The Start-Over Challenge

[clocker24]

I've issued the Start-Over Challenge to top domainers. Check it out on my blog:

http://www.domainerpro.com/could-you-start-over/

And tell me if you think the terms are fair or if any additional conditions should be added.

 

[TheBulldog]

You mention that they know other big players.....which could be a problem if they call in favors.

I would posit the condition that all their business must be done "anonomously" so that no one knows who they are and reacts based on that.

 

[deleted984054565403]

Interesting challenge. :gl:

Here's the comment I left:

I think this is a good challenge. The only foreseeable problem is the fact that these professional domainers already know where to sell and to whom to sell. These people already have contacts and experience, and I’d imagine they’d succeed by selling names to people they’ve already dealt with.

It would still be interesting to see how it goes, and I support the challenge! I started out with a borrowed domain and made $1,000 in the first year with absolutely no budget. That was about a year and a half ago. If I had the funding, I know I personally could come close to the goal.

EDIT: Actually, this looks an awful lot like what TheBulldog posted. I hadn't read your post at the time of my posting. :red:

 

[Lemon Jelly]

I'm going to set myself a challenge seeing as I am a noob and don't know much about the DN biz.

300 bucks.12 months.5k?

What do you think?

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

I'm going to set myself a challenge seeing as I am a noob and don't know much about the DN biz.

300 bucks.12 months.5k?

What do you think?

Why don't you start your own thread, Lemon, just to document everything as you go along. Then you could take the whole thread at the end of your "starting over" year, and publish it on your domaining/portfolio website. That would be an extremely interesting read, for sure.

 

[clocker24]

I like the condition that it must be done anonymously, I will add that. Great suggestion.

 

[sashas]

I'm going to set myself a challenge seeing as I am a noob and don't know much about the DN biz.

300 bucks.12 months.5k?

What do you think?

frankly, that can be done very very easily. Domaining is one hell of a big gold mine.

I started with $110, and I would like to believe that I've done decently until now. Lets see how the ride is from here

The thing is...Frank Schilling does not have to spend any time building any reputation, something that is so vital in this industry.

 

[clocker24]

Yes, $300 to $5K in one year is fairly easy. All you have to do is get one good domain name on the drop and then find the right buyer.

 

[Spade]

The truth is - its experience in this industry which is valuable. Could I start over with $1k and turn it? Without a doubt, I do it for a living. But the difference (aside from portfolio) from a Pro and a Rookie is quite simply experience. And perhaps the most important aspect of experience is understanding domain value - whats a good deal, whats a bad one...

I believe the challenge would be fun - but not necessarily fair.

Justin

 

[clocker24]

Spade, but even the top domainers did not have experience when they began, yet some of them (like Sahar Sarid) succeeded fairly quickly. Why? Because even when first started our they read tirelessly, asked questions, researched the industry, and innovated new ways of doing things. And that's what any newbie needs to do if he's serious about making it. He's got to get heavily involved in research and learn whatever he can from those who have succeeded.

I'm still waiting for someone to take the challenge. I'll email a few more guys today who might be interested.

 

[deleted984054565403]

Spade, but even the top domainers did not have experience when they began, yet some of them (like Sahar Sarid) succeeded fairly quickly. Why? Because even when first started our they read tirelessly, asked questions, researched the industry, and innovated new ways of doing things. And that's what any newbie needs to do if he's serious about making it. He's got to get heavily involved in research and learn whatever he can from those who have succeeded.

I'm still waiting for someone to take the challenge. I'll email a few more guys today who might be interested.

I tend to agree with both of you in different ways.

When a student goes to college, for example, he learns from the book -- what's "supposed" to happen. When that same student leaves college and enters his career, he uses what he learned from the textbook in some situations, but his skills are refined through actual experience.

For example, most students probably don't interact with clients over the phone in college; it's only really done in the workplace.

Do you see the parallel? :gl: In a nutshell, experience is more valuable than book smartness.

 

[sashas]

I will agree that if I were in this industry for 10 years, I could start over from just $200 and make a good amount of money. Why? Because I would know what names sell, what dont, how to contact end users, where to buy the good names, what kind of names can get type-in traffic, etc.

 

[Spade]

Im simply saying that if a Domainer were to "start over" they wouldnt still possess something more powerful then their portfolios. They would still have the knowledge, which is what is most important in this industry.