Part 4

Do You Have a Domain for Sale? What Have You Done for PR?
Perhaps a few years ago you bought a couple domain names, thinking that sooner or later you could sell them for a profit. You may have even listed them at one of the domain brokerage sites out there. And even though you think the domain is valuable, it's not getting any bids--not a bite. What gives? Simple...lack of promotion. 

Just like a great web site with no links to bring folks to it, the best domain name in the world won't sell if nobody knows about it, or it will sell for substantially less. Here are several things you can do to promote your domains that are for sale: 

• actually point the domain to a page that indicates the domain is for sale, and provide contact information 

• submit the "for sale" page to the 10 largest search engines 

• list the domain on the various domain brokerage sites 

• put a small note about the domain being for sale in your email signature 

finally, consider submitting a press release to one of the PR news companies that submit it to thousands of jouralists, such as Internet News Bureau or Internet Wire. 

What Exactly is a Google or a Yahoo? Domain Names and Branding
As well all go through the process of choosing a domain name, we tend to try to find the shortest, most easily remembered domain. Unless you are trying to find a domain with the same name as that of your business, you may have tried to find a generic term that would apply to your business, or perhaps a very short phrase. Just make sure that you understand that a generic term is not necessarily the best name you can choose for you business. 
Think about this: just what exactly is a google or a yahoo. I could guess that a "yahoo" was a slang term for idiot or jerk, or something similar. The word "google" might sound like a non-technical word for a technical apparatus, as in "could you hand me the google, Smithers, it's on the floor next to the thingamajig?" Almost everyone now knows that Yahoo refers to a famous web directory, and a lot of folks now realize that Google is a search engine. That's what effective branding does, it sticks in your mind. When you look for your domain name, don't be afraid to try some quick, easy to remember phrases, perhaps something your child may have babbled to you. You may be the next "Yahoo." 

Domain Lists and Why You Should Read Them
Often, it is impossible to keep up with the latest information on the subject of domain names. There are several email-based discussion lists out there that you can join to stay more fully informed. Most of the "leaders" of the domain industry are represented on these lists, and you can get some great tips and information from them. Realize that these lists are not the place to ask "how do I register this" or "what's a TLD." Also realize that some of these lists are quite topical, and the threads can get quite heated at times. That said, here is a list of some of the better domain-related lists.

CNRP-IETF List 
Domain-Policy List 
InterNIC Guardian Objects Discussion List 
InterNIC Registration Services Info (RS-INFO) 
InterNIC Registration Services Talk (RS-TALK) 
Uniform Resource Names 
Nc-tlds -- Non-Commerical (Internet) Top Level Domains 

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