Six more ways to profit form new top level domain names.
This is the second in a two part post about ways you can make money from new top level domain names. See part one here.
7. Become a trademark lawyer
Startup Cost: Expensive
OK, this is really only an opportunity for existing intellectual property lawyers. If you play in the space you might want to hold your hat out as a domain name lawyer specializing in trademark protection. There will be plenty of business to go around in the coming years.
8. Start a brand protection company
Startup Cost: Moderate
Although plenty of companies are already voicing concern about brand protection with new top level domain names, only a small fraction of companies are even aware of new TLDs yet. There will be a big opportunity to help them secure their brand names on the web, even if for merely defensive purposes. This includes second level registrations of new TLDs as well as perhaps getting their own .brand top level domain name.
9. Work for (or consult to) ICANN
Startup Cost: None
You won’t get rich working for ICANN (although they pay well). But there will be plenty of job security going forward.
You can expect the non-profit’s coffers to explode by about $100 million when the new TLD application round opens.
The biggest need will be for lawyers and compliance personnel. Some of this will undoubtedly be outsourced and there will be a great need for consultants.
10. Start a trademark clearinghouse/auction company
Startup Cost: Moderate
Many new top level domain name operators will work hard to get trademarks into the hands of their rightful owners. Especially if they can profit from it.
There are very few companies out there that “get” this model as a service provider. Think trademark verification + auction house.
11. Start a domain name auction service
Startup Cost: High
Expect Sedo, NameJet, and SnapNames to make a mint off of new TLD auctions. Getting into this game won’t be easy because you have to create a market. But larger companies can certainly play ball.
12. Apply for a new TLD
Startup Cost: High
Wait — you mean these guys want to make money, too?
Although many new TLDs will fail, many will make their founders rich. It’s a costly game. It won’t be easy. There will be a lot of competition.
But a few savvy entrepreneurs will make a mint of it.
So there you have it…12 ways to make money from new TLDs. Feel free to add your own.
Andrew
People can invest in some of the public companies that are expected to apply for new gTLD strings like Demand Media, or company’s like Neustar and VeriSign who will be running the back end for new gTLD registries or publicly traded domain registrars like Tucows.com and web.com that owns register.com.
Thanks for the shout out for Right Of The Dot as well.
14. (Michael’s is 13): Start a blog covering everything for these TLDs; selling ads + private consultation for revenue.
Startup Cost: Low
You won’t get rich, but you may be able to build it up to a nice 50k-100k+/yr business.
My advice is to completely ignore new TLDs. And I think it is far from given they will be introduced. I think it is even far from given that .xxx will ever be live. I also think the biggest losers may end up new TLD registries as demand for new domains will be dramatically lower than most expect.
I think buying the best single word .coms that would make spectacular brands is the best way to play new TLDs.
I like Steve idea I regged TLDroulette.com for such an idea.
But wit the market volatile and I have been doing that a lot longer than domaining, you can have a lot of outside factors affecting the stocks. Again IMO
So Andrew will you be a new tld consultant ?
…um…how come noticeably missing from the list is to actually register one?
Hmmm.
I suspect it will be a big .FAIL!
15. Start an Escrow service. That’s ESCROW, not escort. Every registry will be required to escrow their data, and there is only one company offering this service today.
I think Jon is correct.
The best way to profit off the new tld extensions is to simply ignore them. That’s right, continue to deal solely with .COM and watch the price of your .COM portfolio skyrocket after ICANN’s silly gtld concept comes crashing down after society wholeheartedly rejects the entire idea which is plagued with trademark confusion and pitfalls. Have you not learned anything from .mobi, people?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I agree with Jon too.
gtld = total waste of time, unless, of course you are a registrar, a trademark lawyer or ICANN.
“Start a brand protection company” –Not so fast. If such a company provides services that normally fall under the baileywick of private investigators, you may need to be licensed in your state of business. My understanding is that operating an unlicensed PI in California is a felony.