Newswire founder (7-fig exit). Now helping founders scale with premium domains, enabling more growth and freedom. Husband, Dad dedicated to wellness and family.
Everyone thinks it's impossible to hand register domains and sell them for big money -But I hand registered and flipped it in 8 days for an ROI of 883,179%!
🧵exact selling price and how it happened below:
Ever wondered how acquiring a premium domain can skyrocket your business?
Here's my story:
"From to : The Rebrand that Led to a $44M Exit"
🧵
#Rebrand
#DomainNames
How OpenAI Fumbled Securing at Launch While I Got Lucky and Snagged It for $9.63
This is the story about how I got lucky and picked up and flipped it for $85,000 just 8 days later.
Had a great time on DNW! We covered how upgrading to led to a $44M exit and my lucky story of hand registering and flipping in just 8 days.
Listen here:
Could use some help. I'm getting ready to write my next blog post for
Which topic interests you most?
1️⃣ My journey from solopreneur at to managing a 50+ member team at
2️⃣ The story and strategy behind my
How Many Domain Names Can You Register Before Falling Asleep in This? 😴
It’s the best workstation I've used in all my 26 years of working online.
Ideal because:
1. It saves me from back pain
2. Good for blood circulation
3. Keeps me focused and in the zone
But the
#1
reason
6/ It wasn't! So, I paid the reg fee of $9.63, at exactly 6:59 PM, 15 minutes after registering the first set of names. I couldn't believe no one had picked it up!😲
8/ 🔑 How did I survive 26 years of domain investing?
By building equity into my digital assets.
Domain names - build simple starter sites to increase value.
System assets - refined processes for outbound marketing, acquisition, and negotiation.
Network assets - relationships
6 Big Mistakes Every Domain Investor Needs to Avoid to Make Consistent Sales
1. Not Knowing Your Buyer
2. Not Using Escrow/Intermediary for LTO
3. Not Having a Final Price Sheet
4. Not Doing Something with the Domain
5. Chasing Trends Over Expertise
6. Not Following Up with
Me: My post is going viral! 52K views with only 700 followers.
Friend: Cool, but why go viral?
Me: Building a personal brand. People buy from those they know, like, and trust.
Friend: Makes sense. But I know, like, and trust you, and I wouldn’t buy from you.
Me: Why not??
Thanks for having me on your podcast Tatiana! I love what you're doing with / - we need more resources like yours to continue educating founders on the massive impact a premium domain can have on their growth efforts.
What do business success and domain names have in common? Listen to our discussion with
@mikesantiago
for insights on domain strategy and how the right domain can boost your brand's credibility and drive growth. 📈🔑
#DomainNames
#BusinessGrowth
5/5💡 That’s why I created .
To help startups and entrepreneurs accelerate their growth with the right domain.
If you're ready to level up, read the full story here:
#Branding
#Startups
#DomainNames
#OnlineBusiness
4/ 🌟 Shiny Object Syndrome - The more you search for new names, the more you end up buying. This cycle only stops when you get disciplined or run dangerously low on funds.
3/5 🚀 The rebrand to was a game-changer.
Revenue jumped from $891K in 2015 to over $3.6M in 2017, eventually reaching $8.2M in 2020.
The power of a premium domain is undeniable!
1/5 📝In 2006, I bought for $35K.
It started small, earning about $1K/month.
But in 2010, I revamped the site and added a subscription model.
By 2013, it was generating $20K/month!
@chiropractic
Thanks Michael! Yes absolutely. We eventually acquired these gems as well and . And they ultimately helped increase the enterprise value at the exit.
2/5 🤝 I sold 70% of the business to a fellow entrepreneur and coincidentally same name, Mike, in 2013.
Together, we aimed high—competing with top press release providers.
Our only path?
Acquiring which we did in 2015.
4/5 💰 By 2021, I was ready for a new challenge.
I sold my equity, and Mike sold the business for $44M in 2022.
This journey showed me the true impact of a great domain name.
Domain transaction started on escrow, time to celebrate!
Not so fast....
Domain sales fall through all the time. Even ones that made it to escrow.
Why do buyers do this?
1. They don't honor their word
2. They found a better name
3. They no longer need it
4. They are stooping
@chiropractic
100% they add value. Congrats on your foresight to snatch them.
I've had at least a dozen buyers over the years ask if I had matching social handles, only to disappoint them. I'm sure I could've added an extra grand or two if I had them.
2/7 🚫 Mistake 2: Not Using Escrow/Intermediary for LTO
I had a six-figure LTO deal for fall through due to mismanaged DNS settings.
Lesson: Stick to trusted platforms like to handle transactions securely. 🔒
#DomainTips
@netidexcom
Absolutely. I tell my non domainer friends, some domains are like lotto tickets and this is one of several examples if hitting the numbers.
@Aladey
Yes took them awhile to switch over. Not sure why. When we acquired we switched it literally a few days later. Then again with ChatGPT there are so many technical details behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition.
@RickLatona
I was the original registrant of on Nov 30th 2022. Not sure if I sold it to you Rick as the buyer was undisclosed, but either way congrats on milking it all these months 🙂. OpenAi nearly had the biggest blunder in domain history imo but seems they got
@MichaelCyger
Or go the easier route and put up a site about different survey solutions ie. typeform, surveymonkey.
Because that link juice could probably do some good and get you traffic.
Just found out one of the most successful domain investors, Dr. Kevin Ham, is launching a newsletter at .
He's a medical doctor, serial entrepreneur and previous domain investor who sold his portfolio for millions of dollars.
His newsletter discusses:
I recently signed up to a writing course and challenge, "Ship 30 for 30" and this is my first post aka "Atomic Essay" of 30.
Here are a few reasons why I decided to write:
1. Upskill and improve my writing abilities
2. Build a personal brand
3. Do something beneficial that I've
Building With Ai, Automation and VAs.
Learn how to use Ai, Automation and VAs to run your solo online business. Specifically I'll be building out hundreds of domains I own using all of these elements.
3/7 🚫 Mistake 3: Not Having a Price Sheet
Without a detailed price sheet, I wrecklessly declined a six-figure offer for .
Lesson: Organize your domains with purchase dates, desired sale prices, and MINIMUM acceptable prices to avoid missing best offers.
@AlbertoMR3
Checked your profile and notice you are the behind CTRify product. It was and is a great platform. You guys were ahead of your time but still strong.
@Jack1115631
Optin form is a good way.
But I'm experimenting with "Assessment Quizzes"
ie. "Is DOMAIN The Best Domain For Your Business - Take the Quiz to Find Out"