There has been a lot of talk over the past 24 hours about who is an expert in the domain industry. What makes someone an expert? There are obviously no set rules or definitions. Some will say if you have no verifiable public domain name sales you are not an expert. But there are private people who possess great expertise that are not a part of the day to day community. And just because you got lucky and sold a few names that does not necessarily make you an expert on domaining.
Because someone speaks at a conference does that make them an expert? I know many who have been asked that turned it down who most would not consider an expert. One who is a friend, told me he turned it down because he had no great trait that made him feel deserving of addressing a crowd.
Harvard Business Review has an interesting article on the topic of experts.
I remember George Pickering had a great line many years, “I have never seen an industry with so much hero worship, especially one devoid of any real heroes.”
For others someone like Rick or Frank transformed their lives. When SevenMile.com was rocking back in the day, many worshiped at the Church of Schilling.
Namepros polls have shown the majority are part time or hobbyists.
This is such a subjective topic, so I will open it up to the readers, since everyone is part of the community and it should be inclusive.
For you what makes someone an expert? Who do you consider an expert?
I think to be an expert you probably have to be doing something more than just a year or two right? you could certainly be well on your way but to be an expert. you have to be putting x amount of years into something and demonstrate with your words or your success that you are an expert in that field.
Rick is an expert. Who else in domaining today provides his level of expertise?
I am THE EXPERT!!
I am THE EXPERT because I do not hide my BullS to my site and can be easily reachable and not those who hide their identity .
I hope comments are not approved without their true identity.
I think any person is expert who is capable of making his/her own living easily.
So prostitutes and drug dealers are experts?
i used to be a gigalo but i only worked in spurts.
In defining who is an expert we need to weigh both a persons intelligence and their wisdom. Intelligence can often be learned through training, reading etc. while wisdom comes from doing and experience (which often takes time) while being humble enough to recognise they aren’t always right. The combination of these traits must bear results in their field of expertise in order for them to be classified as an expert. In addition, in the context of a conference speaker, I would add that a real expert also has the ability to communicate in a manner that can be understood by the audience.
Personally, I would be reticent to take the advice of anyone that has been in the industry for a couple of years, has no runs on the board but still proclaims themselves as an expert. That being said, it doesn’t mean that person that is new to the domain industry can not contribute and challenge the status quo but it would often be better for new comers to listen before they speak. As the say goes….you have two ears and one mouth, use them in those proportions.
Someone I know was a fire marshal which in turn resulted in his being an “expert witness”. He once told me an expert in court is anyone with “above average knowledge”.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/expert_witness
“An expert witness is a person with extensive experience or knowledge in a specific field or discipline beyond that expected from a layperson. The expert witness’s duty is to apply their expertise to give a professional opinion to the tribunal or court on particular matters in dispute. ”
I think Michael touches on the same point that comes to my mind, that I remember via this quote:
“Touch no ones heros, for the gilt will come off on your hands”.
Gilt is spelled correctly … Be careful how high you place anyone in your life. Likewise be careful how far you LOWER yourself with respect to others ….
When I tell friends and peers about the domain industry their eyes roll to the back of their heads and they want nothing to do with it. Why do you suppose that is? I believe I know, but to share it with other domainers is simply mute.
These same friends and peers consider me an expert in other industries where I’ve started, NAMED, and operated other businesses for profit. While NAMING businesses has always been a strength of mine, somehow my expertise in this area doesn’t transfer to the domain industry. I do a little offshore fishing where the idea of “catch and release” has become more the norm than the rule. Thus just catching/buying a good domain fulfills me:) When Verisign called out the domain aftermarket several years ago, somehow i just knew I was on the right track.
If recognizing the flaws in the domain industry and seeing an opportunity for improvement makes me an expert, I guess I’m guilty. I’ll be 75 years young a week from today, and just for the occasion I bought for myself the domain Birthday.link. I paid just $116 for it and it renews at $116 annually. I see it as a pretty good catch/buy considering the FACT that Birthday.link is NO WORSE than Birthday.com
Maybe I’m just a “Buyside Expert”…..does that make sense:)
I don’t think there is anyone in the domain Industry that is a true domain expert. There are too many variables when it comes to domaining. You’re learning and adapting all of the time.
The core of domaining stays the same, make money, but how you make money changes over time. Apps, new gTlds, Crypto, NFTs etc have influenced domaining, good and bad
+1
Everyone I have ever met in life has taught me something.
There will be agreement on what constitutes a domain expert just as soon as there’s agreement on what constitutes a premium domain.
H.e.l.l. will freeze over first.
Can an expert be admittedly wrong, over and over again and still be an expert? Would you call that expert to testify in court for you?
I think we make the mistake of thinking any one person (in the domain world) has all the answers, all the time. We are all human and have personalities and opinions. Don’t confuse the loudest mouth, biggest ego or large sales as equating to being an expert.
Personally I prefer to gain insight from multiple sources and use collective knowledge when making choices.