I am in the process of writing a pretty extensive post about buying, developing, and monetizing my geodomain names, since it’s all fresh on my mind once again as I build Newburyport.com. Since it’s fairly comprehensive and will be time consuming to read, I would like to know how my readers would like to see this. Here are the choices:

1) One huge and extensive blog post
2) Three or four medium to large posts covering separate topics such as buying, researching, developing, monetizing…etc
3) eBook with all posts in chapters all in one report posted on my blog
4) eBook given out at the GeoDomain Expo

I prefer not to do #3 because I might feel pressured to write content just so it looks more bookish, and I don’t want to waste your time or my time with fluff. However, I don’t think it’s as effective if people read one post one day and the second part two weeks later – or start with part two.

Anyhow, I am open to suggestions as I have been putting my thoughts together to help aspiring geodomain buyers and developers. I’ve learned a lot (still learning) and happy to help give advice based on what I’ve learned

Despite it’s short time on the market, an alternative to .Tel is already available (and is just $.99 at Godaddy!). I know some people are predicting that business cards will go the way of postal mail and printer paper when the computer was introduced… err… I mean, I know that some people think that business cards may become obsolete because of .tel, but anyway, enough chit chat. Let me present you an alternative to .tel that’s cheaper.

Drumroll please…

I present to you…  DOT INFO

Check this.  Not everyone has a “tel” and not everyone knows what a “tel” even is. Sure, it’s probably the root for some Latin word, but isn’t Latin dead? Universally, “info” is known by all. “Info,” of course is short for “information,” a word in the English language that is alive and healthy (unless you listen to the naysayers who think English will disappear like the dollar in favor of a universal world language or some other BS the negative Nancies are spewing these days). Anyhow, if you visit a site with the .info extension, you expect… information.

BEHOLD: ElliotSilver.info… voila – a virtual business card! I know you can’t “click to call” but all you need to do is look at the number and press those buttons on your mobile phone. Sure, it’s cumbersome, but isn’t these days? I sure h8 reading posts by ppl tryin to keep em to 140 charactrs or < on Twit – that’s cumbersome too, no?

Now I know the information isn’t stored in the center of the Internetical universe or wherever the .tel information is locked down, but for Pete’s sake, you can save a boat load of money, which can be reinvested into other great up and coming extensions like .mobi and .eu.

Happy hunting on this fine April 1 day.

***POST EDIT***

This was an April Fools Day post.

The preliminary 2009 GeoDomain Expo agenda has been posted on the Associated Cities website. The agenda is jam packed with panels and networking sessions that will benefit anyone who owns a geodomain or who is looking to buy a geodomain. As mentioned last week, just about all of the largest private geodomain owners will be in attendance, and I have found that most are willing to share their experiences and advice.

The Expo will be held at the Catamaran Resort ($150/night) in San Diego from April 23-25. This promises to be a great show. Also, for those that have asked, there will be an auction, and it will be run by Aftermarket.com and DomainConsultant.com.

Bido is running a charity auction to benefit Hacienda de los Milagros, a non profit lifetime animal sanctuary in Arizona championed by Donna Mahony. The sanctuary feeds and cares for animals that would die without their help, and they pay several hundred dollars per day for feed and supplies. This is a group that is doing good things for animals who have been neglected and would die if it wasn’t for the organization’s support and care.

The auction begins today at 1pm and it includes a portfolio of animal related domain names that were donated by members of the domain community.All proceeds will benefit this great non-profit organization, and Bido is donating their expected commission as well!

Domains in Auction:
AnimalRescue.us by Jarred Cohen of Bido.com
LostGoat.com by Jarred Cohen of Bido.com
PetBurros.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
CockatielCare.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
PetDonkey.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
PetDonkeys.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
PetMules.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
PetMule.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
PetBurro.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
HonorYourPet.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
HomeRemediesForPets.com by Donna Mahony of DomainBoardroom.com
AdoptADonkey.com by Sahar Sarid of Bido.com
DonkeyTime.com by Sahar Sarid of Bido.com
SeniorDog.com by Sahar Sarid of Bido.com
PetVIP.com by Sahar Sarid of Bido.com
BrazilianBulldogs.com by Alan Dunn of NewFoundNames.com
DalmatianDogs.net by Alan Dunn of NewFoundNames.com
DogHomes.org by Alan Dunn of NewFoundNames.com
YourHolisticPets.com by John Martel of BuyAndSellDomains.biz
DogAcne.com by John Martel of BuyAndSellDomains.biz
DisabledCats.com by John Martel of BuyAndSellDomains.biz
FancyDogs.com by Bob Olea of HomeRefinance.com
Carnivore.mobi by Al of RetailGiant.com
PetSalon.org by Al of RetailGiant.com
Sabertooth.info by Al of RetailGiant.com
DallasTexasKennels.com by Kevin Davis of QuickFlipper.Com
RecoverPet.com by Stephen Douglas of SuccessClick.com
VetListings.com by Colin Pape of Namage.com
MyPetPark.com by Patrick Ruddell of ChefPatrick.com
NineLives.org by Robbie Ferguson of RegFeeNames.com
ShoptoAnimals.com, .net, & .org by Sue Manley of CaretoListen.ca
Shop2Animals.com, .net, & .org by Sue Manley of CaretoListen.ca
FundraiseForAnimals.com, .net, & .org by Sue Manley of CaretoListen.ca
Fundraise4Animals.com, .net, & .org by Sue Manley of CaretoListen.ca
AnimalsAreTalking.com, .net, & .org by Sue Manley of CaretoListen.ca
AnimalsforLife.com, & .net by Sue Manley of CaretoListen.ca
DoggyExpress.com by Patrick McDermott
PetExpert.info by Patrick McDermott
DogTalk.info by Patrick McDermott
DoggyCare.info by Patrick McDermott
PetHouse.us by Patrick McDermott
DogBiscuits.us by Patrick McDermott
PetSavers.info by Patrick McDermott
AnimalsCharity.com by Gary Taylor of 3ac Domains
RaisingDonkeys.com by Mike Robertson of Fabulous.com
DonkeySaddle.com by Mike Robertson of Fabulous.com
DonkeyCare.com by Mike Robertson of Fabulous.com
PetAndSupplies.com by David Christensen of Pagematic.com
PetDogSite.com by Kamran of DomainOfferings.com
BirdSupplies.biz by Christopher Robbins
Canguros.info by Isabel Vázquez of IsabelVazquez.com
FamilyPetAdoptions.org by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetBirthdays.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetBoutiques.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetCamps.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetCostumes.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetCremations.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetDaycare.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetDoctors.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetGroomers.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetHospitals.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetHotels.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetKennels.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetMotels.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetResorts.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetSalons.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetTherapists.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetTrainers.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetUrns.com by Jerry Stenerson
FamilyPetVeterinarians.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetBoutiqueShops.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetBurialService.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetCemetaryDirectory.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetFacials.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetGroomersDirectory.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetKennelsDirectory.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetPamperingProducts.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetShampooServices.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetTombstonesCoffins.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetYardCleaning.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetYardCleanup.com by Jerry Stenerson
RespectAPet.com by Jerry Stenerson
PetLlamas.com by Martin Brown of NameTopic.com

Sahar from Bido is also donating 4 DVDs to the winner:
Schutzhund The Dog Sport
Schutzhund USA 2002 Nationals
Training a Competition Tracking Dog
Grooming Your German Shepherd

And if that were not enough, Wynne from Hacienda de los Milagros is donating a framed picture of blue and purple burros to the winner of the auction as a big Thank You and token of appreciation.

Photo: Braveheart, a Spanish mustang gelding, who was nearly killed in a beating with a two-by-four at just a few months old.

In what turned out to be an exciting hybrid live/silent auction, Domain Madness ended on a strong note, achieving a sales total of $136,320. The majority of the bidding took place during the live auction, led by Mike Fiol and Sevan Derderian, who served as auctioneers, live from The Palms in Las Vegas. Additional bids were also received after the live auction ended.

The inaugural Domain Madness  was watched virtually by over 200 viewers. Some of the biggest names in the industry participated in the bidding, as seen in the bidder nicknames. It was fun watching Mike and Sevan interact with the rest of the Domain Consultant and Thought Convergence teams and guests who were in the background of the Kingpin suite at The Palms.

I believe this was the first live auction held over the Internet that didn’t take place during a domain conference, and it shows that these can be successful.

Results:

Domain    Reserve    Sale Price
Antiseptic.com    USD$ 5,000    USD$ 6,000
AutoLoan.ca    USD$ 3,000    USD$ 4,500
BirdProof.com    USD$ 2,500    USD$ 2,500
BlockAds.com    USD$ 250    USD$ 1,100
Calfskin.com    USD$ 2,800    USD$ 3,500
Cutout.com    USD$ 2,300    USD$ 3,320
Doodling.com    USD$ 3,500    USD$ 4,700
ePills.com    USD$ 3,600    USD$ 9,000
FinancialGrowth.com    USD$ 1,000    USD$ 1,400
Groomed.com    USD$ 2,400    USD$ 3,000
IceSkating.net    USD$ 0    USD$ 7,000
ITEmployment.com    USD$ 2,200    USD$ 3,300
LearnToGolf.com    USD$ 500    USD$ 1,600
Loco.com    USD$ 28,000    USD$ 55,500
PartyToys.com    USD$ 1,500    USD$ 2,600
PopupTrailers.com    USD$ 1,700    USD$ 3,800
StayThin.com    USD$ 0    USD$ 3,000
Stenography.com    USD$ 13,000    USD$ 15,000
StudentOffers.com    USD$ 2,500    USD$ 2,500
TrickOrTreating.com    USD$ 2,400    USD$ 2,400
UVDamage.com    USD$ 400    USD$ 600