When I first started out domaining, I would live on domain name forums. I did this to learn, get my name out, sell some domain names and meet some people.
The past couple of weeks, I have been trying to decide if visiting these forums on a daily basis is still worth it? The more and more I think about it, they are really not that much help to me any more. 95% of the "new" posts on DnFourm.com always seem to be "ok" to really crappy domains for sale and that’s about it. I really do not remember the last time that I learned anything or was able to purchase a domain for a "fair" price.
NamePros.com is pretty much the samething. Since NP is more of a "Newbie" forum, most likely because it’s free, I am able to help others on that forum but it doesn’t really help me all that much. Now I do like helping and that is one reason I still visit NP’s from time to time, but not even close to what I did before.
I have also noticed lately that forum posts have been down at NamePros. Is this because things are slow in domaining as well as the economy? That is my guess.
If you are looking to offer a domain name for sale, DnForum.com is still a better place to sell then NamePros. I think this is because there are more seasoned vets on DNF and even a couple end users, but keep in mind, 9 times out of 10 you will be selling to a reseller and you will be getting a reseller price on your domain as well.
Domain forums are great places to get answers quick, do a little learning and a place to get reseller prices for domain names, but I think there are better and more productive things you can do with your time. Like thinking outside the box and finding new ways to purchase and sell domain names. Using other platforms to network and find End Users for your domain names.
Jamie Zoch www.DotWeekly.com
Kelly lieberman
As far as thinking outside the box goes…
One of the things that I do to stay in touch with areas of interest where I look for domains is to sign up for Google alerts. For example, emerging technologies like “nano risk assessment”, “Alzheimer’s clinical trial”, and “genetic testing” are just some of the alerts that I receive. You can sign up to get them daily and Google e-mails you the link.
I have registered a lot of great domains that way.
It can beat reading the forums…
**Jamie Says**
Congrats Kelly on thinking outside the box! That is a good idea and glad to hear you picked up some nice domains using the process. Keep it up.
Jeff
I think that there’s also a movement away from forums to blogs. Blogs are much more suitable for more indepth conversations.
**Jamie Says**
I agree Jeff. I think the addition of Domaining.com has took a great deal of people away from domain forums for atleast a little time of the day.
Francois
Hello Jamie,
With minor differences I am experiencing the same.
Note that I complained in DNF a pair of years ago that big domainers rarelly/never participated in forums. I am seeing today I am acting like them. So maybe it’s simply the sign I have make the next step in my domainer path to success.
Let’s hope.
…
What I noticed these past months are that forum members (mainly veterans and the forum’s pilars) start asking for appraisals (in fact they are just advertising their names for free), after they post the names with a “make offer” (the free promotion continue), and finally they post the names for auction at SEDO.
So it may takes one month since the name start to be advertised until it is really available for sale. There is no way to make interesting and direct deals like in the past.
It look likes this became the norm so to save my time I stopped checking domains for sale in forums.
Mark Fulton
Forums can be a great promotional tool and they also build your reputation as an authority in the industry.
I make alot of my sales on forums still, they are a great marketplace especially if you are selling names for less than $100.
@Kelly: Great tip, I hadn’t thought of that, thank you.
Mark Fulton
http://www.DotSauce.com