Domain forums – and forums in general – aren’t for the timid, or those unwilling to work to earn their rank.
Having clocked a decade at DNForum, where I originally joined a week or so after its creation, I can assure domain investors willing to succeed that domain forums are far from a waste of time.
Surely, you will see those dissenting opinions and they come from the following categories of individuals:
- Banned members. Believe it or not, there are plenty of those around.
- Socially inept. Those that can’t function among their peers, online or in real life.
- Part-time domainers. It’s easy to write a blog, it’s tough to be a sales-person.
- Wet behind the ears “professionals”. Being a newbie isn’t bad, but if you can’t take the heat, at least learn how the kitchen works.
On DNForum I have the highest iTrader score; currently at 440 unique transactions and a total of 685 all-positive transactions. I’m known for my rapid style of doing business, and I’ve often turned sub-$100 domain acquisitions into multi-thousand dollar sales. In the past, I participated in every discussion available; while I’ve slowed down in recent years, I still have almost 30,000 posts there – yet another forum record.
DNForum is essentially a paid forum and in that it differs from, say, NamePros. Investing in a paid membership is essential; otherwise, there is no point in being part of a group of people that have no motivation to be there. There are several tiers of membership and I recommend the Exclusive one; it will pay itself back many times over.
There are lots of professionals that frequent DNForum – and other domain forums – daily. In time, one learns to use the forum efficiently and constructively.
In a nutshell: if you can’t handle domain forums, there is no need to talk down on them. You can definitely conduct business without them, but you will definitely miss on a large number of investment opportunities arising from interaction with other domainers from around the world.
The most progressive creative thinkers through out history were massively rejected by their contemporaries. The forums of which you speak are no exception. My experience with forums is such that I experienced great resistance to thinking outside the box. This is not a fertile ground for creation.
A mastermind group of people who allow creative expression on the other hand is a welcome breath of creative manifestation. Sadly the group you are speaking of creates more barriers than avenues to creative expression.
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
Jeff – Bring on the revolution you’re talking about. Until it happens, I’ll reap the benefits of established capitalism. I see no barriers in an environment that promotes survival of the fittest.