.tv The 'Think Big' Thread

[dottvfan]

Picking up on the suggestions from an earlier thread, here is a working proposal for the formation of a .tv consortium, being members of namepros who are sick of the talk and are willing to pay for the development of .tv domains in joint ventures with the owner(s) of .tv domain(s) in this forum.

For example.

Mr X owns [insert domain].tv. Mr X lacks the financial resources and experience to develop the site. Mr X needs help.

A consortium of investors have invested $X into [insert company name and jurisdiction]. The purpose of that company is to enter into joint ventures with domain owners to develop domains (one at a time) by paying for professional development of a website. The shareholders (irrespective of class of shares) annually elects its board in the normal course and original members are issued with Class A shares entitling them to a PRO RATA percentage of revenue profits/revenue from Project A and a smaller % of revenue from future projects (see below).

Mr X leases his name to the company in return for X% of the A shares. The lease is perpetual unless terminated [termination riights require further thought] , in which case Mr A gets domain back, and A shares are surrendered back to company.

At the end of the development, further investors are invited for the development of second domain (Project B) to be acquiired by the company.

See process above.

100 new shares are issued in a new class (B shares). 80% of these shares are issued to B consortium members (new members), less % issued to domain owner B.

The price of B shares is determined by the cost of development of Project B. B shares have equal voting rights to A shares.

B project investors and B domain owner are entitled to 80% of profits/revenue from Project B.

20% of Class B shares are issued for nominal value ($1) to the holders of the A shares to reflect the risk they took by being the original investors. A members are entitled to 20% of the profits from Project B and 100% from Project A.

C project - see above.

I realise this is just a broad outline of how things would work and requires substantial further thought and input but let's consider it a work in progress. As per my previous post I am prepared to pledge now that I would join this consortium. Let's explore this further to see if we can sketch out a framework to attract as many of us as possible.

 

[Steven]

Good Luck getting a US Geo to use, i dont think you have much chance of that.

Personally i'd go for a travel destination Geo to focus on holiday bookings, hotels, car hire which can all be set up very easily. Plus also sell business directory, advertising space....etc

Maybe...
but I think we have almost an equal chance of getting a US geo to use as a very popular travel destination geo.

The plus side of US geo is that there are already business directory database available out there for a price, and once we can build something with the name, we can sell sponsored business listing and etc... another way of revenue... something like Toronto.com

At the same time, I agree with your travel destination geo... I think it can work out very well.

Hmmm...

lol I don't know... just brain storming here.

 

[Len]

Personally i'd go for a travel destination Geo to focus on holiday bookings, hotels, car hire which can all be set up very easily. Plus also sell business directory, advertising space....etc

I agree that this is the way to go if the decision is to go with a geo. I think some tend to forget that the European vacation market is huge with a multitude of different nationalities flocking to the popular destinations year after year.

 

[Steven]

hmm
if we're to go with travel destination geo, which one should we go with?
We should come up with a list... each person comes up with 3-5 top travel destination geos and we vote for one?

 

[cityforums.com]

hmm
if we're to go with travel destination geo, which one should we go with?
We should come up with a list... each person comes up with 3-5 top travel destination geos and we vote for one?

To me Think Big = Think Global ...

so why settle with a few top destination geos ?

The domain name would have to cover the globe in its niche.

 

[mckennaronnie]

Len's Canaries.tv is an ideal one.

 

[localexperts]

US Geos - Between Poodleman, myself, and a couple other folks - we grabbed up all US GEOs in hands of owners who were looking to sell.

Nothing really left for under $5,000 or smaller stuff.

BTW, the debate on this thread is an indication of the challenges associated with trying to run a company by committee. There has to be one leader.

 

[Len]

BTW, the debate on this thread is an indication of the challenges associated with trying to run a company by committee. There has to be one leader.

Totally agree! Too many people trying to implement their own ideas achieves nothing but chaos and failure.

 

[james0306]

To me Think Big = Think Global ...
so why settle with a few top destination geos ?
The domain name would have to cover the globe in its niche.

I agree with cosmicray. City geo, law, finance related .tv are all regional specific. Something related to Sports or Travel shoud be easier for a kick off project.

Totally agree! Too many people trying to implement their own ideas achieves nothing but chaos and failure.

That's also why no one has done this successfully before. I have seen the same idea on another forum at 2006, which is still hanging there. I am very interested to see how this one goes.

 

[Steven]

Since we're undecided on which niche to take on...

Every person comes up with 3 different niches that you think are profitable and reasons behind it.

Deadline: Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

On September 10th, 2008, we'll create a poll and vote.
Then we can debate, and decide how many are willing to contribute and move forward with it.

Sounds good?

Let's get this ball rolling

 

[localexperts]

remember this, global ideas are harder to get your hands around, niche plays while not universal are typically underserved markets where you can focus your energy.

For example, we just bought BarbequeCaterers.com.

Underserved market ignored by the major event planning and catering sites.

Also, we purchased CeremonyMusic.com (1,000 OVT searches a month). Going to put listings and video of local musicians (string quartets, solists, trumpet, sax, etc).

One again, niche, underserved market that ties well into our other event planning categories.

 

[dottvfan]

Purpose of this thread is just to see interest - lets worry about domains later!

 

[cityforums.com]

remember this, global ideas are harder to get your hands around, niche plays while not universal are typically underserved markets where you can focus your energy.

For example, we just bought BarbequeCaterers.com.

Underserved market ignored by the major event planning and catering sites.

Also, we purchased CeremonyMusic.com (1,000 OVT searches a month). Going to put listings and video of local musicians (string quartets, solists, trumpet, sax, etc).

One again, niche, underserved market that ties well into our other event planning categories.

true unless you approach a niche globally via local

US Geos - Between Poodleman, myself, and a couple other folks - we grabbed up all US GEOs in hands of owners who were looking to sell.

Nothing really left for under $5,000 or smaller stuff.

BTW, the debate on this thread is an indication of the challenges associated with trying to run a company by committee. There has to be one leader.

Maybe we can vote as the thread progresses and reaches forks in the road

... the majority decides the direction ... if enough people are left interested

then the project would at least have believers to take it forward ... we

may even end up with 2 or 3 group projects at the end of it but that's ok

as long as people work on what they believe in and hopefully love.

 

[dottvfan]

completely agree. What I will do is set up an offline (off namepros) discussion for all those that have expressed interest in a few days.

Then we can throw around a few ideas in a more dynamic environment and see where we get to re domains/directions etc.

This is really positive so far and I wan't to keep the negativity out of the thread. No doubt there will be some disagreement as we develop our ideas but for the time being lets just:

1) see who is interested;
2) have a think about (to ourselves but feel free to PM me) possible domains/markets;
3) get people interested
4) not get ahead of ourselves, keep some structure and think good thoughts!

 

[Steven]

completely agree. What I will do is set up an offline (off namepros) discussion for all those that have expressed interest in a few days.

Then we can throw around a few ideas in a more dynamic environment and see where we get to re domains/directions etc.

This is really positive so far and I wan't to keep the negativity out of the thread. No doubt there will be some disagreement as we develop our ideas but for the time being lets just:

1) see who is interested;
2) have a think about (to ourselves but feel free to PM me) possible domains/markets;
3) get people interested
4) not get ahead of ourselves, keep some structure and think good thoughts!

We should set a deadline to make sure we have a follow-through.
I've listed one on http://www.namepros.com/3032809-post49.html

I think once we make a decision about which niche to focus on, which domain to use, and finalize a list of people who will contribute, we can create another domain and include a forum with private access along with project management script installed within.

 

[dottvfan]

Domainman I agree. Enthusiasm is great. We'll follow through on private site next weekend. Sorry not trying to step on your toes but no one is committing at this stage, just expressing interest.

 

[cityforums.com]

Domainman I agree. Enthusiasm is great. We'll follow through on private site next weekend. Sorry not trying to step on your toes but no one is committing at this stage, just expressing interest.

Also for each idea ... we would need to establish the minimum capital

requirements and skill set needed to make it happen ... I strongly believe

that with the talent we have here something interesting can be accomplised.

 

[omnia]

Interested in this idea ........ will be revisiting the thread daily

 

[RPK]

Finally had some time to read through this thread. I will try to make a couple of points and make some comments/suggestions in no particular order.

1. I love the initiative and it sounds like fun so you can count me in
2. Let's keep it fun! Meaning for now lets not try to create the next youtube (although whatever we do should have the potential to be the next youtube). Just we should think a bit smaller in terms of getting it off the ground and as least complicated as possible.
3. I think the biggest issue and the key to any real success with any .tv site will be unique video content. You need to give quality video that will keep people coming back for more. You can get started with a niche aggregator type of site, but unless you are offering something great, eventually people will go elsewhere. (I do have an idea for such a site, and will make my suggestion later.
4. Voting should be based on the amount of dollars put in. ie. $250 = 250 votes. The domain being used should get a fair valuation and the will = that amount in votes and shares. For Example if the name was Boston.tv and we or an outside party determined that Boston was worth $25k then that would = 25,000 voting shares and equity in the company.
5. Do we have a lawyer on board or could we get one that would offer his services for equity in the company? ie. $10,000.00 worth of work for 10,000 worth of shares. Someone would need to outline exactly what needs to be done. ie. Corporation of the company, agreement between investors etc... Now keep in mind that having an actual shares holder agreement would take many months to put together and cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, so there needs to be a simpler solution found.
6. Need an outside accountant or accounting firm. Plus everyone would need to check what their own liabilities as investors would be and what the tax implications would be.
7. I think rather then choosing a niche to go after, domain holders should present 1 pagers each of up to 3 names that they want to offer. The one pager should state the name, the annual renewal costs, and a basic outline of why he/she feels the name is the best one to use, why it is easiest to set-up, what the revenue streams are etc...

 

[Steven]

Domainman I agree. Enthusiasm is great. We'll follow through on private site next weekend. Sorry not trying to step on your toes but no one is committing at this stage, just expressing interest.

no prob mate

Finally had some time to read through this thread. I will try to make a couple of points and make some comments/suggestions in no particular order.

1. I love the initiative and it sounds like fun so you can count me in
2. Let's keep it fun! Meaning for now lets not try to create the next youtube (although whatever we do should have the potential to be the next youtube). Just we should think a bit smaller in terms of getting it off the ground and as least complicated as possible.
3. I think the biggest issue and the key to any real success with any .tv site will be unique video content. You need to give quality video that will keep people coming back for more. You can get started with a niche aggregator type of site, but unless you are offering something great, eventually people will go elsewhere. (I do have an idea for such a site, and will make my suggestion later.
4. Voting should be based on the amount of dollars put in. ie. $250 = 250 votes. The domain being used should get a fair valuation and the will = that amount in votes and shares. For Example if the name was Boston.tv and we or an outside party determined that Boston was worth $25k then that would = 25,000 voting shares and equity in the company.
5. Do we have a lawyer on board or could we get one that would offer his services for equity in the company? ie. $10,000.00 worth of work for 10,000 worth of shares. Someone would need to outline exactly what needs to be done. ie. Corporation of the company, agreement between investors etc... Now keep in mind that having an actual shares holder agreement would take many months to put together and cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, so there needs to be a simpler solution found.
6. Need an outside accountant or accounting firm. Plus everyone would need to check what their own liabilities as investors would be and what the tax implications would be.
7. I think rather then choosing a niche to go after, domain holders should present 1 pagers each of up to 3 names that they want to offer. The one pager should state the name, the annual renewal costs, and a basic outline of why he/she feels the name is the best one to use, why it is easiest to set-up, what the revenue streams are etc...

wow

very nicely put Richard

 

[dottvfan]

Closing the thread in 48 hours to take discussions offline.

Any last expressions of interest?

Thanks!