New Monetization Service for Domainers Launched for Premium Domain Names
Left of the Dot Media introduced at TRAFFIC Test Track Vancouver receives funding
Vancouver, BC and Atlanta, GA– August 16th, 2010 – Left of the Dot Media has closed a funding round successfully as a result of participating in the Test Track program at TRAFFIC Vancouver. Test Track gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their business idea to a panel of high net worth investors in front of a live audience of experienced Domainers.
At TRAFFIC Vancouver in June 2010, co-founders John Lyotier and Chris Jensen introduced the Left of the Dot domain monetization concept and answered questions from the panellists and audience. At the end of the session 3 of the 4 panellists expressed an interest in finding out more about the company. During the course of the 2-day TRAFFIC event several delegates approached the company for further details. By the end of the show a handshake deal had been reached with a private investor, for the full investment amount. After a period of intense due diligence the deal has now completed.
TRAFFIC organiser and industry leader Rick Latona: “We are delighted to see Left of the Dot funded as a result of TRAFFIC. Our mandate is to improve the domain industry, and by facilitating great companies like this we create new opportunities for all portfolio owners.” The next TRAFFIC Conference takes place in Dublin, Ireland on August 23/24th 2010 and some places are still available for people to pitch in the Test Track program. Entrepreneurs can submit here: http://targetedtraffic.com/test-track.php
John Lyotier explained the importance of Test Track, “It was important for us to launch Left of the Dot in a location where everyone understands this industry. The panellists asked great questions which helped us to improve our business plan and many delegates expressed interest. We were able to do a deal with a great investor who we see as a full partner in our business. I cannot imagine a better place to launch a domain name based business than Test Track at TRAFFIC”.
The Left of the Dot platform, currently operating in closed Beta, allows domain name owners to create a regular, sustainable income via monetizing sub-domains, while substantially increasing the traffic, SEO and inherent value of the root domain name. The first generic name on the platform – www.Beef.com, targeting the beef and ranching industries – was launched in early August and several other names are due for release in the next few weeks.
About TRAFFIC
T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is the domain industry's premier domainer conference. With more than 500 attendees, including the leading executives and experts, T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is the largest and most successful domain conference in the world. The purpose of T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is to bring domain owners and aggressive, forward-thinking sponsors together along with investors, so that each can maximize their effort. Collectively, the core attendees control over 20 million domain names and over 50 million DAILY unique visitors. The attendees comprise a small but immensely powerful and forward thinking business group that has finally been recognized for the power they wield and the knowledge they possess. Learn more at: www.targetedtraffic.com
About Left of the Dot Media Inc.
Left of the Dot Media is combining successful website building technology with advanced SEO practices and high-profile multimillion dollar domain names to change the rules for businesses that need to be online. The Left of the Dot platform appeals to owners of generic domain names, seeking recurring revenue for selected assets. Each domain managed by Left of the Dot creates a topic specific center of excellence while providing great experience for customers and suppliers alike. Learn more at: www.LeftoftheDot.com
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For more information please contact:
Rick Latona
TRAFFIC
Rick@RickLatona.com
John Lyotier,
Left of the Dot Media
888.633.4596
John@LeftoftheDot.com
What does "beta" really mean?
Earlier this month, we had an opportunity to pitch at the Test Track event for TRAFFIC Vancouver. This was our first public 'hello world' as we start down a process that is sure to be a wild ride. As part of this, we built a website for our brand and slapped up a "Beta" next to the logo, after all... we were truly in Beta.
This gave us a chance to reminisce to four years ago when a few of our principles were involved in another startup and we labeled the initial release as"First Draft", arguing that "Beta" in the world of Web 2.0 software often implied a product that was, "entirely workable, defect free, and a good option for all that ails them."
Here is an excerpt from the blog post that was writte for that launch, as come to think of it, a lot of what we have done so far definitely falls into the whole concept of "first draft" as well.
Unfortunately, people (thanks in large part to Google and the whole Web 2.0 phenomenon/bubble) expect that when you see Beta next to a product, it is entirely workable, defect free, and a good option for all that ails them. Heck, even Microsoft is charging for their Beta.
Our justification for naming is just this. Think back to writing those college/university papers when you first put all your thoughts down on paper. Sometimes you get it right the very first time and your prose are perfect, and with a few edits here and there … whammo – you submit an A+ paper. But the reality for most of us isn’t like that. You put your first draft together with an underlying genesis of an idea at the core, cobbled together with bits and pieces of stories you read, the odd plagiarized copy here and there [legal note: this is a reference to using Google's API, not an Apple/Creative thing], and paragraphs that sound good, but you know they are not in the final order. If it is a thesis, you may even have a committee who reviews your first draft and offers you feedback on how to improve, change, modify, etc. You may even get steered down an entirely different path by the feedback you receive. And that is why it is Calgoo First Draft.
And like the term paper, we gave ourselves a deadline. Otherwise, products are never released, and they will never be more than 90% done. So if you want to label it, you can call it version 1.0 if you must. But we ask this of you, don’t grade us yet. This is just the beginning.
So like then as is now... this is just the beginning.