opinion Open Letter To Pro Domainers on NamePros

Thanks for your opinion @biggie. I agree with you that clarity is important. Hopefully I demonstrated that with the examples from a bit earlier in this thread.

I find sometimes bluntness actually hides clarity. Why do they say this name is useless? In my opinion if the answer does not make that clear it is not very helpful.

You mention defensiveness, and not to be defensive , but it is my sincere opinion, based on decades of interacting with individuals from toddlers to senior citizens, and mainly adults, that defensiveness often is a result of an overly blunt opinion that is at least perceived, perhaps not intended that way, as lacking respect.

I agree that it is best if people are not defensive, and that is why I find the NamePros guidelines to find something constructive as well as clearly outlining the parts you disagree with as being very good advice. Those receiving advice should give the respect owed to those who made the effort to respond, even if they disagree with the opinions offered. If lots of people are expressing a different opinion than your own, then you should look at the reasons they give. While you still make the final decision, of course.

Anyway, just my opinion. Everyone should form their own opinion.

Thanks for your contribution,

Bob

MrAcidic said:

If I ask for an opinion on one of my names, I want the truth. I do not want a sugar coated response as this will not help me learn. If it is sh*t then I would rather be told it is and why it is......

A lot of people are just looking for some kind of self justification are not really looking for the truth.

If you want an honest opinion then be prepared to read something you might not like......

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#me too

biggie said:

excessive pacification of individuals

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Excessive Criticism

MrAcidic said:

I do not want a sugar coated response as this will not help me learn.

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Yeah, sugar is bad for health so is Salt or salty persons!

frank-germany said:

#me too

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#U Too!

NP ain't Bible neither thread comments are verses!

Bob Hawkes said:

I find sometimes bluntness actually hides clarity.

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I believe this is the most problematic issue with the "pros" or experts giving advice on NP's. I see it daily, not just bluntness, but disrespectful responses. When this happens it's not just the clarity that is lost, it's also respect. Often times the "bluntness" and disrespect from those giving advice is inappropriately legitimized by telling the reciever that "you need to have thick skin" or "that's the way it is" or "just telling it like it is."

I have mentioned this before, but if "pros," experts, and those knowledgeable want respect, they need to give it. We, as a community, shouldn't tell a reciever to give respect when the advisor is showing none. The respect needs to be shown by the advisor first and foremost. Someone can be very knowledgeable, but if bluntness and lacking respect is in their responses, they are far from PROFESSIONAL. Unfortunately, there is lots of knowledge people here, but fewer PROFESSIONALS.


Edit addition: Its been brought to my attention, years ago, that the reason for the "pros" giving disrespectful responses to new comers is to discourage growing the number of domainers. This is due to many feeling new comers bring competition and higher auction prices.

Internet.Domains said:

Edit addition: Its been brought to my attention, years ago, that the reason for the "pros" giving disrespectful responses to new comers is to discourage growing the number of domainers. This is due to many feeling new comers bring competition and higher auction prices.

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Really! If it's true, then very sad imo.

Internet.Domains said:

I believe this is the most problematic issue with the "pros" or experts giving advice on NP's. I see it daily, not just bluntness, but disrespectful responses. When this happens it's not just the clarity that is lost, it's also respect. Often times the "bluntness" and disrespect from those giving advice is inappropriately legitimized by telling the reciever that "you need to have thick skin" or "that's the way it is" or "just telling it like it is."

I have mentioned this before, but if "pros," experts, and those knowledgeable want respect, they need to give it. We, as a community, shouldn't tell a reciever to give respect when the advisor is showing none. The respect needs to be shown by the advisor first and foremost. Someone can be very knowledgeable, but if bluntness and lacking respect is in their responses, they are far from PROFESSIONAL. Unfortunately, there is lots of knowledge people here, but fewer PROFESSIONALS.


Edit addition: Its been brought to my attention, years ago, that the reason for the "pros" giving disrespectful responses to new comers is to discourage growing the number of domainers. This is due to many feeling new comers bring competition and higher auction prices.

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Something I find interesting in my line of work is that the higher up the corporate ladder I speak to people the more they value "bluntness" I can talk with a manager and have chat before getting around the to the purpose of the call, but when I speak to a CHRO or SVP they want you to get to the point and have no time for niceties.

This is not being rude merely that time is a commodity for successful people and they respect people getting to the point and being articulate about it......people should not mix bluntness for rudeness which a lot of people seem to do.

mAd MaX said:

Really! If it's true, then very sad imo.

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It's the wild west out here. You have to ride like Billy the Kid or get chewed up.

Internet.Domains said:

I believe this is the most problematic issue with the "pros" or experts giving advice on NP's. I see it daily, not just bluntness, but disrespectful responses. When this happens it's not just the clarity that is lost, it's also respect. Often times the "bluntness" and disrespect from those giving advice is inappropriately legitimized by telling the reciever that "you need to have thick skin" or "that's the way it is" or "just telling it like it is."

I have mentioned this before, but if "pros," experts, and those knowledgeable want respect, they need to give it. We, as a community, shouldn't tell a reciever to give respect when the advisor is showing none. The respect needs to be shown by the advisor first and foremost. Someone can be very knowledgeable, but if bluntness and lacking respect is in their responses, they are far from PROFESSIONAL. Unfortunately, there is lots of knowledge people here, but fewer PROFESSIONALS.

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It works both ways. I try to provide helpful information and advice but frequently run into new investors with obvious attitude problems who seem to think they know it all. Many people only seem to want feeback that agrees with their view. It happens all the time in appraisal threads.

I would say it helps far more to be blunt than sugar coat something. At the same time if you are going to say a domain isn't good, at least give a short response on why that is the case. Otherwise it is not very helpful.

Internet.Domains said:

Edit addition: Its been brought to my attention, years ago, that the reason for the "pros" giving disrespectful responses to new comers is to discourage growing the number of domainers. This is due to many feeling new comers bring competition and higher auction prices

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That just seems like some conspiracy theory in my view. Many people don't have some hidden ulterior motive other than helping new investors from wasting money. There are enough opportunities for everyone.

Brad

bmugford said:

I try to provide helpful information and advice

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Yes, you are always respectful. I hold you in high regards.

bmugford said:

That just seems like some conspiracy theory in my view.

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Yes, definitely a theory. I wasn't necessarily agreeing to it, but it has been discussed nonetheless.

Internet.Domains said:

Yes, definitely a theory. I wasn't necessarily agreeing to it, but it has been discussed nonetheless.

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There are two sides to this.

While raising auction prices might limit buying opportunities, it would likely help anyone who already has a quality portfolio by making it that much more valuable.

There are less buying opportunities in the recent years for sure, but I certainly don't mind making sales and waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.

If someone actually has a plan to discourage new investors to limit competition that is rather silly IMO.

Brad

bmugford said:

, it would likely help anyone would already has a quality portfolio by making it that much more valuable

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I am in that camp. Basic economics shows a larger base increases the value through the entire supply chain. Unfortunately, there are many who don't see that.

I ran a poll on that previously, but cant find it. The results were more than surprising, they were startling.

bmugford said:

If someone actually has a plan to discourage new investors to limit competition that is rather silly IMO.

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Agreed.

bmugford said:

There are two sides to this.

While raising auction prices might limit buying opportunities, it would likely help anyone who already has a quality portfolio by making it that much more valuable.

There are less buying opportunities in the recent years for sure, but I certainly don't mind making sales and waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.

If someone actually has a plan to discourage new investors to limit competition that is rather silly IMO.

Brad

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Brad no one has that plan and you know that, again we always hear so many things never a name attached. Who was the person that made the idiotic statement people are trying to keep competition down? Besides the point if you are in .com auctions daily you would be pulling a different kind of conspiracy theory, you would encourage every new domainer to handreg .coms and go big on new gtld domains, they would be depleting their funds and have 0 to compete against you on NameJet, GoDaddy and DropCatch.

equity78 said:

. Who was the person that made the idiotic statement people are trying to keep competition down?

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Oh, boy! Here we go. I guess you are proving my post about "professionals."

Internet.Domains said:

Oh, boy! Here we go. I guess you are proving my post about "professionals."

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Has nothing to do with professional that statement is an idiotic statement, certain statements get no respect or professional courtesy.

I'm not into the conspiracy theory about blunt opinions were deliberately given as way to either lower competition in domain sales or have less domain auction competition. I think that almost everyone who offers advice in that style genuinely feel is helpful. That is why we should respectfully consider it, even if we disagree with the points made.

I just don't think some of the blunt advice is offered in the way that will have the biggest possible impact. If it was more constructive in tone and in particular pointing out precisely (in a learn skills way) why the name is not good it would be more valuable. This is by no means a general statement, and many many people on NamePros go out of their way to indeed back up their opinion with the reasons.

I agree that sometimes those seeking opinions could do better in being open to criticism. Also, it seems to me that if you want an opinion. you should have first done your own detailed analysis so what you are getting is a second opinion. And as I said earlier, always be responsible for your own decisions and only invest what you can afford to potentially lose.

Bob

PS If we offered some blunt advice to Huge Domains do you think we could force them out of the domain market to lessen the competition?

equity78 said:

Has nothing to do with professional that statement is an idiotic statement, certain statements get no respect or professional courtesy.

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Did someone get offended?

Whether people want to call it being straightforward or brutally honest and others don't like that, it's not going to change.

Let's look at a lot of things here,

The post here has many iterations this has been written about a million times, plus many here are giving different perspectives as many have shown through polls they are hobbyists so someone can't be wrong about their hobby.

First off no disrespect to anyone but the people who have sold the most and done the most with domain sales are not regular contributors to Namepros. They did not build Namepros, do some have accounts? Sure to come protect their name if someone speaks out against them or if they feel they have been wronged. But

Ham
Schilling
Berkens
Schwartz
Cohen
Chernoff
Mann
Day
Grant
Strong
Rosener

Don't participate here and don't give advice to newcomers.

I do agree with @Bob Hawkes that there is nothing gained by posting useless, I have always tried to give people reasons and background and examples. So have people like @brad Mugford @Kate @Doron Vermaat and a host of others.

The thing about forum discussions is some assume everyone is seeking the same thing, they are not.

Some just want validation, they are not thinking of someone as an expert and value that opinion more, they just want validation.

The reason why some people are short, I believe is because when you explain things some people then come back with a reply and then you reply and now the string of comments doesn't ever end. Someone might be looking to give you a little advice but not your personal business coach.

The other thing that would help so that anyone giving the advice can understand where the op is coming from would be to present your case.

Instead of saying example .com what's it worth?

Say I registered example.com because I think,

1) these would be companies that could use the domain
2) these are the possible uses
3) these are comparable sales and usage

Then the person responding could understand that's why you regged it and take it from there.

The more info shared the better the discussion, it's the same thing with sales, people want to know

1) How did you negotiate
2) What platform
3) How long did it take to close

It makes things more interesting and can help with getting and delivering better information.

Internet.Domains said:

Did someone get offended?

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No, you can't get offended by people you don't know and statements you don't even believe were uttered.

equity78 said:

No, you can't get offended by people you don't know and statements you don't even believe were uttered.

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Fair enough. Your response just appeared to be defensive, like you were offended. Carry on.

Lastly the advice of anyone means nothing compared to the two entities that tell you if you are doing well in domaining,

Offers in your email
Money in your bank account

All the rest is conversation. Some are here for business, some for conversation and then some are here for both.

There is so much information already here, and to be fair, there is not much new under the domaining sun.

equity78 said:

Instead of saying example .com what's it worth?

Say I registered example.com because I think,

1) these would be companies that could use the domain
2) these are the possible uses
3) these are comparable sales and usage

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^^^ THIS. I agree 100%. I mean maybe not list specific companies in a public forum, but use categories of companies. Also show us that as owner the person asking for an appraisal first did the work in trying to objectively look at the name, find comparators, etc. and then ask for specific help in going to the next step.

Thanks for a great and illuminating post @equity78 - many good points and I very much treasure the reasoned, evidenced and long-term view you bring to NamePros (and through your other writing of course).

Bob

Bob Hawkes said:

I'm not into the conspiracy theory about blunt opinions were deliberately given as way to either lower competition in domain sales or have less domain auction competition. I think that almost everyone who offers advice in that style genuinely feel is helpful. That is why we should respectfully consider it, even if we disagree with the points made.

I just don't think some of the blunt advice is offered in the way that will have the biggest possible impact. If it was more constructive in tone and in particular pointing out precisely (in a learn skills way) why the name is not good in a transferable way it would be more valuable. This is by no means a general statement, and many many people on NamePros go out of their way to indeed back up their opinion with the reasons.

I agree that sometimes those seeking opinions could do better in being open to criticism. Also, it seems to me that if you want an opinion. you should have first done your own detailed analysis so what you are getting is a second opinion. And as I said earlier, always be responsible for your own decisions and only invest what you can afford to potentially lose.

Bob

PS If we offered some blunt advice to Huge Domains do you think we could force them out of the domain market to lessen the competition?

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Bob you are 100% correct and I do not know you personally but I believe you to be a nice man. Some people here plain don't like one another, they are disguising their dislike by saying they are being short and to the point.

Then you have the self loathing domainers, don't really like themselves, don't like domaining but still do it, so when someone makes a post that triggers that self loathing they lash out against them instead of looking inward.

Then some people are just trolls and pricks they are here for the drama.

frank-germany said:

looks like your domains are great
(even though nobody agrees)

good luck

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really appreciate your contributions. Trying my best on the domain name selections

Brands.International said:

If you want to be succesful and be in game for a long time, do not try to get to consensus with other fellow domain investors. Trying that is a straigh road to hell. Period.

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Thats a million dollar worth straight to the point advice. interesting