Many stupid newbie questions

[DoughMainz]

Hello All!

I have a very small portfolio of approx. 8 to 9 hundred domains. I, as probably most other domain gatherers think there are some crappy (i must have been plowed when I bought that name) domains, some decent names and in my case, a few that I think are excellent. I don't want to get too deep into this. My time is limited and knowledge of creating websites is below average at best.

Where do I go or Who do I contact if I want to consult with someone about my portfolio, maybe do a legit appraisal on the best ones, then promote or sell them for me. I would rather give them a percentage rather than pay up front, that way I know if they want to get paid, they'll do the work. I'm in sales and never taken anything from my clients until the job is done. Needless to say, I make sure the job gets done.

I also have a domain that has a very generic site on it now, but it has been getting on average, 7-9 hundred UV a month for the last three months. It's a music equipment and promotion site. That's what it was before so I just slapped some images together with generic text and adsense and through it online. The name is 11 characters, 2 words with an absolute winning phrase. For the music instrument online sales market it would be an advantage to own. It has been online since 2000. How do I market that to someone who could really prosper from it?

Thanks in advance for any advice or comments.

C

 

[Phronesis]

Hello All!

I have a very small portfolio of approx. 8 to 9 hundred domains. I, as probably most other domain gatherers think there are some crappy (i must have been plowed when I bought that name) domains, some decent names and in my case, a few that I think are excellent. I don't want to get too deep into this. My time is limited and knowledge of creating websites is below average at best.

Where do I go or Who do I contact if I want to consult with someone about my portfolio, maybe do a legit appraisal on the best ones, then promote or sell them for me. I would rather give them a percentage rather than pay up front, that way I know if they want to get paid, they'll do the work. I'm in sales and never taken anything from my clients until the job is done. Needless to say, I make sure the job gets done.

I also have a domain that has a very generic site on it now, but it has been getting on average, 7-9 hundred UV a month for the last three months. It's a music equipment and promotion site. That's what it was before so I just slapped some images together with generic text and adsense and through it online. The name is 11 characters, 2 words with an absolute winning phrase. For the music instrument online sales market it would be an advantage to own. It has been online since 2000. How do I market that to someone who could really prosper from it?

Thanks in advance for any advice or comments.

C

8 or 9 hundred domains is a small portfolio? That's 8 or 9 grand in annual reg fees (give or take). I suppose it's small compared to Internet REIT.

Truly, I think everyone has it within them (and with proper tools) the ability to self-appraise most of their domains. If you look at it and think, "what the..." then go with that feeling and sell or drop. Be honest with yourself about the likelyhood of selling the other domains. When you reg a name, that has no OVT (ie, no one is searching the term) just because "it sounded cool" what is your exit strategy? Hope that someone makes an offer? Email potential end-users? Here's my personal checklist to see if a name stays or goes.
1. Traffic - how much?
2. Revenue - Does it pay for itself?
3. OVT - how many people are looking for this (ie, what's the demand?)
4. Google - how many people are providing this (ie, what's the supply?)
5. If it's only "brandable" how likely am I to sell it...be honest with yourself.

Personally, I only allow myself about 20% "brandable" domains (ie, domains that don't pay for themselves through ppc). The rest MUST pay for themselves or they drop or get sold. There's no point in being in this business if you're losing your shirt in reg fees on crappy names. Imo it's much better to have a very small portfolio of really good names, then a huge pile of junk.

 

[Zilla]

Nice reading Phronesis, rep on the way, I do agree with ur strategy and checklist..

btw, Mr.C, hold 8 or 9 hundreds, and owning a site since 2000, but still call urself a newbie? you means you just jump into domain business in this month and regged those names? ...but just think that means 6-7k USD for renew, I would like using those 5k to buy one or two LLL.com and 1 k try something new like zune/wii/blooks for opportunity gaming.....

if u already be a domainer from 2000, I guess in those names already have lots (or some)of LLL.com or NNN.com, any way, good luck with little curious.....

 

[DoughMainz]

I know what I want to do with most of my names but due to circumstances beyond my control, I fall short in many categories involving websites and getting my ducks in a row so to speak. I had a partner in this that was taking care of most of the web related portion, I myself was doing the grunt work like entering meta tag info and relative content, etc. I spent 6 months on this project so far but now have no partner so that leaves me in a bind. I have at least 8 months before I need to renew and hopefully, I will find someone else that has the knowledge that I do not. I would definately like to sell a few to raise some cash and have been emailing certain target businesses for a few of my domains. If anyone is interested in possibly forming a partnership for a percentage of sales and advertising, I would certainly be interested. Open to offers and flexible in responsibilities.

Great advice and greatly appreciated!