While you can think of all domainers as competitors, I choose to think of us all as colleagues, working together. No two domains are exactly alike and therefore, there are no two domainers selling the exact same thing. It’s not a matter of producing widgets that are slightly different from one another. It’s more like real estate. Yes, there is some competition in that, but it boils down to the plot of land you want most and what you are willing to pay for it. Location, location, location.
We see tweets from legends like Frank Shilling and Rick Schwartz, blog posts and videos from the likes of Elliot Silver and Mike Cyger and his guests. All sharing information, learnings and inspiration. I don’t know in what other industry you’ll find this type of knowledge sharing.
Domainers congratulate each other on a recent sale, and help brainstorm ideas on how to best develop a name. Yes, we often profit off of one another and there are a shady few in the bunch… but overall, domainers are good people in my experience.
I am seriously interested in your opinion. Are we competitors or colleagues. Comment with your thoughts.
6 comments
In the grand scheme I believe domain investors are working to create awareness for the industry and to grow the industry as a whole.
However, if someone is going after the same domain in an auction or selling a very similar domain, they are definitely competitors in those moments.
Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, though.
Most of the domain investors I’ve come across are truly great people.
@Ian – “if someone is going after the same domain in an auction or selling a very similar domain, they are definitely competitors in those moments.”
Excellent point I failed to consider. I was only looking at the selling aspect which is only half the equation.
I have found domainers to be some of the most helpful as well as tight-lipped individuals as per specific tactics and strategies.
I know I have shared many stories on what has worked, some of what hasn’t, as I believe we all have to go through an inordinate amount of non-responses to toughen us up for this landscape, but I will still keep my most recent and trending discoveries to myself until I can prove them one way or the other.
There are instances that I will send a few domain portfolios to competitors who might have a better in for that target market with mutually beneficial profits in mind.
I agree with the above comment, a little competition is healthy, and needed, but the open and friendly nature of our community as a whole is a breathe of fresh air.
@Ryan – thanks and I agree!
Well said, Mike. Relative to other industries the domain industry (and the much smaller subset of domainers within that ecosystem) is small in terms of headcount and that is one of the things that makes it terrific. It’s more like a quirky and sometimes dysfunctional family complete with the successful family members and the crazy uncles and that cousin we never talk about. ;+) Although technically some of us are competitors I consider many of my competitors to also be strategic partners and some are even friends. It’s weird that we can be both but somehow magically it works.
@Bill – Ha! I love the dysfunctional family analogy. Hits the nail on the head.