Do you have a template or plan for writing letters to potential domain name end users, either for a developed idea or suggestion? The goal is to write in a way that conveys the value and necessity of the domain, even for those who may not be familiar with the topic. If the recipient is not knowledgeable or interested, the goal is to have them pass it on to someone who is, such as management or a specialist. Should pricing be included upfront?
I would love to hear any tips from professionals or experienced domainers. Overall, I find this topic to be interesting and worthy of discussion.
When it comes to selling domains, my opinion is that you should not disclose the exact price in cold sales. By doing so, you will be able to gauge potential buyers' interest in the domain and determine whether or not it is needed. If you reveal the price right away, you may scare off potential buyers or receive no interest at all.
In my experience, only one domain name was sold through spam and it was done inexpensively on a social network. Otherwise, I've received no response from buyers who have exited through the parking lot or whois. While the standard approach is usually recommended, sometimes unconventional methods can also yield success.
The likelihood of a secretary throwing away unsolicited letters and trade offers is high, as she may not have been instructed to find them. Additionally, it's impossible to count the number of irrelevant and false "exceptionally profitable offers" she receives daily. If the letter does not get thrown out, it's likely it will be directed to the website specialist, who may not be pleased with cybersquatters who have taken over their domain.
The specialist may immediately contact lawyers to demand the return of the domain. After waiting some time, the lawyers will review the situation and determine if any trademark laws have been violated. If there are no legal grounds for the claim, the specialist may offer a maximum amount of $200 or advise going after a different domain name.
Selling a domain is difficult, particularly when targeting specific companies. In most cases, a company will not have allotted funds for such purchases, and employees will not want to incur these expenses as it may reflect poorly on them. However, PR specialists may be more receptive as they can leverage a domain purchase to bolster their reputation and tout it to management.
Overall, selling a domain to a company depends on the circumstances and the willingness of the company to pursue the transaction. It may be easier to sell to a small business owner rather than a large corporation.
Writing letters to potential domain name end users can be a tricky task, as you want to stay professional but also convince them that investing in your domain name can be beneficial. Developing a compelling narrative about why they need the name and its relevance to their business or future initiatives is crucial.
Here's a templated approach that you may use or adapt:
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Subject: Unique Opportunity Regarding [Domain Name]
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I hope this email finds you well.
My name is [Your Name] and I'm contacting you as the owner and registrar of the domain name [Domain Name], which I believe may greatly benefit your organization.
Considering your firm's specialization in [Industry/Business Area], [Domain Name] could aid your branding endeavors, enhance your visibility online, and even offer an edge in your SEO strategy. The right domain name is a digital asset that can increase in value over time and can help define your identity in the world of e-commerce.
While I understand that you have an established web presence and may not have considered additional domain names, [Domain Name] can serve as a strategic resource for [specific project, performance improvements, a new product line or service, etc.]. Within the digital landscape, memorable domain names can even increase customer retention, becoming a valuable component in a diversified marketing strategy.
I would be more than happy to answer any technical or transactional questions you may have or to discuss this matter further.
Please note that this unique opportunity is time-sensitive and the domain name might become available to other parties after a certain period. I can assure you that the transfer process is secure, transparent, and regulated by ICANN standards, often facilitated by a trusted third-party escrow service.
I'm optimistic that with your expertise and our shared vision, we can find the perfect application and value for [Domain Name] aligned with your business.
If you're not the correct person to address this matter with, I'd highly appreciate it if you could forward this to the appropriate person or department.
Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to possibly collaborating with you in the future.
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
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Tips:
1. Keep the tone professional, friendly, and positive.
2. Tailor the language to the recipient's knowledge level - explain concepts they may not understand.
3. Don't start by mentioning the price; let them understand the value first. However, be prepared to discuss the price if they show interest.
4. Be clear about the benefits they could gain.
5. Make it easy for them to reach out with questions.
6. Spell out the process, so they understand there's a secure, accepted way to do this.
7. Always give a gentle nudge for them to act soon to highlight the opportunity's exclusivity.
8. Highlight the value of the domain without appearing desperate or pushy, and avoid making unrealistic promises about the results.
9. Remember to be patient. This process often may take some time.
Here are a few additional tips and strategies you might find useful:
Research the Recipient: The more you know about the business or individual you're reaching out to, the better you can tailor your pitch to their specific needs and interests. Understand their business model, their goals, and how the specific domain name could help them achieve these.
Maintain Humility: The tone of your letter should be humble and courteous. Even if you're sure the domain name could prove highly beneficial for them, it's essential to allow recipients to draw their conclusions without being overbearing about it.
Specify Advantages Over Competitive Domains: Mention why your domain name might be more beneficial compared with others in a similar category. This could revolve around the length, uniqueness, relevance, or exact match of keywords related to their business.
Perceived Urgency: Gently imply that there is a level of urgency (without making it seem like a hard sell) due to potential interest from other parties. The perceived scarcity can often tip the scale in your favor.
Offer Support: Ensure that the recipient knows that you're willing to help with subsequent steps if they decide to move forward, especially if they are not tech-savvy. This could be related to domain name transfer process, DNS changes, etc.
Follow-Up: If you don't hear back within a reasonable amount of time, don't hesitate to follow up. Sometimes your email may be overlooked or buried in a sea of other emails.
Include Testimonials: If you have a proven track record of domain sales that have resulted in successful businesses, don't hesitate to share these stories (while respecting the privacy of the buyer). Highlighting these successes can reassure potential buyers about the value and legitimacy of your offer.
Value Proposition: Understand and effectively communicate the difference between the price and value of the domain. The price is what the buyer pays, but the value is what the buyer gets. This could be in terms of branding, SEO, lead generation or even preventing a competitor from acquiring the domain.
Respect their Time: Be concise yet informative in your email. Busy professionals tend to skim read so keep the critical points at the beginning of the email. Don't bog down your email with heavy technical jargon unless you're certain the recipient will understand it.
Outline a Clear Call-to-Action: Make it easy for the recipient to understand what steps they need to take if they are interested. Guide them towards the next step in the process. This could be as simple as a phone call, email reply, or setting a face-to-face meeting.
Avoid Sounding Like Spam: Use professional language, and keep your email personalized. Mass emails often come off as spam, which could lead to your email being ignored.
Leverage Social Channels: Beyond email, you can also reach out through professional social media platforms like LinkedIn, especially if your email doesn't get a response. Ensure your message remains professional in these contexts.
Domain Appraisal Certificate: If the domain was appraised by a reliable source, you could mention this and provide a certificate. This would add credibility to your valuation.
Leave Room for Negotiation: If you decide to include a price in your message, set it a bit higher than the minimum you would accept. This leaves room for negotiation, which is often expected in domain name transactions.