So are you all giving up domaining for the holidays?

[kerwin]

One aspect of this industry which I hate is the conventional wisdom regarding hours of operation. Close shop in December or January (holiday months), no weekends, don't e-mail anyone after 5 or you won't be taken seriously, blah blah blah. Those are a lot of restrictions.

I wonder how much of this is just insecurity on the part of domainers? We are in the business of selling products, and the fact is that many retail outlets are open from 9 to 9 from Monday to Saturday.

At the same time, there is probably some truth to the idea that there are optimal periods for reaching end users. When there are only a few prospective buyers, it is crucial to get things right from the outset. It's not acceptable for us to send a second unsolicited e-mail to an end user who doesn't respond just to "make sure".

So...what is your domaining schedule for the holiday months?

 

[Sabre]

The vast majority of my clients start shutting up shut in the 10 days before Christmas so in my opinion these can be the worst times of the year to send out targeted end user emails.

The vast majority of actual decision makers will come back after the holidays with a ton of things to do; new year strategising, an email inbox bursting to the seems etc etc. so I pretty much shut down on the domaining side of things mid December - early/mid January and my main business all but shuts down for the week over Christmas and New Year.

The retail industry and the corporate world are two very different places

 

[alien51]

Yes, and i don't recall services shutting down during Muslim or Buddhist holidays. I don't even recall any Registrar giving out discount coupons at the end of Ramadan. But we do see Christmas coupons being given out.

Perhaps, Domaining is mostly a Christian-dominated commerce.

 

[Sabre]

All I know is that drinking and domaining do not mix - so domaining is best avoided over the festive period. :santa:

 

[Bannen]

Yah, stopped emailing end users about 10 days ago, once I start hearing Xmas music in the stores

Figure most businesses and people are thinking about the extra expenses of presents and bonuses, taking time off with family, being extra busy.
Theoretically, anyway. I'll start emailing again about midway into January.

That being said, a couple days ago an end user (not one I contacted) inquired about a domain of mine, so whadda I know?

:p

 

[TCK]

Probably best time to get deals at low reseller pricing. As resellers we should be buying at this time of the year, not selling.

 

[alien51]

Yah, stopped emailing end users about 10 days ago, once I start hearing Xmas music in the stores

That's a very Christian thing to do. Many thanks. lol

 

[NetOctave]

I am more active during this time filling up the inventory. This is the perfect time to buy / register names. You will get better deals at many auction sites since the buyers are less..

 

[TCK]

Hopefully you have some domains developed. This is the best time to promote your sites targeting shopping and winter vacation season.

 

[Kate]

The holidays are a good time to clean up inventory and replenish stocks, scrub the lists, review your lists of possible purchases while other domainers are partying and the competition eases a little :santa:

 

[lothos]

The holidays are a great time to keep working

The end of the year is a great time to review income/expenses, stats, inventory. Flip domains that you no longer want. Pick up cheap domains. Reflect on your last year and develop/modify your strategy for the next year.

I'm more focused on development now and the holidays are a great time to get deals on logos and stuff from developers that want extra cash for gifts.

I'll take a day off to enjoy Xmas and a day off for New Years, but other than that I'm always on my grind. Got a couple of new projects that should be released here shortly, including a little xmas present for the domainer community

 

[Blake]

Quite honestly...money never sleeps and with that thought I normally halt the emails. On the same token I enjoy the holiday season watching my developed sites rake in the cash for the season. I usually enjoy this time of year with family and make a few key purchases for the next years development plans.

So I guess you could say I stop on the pursuit of end users and coast on development and simply strap a rocket to my purchasing

Blake

 

[Sam]

Very good time to get your accounting straight and see if you need more "expenses" or more income and plan accordingly.

Parking never sleeps and it use to be i hated holidays cause less traffic, now its pretty much consistent.