Domain Selling Pitch - Short or Descriptive?

[JamesCrew]

Hi there,

So far I have read a bunch of mixed opinions when writing a sales email for domain selling pitch.

Most domainers insist on keeping the email short; some even say to keep it within few lines. And I have also seen domainers who suggest to add as much details of a domain as possible to educate potential buyers.

So my confusion right now is, what should I follow?

Personally I am in favor of writing descriptive emails. I feel important to mention few key aspects of the domain and its stats to the potential buyer so that I can gain their interest and it can also help in convincing them to purchase the domain. But then again, I also have to keep the email short as there's a possibility of irritating the reader too.

So what do you guys and gals recommend? Writing a two line pitch OR a descriptive email (within a limit of course)?

And what would be the word count of the email pitch you recommend? 100 words, 200 words or etc.?

Thank

 

[infosec3]

I always keep it short. No more than 50 words.

 

[tomcarl]

[edited for index]

If it's an obviously better domain to something they are already using (i.e PictureApp.com, they are using Picture-App.com, or the .net) I'd keep it short.

If it is the same industry and is obviously a good name but has nothing to do with their current domain, I'd make the pitch a little bit longer and share some ideas of how it can be used.

 

[JamesCrew]

My thoughts exactly.

I have this keyword domain I purchased last year (three word generic .com domain) and I was planning to pitch it to medium to big players of the industry, and I was not able to keep my email less than 200 words.

I opened the email mentioning about their industry and its scope in the coming few years and then on and on.

Hope I am on the right track so far.

 

[Name Trader]

I think most experienced domainers, will say keep it short. It's mostly the inexperienced domainers which suggest a descriptive sales pitch. Why does any domain buyer buy a domain? Most of the time it's because they like the domain and they can see using it for their business. They don't need to be convinced that they should buy the domain. They see it and they want it, is about as simple as it gets. Usually, no stats or strategy needs to be supplied. They just get in the way, more often than not.

 

[Asfas1000]

If you are good with words, you may be able to combine the two : short + descriptive

 

[tomcarl]

I think most experienced domainers, will say keep it short. It's mostly the inexperienced domainers which suggest a descriptive sales pitch. Why does any domain buyer buy a domain? Most of the time it's because they like the domain and they can see using it for their business. They don't need to be convinced that they should buy the domain. They see it and they want it, is about as simple as it gets. Usually, no stats or strategy needs to be supplied. They just get in the way, more often than not.

I remember making a thread about this a short while back.

Yes, mostly everyone says short emails are best and I'll agree that certain domains should only use short emails, and if someone doesn't have experience or is good at conveying a concept, they shouldn't bother elaborating on a domain.

I'll give a quick example of one domain that is an exception to the short email rule, but there's been many similar examples I could share that I had the same exact results:

I've been pitching a 2-word regfee domain (SendGirls) to escort agencies in the US. When I contacted (And I contacted a lot) of possible end users leaving the domain name at face value in the email...I got Zero responses, nothing.

On my next batch (less than half of the amount of emails sent from the first batch) I added a couple of ideas about how the domain can be used:

I explained that anyone can lose a business card, or it can be easy for a client to forget lasvegasescortnetwork.com (example), but almost no one can forget something as generic, straightforward and simple as "Send Girls"

I explained how if they wanted to acquire a phone number like this (which is something they often do), they'd spend thousands, and with recurring costs.

I explained that worste case scenario: if SendGirls would save them only 1 or 2 repeat clients within a year or even 2 years of owning it, the name pays for itself and then some.

And I explained that there is no better obvious choice of a name for a mobile app should they ever decide to make one down the road, unless they spent 5 figures or more.

After sharing these ideas....

Almost Immediately I started getting "How much?" responses, and an immediate $200 offer (I paid $1.17 with a coupon) which I'm trying to negotiate higher and it seems he's open to it (left me his number to call him at the end of the week).

Immediate difference, whereas all the emails I sent before (more than double amount) that shared no reasons to own the name in the email, managed to get zero responses back, and I don't blame them.

I think this is a perfect example of how certain names have to have ideas that come with them and are expanded on. Not pitched like a used car salesmen with a bunch of fluff, but giving legitimately good ideas and reasons why they should own the name and summed up in as few words as possible while making strong points, it won't hurt.

Again, if you're selling something obviously worth owning, leave out the examples of why it's good to own, they should know already. If it's a solid brandable name and you have good ideas for it, share them.

 

[tomcarl]

And I just realized the above message looks like a book which people who say send short emails probably won't read, but I type *very* fast and I'm from NY so I talk fast. lol

 

[Pattern]

What's good about books is that lots of time they're super informative

And I just realized the above message looks like a book which people who say send short emails probably won't read, but I type *very* fast and I'm from NY so I talk fast. lol

 

[Name Trader]

Well there are always exceptions to every method of doing things. Nothing I say should be fixed in stone. But I still say the recommended method is to stay short and sweet Maybe it was inappropriate for the case you quote. If the sale is still ongoing, good luck with the sale.

 

[JamesCrew]

@stub, appreciate your input a lot. I personally think or you can say I have a thing for keeping the email descriptive but within limits of course. I think there should be 'some' attraction in the email other than only pitching the domain name. We also need the reader to 'take action' (or buy the domain in other words) so we have to point out to the potential buyers a bunch of options on how they can use the domain.

@tomcarl, I agree 100% here with your valuable points..

If I have a domain 3-4 words (generic/keyword) I simply have to highlight its uses for a business owning 1-2 word domain name. In cases like these, I kind of deem it essential to stay descriptive yet to the point, mentioning possible ways how a potential buyer can use this domain for the promotion of their business.

Of course if I have something exclusively brandable like for example: mycar.com, then the domain will sell itself without putting much effort in the email content.

 

[Name Trader]

@JamesCrew - Could you give an example of a 4 word domain you might consider pitching to a 2 word domain business. If not real, then hypothetical. Also a sample of the sales pitch you would use? Thanks.

 

[JamesCrew]

Sure, I used to have couple of cloud storage domains last year and the one I am about to pitch to potential buyer also belongs to the same niche.

So I would go with that example. Let's suppose the domain is: Online / Files / Storage /dot/ com/.

Email pitch goes something like this:

Hi,

I am MyName and I represent MyCompanyName

//Then I have included 2-3 short sentences covering some latest trends in the cloud storage industry and how it is expected to boom in the coming years.

//In the next line, I have given the buyer some quick info about the domain like: domain length, ppc bidding, search engine competition and etc.

//Next, I tried to motivate the buyer by mentioning that I am emailing to 'several potential buyers' so that they should act fast. I also mention the value of good domain names and then I mentioned a deadline date till the domain will be available for offers. (This part goes pretty descriptive)

I then close my email by asking them to contact me for further information.

Hope I didn't mess things up here. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Best,

 

[tomcarl]

IMO. Carefully choose your wording when trying to create a sense of urgency because many buyers will get turned off that you're telling them you are shooting off the same offer to 200 other people at the same time. Some don't like to be rushed. To create urgency you should explain that it's time sensitive and why....

A good motivator:

There are several companies competing for the exact keywords within this domain and I believe UsedTextBooks,com will serve to (Company name)'s advantage.

Please let me know either way if you would like to own this name. I can leave UsedTextBooks.com up for your consideration until 1/24, after then I'll begin presenting the name to other companies which may have interest in owning it.

You are creating a sense of urgency while at the same time being considerate of their time and giving them a couple of days to think about it.

Also "Please let me know either way" = amazing how only 2 words can be so powerful. Either way = You are conveying confidence in the name and that you personally do not care if they want the name or not.

A truly Good sale should leave the buyer feeling thankful to you at the end, not the other way around. I've gotten a Christmas card in the mail from one of my buyers (that was surprising!)

I think most domainers write their pitches too eager for the sale, instead put in you're mind when sending your emails that you are helping people.

You're helping companies to expand, you're making things easier for them. Domainers do a good service. We should think of ourselves as Domain / Business Idea Consultants.

 

[Name Trader]

@JamesCrew and @tomcarl. I find this a very interesting conversation. I like

We should think of ourselves as Domain / Business Idea Consultants.

But @JamesCrew, I'm sure the owner of CloudStorage (example only) knows the trends and other stuff, you are telling them, and they can achieve most of the stuff in your selling points by improving their SEO. Their only interested in a 3/4 word come domain would be if it had significant quality traffic they could redirect to their existing domain. Am I wrong? Where you might get a sale would be if their two word domain was actually inferior to your 3/4 word domain, when they might switch to it. But if I was them, I'd try to find a better 2 word domain. I'm of course assuming you are selling to an existing business.

 

[JamesCrew]

@JamesCrew and @tomcarl. I find this a very interesting conversation. I like But @JamesCrew, I'm sure the owner of CloudStorage (example only) knows the trends and other stuff, you are telling them, and they can achieve most of the stuff in your selling points by improving their SEO. Their only interested in a 3/4 word come domain would be if it had significant quality traffic they could redirect to their existing domain. Am I wrong? Where you might get a sale would be if their two word domain was actually inferior to your 3/4 word domain, when they might switch to it. But if I was them, I'd try to find a better 2 word domain. I'm of course assuming you are selling to an existing business.

Good points shared @stub. My point here is to target companies who have similar domains like their main business domains. Now we all know companies invest in buying relevant domains similar to their actual domain to reduce (and protect) competition, and that is exactly my main focus right now, to target companies who have bunch of domains redirecting to their main site.

It also tells us that the company 'value' generic/keyword domains and that's why I am confident about my approach. Still, a lot to learn from pros like yourself.

Thanks,

 

[Name Trader]

If they are buying domains to protect their brand, they don't need any of that statistical stuff. Only IMHO.

 

[Pattern]

It's very simple, either they want it or not. Don't waste time on dead leads.