Fast Facts
Founder, Creative Director at DotComism
Twitter: @WashingtonUG
Instagram: citywerks
Facebook: EarthMart
LinkedIn: draperedward
Location: Houston
Time in the industry: Domainer since 1996. Fulltime entrepreneur more recently.
What’s your favorite extension: ‘Com’ of course. After launching DotComism, if I answered differently, I might have to fire myself.
Tell us which domain name you wish you owned: Green.com comes to mind… in order to combat world-on-fire realities with eco-friendly solutions.
Name 3 things you can’t travel without: iPhone, music, KETO snacks
In Depth
Who would you call your mentor?
I lean heavily on online mentors: guides, brokers, whisperers, etc. This works well for tech topics but I really miss my friend and mentor on creative matters, director Tom Huckabee. IMDb credits Tom with 38 producer-writer-director credits, much of them are works produced in Texas. Tom took an interest in my stories, scripts, e-concepts, and homegrown creative production tools. An irreplaceable loss. Fortunately, the list of NamesCon participants is impressive and I’m excited about networking opportunities.
What kinds of changes do you foresee in this industry within the industry in the next year? The next 5 years?
Despite the growth, it’s hard not to notice dissatisfaction among users of social platforms. Expect change and new opportunities as a result. Look for a trend in social diffusion, i.e., more personable entertainment, niche functionality, and less apparent interest in data collection. Hopeful breakthrough brands from my portfolio include Artsic, Avatari, DropN, TwoAlike (or 2Alike), and Selfwerks (or Helpwerks)… All of these names are available from DotComism. Concepts and marketing stratagems are in development.
What are the current trends that are directly impacting your business?
Consolidation seems to be trending in most industries and could lead to heartburn in business relationships. I’m okay with change – when I have time for it.
Describe a recent challenge that you overcame.?
The transition from an IT career to domaining was rather natural for me but web-based entrepreneurialism proved more difficult. After amassing a large inventory of domains, I grew too fond of several of the inventive concepts and impractically wanted to develop them all. I knew better as a business analyst, but the major challenge was overcoming an internal drive to try and solve every problem in the world. To step back from the overreach, I focused on domain name portfolio sales. Small sales were easy but not until a big sale went through did the fever break. I sold Novology.com in April for around $50K. Now, I see myself in more of a creative director’s role when appropriate. And I’m willing to sell more key digital assets.
What are you most proud of?
Big concepts I can’t talk about (without an NDA). I placed several of my key domains in reserve until I can explore partnering options.
What fact about you would surprise people?
The use of NFTs as a marketing device. Key names from my portfolio like Artseum, FirstWorldTrust, ThirdWorldTrust, and ShoppingMoon are all well suited to become global NFT marketplaces but the plan is different for each. The concept for ShoppingMoon.com, for example, is a specialized NFT project with its own creative and digital asset portfolio. The ‘Shopping Moon’ story, already published, was written as an epic sci-fi, comedy adventure with creative marketing stratagems built-in. An NFT auction plot drives the action all the way from the opening scene to a humorous galactic cold war ending. Additionally, companion digital assets are incorporated into the story. Dot-coms include EarthMart, 5thOrbit, Marsplex, and NewNewYork. All are possible anchors and gateways for entertainment, gaming, shopping… social reality projects – you name it. ‘Shopping Moon’ was one of my favorite stories ever. Writing fiction is fun. While I was at it, I even explained UFOs.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
I’m stumped trying to identify what would be the best advice ever. However, as a positive and hopeful newbie, I expect the advice to attend NamesCon will be on the list shortly.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming NamesCon?
Everything to do with investors and marketing… brand protection, brokers, startups… Plus, I have a special creative interest in NFTs.
How would you describe NamesCon to a new domainer?
Networking for you. Great insight into the industry.
If you’re attending NamesCon Global 2022, you will get an email for the featured attendee form and help the NamesCon community learn more about you before you arrive in Austin!.
