When it comes to Domain Investing, do you tell people you buy and sell domain names or is their shame in the game? This post grew out of three interactions. Interactions that are unrelated in every way.
A couple years ago I realized I had an unpublished interview with a gentleman I had known for years.
He shared with me some of his biggest sales that were unreported. We have a good relationship but he had not been around domaining for a bit.
So I emailed him that I was going to publish the interview, just as an fyi. He emailed me back saying he would prefer that I didn’t. I was a tad perplexed, he had been around for years and people knew he was a domain investor. I asked why? He told me he just would rather not have his name brought up anymore in domaining circles.
That’s a one off event, a personal preference, moving on. So last month someone had mentioned to me that they were uncomfortable with the people they work with finding out they were a domain investor. He actually had a domain name he thought his company could want and asked me if I would approach them?
I said sure, and he replied back to me that he had second thoughts, maybe someone could still find out that he was the domain owner.
Respect
So I was talking to a long time friend in the biz on Wednesday, not telling any names or specifics I relayed the previous story.
I figured since he was involved in domaining for probably close to 16 years he would find it a bit odd, someone was worried coworkers would know they were a domainer.
I got the opposite. He started off with, “Do you think I would tell my old man this is what I do for a living?” I was like why not? He replied, “My Father would have no respect for what I do. Instead I tell him and my Mother that I am an Internet consultant.”
Now I know plenty of people who will say something along those lines, but it’s usually because they don’t think people will understand being a domainer. I know I have been out (pre-pandemic) at a few parties and each time I mentioned domain names, the person said, “Oh GoDaddy” or “Do you work for GoDaddy?”
I was not thinking people were using another term for fear of coworkers finding out or that family would not respect the profession.
Share your opinion or story.
Alpha says
I kind of get it, it’s not an honorable job per se. You can make great money, a lot of people made great money by being born before me, not through any smarts.
Ronald Smith says
It’s honest work except for those that shill bid no need to be ashamed of being a domain investor. I wonder if the last guy’s Dad is ashamed of being a stock or bond investor?
Brad Mugford says
Just call yourself an “internet investor” then. Same difference.
Brad
Morgan Linton says
I wear a shirt that says #Domainer all the time, and wear it with pride, so proud of this community and all the amazing people in it. Domaining has long been misunderstood, and it’s likely to continue to misunderstood by many for years to come.
I think it’s up to us to share with more people what we do and how it’s different from cybersquatting. The big challenge is getting normal everyday people to understand that domain investing and cybersquatting are different things.
These are still the early days, it’s going to take more time but I’m confident we’ll get there. Here’s to the journey ahead – together!
Benjamin Smithington says
Not sure what there is to be proud of, but it’s a living.
JZ says
As much as there is to be proud of any kind of living made through investments.
Snoopy says
It is a bit like telling people you are an email marketer, used car salesman, investment banker etc. Definitely a big chunk of people who know what it is have a negative opinion of the industry.
Benjamin Smithington says
Most people are proud of their investment banker children. If not they are fukked in the head. Please don’t compare doing 10bn deals with someone sold a name on Afternic.
Snoopy says
I’m guessing you must be an investment banker?
This is a perceived as a highly dishonest profession.
NamePlease??? says
By a bunch of commies and socialist who would be better off floating at the bottom of a river. Your profession is beyond full of dishonest people. Mostly scumbags.
Do you have rights to use Charles Schultz intellectual property?
Benjamin Smithington says
No I am not an investment banker, but I know some and I know plenty of parents, none would be embarrassed by their children being an investment banker to put domaining in the same breath seems like you are a complete fool or a troll.
Snoopy says
Sorry, but investment banking is one of the least respected professions on the planet. To think investment bankers are looked up to is totally messed up thinking.
Tom says
I just feel that if you are committed to a specific career or hobby, then own it. Life is too short to be worried that others might think less of you because of a career choice. One hundred years from now, nobody is going to be saying, “That Ray guy was a really great guy, except for, well….. he bought and sold domains.”
Domaining is a hobby for me, most years I make more than I spend, sometimes a LOT more, plus I am holding onto some really great domains I want to see developed. My portfolio is tiny, compared to most, and I do not own that killer, life-altering domain, but that is okay, I love the domains in that portfolio.
For people that are not real techy, I just say that domaining is a bit like fishing, every year there are new niches, keywords and strategies you have to use to find good domains. Sometimes you catch a domain that is too ‘small’ and you have to throw it back in. And occasionally, you pick up that one domain you have to tell everyone about.
If you are ashamed of what you do, then get out of the business.
JZ says
I don’t understand why there would be any shame associated with a profession that has you searching for popular terms in domains for resale. Unless you are buying obvious trademarks of course. Please tell me, what exactly is there to be ashamed of?
Not a domainer says
@Snoopy The only one messed up is you. Losers and low lifes like you might not respect investment bankers but dude you are apart of an industry people truly despise and you have no power. Investment bankers partially run the world.
Snoopy says
Actually the vast majority of people do not trust investment bankers. Do a search for “least trusted professions” and they will come up along side politicians and used car salesmen with every survey.
The fact that they make a lot does not turn it into a honourable profession.
Not a domainer says
The gist of this article was who would parents want to see their children, I found three surveys where being a banker/Corporate exec was in the top 5.
You know what no parent wants? Their kid to be a fucking domain investor. Keep trying troll you are not that bright.
Common Sense says
Yes a domainer is not even in the stratosphere of being an investment banker. Hell what domainer has gone on to be Secretary of Treasury. I would much rather be an investment banker don’t have ability the barrier to entry is not low like it is in domaining where anyone can do it.
This conversation is getting absurd.
Snoopy says
You know when post 5 minutes apart from all your other userid’s it becomes pretty clear you are agreeing with yourself.
Common Sense says
I only have one id here, actually the first time I posted.
Too bad narcissists cannot fathom more than one person thinking they are wrong.
To whoever runs this publication please comment that I am not related to any other usernames. THANK YOU!!!
Raymond Hackney says
Well I see different ips in different countries but I will say your email address does not seem like it’s a legit email address.