It sounds strange saying this, but almost a decade ago, I had delusions of starting, not surprisingly, a .com technology business. I figured, the first step in establishing a global empire was to spend $10 for the .com that most accurately reflects the company goal. All these years later, all I have to show for myself are handwritten comments from judges at the Wharton Business Plan Competition, email receipts from my domain registrar and my shattered dreams.
So what do I do with the domain? I couldn’t repurpose for my own use, because I haven’t come up with anything appropriate. At the other extreme, it is probably too memorable of a name to let it lapse into the hands of a speculator.
The last solution is to “compromise”: selling it in an aftermarket. It is effectively a win-win: (1) I realize my dream of cashing a few .com dollars, (2) I don’t feel the rush of anguish every year when I get charged the $6.99 renewal fee. I think it might be May, possibly August. I’m not really sure. The money is negligible - I usually just price the value of the anguish resulting from unfulfilled potential and round up to an even $10.00/year. Hopefully, this is kosher with Generally Approved Accounting Principles (GAAP).
A few years ago, I might have cringed at the idea of selling the name, but if the NY Times sends a reporter to cover a convention [Coins in the New Realm, 2008-02-01] for those that participate in the Domaining industry, it must be a legitimate practice. The idea of a legitimate practice being relative, being: “no less fradulent than an aftermarket ticket brokering service like StubHub.”
As I’ve begun my research of the communities and the means by which to maximize my value, I’ve come learned that the industry is not much different than many of the others we’re already familiar with. There is probably a top portion, probably 5-10%, that has a bit of talent, a bit of luck, puts in some effort and is just killing it. The rest are pretenders. You see this phenomenon all the time in poker, music, mixed-martial arts (MMA), real estate and sales. What they all have in common are low barriers to entry, limited regulation, an established elite and a plebian population fueled by delusion.
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- Not sure what the goal was, but he was pretending to be something [original].
This of course, leads to some really hilarious results. The highlights from the last 48 hours:
- {officeboobs.com} [godaddy.com] - No explanation necessary.
- {OKsexshop.com} [dnforum.com] - Double threat! Either a sex shop located in Oklahoma or a sex shop that isn’t great… just OK.
- {ubhard.com} [dnforum.com] - I don’t see why I wouldn’t be.
- {pussySeven.com} [dnforum.com] - When the sixth just won’t do…
- {mygang.com} [sitepoint.com] - “Top Domain name for a social networking site”. Great, a site where your first poke might be your last.
- {kinkyzoo.com} [dnforum.com] - Great potential for a memorial site for Mr. Hands [wiki], “who engaged in sexual activities with full-size stallions, some of which he videotaped and distributed informally under the name Mr Hands. The 2007 film Zoo is about his death.”
- {powder.me} [dnforum.com] - Great potential for a Scarface/George Jung fan site.
- {gihy.com} [dnforum.com] - “triple premium CVCV.com with huge potential, great pronouncability and in good times great brandablility!” The seller clearly has an impressive grasp of English and linguistics as a whole.
- {hotrotica.com} [dnforum.com] - “I’m taking offers on the below 14 domains. All domains have the word ‘hot’ in them. I have owned some of these domains for years. These are all great domains so please bid accordingly.” …if Paris Hilton were a domainer. I fear that ‘fierce‘ will become the next trendy domain word as a result of Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame.
- {billclintonmemorial.com} [dnforum.com] - “Not a whole lot to say here, Bill has gota die some day.”
Conventions [for a small amount of educational value]
- {LLL.com} refers to any three letter (non-numeric) domain with a .com extension; {LLLL.com} refers to any four letter domain, etc. Similarly, {NNN.com} refers to any three consecutive numbers.
- {CVCV} refers to consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel combinations.
- {BIN} means “Buy It Now”.
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