New members, quantity over quality?

[scottmccloud]

You'll find threads on motoring forums that point to Ebay auctions talking about how much people think it is worth, is it worth the buy it now price er

Edwin, I understand that you're a bit touchy about this because of accusations made against you in the past from one (former) member in particular but it's unrealistic not to allow discussions of any domains that you don't own on a domain discussion forum.

 

[scottmccloud]

I believe this forum can discuss and share much more information on the subjects around domaining as there are many here who do not just buy/sell domains, that is actually a side business to their online business ventures and we need to share knowledge on the subjects that wrap around this, especially until the 5 years is up on the .UK situation and UK domaining will get a bit more interesting again.

Great to hear.

I've said it before, broadening out the discussions to general digital marketing, SEO, starting online businesses will also bring in potential domain buyers too.

 

[Edwin]

You'll find threads on motoring forums that point to Ebay auctions talking about how much people think it is worth, is it worth the buy it now price er

Edwin, I understand that you're a bit touchy about this because of accusations made against you in the past from one (former) member in particular but it's unrealistic not to allow discussions of any domains that you don't own on a domain discussion forum.

Cars are FAR less subjective than domains. By several orders of magnitude. We've all seen the stories of so-called "regfee" domains that have sold for big money. Doesn't happen with cars. So equating the two types of discussion isn't really a fair comparison.

BTW, I hope it was clear (but perhaps not, text's pretty rubbish at nuance) that when I say "I don't want" I am not trying to create a specific rule for myself! It's just how I wrote about the general subject. I don't think anyone should be happy with having domains they've not asked to be discussed getting discussed. There's zero upside, only (potential) downside to such discussions.

 

[martin-s]

Basically, everything that anyone needs to make a success of domaining (IF it's possible to do so from scratch in 2016, which is a big IF) has already been posted on here and elsewhere, usually not just once, but many, many, many times before.

This is one of the problems with many forums - no one ever takes the time to turn common Q&A content into useful guides.

There are lots of threads on Acorn which could be merged into really educational guides - which (done well) would have some really nice SEO value too.

 

[Edwin]

Great to hear.

I've said it before, broadening out the discussions to general digital marketing, SEO, starting online businesses will also bring in potential domain buyers too.

I agree, with the proviso that an effort is made to keep it as UK relevant as possible.

Acorn will never be Namepros - and that's a positive not a negative! Better to be the biggest and best fish in a small pond than a fairly random fish in the ocean.

 

[Admin]

I actually think Edwin that THERE IS a way for any bright and motivated newbie to join the industry in 2016. Read the sales threads here, look at a certain UK auction site and pick up the gems from £50- £100 and then get doing out reach to end users. It's there for the taking. You need a small amount of money with a self starting, motivated and organised approach.

 

[ian]

Can this forum perhaps be developed into not just UK domains, but UK start-ups and small businesses? There is an opportunity to do this, most of the UK business specific forums out there are full of idiots or those asking the same old question, "what is the easiest way to make money". It would be nice to use the wealth of experience on here (many of us have developed businesses from scratch into success stories) to offer a more professional business forum. The current url may be a sticking point though, perhaps David will donate acorn(couk) to the cause

 

[Edwin]

I actually think Edwin that THERE IS a way for any bright and motivated newbie to join the industry in 2016. Read the sales threads here, look at a certain UK auction site and pick up the gems from £50- £100 and then get doing out reach to end users. It's there for the taking. You need a small amount of money with a self starting, motivated and organised approach.

That's not incompatible with what I said. I merely pointed out that most people who will present here as newbies in 2016 will NOT persevere to find the kind of route to success that you've described. So most of their posts will inevitably have a similar clueless/defensive/get-rich-quick vibe.

The kind of self-starters you are talking about don't need to be spoon-fed - they'll go out and dig for the information and get on with it. After all, 100.00% of the information they need to succeed is already on Acorn...

And hopefully once they've found their feet, they'll rock up at Acorn and share some information about what worked and what didn't (success stories can be really interesting, but so can tales of failure if there's a "learning" to be taken away)

 

[keys]

The low-hanging fruit was taken long ago, and there is tough competiton for lean pickings from the drops. A handful of catchers have the edge to grab all the best domains dropping.

Success for a newbie lies in the challenge of identifying and contacting potential end users, and being able to explain the benefits of a particular domain purchase. It is far from easy, but there are many domains available with scope for high margin and immediate resale - Admin's example was perhaps exceptional but there are many similar and frequent opportunities.

 

[Lovekraft]

Edwin, I do remember you saying roughly the same about newbies being unlikely to make any decent kind of money from domaining when I first joined this forum, so that was 6 years ago in 2010! Although I wasn't actually a newbie then I was still very much finding my feet around that time. And you were probably right, those who persevered and and put the time, effort and motivation into into domaining could potentially do quite well and, i feel I personally done ok and I continue to do so more now. However you are also correct, the vast majority of newer people who joined around this time are no longer here, they just didn't learn and thought they could get rich on a few low quality hand reg's. Much like Ian's current complaint about the current wave of newbies so nothing has really changed in that respect!

It was a much harder game in 2010 than it was in previous years due to the ever continuing lack of quality dropping domains, and it is even harder now in 2016 BUT I do still believe someone new to this starting out now could still do quite well for themselves if they are determined enough, but it is important to realise this is not a get rich quick scheme, it takes time and effort. Domainlore has turned me and many others some great profit's actually, that's buying domains from there for end user resale (I don't make a habit of posting about my sales for various reasons so you won't generally hear me mention them but they do happen). Personally i'm glad i kept at it because i was confident i could make it work (without sounding arrogant I hope, I just had the determination).

 

[Admin]

@Lovekraft is a good example of reaching end users, I gave him 1 domain to try and he found a buyer in one afternoon. I handled the lead from there and the sale and payment completion was protracted and Lovekraft never chased me but some weeks later out of the blue I sent him a 3 figure commission. Forums can build relationships where you can see decency and trust in other members of the community over time.

 

[timter51]

If domaining is hard now, I'd love to know what it was like before I joined the fray in 2012... must have been a flipping gold mine. I make more money doing part-time domaining than I do my "proper" work as an education consultant, and I've seen others saying similar things recently.

Regards the forum, I visit a number of times a day to check the for the sale forums, wanted forum, sold domains, and then anything that's happening in the business forums. I completely agree with what others are saying about opening up discussion around internet marketing / online business specific to the UK, I think a lot of us here are involved in that on the side (or even primarily). There is nowhere decent online to discuss... Warrior Forum is a shambles, and UK business forums don't genuinely atract that kind of discussion. Someone in a different (but similar) thread recently also mentioned the possibilitly of Acorners working on projects together, a great idea I'd be very keen to be involved in if it can be instigated on here.

 

[ian]

Comments above have inspired me to start a new thread, all in an effort to keep things interesting:

http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/threads/your-domain-journey-share-your-successes-and-failures.143366/

 

[keys]

Forums can build relationships where you can see decency and trust in other members of the community over time.

Trust, or lack it can, be a hidden obstacle for many opportunities or deals. Conversely, it is a welcome sign of confidence, more so when unexpected.

My recent sales listings have attracted several regular buyers. A few days ago I agreed a sale and received funds direct to our bank account, before I had issued an invoice. The customer had our details from a previous purchase. The amount was high £xxx. I do not know if he is a forum member.

Buying domains for resale, can be an accumulation of risk if funds are limited. As an alternative, the option to just find buyers and arrange sales then take a profit or commission seems a better proposition. Replies in a previous post suggest this is too risky, or only working for the seller's benefit

Admin's example demonstrates integrity, and how to build good working realtionships.