discuss Domain Microfinance Program

[Rob Monster]

As some folks here know, I am a big fan of Digital Empowerment projects that scale.

Over the last year, I have seen lives transformed by people becoming successful domain investors on a bootstrap.

I have been discussing with a few folks about introducing a Domain Microfinance program for emerging economies and for young entrepreneurs.

This could be a Digital Empowerment strategy for helping people to bootstrap domain portfolios. The idea was inspired by a discussion with a young Angolan.

The idea is this:

- People apply to get a microfinance grant. To get the grant, they have to verify their identity. This is done in order to prevent repeat applicants.

- Domains registered are limited to .com. With a budget of as little as $30, right now that is about 5 .com domains at a promo rate of just $5.49.

- The domains are powered by an SSL powered landing pages which domain owners can optimize and then use to sell or lease.

- Once the grant participants generate a certain level of sales or leases, e.g. $100, they can request an interest-free domain loan based on their portfolio.

 

[oldtimer]

“Digital nation”? I know you mean well, but I feel greater potential in “Cayman Islands” of Domains. Lol

Just using that as an example that encompass all people around the World (that's why I said something like that).

 

[Ategy]

In my example it was a first name like 'Bob' 'Kevin' 'Chim Chim' etc with no last name identifier (aka 'full name'). Surely you do not expect a UDRP to get filed (that will end with any actionable decision) when only a first name is used?

That's the hard thing to grab with trademarks with regards to domains. It really isn't black and white .. as such it isn't even really about one name alone vs full names.

What it ultimately comes down to is how close to the other party's mark(s) you are vs how generic the term is.

So effectively First Name (alone) or Last Name (alone) or Business Class/Type (alone) are all far enough on the generic scale that no UDRP panellist or judge is ever likely to see you as trying to profit on someone else. But the more you get detailed/specific, the more likely a panellist or judge is to judge that you acquired the domain based on the (good will) value build by the mark/name holder.

For me .. in the case of First Name + Last Name (combined in a domain), I think it's too unique to justify the holding of the name for any other reason than the value based on someone with that specific name.

Similarly when you have First or Last Name + an obscure or specific business .. then you're very likely going to be seen as targeting that business ...

But when you add the fact you've actually contacted them to try to sell them that specific domain for a profit, then it's so clearly a violation of a UDRP's 3rd requirement that I would question the integrity of any lawyer who would defend you .. as any lawyer who knows anything about trademarks and domains should advise you that the moment you sent them an outbound sales contact, you are in trouble, and more importantly, that you so clearly passed the line for the 3rd UDRP requirement that your case is effectively undefendable (unless you have the same name and business which would lead to the 2nd requirement of a UDRP decision being found in your favour).

At least with Geo's you are mostly safe as long as you are operating within the Geo region in question ... because someone while someone in Montreal could use Montreal Car Dealership, they could never get a trademark on it because Geo's (within the geo region in question) generally aren't allowed in trademarks (for good reason).

 

[Samer]

Just using that as an example that encompass all people around the World (that's why I said something like that).

I know, I was kidding

Let’s be real here, “Cayman islands” phrase has a higher chance of failure,.. it’s too long., reminds me certain company wit base operations, already there...

I’d be more concerned, that company would fight bak than Caymans, who’d prob, love the free advertising.

 

[oldtimer]

If they had to, I like the phrases “empowerment,” “Customers our partners” “Safety” “security“ “privacy.

I have a feeling that Rob probably is going to open a new thread to ask for suggestions.

The theme should be Global and International so everyone can relate to it. IMO

 

[Rob Monster]

I have a feeling that Rob probably is going to open a new thread to ask for suggestions.

The theme should be Global and International so everyone can relate to it. IMO

Thanks, I just need to catch up on some PMs, and then run a poll for our Goodwill domain selection. We are also going to be busy this week interviewing some country manager staff and integrating the weekend acquisition of Troy Rushton's projects. A rebranding initiative is probably a Q1 2020 project.

 

[Ategy]

We are starting to explore some themes around "Digital Empowerment". The higher order aspirational outcome is not "make a buck". It is to be "sovereign". Definitely not wedded to the Swiss bank theme. It was there to convey our blue chip customer-first approach to domain asset management. Anyone who has worked with us knows it is true. It was actually a customer, David Roth, who came up with it.

I can see how using the term really described how you wanted to be seen.

That being said ... that was more in the traditional vision of Swiss banks ... but as far as I know .. while they were known as impartial, by being impartial they also shielded a significant amount of Nazi wealth .. and in recent years they have shielded the wealth of tax evaders and other financial cheats. That has recently changed due to international pressure. So might not be the best choice for a younger generation.

So anyone born before 19?? probably knows what that means .. the younger ones probably need to look it up .. or just assumes it's something good/cool! lol

Personally ... It never really bothered me as I know what you meant.

 

[Rob Monster]

I can see how using the term really described how you wanted to be seen.

That being said ... that was more in the traditional vision of Swiss banks ... but as far as I know .. while they were known as impartial, by being impartial they also shielded a significant amount of Nazi wealth .. and in recent years they have shielded the wealth of tax evaders and other financial cheats. That has recently changed due to international pressure. So might not be the best choice for a younger generation.

So anyone born before 19?? probably knows what that means .. the younger ones probably need to look it up .. or just assumes it's something good/cool! lol

Thanks for the digestible thoughts there, @Ategy.com. We agree. There is a logic positioning pivot to a narrative that is more aspirational and fits with our passion for empowerment and sovereignty.

 

[Ategy]

empowerment and sovereignty.

Definitely attributes that align with you and your vision for Epik ... but bad marketing words as they are a little clunky (empowerment isn't unusable, but the rest of the slogan would need to be very short .. like "Empowering your digital world" or "presence" instead of world).

Honestly, while there are the negatives associated with Swiss Banking that I mentioned above, I think most people get what you mean about "Swiss Bank of Domain Names" .. so I wouldn't rush to get a new slogan just for the sake of changing it. You obviously do need to change it longer term, but unless you have the leader of Switzerland knocking on your door, best to take your time to get it right!

 

[Rob Monster]

Definitely attributes that align with you and your vision for Epik ... but horrible marketing word as they are a little clunky (empowerment isn't unusable, but the rest of the slogan would need to be very short .. like "Empowering your digital world" or "presence" instead of world).

Honestly, while there are the negatives associated with Swiss Banking that I mentioned above, I think most people get what you mean about "Swiss Bank of Domain Names" .. so I wouldn't rush to get a new slogan just for the sake of changing it. You obviously do need to change it longer term, but unless you have the leader of Switzerland knocking on your door, best to take your time to get it right!

We agree. No rush. Measure twice. Cut once.

 

[Ategy]

... No rush. Measure twice. Cut once.

... says the guy who starts and finishes 20 projects a week! lol

Seriously .. do you even remember what a pillow looks like? lol

 

[Rob Monster]

... says the guy who starts and finishes 20 projects a week! lol

Seriously .. do you even remember what a pillow looks like? lol

Oh, sure, coming from the guy who is filling his coffee cup at midnight on the east coast.

For the record, I do stop with the coffee by 10:30 pm. In bed before midnight. And I do sleep like a baby.

All good. When the time comes, will rest in eternity. For now, we have some things to do.

Have you ever listened to Mozart's Requiem? For example, Dies Irae:

Mozart had to have a lot of pieces in his head. As such, I imagine it was easier to write a symphony in long sittings than to do it in short stints over a long period.

As a former developer, I know coders have the same. I call it "code mode". You just crank -- often skipping systems analysis, and go right to data structures, ux, and code objects.

Well, when it comes to assembling an ecosystem of services, I am beginning to think it is a bit similar.

 

[Bravo Mod Team]

I am pleased to announce that we added @Abdullah Abdullah to the team today, based in Yemen and native of Somalia. He will be full-time at Epik from Monday and I believe will play a role here.

More details for anyone who missed it:

@Abdullah Abdullah volunteered as a moderator at NamePros for a number of years. He was very generous with his time to help the community without compensation. Recently, he accepted a paid position at Epik. Abdullah is understandably focusing his attention on Epik now and is no longer a moderator at NamePros as of last week.

We greatly appreciate everything he did for NamePros, and we wish him the best at Epik.

 

[domainer111]

I think it's a viable idea. It just takes one "power" domainer to make the project worthwhile, and cover the losses, which will exist. It's a little bit of "spray and pray" -- but that's life.

 

[frank-germany]

More details for anyone who missed it:

@Abdullah Abdullah volunteered as a moderator at NamePros for a number of years. He was very generous with his time to help the community without compensation. Recently, he accepted a paid position at Epik. Abdullah is understandably focusing his attention on Epik now and is no longer a moderator at NamePros as of last week.

We greatly appreciate everything he did for NamePros, and we wish him the best at Epik.

the question is why does he not reveal it himself?

 

[platey]

As some folks here know, I am a big fan of Digital Empowerment projects that scale.

Over the last year, I have seen lives transformed by people becoming successful domain investors on a bootstrap.

I have been discussing with a few folks about introducing a Domain Microfinance program for emerging economies and for young entrepreneurs.

This could be a Digital Empowerment strategy for helping people to bootstrap domain portfolios. The idea was inspired by a discussion with a young Angolan.

The idea is this:

- People apply to get a microfinance grant. To get the grant, they have to verify their identity. This is done in order to prevent repeat applicants.

- Domains registered are limited to .com. With a budget of as little as $30, right now that is about 5 .com domains at a promo rate of just $5.49.

- The domains are powered by an SSL powered landing pages which domain owners can optimize and then use to sell or lease.

- Once the grant participants generate a certain level of sales or leases, e.g. $100, they can request an interest-free domain loan based on their portfolio.

Most domain name investors have one good domain name worth in excess of £1k

A pawnbrokers that specialises in lending against domain names is needed in the industry and any domain name pawnbrokers would have a team of domain name brokers and flippers and investors almost hoping that a person doesn't pay back the loan because the domain is worth considerably more than the loan against the domain which would almost be free money for the domain name owner if they pawn a domain buck can't pay back the loan so the pawnbroker puts it in 24 hour auction with a starting price of the amount lent plus fees and an investor gets a good domain name cheap

 

[platey]

The domain name Investing community could help get people out of traditional debt by using digital assets which traditional financial organisations cannot currently do

And here's why it needs to be done and how it can be done

Too many people are in a right financial pickle and heavily in debt they will never be able to get out of debt ever but we are also living in one of the best golden era s in history when digital assets can be bought for £10 but are worth considerably more instantly because the world in general is still digitally fast asleep

But domain name brokers if they pooled resources Eg if domain name brokers formed their own company and acted as a digital pawnbroker that could offer domain name investors small loans from £5-10k etc against domain name investors portfolios so that domain name investors can use their digital assets Eg their domain name portfolio as digital collateral to borrow traditional money to pay of traditional debt and get more people out of financial debt because it needs to happen and will happen either via bitcoin or libra coin or domain names all of which are digital assets or digital currency etc none of which traditional financial organisations understand and as such far too many people are waking around heavily in debt needlessly whilst owning digital assets which could be used to pay off their debts and make more people debt free quicker because Facebook and Google advertising dollars are doing just that in as much as giving people financial advertising dollars as a thank you for uploading digital assets Eg vlogs on to their platform etc

Zuckerberg will be able to achieve this even faster with libra coin Eg redistributing the world's wealth by pulling people out of poverty by being able to give them libra coin to pay off debts and live a better life

But it all starts with an idea similar to the idea of op

 

[ERaj]

It is great idea and it will work in developing and other countries where young entrepreneur like to come into domain market place. In today time people looking for good and great option to start with. We know that Financial Microfinance transform the life of millions therefore and it is new vision to transform the life of young entrepreneur in rural, semi-urban area in world through Domains business.

 

[sellnow]

Its need long time to implement in some countries, there are different on culture , local mindset , and many more.