Everyone plays this game their own way. what works for some players doesn't work for others, not because it's impossible, but because they fail to see outside "their own" box. They're in their comfort zone and don't care if any other method works. Fine by me, just more domains left for the rest of us. Some domain strategies take much more work but the payday makes up for it. I prefer the development/branding route because that's what I enjoy doing. it's what works BEST "for me". But I also watch drops, comb expired leftovers and continue to spend lots of time deep in the mines.

When I hear people say:



#1) there aren't any great domains left for cheap
#2) expired names are worthless or already combed through
#3) the mines are empty
#4) it takes too much money to make money now


Based on their own experiences, they statements ARE correct. Usually, most of these statements are made to keep more competitors from entering an already fierce industry. But, based on my own personal experiences, every one of those statements is untrue. But, I remember thinking the same things until I realized that I can't wait for a partner/suitor to find me. I learned a long time ago that I have to hunt down my prey if I'm hungry.


#1) there aren't any great domains left for cheap:
The premiums I acquire are for VC/Angel safaris (a game I wish to master) and for selling equity slices. But, I buy reg-fee domains all the time. I buy them for development, quickflips, barters, trades, ice-breakers :), portfolio protection, and exploring new ideas / concepts that may part of a future that never comes. Like I mentioned before, you can dig for diamonds or dig for sand, because there is a marketplace for both. Each one can be sold to the right buyers, just know who your target suitors are before you register. And for people that have no idea how to find a suitor because they don't have the connections, guess what, use your phone. don't be afraid to cold call and let your targets know what you have to offer. the worst thing that can happen is you hear the word No. Once you learn to turn a NO into a YES, you'll find a whole new way to tap into another lucrative facet of the domain market.


#2) expired names are worthless or already combed through
Depends what you're frame of mind is when you look through the leftover expired domains. If you've got an open mind, each domain you see can lead to more domains. You may find inspiration and discover other industries you never knew existed, it may give you ideas for similar domains, or find a whole new vein you can tap. If you're ONLY looking for overture numbers, pagerank, ppc income, google results, etc, you'll be disappointed, but you may be overlooking diamonds in the rough.


#3) the mines are empty
Nonsense. The world is ever-changing and new technologies & concepts are always on the horizon. Just be sure to see the light before someone else does. For example: BLOG. Almost everyone online knows what a BLOG is now, it's become a mainstream word. From teens to journalists, everyone has their own. But back in 2001/2002, they weren't popular by any means, but I took a chance and registered NewsBlog.com, PornBlog.com, SexBlog.com, JobBlog.com, EventBlog.com, JokeBlog.com, QuoteBlog.com, TriviaBlog.com, RecipeBlog.com, DreamBlog.com, LocalBlog.com, CityBlog.com, SportsBlog.com, VCBlog.com, TVBlog.com, and BlogHost.com, plus more. I figured I'd wait to launch them in the future, "if" it became more than a fad or the "real test", wait until I heard one of my non-internet-savvy family members ask me what a blog is. :) As many of you may know, google bought blogger, but I was busy doing other things in mainstream. but my Mom recently asked me what the word "blog" means cause she's seen it mentioned on TV and heard my younger sister talking about hers, and wanted to know if it was SAFE! LOL. that did it for me and now I can develop them for next year. So, if you keep your eyes open and your mind in-tune you will be able to find domains for current events, tomorrow's trends and more. all for under $10. There are plenty of diamonds still in the mines. How do you know where to look? By analyzing trends, watching news, envisioning the future, and networking online/offline. Nothing wrong with buying reg-fee domains to re-sell for under $100. Also, nothing wrong with buying them to resell for much more. Whether you're buying to flip or develop, register domains with a target suitor in mind. Grab the name and call them up to see what they say. In the end, worst case scenario, you'll still own your domain name. then what? simple. pick up the phone and call their competitors, then call them back and let them know you spoke with others in the industry... then negotiate. It takes time and practice, but it's something you can do from your home, office, on breaks, on vacation. anywhere. there is no excuse unless you are afraid of using the phone & email. or you fear success.


#4) it takes too much money to make money now
You know what. Of course it takes money. It can take $1,000,000+ like Men.com or as little as $10. Look at what KRL said, he registered an expired name and sold it for $17,500. The same person who spent $1M+ to buy a domain, also continues to mine for <$10 domains. If that doesn't teach you how to play this game, then you are on your own. But keep in mind, the little guys can fly "under the radar" because most big players are busy trying to out-bid each other on premium domains. The mines aren't empty, just overlooked. Also, look how many big boys missed out on buying LUST.com last week for $12,500 on Sedo. While it's still debatable if it was legit, if the deal truly is solid, then that domain name at that price was an absolute steal. Depending on the size of your budget, lust.com would have made any portfolio increase it's value exponentially. But you can play this game for as little as $7 (mining) or $60 (dropped domains). It's not too late to start now. Just learn to glean info wherever you can and avoid the haters, naysayers and competitors that offer lies and mis-direction. It is a very cutthroat industry. More than you could ever believe, because each domain has the potential to be a Mona Lisa.


Here's some links that may help you out:


Playing the Domain Drop Game. 1st round of droptest.
Domain Drop Test. 1st round.
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=339006

Domain Drop Test. 2nd round.
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=341595

Domain Drop Test. 3rd round.
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=343155

(7+ pages) investing in domains ...
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=338092

(4+ pages) Recent Domain Sales
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=341282
weekly top ten sales archive: at dnjournal.com

Mining for Domains: Local/Real Estate
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=339367


Places to sell/auction your name and see what's out there:
http://afternic.com (auctions)
http://sedo.com (auctions)
http://pool.com (drops/marketplace)
http://greatdomains.com (PREMIUMS)



Good Luck

Meet you in the mines.

figure i should stop in here and say hello

im going to have to put a couple of my babys on the chopping block next week. :(

well if they are good names only email me at info at badtushy.com and ill get you money right away

if you dont hear from me it means im not interested

Great post Taboo! Thanks for the mention also. The funny thing is I really do like hunting for domains. Its like treasure hunting. I've gone to antique shows, flea markets, swap meets, etc. all my life too, hunting for gems someone didn't realize was something valueable. I bought my son a metal detector and he's hooked too now. We go out together on treasure hunts and he has a blast.

Its all about the thrill of the find. The money is nice too. But the hunt is what its really all about.

:Graucho

The B one??

:Graucho

There are domains right now that are un-regged probably never before been regged, that i can buy right now and make $20+ on it within hours on a wholesale sale.

Dont get me wrong. Im making pretty decent bank ATM. Im not complaining. All i meant to say is that i would be making a lot more had i had the chance if i was born 10 years earlier.

I believe you are referring to me, and thanks. From domains i make an average amount. Not as much as i do through hosting or other ventures but its a hobby and hopefully i catch some good domains

i enjoyed meeting webfather in flordia and having dinner with KRL

Out of everything on the web, the domain biz, in my opinion, is the one niche where you can get in with virtually no capital and if you work it right make an easy 6 figs and up per year.

You just have to learn to be a clever hunter and know how to put deals together on the domains you acquire.

With everything I've learned now and the connections I have, I could easily spend day and night doing just domain deals. I still can't figure out why more people haven't jumped into the game. I find good domains all the time so its not oversaturated like some people are saying.

Domain is worth 35k alone

Throw in a developed site with a PR of 8 and the numbers are too high to post

Ditto! And thanks for those Sleazy stickers too!!

He's got a big one EB. Worth 6 figs if not more. Ask him about the B one.

I'm still thinking about it as well.

:Graucho

Domain is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

Usually the people that fork out tons tto buy crap domains are the ones that have no creativity to go make one up themselves and find it un-regged

Realistically it's not wise to play the domain name on the theory that "something is worth whatever someone will pay".

Yes the statement is true, but it is unlikely to gain you much of any success in the domain game.

I got rid of all of my "good potential" names along time ago and focus on sure things.

That's just my point of view and I'm sure others do it differently and do it well.

I agree. it is the most exciting part of this game. when you see a name come up as available and rush to register it. just in case, someone, somewhere grabs it first. :)

it happened to me recently, 2 days ago, I was mining for GOTH domains and found a bunch available, including GothOnline.com & GothsOnline.com, but I was unsure if I wanted them. but later that evening, after eating, one of the domains: GothsOnline.com had just been registered thru GoDaddy. pissed off at myself and then at GD, because I had used their site to see what was available. (Hmmm.) filled my head with all these conspiracy theories... etc... LOL. but same damn day, in fact, within 2 hour span. the next day, i saw who got it:

//
Navigation Catalyst Systems
PO Box 2143
Pasadena, California 91103

Domain Name: GOTHSONLINE.COM
Created on: 20-Aug-04
Expires on: 20-Aug-05
Last Updated on: 20-Aug-04
//

I'll be keeping an eye on these guys:
http://www.navigationcatalyst.com/
they aim to be big players in the domain industry.
I think i already know who's funding them. :) (new.net / idealab!)
found some other info to, not shady tactics, just made me wonder what they're up to:
http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache...alyst%22&hl=en

ah, but enough about them.

bottom line, I learned my lesson (again), don't think, don't eat, don't sleep on it, just reserve the domain name right away.

:1orglaugh

.

So KRL and other high rollers... who's registering for this tomorrow?

CD.com auction starts 8/23
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=340523
http://www.cd.com/
Starting bid: $300,000
Buy Now Price: $2,000,000

if anyone owns country/city domains, or cares about WIPO decisions:
Domain Name Geography: Fight over Mexico.com
E-Commerce Times - Aug 19, 2004
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/35932.html
very interesting article which also covers fights over puertorico.com, barcelona.com, newzealand.com, etc and in some cases the U.S. Court of Appeals overturning WIPO decisions :)

What does everyone think about

.us

domains?

For an obvious reason everyone is going for .com and they shall not have dashes either etc..


But generic .us with high Overture numbers (for the term, not the domain itself) may be worth SOMETHING too? Granted much, much less than the same in com but still...?

youll be the 1st person i contact with what we are going to do.
its sad, but it must be done.:(

I don't like .us (or .biz, .info, .ws, .name)

In my opinion it was a stupid idea to create those TLDs. It should never have been done.

I buy domains expecting to make my money back in 1-2 year, so 50-100% ROI from typeins.

I don't really enjoy speculating on potential value from selling the domain later, I want cash now, but that's just my general risk aversion.

I also don't like bidding for domains against other domain pros, there's plenty of domain owners people who don't see what domains fetch on pool for example.
You have to find them though.

You interject with this statement? :1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

How is this a compelling arguement, wow you double your money - Which is great, cool double your money. But can you provide the type of volume it would take to make yourself a living, by doing this? Think bigger, you're too confined to this limited mentality.

No interest in that one.

:Graucho :Graucho :Graucho

I am finding this is becoming true for me as well.I have just had offers for vfl.com aom.com and triple.com for more than I had originally hoped for but somehow I can't stand to let them go even though they are completely undeveloped.
By the way I make about $400,00 per year from developing domain names.There are more than a few ways to make money off domains.

Good Call :)

Curious as to your reasoning of why it isn't of interest.

If you don't mind.. :)

No, that statement is for the people bitching about shit domains being sold for a lot of $$$

Generic .us are worth a lot.
I remeber that when it came out, within a month or so all the three letters were gone

How many times have i said this. Im doing this as a "hobby" in a way. Im looking more for a quick sale then actually waiting for the high end-user. Allthough i have found some, 80% of my sales are quick wholesale ones

Great thread!

CD.com for $2 Million????

Am I missing something here?

Music.com for $2 Mil, yeh I could see that and then some.

bought a domain for $8.95 and sold it to him for much more. Nice guy to do business with :)