aftermarket domain purchases from domainers?

and

Does it provide you any advantage in terms of sales? As End-user or Reseller point

As far as I know you have been in domaining for a long time. When you compare your investments with the return of investment you made so far in domaining - Did you meet your expectations while starting out domain investment? ( publication profits excluded )
 
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Hello Shane. Just one question here in order to learn from your experiences.

What do you think would be the best strategy to sell a Made-up/brandable 5L .com apart from just passively waiting for incoming leads ?

Thanks for your time here :).
 
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I have to head in to work. Will get to all those great questions this morning
 
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Hello Shane,

I have like 5-6 domains that I am looking forward to selling. I have listed them at sedo and afternic but got no response till date. Where do you suppose I should sell it to get instant offers or customers without investing in auction fee or any other stuff !

Cheers,
Miss Nahdi
 
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Thanks for sharing. Here's my question (hopefully the answer is educational to all):

You mentioned "threats" above. With a large domain name portfolio, you must get overzealous companies and trademark lawyers contacting you from time to time, to attempt to threaten your ownership of your domains, rather than buy them in good faith. How have you handled those threats over the years, and do you have any interesting "war stories" to share? How do you minimize those risks?

I have been fortunate that I haven't had any issues with companies at all. I have been removing my names from parking in order to avoid showing any intent on using other companies that share the name to make money. Also, many of my generics are horticulture related and proving I bought them for such would be easy in my case. In short, it is certainly a huge problem and I understand the importance of protecting generics, I have just been fortunate in that no reverse hijacking has come my way. And my portfolio is small. 500 names or so
 
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