TopInterviewTips.com - my first Flippa auction

**kmander** · March 30th, 2010, 03:13 PM

http://flippa.com/auctions/89437/topinterviewtips-com

A fair bit of value in the domain, plus some original content has been written. No reserve, so should be interesting

Any feedback welcomed!

**Clinton** · March 31st, 2010, 02:44 AM

Nice listing, all the best with the sale.

For the Adsense image/stats I wouldn't have chosen a "from" date of 2004, but the date you first put Adsense on. There seems no point in saying you earned $x in 6 years when it was earned in just one (for all values of x)

**Michelle** · March 31st, 2010, 04:04 AM

The site is resolving to the hard left of my screen, have you purposefully done that?

I noticed the 2004 reference in the AdSense screen shot too....it didn't bother me too much but it did make me think the domain was that old but of course it's not.

Whois says the domain is for sale at Sedo which would confuse/worry me if I were looking at buying this....simply because I don't really know what that means in regards to the status of the Flippa auction should I bid and if someone bids at Sedo. If I didn't know you I would worry that perhaps you were trying to sell the domain twice. I'm not experienced with domains and Sedo though so it might mean nothing to a more seasoned player.

I actually have a domain in this market and at no reserve I'd be likely to bid once I cleared up the Sedo confusion.

Good luck with the auction.

**riosbrad** · April 1st, 2010, 10:15 AM

All the best with the sale. It is curious that sites like this that have something going for them get less bidding activity than brand new sites.

**kmander** · April 1st, 2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys - I've gone ahead and lifted the Sedo listing and I'll change the AdSense attachment later.

**kmander** · April 1st, 2010, 11:21 AM

I was thinking that I should have been more frank and said something like "this site isn't making any real money at the moment, but it's ready to roll and can do well if you're prepared to put in some serious effort" - it's more honest that what I'm currently saying about the site ("it has tons of potential"). Honesty the best policy?

**Michelle** · April 1st, 2010, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by kmander

I was thinking that I should have been more frank and said something like "this site isn't making any real money at the moment, but it's ready to roll and can do well if you're prepared to put in some serious effort" - it's more honest that what I'm currently saying about the site ("it has tons of potential"). Honesty the best policy?

I think you've covered it to a degree in your listing at:
"There is a great opportunity to increase revenue through improving the AdSense implementation (more prominent positioning, more ad units on each page, alternative colour palettes). Other revenue options such as affiliate ads is also viable."

It's obvious that the site isn't earning and it's obvious that I need to do something, ie reposition ads etc. To me your listing didn't come across as misleading or 'auto riches' at all.

I see you have four bids pending, is there a reason you're not approving them?

**kmander** · April 2nd, 2010, 03:35 AM

Thanks Michelle.

Originally Posted by Michelle

I see you have four bids pending, is there a reason you're not approving them?

I've now approved the bids. I once read some advice to batch accept the early bids together just before the 3-day deadline - this way, new bidders are encouraged to make a bid since they think they're in with a really good chance. Now that I've approved the bids - I've got 4 bidders who are in the game and might compete with each other. Plus, new bidders are still attracted because now the auction has 'activity'.

**Clinton** · April 2nd, 2010, 05:17 AM

Hmm.

Michelle you read about these things. Do all those bidding management games, trying to manipulate "activity" etc., actually work?

I mean, if someone's looking to spend $50K he's hardly likely to be influenced by the fact that there was no reserve price or that there were 24 bidders rather than 18. Do bidders at the lower prices actually fall for all that stuff?

I do hope it works in kmander's case, of course

**Michelle** · April 2nd, 2010, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Clinton

Hmm.

Michelle you read about these things. Do all those bidding management games, trying to manipulate "activity" etc., actually work?

I mean, if someone's looking to spend $50K he's hardly likely to be influenced by the fact that there was no reserve price or that there were 24 bidders rather than 18. Do bidders at the lower prices actually fall for all that stuff?

Yes they do is the short answer. The long answer will turn into a rant which I'm not sure will add any value here....it's like preaching to the choir.