The Domaining Challenge is drawing to a close. My strategy is revealed inside :)

I've registered ~50 new domains, average fair market value >$500/each. Some +++

[Webwork]

The challenge was announced here [webmasterworld.com].

There's still time to join in. Please read the initial challenge post.

Here's where I'm at in meeting the challenge:

I haven't done any serious domain mining in awhile. I used to stay up most of the night, after working all day, when I was "in the hunt". I'll guess I checked >1 million registrations. You know what? I DON'T want to go back. It's exhausting, but it's been a bit of fun.

I'll let you in on my secret strategy, which you can ONLY READ IF YOU AGREE that you will join in the fun.

Agreed?

Yes?

Okay, click HERE and read on. If not, the GO AWAY! Party pooper. :)

Here's my strategy:

• I'm taking a geotargeting in naming approach.
  
• My "geo" targets are population centers. Think BIG. That's the best geotargeting approach, right?
  
• My topic targets are high PPC value, high LEAD value. Again, why not is you are playing a speculative game? Remember: You only have to hit on 1 in a large number IF all the members of the speculative "investment" are reasonably calculated to be large number candidates.
  
• In some markets .Org works nicely. In some cases (rarely) I'll go with a .Net, as I know that if the body of interest is large enough (big population) the .Net version will get traffic. There are other variables that effect .Net traffic. To learn them you have to attend one of my presentations at a PubCon. (Or at least buy me a beer. ;)
  
• The HIGHER the population numbers + PPC/LEAD value the LESS I'm afraid of long URLs. IF it's a high PPC/LEAD value domain AND someone is willing to type it in THEN, IMHO, chances are good that the lead is very focused and will convert better (unless it's just another knucklehead domainer. ;)
  
• I've picked up about 50 new domains since the challenge started, costing less than $500. It's been years since I've been this active. Mostly I've limited myself to drop catching. It's been an interesting experience. I'd honestly say any one of the domains is an easy enduser sell for $500+. That's based upon 8 years experience. These will be keepers. I (plan to) develop everything I register these days and have been of that mind for a loooong time.
  
• I expect most of the domains to have type-in traffic. Some are already performing.
  
• There are gems out there. Just fire up the mental circuitry. Remember, in part, the challenge is intended to reinvigorate sluggish domaining thinking. You know who you are. :) Ya, you. And you. All of you that haven't done much more than play the drop-catch game for a long time. THINK. And PLAY.

Alrighty then. I've handed out a few BIG tips. You read 'em. I now you have because I've set a super double secret cookie on your PC that informs me that you have scrolled down this far on the page with your eyes focused on the screen. Now a) you agreed to join in (if you've read this far); and, b) that means I want to see your "I'm in" post in the initial thread.

Remember, this is just for fun AND for education.

We can talk about it over a beer in LasVegas at the next PubCon. :) (I'm buying, at the blackjack tables.)

[Webwork]

OBTW, do you know that incrediBILL is a domaining WIMP?

[wmuser]

Good strategy,good luck Webwork :)

[trader]

Do you have some geo examples? Do you mean names like citystate.com/org county.us city.org/us citystaterealestate.com? The good ones are likely all gone.

Agree .org works very well. I love org's! In some cases org is almost as good as the .com, with .us having good future potential.

I missed seeing the domain challenge thread as unfortunately did not visit here in a while so could not post a name by saying I am in. However, I did newly reg about 10 good names (non-geo but I already own a ton of geo's) during the contest time period.

With 2 of the new (non-geo) names I reg'd both the com and org. Decided to make a website (already online) using the org with the com redirected as I feel the org is perhaps best.

Hopefully I can participate in some other contest.

BTW, these contests are a great idea Webwork!