With NamesCon 2020 just around the corner I thought now would be a good time to talk about how you can get organized before the conference to make sure to maximize your time there. I read a great book called The ONE Thing that does a great job of covering a relatively simple but powerful topic.
The book highlights something that’s always been important to me when it comes to getting value out of conferences which is having a goal. Yes you can come up with a whole list of goals, pack your calendar full of meetings, attend a zillion sessions, but when you peel all that back, there should be one thing in your mind that you really want to get out of the conference.
When I first started going to domain investing conferences my goal wasn’t to make money and cover my conference ticket, it was to meet new people and learn. I knew that I would probably spend $2,000 – $3,000 all in and likely not make a penny after going, but I would build up my network and learn from experts who actually knew what they were doing.
Today the main reason I go to 2 – 3 domain investing conferences a year is to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and well – learn. My “one thing” has been the same for a while now, I want to talk to as many people as possible and hear what’s working for them and what isn’t, and doing that in-person IMO is the best way to learn the fastest.
I don’t typically sell domain names to other Domainers so I don’t try to find a way to cover the cost of a conference while I’m there. Instead I see it as an investment in the future and since I spend only an hour or two a week on domain investing, talking with people who spend 10 – 20 hours a week is incredibly valuable.
At the same time, I know plenty of people who sell domains to Domainers, and for them the conference is about making deals. Other people work for companies in the domain industry and for them it’s about meeting with new and prospective clients.
What I think is important is to have that one thing solidified in your head before you get to the conference as it will help you drive you behavior forward. If you see me at NamesCon, I’ll probably be talking to someone about what they’re investing in, what’s selling, what’s not, what tweaks did they make to their landing page, etc. that’s my one thing and that’s what I’m focused on.
I spend somewhere north of $6,000 per year on conferences and for me it’s always been very well worth it. We are lucky to be in an industry where people are so open about what they’re doing and I love seeing how people’s strategies and ideas change over time. Domain Investing has changed my life both financially and socially, I met some of my best, life-long friends in this industry and I can’t wait to see everyone in Austin next year.
Of course, not everyone should spend the money on a domain conference. Heck, it’s going to cost you likely $2,000 – $3,000 – is your ONE thing worth that to you? It might not be in which case there’s still plenty of places to connect with other domain investors. Don’t feel like you need to go to a conference, only go if it’s worth it to you and if you think in the long run it’s going to help you as an investor.
So now I’ll pass the mic to you, if you’re going to NamesCon, what’s your ONE thing?
