strategy How to Find Potential End Users?

[shilmy]

Hi,

Do any of you has regularly sell your domain to end users? If so, do you mind share with me in this thread on how find potential end users for your domain?

Regards,
Sjarief

 

[weblord]

yeah i send email to them as well using worldcast but sometimes they don't reply so contact form for me are the best, usually they forward it to owner.

 

[nicedomains]

Or, you can typein...
allinurl:tactile.com
This will show mytactile.com, yourtactile.com, thistactile.com...

Oh sweet, I knew there was a trick for that just forgot about it! Thanks copper! rep coming.

 

[gwkg]

And it is better than cold calling because it is much easier for the recipient to open and delete than try and tell you they're not interested.

That sounds like it is better for the prospect than the sales person. I rather be on the phone and have a chance to overcome any objections than have my entire pitch be systematically deleted.

 

[nicedomains]

I am streaky in that sense. For example last month I scored end user sales on multiple domains, this month none even though I have had responses.

I guess I just had to whine a bit as I finally posted my first enduser sale this month. Hopefully this is the beginning of my hot streak! :talk:

The sale was initiated through email, he rejected my first price. Ignored my email to make an offer. Then when I emailed him with my new asking price he accepted. We completed the deal/transfer over the phone.

 

[wimaxfan]

An odd case..

hi friends. I am new in this forum, but I ma impressed of all the info that collected here. I have read this specific tread carefully, because for a month I am wandering what to do.

I have 15 domains and a potential end-buyer for them. This particular buyer bought four domains ( similar to mine) for $2500 each in SEDO. My research shows that they ( they are a very big company, but no TM problems with the domains) have bought over 100 similar domains trough the years. Now I am considering my strategy and one of my ideas is to contact them. But they are using a special firm, MarkMonitor, which business is to protect trade marks in internet and this is the firm that actually buy all of the domain for them.
So, who I have to contact - MarkMonitor or the real end-buer?

I will be thankful for any advice, because it is very interesting situation and I want to play it wise.
Thank you. If you need more details to give me better answer - feel free to ask

 

[Ross]

hi friends. I am new in this forum, but I ma impressed of all the info that collected here. I have read this specific tread carefully, because for a month I am wandering what to do.

I have 15 domains and a potential end-buyer for them. This particular buyer bought four domains ( similar to mine) for $2500 each in SEDO. My research shows that they ( they are a very big company, but no TM problems with the domains) have bought over 100 similar domains trough the years. Now I am considering my strategy and one of my ideas is to contact them. But they are using a special firm, MarkMonitor, which business is to protect trade marks in internet and this is the firm that actually buy all of the domain for them.
So, who I have to contact - MarkMonitor or the real end-buer?

I will be thankful for any advice, because it is very interesting situation and I want to play it wise.
Thank you. If you need more details to give me better answer - feel free to ask

I personally wouldnt contact them at all. There maybe no TM issue but contacting a known buyer may decrease your bottom line. It will make you look like you need to sell. Find out where they are buying the names from, i.e. sedo and list your domains there. If they truely want to buy your name they will find it. Let them make an offer. This is a personal opinion. There are other ways to sell the name to them, this is just what i would do.

 

[wimaxfan]

Yes, the buy at SEDO

I personally wouldnt contact them at all. There maybe no TM issue but contacting a known buyer may decrease your bottom line. It will make you look like you need to sell. Find out where they are buying the names from, i.e. sedo and list your domains there. If they truely want to buy your name they will find it. Let them make an offer. This is a personal opinion. There are other ways to sell the name to them, this is just what i would do.

Yes, the buy at SEDo and I have parked my domains there. In fact there was an offer for two of them ( $600 per piece) but I did not understand who actually had made the offer ( they or other domainer).
What do you think? Do I have to make sites on this domains? Because I can organize it pretty good ( unique content, links to sites with good PageRank etc.) and in a few month the may become more valuable to the end-buyer. Or I am wrong?
Please, share opinions and experience!

 

[JoshuaPz]

After 3 months of experimentation, I've arrived at an e-mail pitch template that gathers a 25-30% "I am interested" response rate when selling to small businesses and non-profits. I thought I should share it with you--

To line: [email protected]
Subject line: For John - someorganization.com website question
Body as follows:
----------
(Please forward this message to Some Organization's management or sales director if you see fit):

Dear Some Organization staff,

I'm (name), a software developer from Boston. I am writing to let you know I currently have the domain name SomeOrg.com available for purchase. Because I am looking to clear out my domain names by the end of September, I would be willing to offer you SomeOrg.com below market value for use with your writers community's online home at SomeOrganization.com

If you would like to consider acquiring this domain name, please reply to this message no later than this coming Tuesday, 8/19. I would be happy to discuss a price that suits your budget. In the event I do not hear from you by that point, I will contact my next SomeOrg.com candidate.

Thanks for taking the time to read this message. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

All the best,
Josh

(Name)
(Company, Position)
(Website URL)

Tel: XXX.XXX.XXXX (US)
E-mail: [email protected]
----------
Replace as follows:
* [email protected] / John - E-mail & name of the sales director of the group you're pitching to. Other options: president, executive director, office manager, CTO, or whatever you can get your hands on if none of the above are available.
* Some Organization - Name of group you're contacting
* SomeOrganization.com - Website of group you're contacting
* SomeOrg.com - Domain name you're selling (usually shorter or more memorable than what the end-user currently owns)
* "software developer from Boston" - Brief description of yourself; something that expresses "I'm not a shady person."
* "end of September" - A date approximately 1-1.5 months following the date you're sending your message
* "writers community" - A 2-5 word description of their group. This is an extremely important replacement since it implies "I'm human" and "I have actually checked out your site and believe this domain will interest you based on my findings." Grab this expression from their slogan, home page, "about us" page, or mission statement; or even better, use your own words.
* "Tuesday, 8/19" -- Give them about 3-5 business days to toss up an initial response. Most of my responders reply within the first two days.
* (Name): Your name
* Replace signature info -- (Company, Position), (Website URL), XXX.XXX.XXXX (US), [email protected] -- with your own title and contact information. Try to get a nice SkypeIn number. Use an e-mail address from your college, business, or one of your professional-sounding developed domains.

I send about 15 of these hand-tailored messages each day at an expense of about 5 minutes each. I usually receive 4-5 replies asking me how much I'm selling the domain for. In response you I either state an asking price or ask the buyer how much he/she is willing to fork out (not in those words, obviously); I'm not yet sure which of these two strategies is superior, as the answer probably depends on the nature of the end-user.

When pitching to larger / venture-backed groups, I usually (1) replace the "I'm (Name)..." with "I hope this message finds you well. I am (Name)..." and (2) add a *short* paragraph quoting a clause from their "about us"-type page, supplemented with an explanation as to why the domain will serve them valuably based on their core mission's description.

Of course, you won't get the 25-30% response rate unless you carefully pre-research the groups you're pitching to and firmly believe the names will appeal to them. Good luck!


UPDATE:
Looks like NPers agree prospects for a sale are higher when you respond to the interested end-user with a price rather than asking them to make an offer. Relevant thread:
http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/503880-how-to-keep-the-negotiation-going.html

Or, you can typein...
allinurl:tactile.com
This will show mytactile.com, yourtactile.com, thistactile.com...

Not a full-proof method since if, for example, if you're selling mountainmetal.com, it won't show mtnmetal.com or mountain-metal matches. Still a great tip though.

 

[wimaxfan]

Thank you

After 3 months of experimentation, I've arrived at an e-mail pitch template that gathers a 25-30% "I am interested" response rate when selling to small businesses and non-profits. I thought I should share it with you--

To line: [email protected]
Subject line: For John - someorganization.com website question
Body as follows:
----------
(Please forward this message to Some Organization's management or sales director if you see fit):

Dear Some Organization staff,

I'm Josh Poritz, a software developer from Boston. I am writing to let you know I currently have the domain name SomeOrg.com available for acquisition. Because I am looking to clear out my domain names by the end of September, I would be willing to offer you SomeOrg.com below market value for use with your writers community's online home at SomeOrganization.com

If you would like to consider acquiring this domain name, please reply to this message no later than this coming Tuesday, 8/19. I would be happy to discuss a price that suits your budget. In the event I do not hear from you by that point, I will contact my next SomeOrg.com candidate.

Thanks for taking the time to read this message. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

All the best,
Josh

Josh Poritz
PresenTense Institute, Founding Fellow
http://www.presentense.org

Tel: XXX.XXX.XXXX (US)
E-mail: [email protected]
----------
Replace as follows:
* [email protected] / John - E-mail & name of the sales director of the group you're pitching to. Other options: president, executive director, office manager, CTO, or whatever you can get your hands on if none of the above are available.
* Some Organization - Name of group you're contacting
* SomeOrganization.com - Website of group you're contacting
* SomeOrg.com - Domain name you're selling (usually shorter or more memorable than what the end-user currently owns)
* "software developer from Boston" - Brief description of yourself; something that expresses "I'm not a shady person."
* "end of September" - A date approximately 1-1.5 months following the date you're sending your message
* "writers community" - A 2-5 word description of their group. This is an extremely important replacement since it implies "I'm human" and "I have actually checked out your site and believe this domain will interest you based on my findings." Grab this expression from their slogan, home page, "about us" page, or mission statement; or even better, use your own words.
* "Tuesday, 8/19" -- Give them about 3-5 business days to toss up an initial response. Most of my responders reply within the first two days.
* Josh/Josh Poritz: Your name
* Replace signature info -- PresenTense Institute, Founding Fellow, http://www.presentense.org, XXX.XXX.XXXX (US), [email protected] -- with your own title and contact information. Try to get a nice SkypeIn number. Use an e-mail address from your college, business, or one of your professional-sounding developed domains.

I send about 15 of these hand-tailored messages each day at an expense of about 5 minutes each. I usually receive 4-5 replies asking me how much I'm selling the domain for. In response you I either state an asking price or ask the buyer how much he/she is willing to fork out (not in those words, obviously); I'm not yet sure which of these two strategies is superior, as the answer probably depends on the nature of the end-user.

When pitching to larger / venture-backed groups, I usually (1) replace the "I'm Josh Poritz..." with "I hope this message finds you well. I am Josh Poritz..." and (2) add a *short* paragraph quoting a clause from their "about us"-type page, supplemented with an explanation as to why the domain will serve them valuably based on their core mission's description.

Of course, you won't get the 25-30% response rate unless you carefully pre-research the groups you're pitching to and firmly believe the names will appeal to them. Good luck!

UPDATE:
Looks like NPers agree prospects for a sale are higher when you respond to the interested end-user with a price rather than asking them to make an offer. Relevant thread:
http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/503880-how-to-keep-the-negotiation-going.html



Not a full-proof method since if, for example, if you're selling mountainmetal.com, it won't show mtnmetal.com or mountain-metal matches. Still a great tip though.

Thank you! i find it very useful I will think about all ideas a couple of day and I may try a shot

 

[Idees]

Thanks a lot for the great post JoshuaPz, it's worth a try.

 

[h3rm4w4n]

Jm3

I have JM3.com
many company use it in their domains.
I send them all short mail. But no one reply it.

Someone in a forum ever offer me five triple premium LLLL.com and 100 USD but I reject it.

Any suggestion ?

 

[doubleboyle]

Thanks for posting that letter Josh. I like it a lot. I am going to modify it to provide an asking price, but I think it looks very effective.

 

[panterrasbox]

Southwest Airlines

I have not visited this thread for a while, but it is one dear to my heart. Here is a little story that is sort of fun...

Several months ago when SWA was fined for safety violations, I thought they might be able to take advantage of AirTravelSafety.org for a PR campaign. So I prepared a two paragraph pitch to send to them, then I called on the phone and asked for the office of the president - Colleen. Since Southwest Airlines does their initial incoming communications by FAX, I Faxed it on over. Within two days I had a personal email reply from one of the upper marketing or PR managers. It was a friendly declination letter stating that SWA was working hard to use their own websites/URLs for their cause. I can understand that, but still think that using a generic URL could help them appear more objective.

Anyway, I was happy to have gotten a response so quickly so that I could move on.

 

[JoshuaPz]

doubleboyle - thanks for the feedback. I actually prefer not to include a price tag in my initial e-mail. Let's say I caught an expired domain for $7.50 using a private drop-catcher -- or even $15 via GoDaddy backorder -- and offer it to all potential end-users at once with a $500 asking price. In reality only one of the end-users is interested, and he can only afford to pay $100; this happens frequently when I sell expired & caught domains. He will either respond to message saying "I'm not interested but thanks anyway" or not reply at all -- most likely the latter -- and you have no clue you could have actually gotten a 10x return on your investment, enough cash to backorder higher-quality domains like FrenchMassage.com or ItalianSubs.com at SnapNames that you could potentially sell for $1000. But if you don't set out a price tag and he responds "what's your price?" and you reply $500 and he says no thanks, you still know he was willing to pay SOMETHING for it. One week later, you could e-mail him saying you've contacted all candidates for the domain and since he is the only one who's responded with interest, you'll sell it to him at a heavily discounted price of $150 and are open to reasonable counteroffers. Negotiations proceed from there.

 

[doubleboyle]

Josh thanks for the insight into your strategy. I can see that not including a price is an information gathering tool. I am going to send out a round of emails soon, so I will post in the thread how it goes.

Rep points added :gl:

 

[EbookLover]

Contacting WebMasters or IT Departments usually only gets a Techno-Geek who thinks that "all domains are only ever Worth Reg-fee" and they never have the authority to make the purchase anyway.

So true. :bingo:

 

[JoshuaPz]

Using the form letter on the previous page, I've managed to notch 7 end-user sales in the last week and a half totaling about $3000. I'll post specifics once these transactions are finalized.

I've also come up with a few tweaks to the strategy I presented in my original post -- also to be disclosed shortly.

Have you guys tried the letter? Had any successes with it?

 

[DNK.it]

Using the form letter on the previous page, I've managed to notch 7 end-user sales in the last week and a half totaling about $3000. I'll post specifics once these transactions are finalized.

I've also come up with a few tweaks to the strategy I presented in my original post -- also to be disclosed shortly.

Have you guys tried the letter? Had any successes with it?

This is a great result! congratz
Need to try your letter in these days

 

[End User King]

So true. :bingo:

Not always true/. I actually seek out these guys more now
and have had great results. Remember the IT staff gets paid
mostly by the job, hence the more domains they have to
develop/forward, etc, the better their bottom line is.

I sold 18 Bed and breakfast domains in one day to the same
end user all using abbreviations + bed and breakfast. The
end user in this case was the IT guy, who thankfully forwarded
my email to the head honcho.

Cheers,
Calvin

 

[Nattydomain]

QUESTION:...

I have a .com domain that is a generic sounding name. it is also the same name for a company in Australia that is using the .au.com version of the domain.

If I offer this domain to them am I looking at losing it since they are using it as their compnay name? Not sure if they have a US trademark on it or any trademark for that matter. How do I approach?

Thanx to anyone who answers