Ways to possibly broker Links.com

[richrf]

Hi guys,

This forum has always been the place to go for some good advice, so here I am again.

I am still working on trying to come up with a meaningful idea for links.com. Its tough coming up with a unique idea, but I spend quite a bit of time experimenting with different possibilities - always conserving cash for the time when I feel I have really come up with an idea worth investing in.

During the coming year, I may try to approach possible partner companies with the idea to negotiate a equity/cash deal with the name. I would like to participate in the growth of the domain name over time.

The question I have is, whether it is better for me to: a) approach companies directly (I have a good amount of business/negotiating experience from my days as a consultant), b) work with a broker (what is the best way to find a reputable broker?), or c) advertise on sites such as Sedo or Great Domains and wait for the right partner (are there better places than these for advertising)?

I would greatly appreciate all comments. Thanks.

Rich

 

[TheBulldog]

How much do you want for it? That will tell you where to go.

In auction, I would think this would bring very high dollars.

 

[Michelle]

Shouts development imo and im sure an end-user will find you :tu:

Maybe a dating site .. link up

Maybe domain links...

Links is so wide and can be used in many ways... a positive good word

I wish you lots of luck in 2008 not that you are going to need it :hehe:

 

[richrf]

How much do you want for it? That will tell you where to go.

In auction, I would think this would bring very high dollars.

Hi there,

What I might be looking for (and I have no immediate plans to do anything), would be an equity/cash deal which would be mutually beneficial for me and a partner company. The partner company could be a company that is already public and could utilize a name like Links, or a company that is in its mezzanine stage of development, and would like to IPO with a good domain name. Everything would be negotiable.

Thanks for your response to my question,

Regards,
Rich

Shouts development imo and im sure an end-user will find you :tu:

Maybe a dating site .. link up

Maybe domain links...

Links is so wide and can be used in many ways... a positive good word

I wish you lots of luck in 2008 not that you are going to need it :hehe:

Hi there,

Thanks for your suggestions. Yes, both of the ideas would work, assuming I can come up with a unique angle. I would have to find some market demand that is not yet being filled.

Right now, I am experimenting with a Digg-like site using a whitelable platform offered by Corank. I will see if I can find some unique angle there that might be interesting, though I am not sure that this kind of site can be monetized - though it may drive traffic up a bit.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

Regards,
Rich

 

[yanni]

Have you tried golf?

Also, adding a poll/questionnaire on the current page asking visitors what they expected to find when they navigated there, could give you some insight on what your next move should be in regards to development, or what type of companies you should be targeting.

 

[richrf]

Have you tried golf?

Also, adding a poll/questionnaire on the current page asking visitors what they expected to find when they navigated there, could give you some insight on what your next move should be in regards to development, or what type of companies you should be targeting.

Hi,

Thanks much for your suggestions.

At one time, a while ago, Links.com was a golf site. Sort of like a directory. But we couldn't figure out how to compete against the big guns. So we moved on.

I also tried a poll for a while. No one voted. I think visitors are a bit nervous about voting, especially if they were looking for porn links (this is one of the biggest terms). Most visitors are coming from google and are looking for TV links. Others are coming from all over the place. It has been like that for about a year.

Appreciate the suggestions and if you have any further comments, I would very much like to hear them.

Regards,
Rich

 

[Diabro]

richrf,

I liked the Golf angle but if it did not work it did not work...move on.

I think it is an excellent name for a social networking site or genealogy site thought I doubt genealogy seems not to e a good way to make money.

I like the Digg idea but is Digg making money?

Another idea may be some kind of sales site. Like you could link a person to the product or loan they need. Or maybe even the first product networking site. :P

 

[richrf]

richrf,

I liked the Golf angle but if it did not work it did not work...move on.

I think it is an excellent name for a social networking site or genealogy site thought I doubt genealogy seems not to e a good way to make money.

I like the Digg idea but is Digg making money?

Another idea may be some kind of sales site. Like you could link a person to the product or loan they need. Or maybe even the first product networking site. :P

Yes, it was too bad, but there was no way to get visibility with the Golf theme. The golfers are pretty loyal to the primary sites.

I really like the idea of social networking. That is why I am experimenting with the Corank whitelabel solution right now Links to Breaking News That Affects you.

A couple of issues I face with social networking are:

1) How do I create a unique solution that can niche out a market from MySpace, FaceBook, Digg, etc. ?

2) How do I inexpensively build a website to test out the idea. I am loathe to invest lots of money into an idea until it is proven.

I have a niche idea, sort of, but all of the script solutions, e.g. PhpFox, Boonx, Pligg, are either inadequate or buggy. But I continue to pursue and research the idea. So I appreciate your confirmation.

Frankly, I don't know how to monetize a site like Digg. It is all a matter of traffic and hoping that someone buys the traffic someday. But it is chaotic traffic, and I am not sure prime visitors.

Geneology is another idea I was researching a while ago, but I thought I would have to come up with some unique angle, which so far has eluded me.

Thanks much for your response and great suggestions.

Regards,
Rich

 

[lzy]

I have a niche idea, sort of, but all of the script solutions, e.g. PhpFox, Boonx, Pligg, are either inadequate or buggy. But I continue to pursue and research the idea. So I appreciate your confirmation.

In this case, why don't you post your requests for a developer and see how things go? :o

 

[domainer50]

I would say to try and sell it. If you tried to contact a site like TLA, adbrite, adtoll or something of the like you could probally get a good amount for it.

 

[richrf]

In this case, why don't you post your requests for a developer and see how things go? :o

Hi Izy,

I am always on the lookout for some good, reasonanably priced developers. But so far, I have come up empty. I did put ads on DevShed, the Pligg forum, and DigitalPoint, but received no replies. I was just looking for some developers who would bid the job. My experiences on Rentacoder were poor. Most of the responses were way off the mark and coming from inexperienced developers.

I was in IT in my prior life. So I could learn HTML, CSS, MySQL, and PHP, if I was so inclined. But knowing the languages and adopting good practices are two different things. The latter takes lots of experience, I don't think I have it in me to devote lots of time (years?) toward learning the new technologies. But I know enough to oversee any project and know when someone is doing a good job - or not.

Thanks for your interest and idea.

Regards,
Rich

I would say to try and sell it. If you tried to contact a site like TLA, adbrite, adtoll or something of the like you could probally get a good amount for it.

Hi,

I thought of this possiblity, but I would probably first pursue higher visibility technology companies or private-equity funds who might find the name useful for one of their enterprises. I would be looking for equity/cash, since I would like to participate in the future earnings of the name. However, I will keep your suggestion in mind in case my own ideas do not bear any fruit.

Thanks again for you idea.

Rich

 

[domainer50]

Rich-That sounds like a good plan, be sure to keep us updated on whatever you decide to do

 

[richrf]

Rich-That sounds like a good plan, be sure to keep us updated on whatever you decide to do

Hi,

I really like coming to this board for ideas and advice. I appreciate all of the input and will definitely keep everyone informed about my progress (I hope it is progress ).

Thanks for your support and suggestions.

Regards,
Rich

 

[domainer50]

Hi,

I really like coming to this board for ideas and advice. I appreciate all of the input and will definitely keep everyone informed about my progress (I hope it is progress ).

Thanks for your support and suggestions.

Regards,
Rich

Thats what were here for

 

[MarkP]

If you decide to sell I suggest widening your thoughts on the criteria of candidates. For example, there are several large companies that own and develop golf resorts. Links.com could become an excellent portal to tie their properties together.

Little know factoid - Starrwood owns Troon Golf Management

 

[richrf]

If you decide to sell I suggest widening your thoughts on the criteria of candidates. For example, there are several large companies that own and develop golf resorts. Links.com could become an excellent portal to tie their properties together.

Little know factoid - Starrwood owns Troon Golf Management

Hi Mark,

Never thought of it, but it is an obvious market. Thanks.

Does anyone have any recommendations concerning potential brokers? Or should I initially attempt to do the sale myself? I do have a good bit of experience in negotiating deals in the technology industry.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Rich