discuss New ways to sell domains?

[Arpit131]

Hello guys..
Let's discuss new ways to sell domain names.

It's been quite sometime since we happened to brainstorm on this particular things.

Last I heard, someone was using Twitter ads to sell their domain names and it was working for them!

Let's discuss some more on this..
Think of the craziest ways and share it here. Who knows, something worthwhile comes up maybe!!

The idea is to think out of the box! Go crazy!
Share the best way you could think of

 

[frank-germany]

I expected that question, but I haven't done my first trade show yet. That said however, I've sold all sorts of intangible business services at trade shows. I've sold medical billing systems hardware and software, I've sold credit/collection systems to creditors, investigative services to banks, and niche tax services to lawyers.

The whole trade show experience provides the sort of confidence needed to sell domains directly to decision makers. The naysayers will say the attendees already have names to which I say, doesn't everybody Besides, a certain percentage of attendees are always looking to "go it on their own", and they're going to need a domain.

I'd be doing it now if it weren't for the fact that I'm still seeking a partner to compliment my experience and expertise, and the likes of Go Daddy and Donuts may be just the ticket

I think you have potential
but need to tweak here and there

especially I 'm not a fan of your domains
as far as I know them

but like to look at things from a different angle
and obviously, you do so too.

but I would love to see 1 or 2 results from your efforts

plans don't make a sale...

 

[J Sokol]

An efficient and attractive way to see mainly what they might want with a minimum of noise.

GoDaddy could benefit from this - they are big on clutter and noise.

 

[BMWMotoRider]

I expected that question, but I haven't done my first trade show yet. That said however, I've sold all sorts of intangible business services at trade shows. I've sold medical billing systems hardware and software, I've sold credit/collection systems to creditors, investigative services to banks, and niche tax services to lawyers.

The whole trade show experience provides the sort of confidence needed to sell domains directly to decision makers. The naysayers will say the attendees already have names to which I say, doesn't everybody Besides, a certain percentage of attendees are always looking to "go it on their own", and they're going to need a domain.

I'd be doing it now if it weren't for the fact that I'm still seeking a partner to compliment my experience and expertise, and the likes of Go Daddy and Donuts may be just the ticket

Good ideas here. This got me thinking.

How about selling industry specific domain names to vendors that call on an targeted industry-pitching the domain names as lead-generating tools for the vendors. For example, have potential clients compete to win the domain name for their business. For example, an international Lawyer/Law Firm might want to obtain OffshoreTaxAttorneys.com for marketing (yeah, I own it.). A vendor at an American Bar Association conference could get a lot of hits for attorneys that could "win" that name at the end of the conference.

So, in this case you'd want to find a group that specialized in web marketing for legal professionals/law firms. Someone smart said there's Riches in the Niches.

 

[EbookLover]

Has anyone tried an approach of offering the domain name with a startup website?

Bob, this is an old technique and it isn't worth the hassle anymore. The amount of extra money you might get from adding a simple website to the domain is negligible and when you take the time involved it's not worth it.

If you want to sell a website for substantial prices, it has to have traffic and sales (proven).

You have to consider the headache it causes after you sell even a simple website. most of these buyers have no clue about anything to do with website creation and maintenance so they will constantly be contacting your for advice/help. Top it off, if you sell them hosting, then you have another headache - tech support. In the end, you find yourself wasting time for what amounts to nickels and dimes when you could be focusing on something more profitable.

In the end, it's just not worth it unless you are selling established sites and have enough sales to actually get a premium price from serious buyers.

 

[BrandEntrance.com]

Stand on the street corner and hawk your names

Hawk.Best

 

[BrandCougar]

I am curious...

Has anyone tried posting YouTube videos to help sell a specific domain. I am not talking about "Hey - make millions selling domains" type videos.

I am talking about a specific video post that is directly pitching / promoting / advertising a specific domain.

If so, please post here (or DM me) the link to the piece as I'd be interested in what sales dialogue (sales script) was used and what sort of traffic, lead gen, or sales resulted from the effort.

Thanks,

-Cougar

 

[EmpireNames.com]

@Riz M. -

Thanks for your post.

Please let us know your results - more specifically your Cost-to-Return rate.

Since we are dealing with digital assets, it is common for us to think "online" is the most likely avenue to get results - but if you find that "old school" print advertising works - that would be a surprise by many of us. And definitely something I (we) would be interesting in hearing about the technique used and Cost-to-Return results.

Thanks,

-Cougar

As i mentioned it will be a test but i believe many offline businesses would be interested in acquiring premium names but they dont know how to do it...
It will be a test as soon i will have results i will open thread with results..

 

[Cypherpunk]

I do mainly linkedin paid ads twitter paid ads and outbounding mails
I m now discussing about doing advertisement in newspapers , magazines , and flyers distribution in commercial offices but only for premium domains...
This will be just try lets see results.
Fb ads are worst
Also i m going to start adwords soon
I hope these ideas will work ...
Wish me luck

Your domains don't need marketing

 

[Fancy.domains]

Sell them like delicious hotcakes as @Fancy.domains does it.

You’ll just need the quality ingredients and the “secret” recipe.

 

[frank-germany]

NameSplice...glad you asked. I'd planned to have a booth at the worlds largest amateur handicap golf tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC last August, but it turned out my nephew was getting married that week, and Donuts (the registry for .Golf) was transitioning, and couldn't co-sponsor/partner with me. A good friend played in the tournament and said I really should have been there I even planned to have a LPGA pro and another golf pro work the booth with me, and a representative from Donuts. I do plan on going this year for the 36th annual tournament where over 3.000 male and female golfers from around the world will be there. I also looked at it as an opportunity to introduce the domain industry, not only to golfers but bankers, lawyers, doctors, business owners, teachers etc.that play in the tournament.

I also intend to display "industry specific" domains at trade shows in the homes, realty and mortgage industry where I own a couple hundred domains that relate to those industries. A registry in my hometown owns Homes(.)com and the new gTLD .homes. Originally I was hoping to work with them to help promote domains in general, but it appears now they're going to want to work with me

Finally, i'd like to create a briefcase domain display where a domain agent, like a real estate agent, can sell domains on a street corner in Manhattan I've actually created a .com domain that's perfect for selling domain displays. It would be perfect to take it to meet-ups, Chamber of Commerce meetings, colleges, or even Startup incubators.

While it would be nice to sell domains on the spot, at least enough to cover expenses, the real value will come from the contacts and interest we're able to generate for the domain industry

you are a great visionary of domain name sales tactics

did you ever sell a domain that way?

 

[FolioTeam]

Stand on the street corner and hawk your names

LOL. This got me really laughing

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Has anyone tried an approach of offering the domain name with a startup website? I am not sure of the costs involved with being a reselling webhost service, but I think to many tiny businesses the idea of buying a domain with even a very basic few pages up and going quickly would encourage them to get their own domain.

I personally don't want to get into the website creation business (partly because I would be terrible at it ) but I wondered if people have either offered both services, or partnered with someone who did.

Bob

 

[DanBingham]

@DefinitelyDomains

THANK YOU!

That is the type of example I was looking for - something that provides us a sense of what has been tried.

The piece looked professional. Well done!

A few questions come to mind...

1) What sort of response did you receive? via Email? or via YouTube comments? Other?

2) Curious - what was your specific "Call to Action" in the piece to help drive an inquiry?

3) Who was your target market? What demographic? What skill set? What need definition?

4) What tools did you use to develop the piece?


Please share or feel free to contact me via DM.

Thanks,

-Cougar


ps: Thanks for sharing your video channel. Your "AerialEarth.com" video provided more of a Call-to-Action with the bold white email (subtle call to action). One other thought... yes I am a bit interested in what you have provided - what questions did you ask in the piece to help QUALIFY prospective buyers? NATM - Need? Authorization? Timeframe? Money? (buyer qualifying type of questions)

Your "AllAboutAutos.com" poked a couple qualifying questions on the screen. Well done! Nicely layered into the upbeat music and casual video. This one had the best audience "engagement" and call-to-action.

You have developed a great base to build on. The more you can qualify your prospects and direct them to contact you, the better.

@BrandCougar - thanks for the feedback and apologies for the late reply. To be completely honest, I didn't receive any responses. It's fair to say that I was merely messing around so didn't do much in terms in marketing and self promoting the videos. They didn't receive many views either which is obvious from checking out the video stats.

That's not to say that they can't be effective and there's certainly a lack of people out there opting for this method of promoting names. For me, this is a particular area of focus for this year.

I look forward to sharing the results.

Here's my latest addition... (while I had 30 mins to spare!)

 

[BrandCougar]

@DefinitelyDomains -

I like the upbeat tone of you videos.

My feedback...

What I saw was a (4) phase piece.

1) Intro - a clear statement that it is a domain you are selling and its name.
2) Curtain Drop - which outlines a "value proposition" - but one that only domain resellers might see as value.
3) Call to Action - via a simple bold question - YES!
4) Contact Info - a passive request for an action "to email you".

I would suggest a few changes that better TARGET your intended prospect.

1) Intro - good with what you have (tho given the domain name, I would use more of an "AllAboutAutos" classier theme as your domain is "RentASupercar" (more prestigious and less cartoonish).
2) Curtain Drop - make it about the buyer (not a domainer views) - ask a question more tailored to a high-end car rental vendor - "Is your inventory sitting or being driven?" or even more bold "Do you make money while your cars are parked?" or "Are you making interest payments while your cars sit idle?" Try to hit some kind of nerve with the viewer - stick a knife in it and wiggle it 'til it makes them upset! Touch a nerve, then solve that problem.
3) Call to Action - what you had was simple, bold, and to the point - the word "Interested?" is a lead-in to a call to action.
4) Contact / "The Close" - something that entices them to do something.... other than watch the video 2-3 times... for example "Contact us today to discuss how we can help you drive traffic to your site?" or (and I know I'm old school, but "Call Today! 111-222-1234" Your lead gen rate is 3X if you provide a phone # above your email address. The goal of that initial conversation is to QUALIFY the PROSPECT. It is not to toss out a price.

I think you have something interesting going on with your video approach. I once heard that YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine behind Google's search box. And I think video is a terrific way to poke an emotional response (it is a mini-TV model) an inexpensive advertising venue if you can find a way to harness it.

Thanks again for sharing your video model. I am curious, what software are you using to develop these snippets?

-Cougar

ps: Please don't get me wrong - your initial venture into this is quite interesting - and the initial video pieces your created are quite professional looking - especially the "AllAboutAutos.com" one. That's really got a draw to it - calm, relaxing, (get me out of this damn cubical) type feeling to it. Spot on terrific!

 

[BrandCougar]

"active selling is to list domains at 1-2 marketplaces"

Sorry to say... that is not "selling"... that is "order taking". Two different activities.

One is qualifying and actively engaging prospects, the other is a book keeper that takes no accountability for revenue results..

And if you don't know the difference, then you are in for a tough ride as an investor.

-Cougar

 

[ThatNameGuy]

Good ideas here. This got me thinking.

How about selling industry specific domain names to vendors that call on an targeted industry-pitching the domain names as lead-generating tools for the vendors. For example, have potential clients compete to win the domain name for their business. For example, an international Lawyer/Law Firm might want to obtain OffshoreTaxAttorneys.com for marketing (yeah, I own it.). A vendor at an American Bar Association conference could get a lot of hits for attorneys that could "win" that name at the end of the conference.

So, in this case you'd want to find a group that specialized in web marketing for legal professionals/law firms. Someone smart said there's Riches in the Niches.

Excellent observation MotoRider....another example is an industry like "Real Estate" where you have over 1.3M realtors in the US alone, and just as many vendors who serve the real estate industry. I'm already considering making real estate agents "domain agents". After all they work with other agents every day, they work for "commission only", and they're already trained in sales......Duh!

 

[DOMAIN ILLUMINATI]

Talk with someone about something and when you have to cough / sneeze, then include your domain name into that cough / sneeze in an inconspicuous wayyy

 

[EbookLover]

I have another "idea", although I assume it is not really new

Anyway, one could try to...
...present it as "NOT FOR SALE" because people want what they can't get
Of course don't forget to add your contact info ha

What do you mean? Like this?

Landing page...

This domain is NOT for sale at any price
as it is invaluable and thus PRICELESS.

Please contact Joe Blow at [email protected] if interested in making an offer.
​

 

[bobbarato]

Pay escorts ( aka. Hookers ) in NYC and Las Vegas to advertise your name to their high end clients

Um..is this thinking inside or outside..the box? I want the Vegas franchise!

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Has anyone tried selling domains with a time limited money back guarantee? I was on the Huge Domains site and notice they do that (30 day money back). I realize it would be awkward and ties the name up, but wonder if consumer trust would allow enough more sales to make it worthwhile. Anyone doing it?
Bob

 

[NameLlama]

Blimp

 

[DOMAIN ILLUMINATI]

Sell them like delicious hotcakes as @Fancy.domains does it.

 

[PeakDots]

I believe I've read somewhere that a member was looking to promote and try to sell names from a booth or something at golf tournaments and such.
Curious how that worked out. @ThatNameGuy care to share?

 

[BrandCougar]

@HotKey -

Thanks for the video example.

It does a good job of providing a "potential use" statement.

Agree - the price is a bit steep, but with 4,021 views on the NamePros landing page, at least its getting exposure. And there's no confusion... it is "For Sale".

Thanks again.

-Cougar

 

[frank-germany]

@BrandCougar

One of the best I've seen (videos) is from the owner/broker/marketer or whoever of:
p r e s i d e n t . c o m

If need a solid example, imo this one is a home run, for a "home made" video. As it should be, for his asking price.

**

As per new ways to sell domains... try talking to people. Like person to person. Personal engagement, a handshake, a smile or a nod, are reactions that come naturally rather than planned, and can influence the outcome of the conversation in a positive manner, and nothing beats word-of-mouth. It creates a trust factor because people can associate a real face to it (on the downside, if you're a regular to the spot, you'll hear about it if things don't work out).

Out of the box idea? How about hide in a cardboard box downtown, wait for the execs going to lunch, then suddenly jump out with a bunch of tiny pieces of paper spraying everywhere with your domain name and phone number on it.. kinda like those "babysitter available" plastered on telephone poles..

great idea


but

antique and unprofessional colors and sound
spoil the value