What’s it like to be a full time domain name investor?

Full Time

I’ve been investing in domain names for almost thirteen years now, but it’s never been full time, or even part time for me. Instead, like most investors, it’s just been an investment strategy. Just like most people who own stocks don’t consider themselves “part time” stock market investors, I’ve never considered myself a part time domain investor. Instead, the time I would put into investing in things like the stock market or real estate, goes into domain names.

That being said, over the years I’ve had the chance to connect with full time domain name investors, some of whom I’m happy to call close friends now. I’m always fascinated to hear more about what their daily life is like. While no two people are the same, there are a few things I’ve learned about what it’s like for full time investors, here’s some high-level observations.

  1. Full time Domain Investors work a lot – some people think full time domain investors just get to sit on the beach and sell domains. Not true. Just about every full time domain investor I know works 10+ hours a day. It’s a lot of work and the most successful people I know work even longer hours than any bankers I know.
  2. Full time Domain Investors do have location independence – this is a nice perk. As a domain investor you can really live anywhere in the world, and you can travel around the world without seeing any major impact on your business. That’s pretty awesome IMO.
  3. Full time Domain Investors have to deal negative stigma – most people have jobs that other people generally understand and think good things about. The full timers I know have told me it can be tough to first explain to people what the heck they do, and then convince people that they aren’t cybersquatters. It’s a profession that doesn’t even sound real and carries with it a negative stigma…but hopefully that will change more over time.
  4. It can be isolating – probably the #1 thing I hear from full time Domain Investors is that they can end up feeling isolated. Domain Investors often work alone as a one-woman or one-man show. Usually friends and family aren’t going to understand the first thing about domains so there really isn’t anyone to talk to about what you’re doing. You also aren’t going into an office or working with other people on a daily basis and that can be isolating. Luckily, the domain investing community is a strong one and a lot of investors talk on the phone, in forums, and hang out in person every chance they get, with other investors.
  5. They aren’t all millionaires – there’s this concept that all Domain Investors are millionaires. That’s also just not true. I know some full time domain investors that make $50k/year, I know others that make $500k/year, and yes – I do know others who make $1M+ per year. Like most career paths, there are different scales, but don’t assume that everyone’s driving Ferrari’s and living in mansions.

Some of my best friends are full time domain investors, they’re awesome people and they enjoy a lot of benefits that most people with a normal day job don’t have. That being said, like most things in life, there are pros and cons. If you’ve ever thought about going full time I’d recommend going to a conference and connecting up with a few people who have done it to do a deeper dive.

These are my observations but I’m sure other people have additional insights. Feel free to comment on any of the points I shared or share some of your own. Either way I’d like to hear from you – comment and let your voice be heard!

Morgan Linton

Morgan Linton