discuss Logical Outbound Discussion

[ThatNameGuy]

There seems to be a lot of conversation and consternation around inbound marketing of domains vs. outbound. Domains sold strictly via inbound might be considered, "Buy and Hold" or "Buy and Hoard", while outbound marketing is more of a progressive/aggressive approach.

As a business guy with almost 50 years of marketing/selling experience (see my Linkedin bio here on NP via information page). In my prior business life, 80% of my sales have been a result of outbound efforts. Much of it has been a result of what has been traditionally referred to as "cold calling" which seems to be a lost art with the advent of the internet.

Domain professionals here on NP and elsewhere seem to think outbound marketing won't work, although they claim to have tried it, and FAILED miserably Personally I believe it will work, "if" done right. In my case, the first thing I need to do is attract a savvy technical individual who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain. By that I mean they are either unemployed, are a visionary or are an entrepreneur like me.

btw, there isn't just one way to succeed at outbound marketing. Targeted email marketing is one way, direct mail marketing is another and phone sales and follow up is another way. All three of these techniques still work today in other industries, and there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to work in the domain industry imo.

I'm not asking NP members why outbound won't work, but rather why outbound will work. If some of you think it can work, I would like to hear from you. I'll start with "targeted" outbound marketing, for if you don't know your target, you're sure to fail.

Let's revolutionize domaining like the Wright Brothers revolutionized travel. What do you say This can't be that hard...or can it?

 

[Joe N]

Rich, I think you're misunderstanding the advice you've been given.

No one is saying outbound doesn't work. There are several domainers here on NP that employ outbound marketing tactics successfully. I myself realized my largest sale to date last year thanks to direct outbound marketing.

The advice you were given was that the style of name you typically register is very difficult to sell via outbound methods. You tend to buy names with the intention of selling them as promotional/campaign names, or as clever names for startups in a specific industry. It's very difficult to target specific buyers for these names, since you're selling an idea/concept instead of an actual need.

MakeMyShave.com is a great example. You approached the Dollar Shave Club with the name because, hey, they're a shaving products company so they must be interested in this subjectively appealing name for a shaving promo/campaign, right? This approach is akin to trying to sell someone a new bicycle, when they aren't looking for one, because they happen to have two legs. Yes, you may eventually find someone willing to buy... but how much of your time and resources will be used up in the attempt? And how much will you ultimately make from the sale? The cost/benefit model doesn't work.

The best outbound names are very often names that match an exact product or service. When you have the right type of these exact match names, and you approach the right buyers, you're presenting them with an actual need/opportunity to enhance their brand authority and decrease competition online. For example: selling RunningShoes.com to Nike.

Now the issue with these domains is that it can be very difficult to acquire quality outbound-worthy names for cheap. This in turn means that you typically end up putting in long hours of searching and emailing/calling in order to make sales in the low to high $XXX range. Can it work? Yes, but you need to hustle your butt off and you absolutely need to be well-educated on what types of names will sell. It's a volume game (if you want to make decent money at it), and you need to be very well-organized; this includes ensuring all your names are listed on landing pages, and setting up a professional storefront-type presence.

The names you own might very well appeal to certain buyers, but your odds of finding them through targeted marketing is very very low. In most cases, they will come to you, and you'll get the best prices from these inbound enquiries because these buyers are willing to pay for the name they want. This is what @Rob Monster was trying to tell you.

 

[Ategy]

As a business guy with almost 50 years of marketing/selling experience (see my Linkedin bio here on NP via information page). In my prior business life, 80% of my sales have been a result of outbound efforts. Much of it has been a result of what has been traditionally referred to as "cold calling" which seems to be a lost art with the advent of the internet.

In my case, the first thing I need to do is attract a savvy technical individual who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain. By that I mean they are either unemployed, are a visionary or are an entrepreneur like me.

Why don't you just do it yourself?

Seriously .. If you're such an amazing business person .. just do it! If you're half as persistent at brokering your own domains as you are at boasting about your skills/accomplishments, and as you are at looking/fishing for partners/brokers/workers/helpers, then instead of wasting time with all these self-glorification/fishing posts .. maybe you'd sell a domain or two ... and maybe even one of your big business plans.

 

[bmugford]

Every one of these threads goes the same way...

1.) Talk about how great I am.
2.) Namedrop to make me seem more important and credible.
3.) Spam a bunch of unrelated domains I own.
4.) Talk about how everyone else is a "hoarder", but not me the guy with 1500+ domains and no sales.
5.) Talk about how messed up the domain industry is and how I have all the solutions.
6.) Belittle, insult and demean others; people who have actually had success in the field.
7.) Try to find a "technical partner". AKA someone who does all the work, when all I bring to the table are marginal domains and unrealistic ideas.
8.) Rinse and Repeat.

Dunning-Kruger.

 

[Joe N]

There's actually a wonderful guide to outbound marketing by @rohitgoyal here:

https://www.namepros.com/threads/outbound-process-for-beginners.1101291/

Definitely worth a read if you're looking to really get into doing outbound.

 

[Recons.Com]

To complement your strength... And what are those? Your hand reg names? If one is a visionary or tech guy or skilled seller or combo, he doesn't need you. He can make his own portfolio and keep 100%. He would collect better collection too.

 

[Joe N]

Thanks Karmaco...I wasn't necessarily referring to traditional "cold calling", but rather cold emails, direct mail and trade shows etc that are regularly attended by executives in each of the industries I've mentioned I'm intimately familiar with. It's been my experience most people and that includes "end user's) don't know this industry exists leaving the door open to a savvy seller.

I think perhaps there's a perspective issue happening in relation to your comment that I bolded above.

You're implying that if end users were familiar with the domain aftermarket, they would be more likely to want to buy additional domain names for higher-than-reg-fee prices. I think the opposite is true. If business owners were more familiar with the market, they would be more savvy as buyers, and would be less likely to pay end user prices... instead seeking opportunities to acquire names at re-seller prices.

The complexities of profitable domain name buying and selling, and of knowing how to seek out desirable names, is exactly what allows there to be end user pricing. The service we provide is one of discovery and procurement. If buyers become familiar with this industry, why bother dealing with us?

Additionally, Rich - I think you're viewing domain name sales as being comparable to the selling of other goods and services. The two cannot be compared, because most businesses don't perceive domain names as a need. This is a completely opposite attitude to debt collection services, where you would be approaching companies who already make use of such services, but you're selling them on why yours is better (i.e. cheaper commission, better conversion, or any other way where value is easy to see).

Buyers don't need domain names until they decide they need them. They cannot easily be shown the value of buying more.

And in the case of marketing aftermarket names to agents, doctors, or other graduates who are starting businesses... how do you propose to convince them that your recently registered $2,000 name is 200 times better than another clever name they could hand reg themselves? Where is the value to them?

 

[Ategy]

Like with another one of the cabal...i didn't read beyond your first sentence

You've been disrespectful, belittling and name-calling to myself, others and the industry as a whole for over a year now. But honestly, because who you've consistently proven yourself to be, and show your character to be, I actually take it as a compliment when you insult me! HOWEVER .. it's your infantile child like behaviour of completely refusing to even read constructive criticism and advice that paints you as a truly lost cause and the picture definition of "ignorance is bliss"! You act like an ostrich not just with his head in the sand .. but with his whole body a thousand miles under concrete! It's tragic how afraid you are to even face logic and reason!

From the start I've consistently offered helpful advice. Taken my personal time to give you personalised opinions even in private. Then you turn around and wrongly include me in some imaginary group who you seem to think has some personal vendetta against you. I keep trying to tell you .. it's not you I'm attacking .. it's your flagrantly flawed ideas THAT MUST BE CHALLENGED BECAUSE THEY ARE DANGEROUS to other new domainers who might get the wrong idea of how to best move forward. I've always made a point to give clear and detailed explanations each and every time I disagree with you. I've said time and time again that what you're trying to do is business development and not domaining, and that you might be better suited going to a general business / start-up forum than staying in a domaining focused forum.

For all I know you might get one of your wild-and-woolly ideas to make money one day .. but as I've told you time and time again .. it won't be because of the domain .. and 99% of the value of any such developed business will be because of everything EXCEPT for the domain. Yes .. a cool domain can spark a cool business idea .. but you wrongly associate the value of your elaborate business ideas to their respective domains .. it's a mistake most, if not all, new domainers make. A reality you not just refuse to accept .. you refuse to even read or acknowledge as a possibility!

Associating the value of a potential not-yet-funded or not-yet-existent business to a random domain IS FISCALLY DANGEROUS AND WRONG (and it's never even a "must-have industry term" or the only domain that could be used)! Your continuing to make posts insinuating such value to you your domains gives newcomers a very misguided strategy on how to be a domainer. And YES .. each and EVERY time you continue to make such posts, I will continue to post why it's wrong .. not for the sake of arguing against you (because you've admitted MULTIPLE TIME that you don't even read) .. but for the sake of helping new domainers not follow your misguided path. What makes it even worse are your constant claims of self-grandeur .. nobody cares about what you did 30 years ago .. particularly after you've said it for the 200th time .. again .. it only points to your pathetic attempts at desperation .. trying to make yourself look better than everyone else so that you might trick someone to invest in your domains or ideas, or to get a broker to work for you.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/broker-needed.1160721/#post-7461648
https://www.namepros.com/threads/wh...r-brandables-here.795094/page-50#post-7350562
https://www.namepros.com/threads/broker-commissions-and-the-extra-mile.1159433/page-4#post-7459074
https://www.namepros.com/threads/an...or-sale-in-publications.1135200/#post-7223764
https://www.namepros.com/threads/homes-re-released.1118934/page-29#post-7242016
https://www.namepros.com/threads/political-domains-and-events.1129640/#post-7167313
https://www.namepros.com/threads/any-brokers-who-go-above-and-beyond.1138516/

Beyond that, all you do is boast about your past .. how you did this and did that .. and how you got a few people to invest thousands of dollars in your domain schemes. You boast about how you talk with all sort of big names in the industry like @Rob Monster and other executives at some of the registries .. but then you trash talk them later when they don't get on board with your (ill-conceived) plans.

You have all these wild ideas like going to conventions, etc .. but conveniently never include the actual costs ... then when I or others do put forth the ACTUAL MATH to prove you wrong time and time again .. you just ignore the evidence and "don't read past the first sentence". You're a grown man .. maybe it's time you start to act like one!

Even now you talk .. you come up with a million reasons to avoid the very foundational question ... If you think outbound will work, and you can't stop boasting and self-glorifying about how amazing you are and how much sales experience you have .. THEN .. WHY DO YOU NEED SOMEBODY ELSE TO YOU PICK UP A PHONE OR WRITE AN EMAIL ??? Just DO IT! Heck .. not all your domains are complete garbage .. you might even make a sale!

As for your idea of giving away domains .. it's just absurd .. most domains sold never get developed .. so you'd need people to give you 10x over what should already be a 50x-200x+ mark-up. Again .. the math just does NOT work unless you're buddies with millionaires, and then it's basically a lottery ticket. Worse yet is that if people get a domain for free, then they'll be even less likely to actually make an effort to do something with it.

At the very least .. please delete BoBoWings and register BobosWings .. get the proper grammatically correct English version! It's still available at $7.49 at Epik or $8.49 at GoDaddy .. maybe even $1.99 at Network Solutions with a coupon if you prefer!

If you got this far .. PLEASE .. take a minute to look in the mirror and see how you've done nothing but belittle and insult people who have taken the time to try to help you understand that we think you're making costly mistakes. It's not in my or anyone's interest to constantly waste time repeating the same things over and over again.

At the very least read and try to understand our advice .. and if you're not going to properly communicate like an adult (which again .. includes listening/reading opinions different from your own), then please, on behalf of everyone at NamePros, please choose to participate at a more relevant venue .. I honestly and genuinely suggest one focused more towards business development. Otherwise please take the time to try to understand other people's perspectives and views. Also, please stop with the self promotion and self-glorification .. it just makes you look desperate .. and more importantly, when you turn to that instead of rational constructive arguments and reason, it just show how disingenuous are are at actually participating in constructive dialog and debate.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do .. because in the end the more people who succeed with domains, the better it is for the industry as a whole.

 

[NamesMax]

@ThatNameGuy, I make this post hesitantly since it may seem, to some, as braggadocious. However I want you to see that, in many ways you and I have similar backgrounds.

As you, I too have started, bought, sold and named several business in my life; employed hundreds of individuals, attended and displayed at international trade shows; met many famous people including authors, actors, CEO's of publicly held companies, even a Vice President of the United States. Does that make me any better suited to be a domain investor? NO

Each business I have entered has unique characteristics that need to be addressed; some that overlap other industries, others not. You say you were into medical billing. Even in subsets it would take different strategies and skill sets to successfully profit in that realm. If by medical billing you are referring to managing the invoicing and insurance reimbursements of doctors, hospitals or labs, it would be a whole different mindset than if you were collecting the unpaid medical invoices of patients that are not paying those invoices, for whatever reason.

Regarding trade shows and giving names away, I have never mentioned this on NP before, but 2 years ago I was approached (inbound) by a startup tech company for one of my brandable names. They felt it was a great match to what they were developing. While we agreed on it's worth, it was more than this startup could fund. I did not give the name away and hope that they would be nice to me. Instead we exchanged the name, and some consulting work, for a 1/3 equity in the business. This was later diluted to 20% when we sold other equity to a deep pocket investor. The business has not crossed into profitability yet, but I am sold on the founders vision.

This time last year, we (the new start up mentioned above) were setting up at the National Association of Realtors Show in Boston. For a small exhibit space, we invested over $20,000 in rental, freight, travel, lodging and food. Obviously this would not be feasible for a domain investor to do to market names. So maybe your intent is to be at the show as an attendee and network to find homes for your names. Unless you are there for other business purposes, you would still be multiple thousands of dollars and thus would not be feasible.

Your original post was about "Logical Outbound Discussion" but went off on these rabbit trails. Despite my background I have had a zero success rate at outbounding GEO names, which should be the easiest to outbound. If you have a better mousetrap to do it, then my hat is off to you. I suggest you get going on it and show the industry how to effectively do it. You say that you are looking for a person to work with. In my experience, If you can not find a suitable Joint Venture partner, I suggest that you hire the tech person that you want. Believe in your plan.

Others: please forgive my listing my background and name trade like this. I wanted the OP to understand that there are other domain investors here that come from business background.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

I try to not participate in, or comment on, discussions that have become personalized. But perhaps I should say something. This is my opinion which I offer as nothing more than that, one person's opinion...

• I think we should to the degree possible try not to personalize issues. This means not boast about past personal success, except recently making a notable domain sale, nor try to make an argument centred on the person making a suggestion . If an idea is bad it can clearly be shown to be so based on logic and evidence. We should discuss ideas not personalities.
• It is never correct to be rude or condescending in my opinion. It is not correct to call names. Even if you feel provoked, it is not right. I am sorry if you disagree, but I am stating my opinion.
• Always ask yourself: Why am I starting this thread? Does a thread on this topic already exist? Do I have specific insights to offer? Am I wanting to get other ideas on an opinion? Am I trying to promote one or more of my domain names? If the latter, you should not be starting a thread.
• If you are seeking opinion, it is your duty to carefully read all serious views expressed.
• It is not helpful or, in my opinion, ethical to drop names, relate information from private discussions, etc. on a public forum.
• While many slip in our own domain names to a discussion now and then, we should not repeatedly mention our own domain names in threads. There are numerous highlight threads devoted to specific niches which we should use for that purpose.
• We should be open to new ideas, even ones that at first seem crazy. Most will be wrong - the same as in science, startups, and many other areas of life. But the few that will be correct can be life changing. That said, it is totally appropriate to apply critical thinking to new ideas proposed.
• While no one can read everything, when starting threads I think there is a higher responsibility to have done at least some reading in an area.
• By no means do you need to agree with points or suggestions made in response. However, I think it is helpful when at the very least we read them carefully, thank the sender for the effort in the response, respond positively to the parts one agrees with, and then unemotionally and politely express why you disagree with other parts. We can disagree without being disagreeable.

NamePros have a superbly written item on professional interaction.

Bob

 

[karmaco]

I skipped all stuff above but keep this in mind regarding:



That's actually illegal in some parts of the EU. Just so you know.

Yes illegal in some parts. The reason its a lost art is nobody likes to be “sold” or hounded to buy something they didn’t ask for. Thats a 1950 brain stance and how old school marketing in general has a very bad rap.

The current marketing models that have more success with newer generations establish a relationship and familiarity FIRST via campaigns,social media, you tube, etc THEN try to sell.

Some domainers function this way as well on Linked In, Facebook, etc. to get their names out there to the right people, The right people often don’t like marketers so its a fine line to walk. Domain sales are not like other sales in that value is not easily persuadable. They either see the value or they don’t. The best marketing tactics are subtle not aggressive IMO. They need to think they made the find or decision not you shoving it down their throat.

Outbounding can work but its a hell of alot of work for a relatively small payout.

 

[rohitgoyal]

There's actually a wonderful guide to outbound marketing by @rohitgoyal here:

https://www.namepros.com/threads/outbound-process-for-beginners.1101291/

Definitely worth a read if you're looking to really get into doing outbound.

The first and foremost rule of outbound is that you cant afford to be rude or impatient... I rest my case here...

 

[Joe N]

For example, I own well over a hundred domains that apply specifically to the real estate and trades industry...nothing like MakeMyShave.com rather DistinctionHomes.com, Johnson.Homes and 757Waterfront.com

The names you mentioned still aren't the types of names that sell well via outbound marketing. They're brands that people need to make a personal connection with before they can be ready to spend a couple thousand on them. Personal connections are not made when sales people try to sell you unsolicited things.

Let's say you show DistinctionHomes.com to a potential buyer... Sure, it's a neat sounding name. Are they going to pay $2,000 for it? More likely they would just run with the concept and hand register MotivationHomes, TemptationHomes, PerceptionHomes, or some other "homes" name with a positive, descriptive noun. They'll do this because they have no reason to personally or professionally connect with the word "distinction".

Now, you want to really do outbound on this name? Here are your potential buyers:

• www.distinctionhomes.com.au
• ttps://distinctionhomes.co.uk
• distinctionhomesaustralia.com

Of course you see the issue here... UDRP claim risk! And therein lies the inherent issue with doing outbound on brand names.

• The people who want the name could legally take it if you approach them.
• The people who cannot legally take it have no reason to want it.

You say your names are industry-specific. Yes, I agree. Can you easily target good potential buyers with them? I don't believe so.

 

[Joe N]

"The names you mentioned still aren't the types of names that sell well via outbound marketing."
and how do you know this Joe?...you needn't answer or attempt to answer because YOU DON'T!
Like with another one of the cabal...i didn't read beyond your first sentence because it's a waste of your time to try and tell me what I can and can't do. You may want to read what I said about "Domain Give Aways", and how I trust "most" people to do the right thing. Give it a rest will ya

Rich, I have to admit I'm a little baffled... Didn't you start this thread to have an open discussion of opinions on outbound marketing strategies?

As much as I disagree with many of your opinions, I would never dismiss them in the insulting way that you just dismissed mine.

And why the need to refer to me (and others) as being part of a cabal? I wonder what political or economic agenda you think we're trying to jointly advance? It seems like a sad and xenophobic way to view a group of people who have taken the time to offer a lot of interesting opinions and information.

It's ironic that you trust most people to do the right thing, and yet you yourself are not able to show common courtesy and respect to a person who is trying to have a meaningful conversation with you.

You're absolutely right that there's no way I can know for sure whether or not the methods you propose would work. All I can do is speak my opinion, based on my own experience and the experiences I've read from others.

Respecting others is very important to me, and as such I did already read the full content of your post on domain giveaways. Again, it's not a tactic I would feel comfortable employing as I feel the cost/benefit ratio wouldn't make it a worthwhile endeavour. That being said... I'd be eager to hear how it goes for you if you ever attempt it.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

The eBook by @Darryl Lopes has a good amount about outbound and negotiation. It is a short, fast read, written by someone with a proven track record, and is relatively inexpensive. He started a NamePros thread about it here...
https://www.namepros.com/threads/ebook-how-to-get-started-in-domain-names.1149465/

It seems to me the most valuable thread on outbound on NamePros is the one already mentioned by @rohitgoyal. In particular he put a lot of effort into answering the questions, so don't just read the initial post but the entire thread.
https://www.namepros.com/threads/outbound-process-for-beginners.1101291/

This NamePros blog post by @James Iles based on an interview with @Mike Robertson has a wealth of good information
https://www.namepros.com/blog/how-t...ith-mike-robertson-part-1-the-basics.1120129/

There have also been a few DNW podcast issues on the topic, and of course Domain Sherpa or taking the Domain Name Academy course.

I personally dislike doing outbound, and in any case Canadian spam laws make it difficult to do, but I do realize that effective outbound will increase sell through rate and also make sales of some domain names that would not otherwise sell.

I think we should not necessarily view outbound or inbound as the only two extremes. Some domain investors effectively use social media, especially platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, to make that first connection that will later open doors to a fuller approach in some cases.

For brandable domain names it is nice that the brandable marketplaces in essence find buyers, to at least some degree. There is no similar venue for phrase type domain names, however, at least to my knowledge.

Bob

 

[JB Lions]

There seems to be a lot of conversation and consternation around inbound marketing of domains vs. outbound. Domains sold strictly via inbound might be considered, "Buy and Hold" or "Buy and Hoard", while outbound marketing is more of a progressive/aggressive approach.

As a business guy with almost 50 years of marketing/selling experience (see my Linkedin bio here on NP via information page). In my prior business life, 80% of my sales have been a result of outbound efforts. Much of it has been a result of what has been traditionally referred to as "cold calling" which seems to be a lost art with the advent of the internet.

Domain professionals here on NP and elsewhere seem to think outbound marketing won't work, although they claim to have tried it, and FAILED miserably Personally I believe it will work, "if" done right. In my case, the first thing I need to do is attract a savvy technical individual who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain. By that I mean they are either unemployed, are a visionary or are an entrepreneur like me.

btw, there isn't just one way to succeed at outbound marketing. Targeted email marketing is one way, direct mail marketing is another and phone sales and follow up is another way. All three of these techniques still work today in other industries, and there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to work in the domain industry imo.

I'm not asking NP members why outbound won't work, but rather why outbound will work. If some of you think it can work, I would like to hear from you. I'll start with "targeted" outbound marketing, for if you don't know your target, you're sure to fail.

Let's revolutionize domaining like the Wright Brothers revolutionized travel. What do you say This can't be that hard...or can it?

You've been here 2 years now. And stuff newbies would pick up in their first month, you still haven't - http://cheesecakerealty.com/?reqp=1&reqr=

I think I posted about this last year. You still haven't figured out a landing page. The ones you keeping using have it where somebody needs to pay $70 for a GD broker to contact you. You're still not listing your domains in the various marketplaces. 2 years and not seeing much learning take place.

This thread is like all your others. Back in the day I blah blah blah, check my LinkedIn blah blah blah. Now it's you trying to find some broker to sell your names, willing to give them ridiculous amounts. This business simply isn't for you. You don't get it, you've shown no indication that you ever will.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

but I need someone who can compliment my strengths and shore up my weaknesses.

While there is of course total logic to seeking to complement our strengths, I think there also is wisdom to hands-on in early stages to understand nuances better. I think the best way to learn most things, including what does not work, is to first personally try them ourselves. It is also less expensive (except for the time). One reason why start slow and don't register too many domains is good advice to those starting in domaining is so that people will have the time to be involved in both buying and selling. I think someone I know wrote a (nice? ) post on balancing buying and selling.

The advice that several have offered above to pick your most promising names and try it yourself is good advice, in my opinion. If you feel sure a different kind of outbound will work, try it to see.

Maybe we can work something out?

I spent 35+ (mainly wonderful) years being part of organizations and having responsibilities to many others, and even continued my first few years of retirements with some ongoing ones. I like my independence too much. I am the classic Do-It-Yourselfer and like to keep it that way.

But the really good news is that the most important thing to do is not technically challenging and does not cost a cent: have a professional lander. With something like DAN you can in not much more than one minute per domain have a really nice presence for each of your domain names. If you need help on how to do it at DAN (I think you already had some there?) or set the DNS to point to them don't hesitate to ask.

do you know anything about domain giveaway programs?

Not really (but there are loads of things I know nothing about ). Well I suppose it could be argued that numerous new extension registries, and companies with $1 or $2 coupons for .com, have essentially always done it with losing initially hoping people stay around and pay retail, at least enough to make it worthwhile.

"if" someone were to give me a domain that I could pay for later if I'm successful.

The idea of relating domain name to business success is a valid idea, in my opinion. High worth names often do this through partial ownership in company. Some sort of delayed payment plan method might work to achieve what you want. I know you said you were not considering registering at Epik, but they do have super flexible payment options you can offer clients and they do all of the management work. It only takes a minute to set one up.

Of course various companies offer free or near free trial periods. HugeDomains have a money back guarantee for a month or two, that is maybe related. NamesOfLondon also have a free trial period. I have toyed with the idea of some sort of try it for free for a little while model, but not to the degree of really trying it. Free at first works in many business areas of course. I think it would work best though for big companies who offer web hosting services so someone could get up and running a basic website, and then count on them seeing the value and staying once payments start. In a way payment plans offer a way to sample a domain name with limited up front cost. But short answer, no have not looked into idea. I did in one discussion with a potential end user throw out that I would redirect it to his site for a month for him to see how it worked (he had a website and was only interested in my domain for redirection). I would do that again.

GolfDied.com

I think the death of the sport of golf is over-stated in some press and feel more confident that golf will be around in 100 years than domain names as we know them now! I think golf is ripe for change, though, and wish you well with the cheaper, simpler, more fun type of golf in your venture!

I would try to slow down on acquiring new domains, look at your portfolio and select the most promising ones, and invest the effort to make sure they have the chance to sell by being listed and with landers. It is totally fine to continue to work on grander ideas over a longer time frame, to, as you would say, MakeSomethingHappen.

Bob

ps In an earlier post you referred to me as an 'ally and friend'. Just to clarify, to me ally invokes us and them approaches that I do not like so I am not an ally to anyone. Whenever I speak I represent myself, no one else. But I try my hardest to be a friend to all on NamePros, and I enjoyed meeting you at NamesCon.

 

[Joe N]

Better to send an e-mail in the first instance or call?

I personally think an email intro is best. It's less invasive. If they respond with interest, or with a price request, then you can always follow up with a phone call.

 

[NickB]

I know it's this way in my country (Netherlands) but would reckon it's the same in some other West European countries although I cannot say for sure.

If you don't do it at large scale it won't get you in trouble though. People usually find unsolicited calls very annoying so its not the best way to reach out.

I cold call companies in the Netherlands on a regular basis on their Direct lines, work mobiles and switchboards and have never had a problem.

Same for Germany, UK, USA, Singapore, Sweden, Japan, Switzerland, France, Italy and various other places

 

[Joe N]

I cold call companies in the Netherlands on a regular basis on their Direct lines, work mobiles and switchboards and have never had a problem.

Same for Germany, UK, USA, Singapore, Sweden, Japan, Switzerland, France, Italy and various other places

That's interesting! Do you get pretty positive responses/results?

I always try to put myself in the shoes of the person receiving the call. I personally despise receiving unsolicited phone calls, no matter what is being sold. So I generally assume others feel the same, and would prefer to receive a more passive email contact and then indicate their interest.

 

[Brands.International]

I was not reading through all the thread (as it gets very clustered, etc), but I would advice to build relevant connections at LinkedIn if you want to do effective outbound to end users.

Just recently I sold there a name which even had $500 renewal fee (I will not tell more details, just that it was not big sale, I wanted to get quickly rid of it because of that renewal, so took only few multiples of renewal fee, nothing really interesting there), but what is interesting is that it took me exactly 2 minutes to do so - I have sent few PMs to RELEVANT end users, and one came back to me that they are in. Another 2 minutes to import lead to Dan.com, and that is it. There was instant trust as end user can check everything about me (particularly number of connections, articles, posts, etc).

I think some of you are really overcomplicating things, while at the same time you do not bring enough clarity about you and your domain business to end users. This alone is big problem - you should be transparent, have nice website, have lot of connections, and then things are not complicated. We have social media now, so why sent emails ?

 

[Soofi]

You are rude AF imso, but leaving that one aside, would you care to elaborate on how's it done right, sir "experienced in outbound sales"?

Personally I believe it will work, "if" done right.

 

[wurdd]

In my case, the first thing I need to do is attract a savvy technical individual who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain. By that I mean they are either unemployed, are a visionary or are an entrepreneur like me.

LOL. Thanks for the laugh you made my day bulloney!

 

[Recons.Com]

So Recon...where have you been. My strengths, and I'm sure you said that facetiously, but who's counting You might want to check out how I complimented my partner in the medical billing business AcSel (that I also named before you were born). I started AcSel in 1980 and it's still in business today much to your chagrin, I'm sure The "average" tech guy needs me more than I need him/her, but you'll never get it

You should have finished with "..., but you will never get it™"

I am sure you were complimenting your partner with beautiful words, and maybe even complementing him in some way, but that is irrelevant for the industry.

As, your lack of sales have proven that you are exceptionally bad at this. If you were just average, you should have had tens of sales already just from inbound. For last two years, my average portfolio size was under 2000 names and I have sold 65+ names inbound.

If your names are mostly worth zero, multiplying it by someone's vision, sales skills etc. will result again in zero. Maybe, you should have stuck with medical billing. You know, "struck it, stuck with it™"

 

[Joe N]

I hope this is not taking thread off-topic, but does anyone know of an analysis that tried to estimate what percentage of domain sales came in various ways? For example

1. Via searches or agent guidance at general purpose marketplaces (Sedo, Aternic, DAN, etc.)
2. Via brandable or other specialized marketplaces.
3. Directly from the landing page by someone who searched for that specific name
4. Via outbound efforts of one type or another (phone, email, social media message, etc.)
5. By brokers.
6. Through auctions.
7. By advertising the domain name, either online advertisements or traditional.
8. Through other approaches (trade shows, business connections, etc.)

Bob

I'd love to see the results of a study like that, but I suspect unbiased data would be very hard to gather.