Other registries and registrars should take a look at this promotion.
Name.com is running a well-designed marketing contest for free .News domain names. Competitors should take note.
The domain name registrar is giving away 100 free non-premium .news domain names when the top level domain releases to the public next month. In order to get one of the free domains, people have to go to a webpage and enter their email address.
They’ll then be given a place in line, and the top 100 people in line on July 15 get a free domain.
A smart aspect of the promotion is that people that signed up after the first 100 can move up in line by referring friends with a unique code. (I signed up early and am #10, so I’m not too worried about slipping out of the top 100.)
So far about 400 people are in line.
I think this is a smart promo for Name.com and its parent company Rightside, which is launching the .news top level domain name:
1. It has a viral aspect of referring friends to move up in the queue. That’s a great way to reach people outside of Name.com’s existing social presence.
2. It gives Name.com leads for .News domains and its other services. Think about it: they already have email addresses for 400 people interested in .news domain names.
3. It doesn’t really cost anything since the registry and registrar are owned by the same company.
Charley says
Is it for US residents only? I don’t see it on their homepage.
Andrew Allemann says
You have to go to the link…I don’t think they’re promoting it on their home page
Alex says
All can participate.
– Alex
Matt says
Best of all, it’s powered by KickoffLabs.com, so anyone can setup a contest like this in just a few minutes.
Andrew Allemann says
Thanks
Charley says
How often does the waitlist get updated after referrals sign up using the code?
Alex says
Hey Charley, I believe it’s updated instantly. I’ll confirm this.