I haven’t yet been to a domain conference but it seems like a great way to network and meet some of the leaders in the industry. I am looking forward to the day I do attend one. There is no doubt in my mind that anyone attending will walk away better than when they arrived. To emphasize that point , I thought it would be good to hear from some of the leaders and bloggers in our industry as to the real benefits of a domain conference. I put two questions out to some familiar names and this is what they have to say:
Rick Schwartz – RicksBlog.com
Speaking of domain conferences, The Domain King is the founder of T.R.A.F.F.I.C. To learn more, visit his blog or read my post where he previously answered some questions for me.
What is the most important thing you have learned at a domain conference?
Rick: Every minute is valuable and you never know who you are going to meet. As an organizer, I have learned to do everything first class or not at all and that attention to detail is never enough.
What would be one reason you would recommend attending a domain conference to someone who has never attended previously?
Rick: To take your business to the next level. To better understand how things may unfold. To be on top of things before they are made public. Look to meet people that can accelerate your journey and add value to your life. To propel yourself to do bigger and greater things by looking around and seeing so many others enjoying one level of success or another. The only thing I can’t do is give you one reason because there are just so many and I have barely scratched the surface.
But the #1 answer…..folks can’t afford to sit at home while others are cutting deals and doing things to make their business grow and their lives better. That’s the big one.
Michael Castello – CCIN.com
The award winning and geo domain extraordinaire of Castello Cities Internet Network, Inc. is a frequent attendee and speaker at domain conferences.
What is the most important thing you have learned at a domain conference?
Michael: There is a plethora of gifted people that as separate entities have great value, but as a group of like-minded entrepreneurs can succeed at anything they put their collective minds to.
What would be one reason you would recommend attending a domain conference to someone who has never attended previously?
Michael: Where else can you go to a conference where the top players in their respective industry are telling listeners their secrets to their past, present and next successes? These are people that succeeded from growing businesses organically from the bottom up and have an eye on the future. There is more than enough wealth and happiness to go around. Domain conferences are the Tim Pan Alley of the Domain Industry. They are the mixing pot of ideas. It’s an open field and besides most conferences are fun with great people. My brother David and I have not only made long time friendships from these gatherings but we have created businesses and dreams as well.
Elliot Silver – ElliotsBlog.com
Elliot is an successful Internet entrepreneur and popular domain industry blogger.
What is the most important thing you have learned at a domain conference?
Elliot: Some of the most interesting conversations and discussions take place outside of the panels.
What would be one reason you would recommend attending a domain conference to someone who has never attended previously?
Elliot: The most important reason to attend is that many people value a face to face meeting, and domain conferences are some of the only opportunities to meet other domain investors. Not only can you make deals with clients, but you can also learn from others. People seem to be more willing to share stories and insight in private rather than on a blog or public forum.
Mark Fulton – DotSauce Magazine
Mark has coincidentally had a similar discussion on his forum where you can read some additional perspective.
What is the most important thing you have learned at a domain conference?
Mark: I’d like to tell you I learned a lot from the keynote speeches or advanced domaining sessions. These were inspirational, but may not apply to everyone. I’m having trouble deciphering what little notes I took. I suspect the free alcohol was to blame.
Conference organizers inevitably do a great job lining up interesting speakers and timely educational sessions, but in my opinion it’s the networking that makes attending a domain conference such a memorable and valuable experience.
What would be one reason you would recommend attending a domain conference to someone who has never attended previously?
Mark: I never anticipated just how much all these short conversations would really impact my business. Meeting the people who make the industry tick face to face is invaluable.
While at DOMAINFest Hollywood, I had a chance run-in on an elevator with Moniker founder Monte Cahn where I pitched him my blog. Very cliché, I know. Later that night, I went out for drinks with FreshDrop founder Tan Tran. Both of these meetings resulted in key advertising deals.
I was able to meet countless other industry veterans that I look up to such as Sahar Sarid, Ron Jackson, Michael and David Castello, Ron James and so many others. Just as interesting though, was being able to meet and talk to “100% domainers;” those who may not be as well known, but are doing this full-time without even a break to stop and write about it. These movers and hard workers turned out to be the real inspiration.
Owen Frager – The Frager Factor
Owen is an Internet entrepreneur and profession as well as a popular domain industry blogger.
What is the most important thing you have learned at a domain conference?
Owen: That I am not alone and while there’s no road map or university to learn these things, there’s hundreds of people with interests like yours and you don’t have to go it alone. It gets very lonely out there bucking traditional thinking, and just the camaraderie and feel good support you get from peers can lift the spirits and inspire you to keep journeying on.
What would be one reason you would recommend attending a domain conference to someone who has never attended previously?
Owen: You never know who you’re going to meet. I’ve met a lot of people that taught me a lot, became clients, customers partners and or lifetime friends, and provided solutions that took my domains to the next level.
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What is the most important thing you have
learned at a domain conference?
On 8/30/10 3:48 PM, “Mike Sullivan” <michael.k.sullivan@gmail.com>
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