A goodbye post.

[S-B]

After 3 years, I think it might finally be time to take a step back from the domain industry. I will be liquidating most of my portfolio in the coming weeks. I would be willing to make myself available for some individual consultations but I will largely be focusing on other projects.

There are 2 things that I think are worth emphasizing before I go:

1. This industry needs to change. There are too many leaches. Everyone is trying to sell something that you don't need. Realize that free isn't free and most paid products are not needed. Some tools are worth the subscription fee but most domainer to domainer services and products are crap.
2. There are too many domain "gods." Sure, they have made some money but look deep enough and you'll quickly learn that most know only a little more than you. They are just good at gift wrapping crap. Stop following and start leading.

So if you want a free piece of advice or would like to know about my hopes, dreams, and aspirations... post below. I'm an open book.

Otherwise, it's been fun.

 

[frank-germany]

well before you leave

how much of those 6 figures you earned last year
did you donate to the victims of adam??

I don't want to let you go without
thanking you for that contribution

 

[giliav]

Sorry to see you go Shane. Wishing you luck on your new path.

One thing you wrote really got me thinking:

most domainer to domainer services and products are crap

Can you please elaborate on that?
What would you say is the biggest problem or the most missed tool for domainers?
What service or product is missing to make our domain life better?

I really am interested as it got thinking...

 

[S-B]

I still can't believe the news. Somehow I instinctively knew something was up when I messaged him last night. I will post more of my thoughts on your retirement after the Golden State game. For now, all I can say is @Shane Bellone has inspired me to be a better domainer. He's influenced me to stand up for what is right, despite what negativity it may bring upon me. Fortunately, nobody has attacked my character via hate site as was done to him. Karma has a way of making these things right in the long run.

I will truly miss his presence in the community. I'm just glad I have his contact info so I can still rely on him for both personal and professional advice.

(PS) Thank you again for treating @Beezy and I to that wonderful meal at NamesCon!​

Dinner was fun. Had a great time!

Thanks for the kind words and definitely keep in touch.

Best of luck Shane!

Thanks!

What an awesome inspiring post! @TERADOMAIN
Thank you..

Definitely a good post.

""There are too many domain “gods.”""
gods are created by people ,just like any other god ,

Good luck and Thank you ,greetings from Bali

Thanks!

"gods are created by people ,just like any other god ,"
:P I don't get it..lol

:P

I wish you all the best buddy with your new adventures

It's worth domaining as a side hobby keeping a handful of domains in your portfolio? It's a very nice side earner if you have no urgency to sell?

I probably need to take my own advice lol...

A great quote below: IMO

Show attachment 30910

I'm keeping about 10 names in my portfolio that I fell in love with. Everything else will go slowly.

I appreciate it!

It was nice seeing you here in the community. I may eventually leave the industry after I finish my Bachelor's Degree as well. Currently planning my own product line and I am doing a little bit of stock trading on the side. Entrepreneur at heart is eternal.

Thanks and good luck! The life of an entrepreneur can be quite tough.

Leaving on the top of your seat is best choice.

Good luck in your future.

Thanks!

Good luck mate!

I appreciate it.

Hey Shane,
I really enjoyed your posts over the past year or so, however, what I appreciated the most was how you spoke truth-to-power…those were “Boss” moves.
I wish you well.

Hah. Boss Shane. It has a ring to it, doesn't it?

Does this mean the list didn't work out? ....... ah chips, the good old days

I sent an email out yesterday explaining that I had to close it out and would be refunding any current subscriber with 1+ day left.

Pray to your God and you will get it

:D

What, more clickbait? j/k.... or am I?
*takes off tinfoil hat

Anyways, it's been a fun watch.
Adios. Good luck, SB.

Peace,
Cyberian

Hah. Me? Clickbait? NEVER.

Thanks, man.

I don't see what's so difficult to understand from the OP's position, he's done well short term but prefers to go a different path that leads to a more sustainable career in whatever he ends up going into long term. Frankly the lack of professionalism from some people in this space is sad. I used to work in financial advice and I can guarantee you some people here wouldn't last 5 minutes outside of domaining.

Anyway the OP's decision is pretty smart and sensible if you ask me. Apart from those people old enough and with the foresight to get into domains early and make a packet, % wise very very few make it in domaining long term especially those entering now.

Competition is fierce and getting harder the whole time, those that played the chinese market in the last 6 months only are in big trouble and even if not then you have the new GTLD's coming out the whole time which risks in the long run causing confusion and diluting anything other than ultra premium .coms. Maybe extra regulations will come out one day that makes domaining harder like has been going on in China, who knows etc. etc.

Ultimately I don't see it as a traditional career as such, how many people start out saying from early on this is what I want to do for a living with at some stage possibly a wife/partner and children to support and needing to bring in a regular paycheck? I would think in % next to no one.

Make a success of whatever you do Shane, i'm sure you will!

Great post!

I won't be taking up a traditional career. I just need to work on other things and hopefully build a sustainable business. I just don't see that as a possibility here. It's a fun game but when you do this everyday for 1.5 years it gets tiring. Many people here have done it longer and I tip my hat to them!

Best of luck with everything in the future Shane!

Thank you!

well before you leave

how much of those 6 figures you earned last year
did you donate to the victims of adam??

I don't want to let you go without
thanking you for that contribution

Lol.

Sorry to see you go Shane. Wishing you luck on your new path.

One thing you wrote really got me thinking:


Can you please elaborate on that?
What would you say is the biggest problem or the most missed tool for domainers?
What service or product is missing to make our domain life better?

I really am interested as it got thinking...

My only point is that a domainer simply needs to be armed with a working brain. As some have shown, that's not something we're all born with.

I think tools help expedite the process but they're largely unneeded. If you're churning out good profit with a working system then it's time to invest in applications otherwise doing it by hand makes the most sense.

I think we have too many service options. If companies stopped competing and started serving their customers, we'd all be better off.

 

[trampoline]

Best of luck Shane. Now that you will be retired, we are looking forward to get some of your tips for free
Wish you all the best with your future projects.

 

[domainrz]

It's a sad news bro, Sorry to see you go.
I saw you first on Domainsherpa ITmagazine sales
You started many good conversations threads here, hope you to continue...

Best of Luck to you

 

[S-B]

Best of luck Shane. Now that you will be retired, we are looking forward to get some of your tips for free
Wish you all the best with your future projects.

It's a sad news bro, Sorry to see you go.
I saw you first on Domainsherpa ITmagazine sales
You started many good conversations threads here, hope you to continue...

Best of Luck to you

Thanks to both of you!

 

[Andish]

Moving forward to follow your passion is a GoooooD thing. I enjoyed your opinions, but I'm very happy to see you, or anyone else, making such a decision to grow, to get in touch with inner drive. I'm sure you will grow with your passion.

 

[S-B]

Moving forward to follow your passion is a GoooooD thing. I enjoyed your opinions, but I'm very happy to see you, or anyone else, making such a decision to grow, to get in touch with inner drive. I'm sure you will grow with your passion.

I'm glad you understand and I appreciate your support. Life is all about passion. Need to realign my life with something that excites me.

 

[Michael Ehrhardt]

good to see you leaving - finally

can you convince

Wot
Kate
Iowadog
Cyberian
Ted T.
tommiko
domain hacks
sofiapartner
Brandnow

and some others to do the same ?

 

[GoKaizen]

Stepping back is a good thing, Shane. It should be everybody's goal.

Domaining only exists because there are better things to do, more important projects to work on ... with domains or without them. That's why end users buy in the first place - because they're passionate about something else.

People with ambition and talent always want to move beyond domaining. Whether they dabble in domains or do it full time, flipping domains should never be seen as a long-term career. That's a hamster wheel, a prison sentence. Find a better dream!

Frankly, the domain industry is often dysfunctional and demoralizing. Although there are good people in this space, they tend to be scattered. Most of us find it more enjoyable to work with clients or coworkers as part of a team ... with a shared mission.

In contrast, domaining is solitary. Some of the people we interact with are even a bit sleazy. So I wouldn't blame anybody for wanting to focus energy elsewhere. In fact, I'd encourage it! There are negative and positive reasons for wanting something else, something more. Domaining can get in the way of real accomplishments.

Making money is alright. However, so many domainers are fixated on that goal that the overall culture is better in other industries, where professionals show more courtesy, act with a pinch more integrity, and contribute to building the future.

Domaining has a lot going for it. Personally, I'm not pessimistic about this industry. But domain names are just a stepping stone. 200 years from now, none of the internet we see will matter or even make sense. People step across the domain market when they do something real. If we only flip domains, then we're stuck as something to be stepped on, left behind, and ultimately forgotten.

Sane domainers use domains and the domain industry as a stepping stone themselves ... as a portion of a bigger journey.

Have you worked with people you don't like? Bad team players? Etc.

Have you run SEO campaigns and gotten calls everyday from a client, "Why aren't we 1st in Google?"

'Real businesses' are no easier.

 

[frank-germany]

'Real businesses' are no easier.

yes thats why I think of domaining as a hobby

 

[Abdillahi Abdillahi]

All the best Shane . Never expected of course and for sure you will bw missed. You are one of those good people I got the chance to know on NP. I am sure I will reach you out if I need something

 

[S-B]

good to see you leaving - finally

can you convince

Wot
Kate
Iowadog
Cyberian
Ted T.
tommiko
domain hacks
sofiapartner
Brandnow

and some others to do the same ?

You could learn something from Kate but instead you chose to be an arrogant know it all.

 

[New2Domaining]

Even though we haven’t talked much Shane I’m sorry to see you leave (or take a break from) the domain industry but it’s AWESOME to know you are pursuing your passions and moving forward in life. Best of luck in all your new endeavors!


P. S. - If and when you do return to Domain Land I will look forward to the ruckus I’m sure you will cause

 

[Serengeti]

I wish you all the best and May The Force be with you. As they say in the bush down under the equator , some people are good to have around the camp fire only... and some you can rely on when you are on the trail and Sh** hits the Fan.. Thank's for all you have done for all NP members and those beyond.

It's Appreciated Bwana Shane.

 

[nitg16]

Best of luck Shane. I am sure you will be successful in your future endeavors.

 

[Michael Ehrhardt]

You could learn something from Kate but instead you chose to be an arrogant know it all.

Are you kidding ?
Learn from Kate is the Joke of the year

 

[sofiapartner]

Are you kidding ?
Learn from Kate is the Joke of the year

I was shocked when I saw my name in one basket with Shane and Kate, but then I saw that you are the IDN Scammer. I thought that you were banned.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/mixed-script-fake-idn-on-sedo.850382/

And to be on topic - good luck, Shane. I never liked you because of your ethics in domaining (Flippa and stuff) but I hope you will find something you love. Have fun.

 

[19domain]

good luck on your new projects.

 

[S-B]

I was shocked when I saw my name in one basket with Shane and Kate, but then I saw that you are the IDN Scammer. I thought that you were banned.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/mixed-script-fake-idn-on-sedo.850382/

And to be on topic - good luck, Shane. I never liked you because of your ethics in domaining (Flippa and stuff) but I hope you will find something you love. Have fun.

The feelings mutual but thanks. :P

good luck on your new projects.

Thanks!