In 2002, a new top level domain extension called .info became available for people to register with no restrictions. This new domain option opened a whole new avenue for individuals who lost out in the .com registration process and had their desired name already taken by someone else. According to a press release issued by the Afilias, an organization that provides global registry services for the .info extension, .info has recently surpassed 1,000,000 registrations since its inception just over a year ago. The movement of the .info domain into the mainstream has been illustrated by companies using the extension for ad campaigns and by individuals using the domain for personal use. These individuals, often looking for a more fitting .com alternative, are also using the easy-to-remember .info names.
A more than fitting illustration of the .info creative versatility is Jeremy Robinson, who is using a .info domain name to break into the acting industry and one day fulfill his dream of acting on Broadway. As an actor, Jeremy has made numerous acting appearances in theater including West Side Story, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Godspell, and Fiddler on the Roof. He has firsthand experience knowing that a .info domain name has the power to be an effective marketing tool when used in the right way.
I asked Jeremy Robinson a few questions about his new .info domain name. Here is what he had to say:
Shaun Cronrath: Can you tell us a little about yourself
Jeremy Robinson: I have many years experience in the acting industry mostly involving theatre. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School, a music conservatory in Hartford Connecticut . I am currently living in the New York City area to pursue my acting career, and I guess youd call me a starving artist, going back and forth to auditions, waiting for that big break. I aspire to be on Broadway one day so I can experience my passion for acting.
Shaun Cronrath: Can you tell us about your domain name
Jeremy Robinson: My domain name is JeremyRobinson.info. I use my .info domain name on my resume and as an electronic portfolio so agencys and casting departments can contact me, learn about my acting talent, and view my headshots. JeremyRobinson.info enables me to give 24/7 access to casting departments who are looking for the acting talent and image that I possess.
Shaun Cronrath: How did you think of this idea
Jeremy Robinson: I didnt really think of using a domain name and web site as a way to promote my acting career until I came across DomainPurpose.com. They gave me the idea to use a domain name as a tool to further my acting career. DomainPurpose.com inspired me to put my passion for acting on the Internet in the form of a web site and share my talents with an online audience.
Shaun Cronrath: Can you share with us any obstacles you overcame while registering your domain
Jeremy Robinson: Being that .com is the most popular and most known domain name extension, I originally wanted to register JeremyRobinson.com, but it wasnt available. When my first domain search returned the disappointing news, I had to figure a way to keep my full name and brand intact. After learning more about what .info had to offer, I chose the best alternative to .com and registered a .info domain.
Shaun Cronrath: When did you realize that promoting your acting career via a .info domain could turn into a successful marketing tool
Jeremy Robinson: I realized that using a .info domain would be an effective marketing tool when I started to understand the meaning behind the domain extension. I didnt want casting departments and other people to think I was trying to sell myself to them, so using .info gives the impression Im looking to give. So now when I give my web address out to casting departments they know that JeremyRobinson.info is the place to go to find out more information about me and my acting talents.
Shaun Cronrath: As a successful .info domain name owner, do you have any words of advice for others who are thinking about using a .info domain name as a marketing tool to help promote themselves
Jeremy Robinson: A .info domain name is the perfect domain extension for people who want to find information about you and what you have to offer. Dont get discouraged if your .com name is already registered. Instead of being discouraged, rework your domain strategy by using the next best thing, a .info domain! It worked for me!
Shaun Cronrath is the President & CEO of DomainPurpose.com, a domain name registration company offering all the major domain extensions --.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .name, .ca, .us, .cn, .eu, .de, .pro and more.
There are a growing number of domain names used in creative ways that leverage the true power of the Internet. There is not a better illustration of this point than Jason Vaughn, an individual who turned his creative talent and passion for teaching web design at a community college into a successful Internet-based guide for graphic designers going into business for themselves.
Jason Vaughn, founder of CreativePublic.com, envisioned a web destination where graphic designers around the world could find information, services and products to support their business needs. Vaughn knew that securing a concise, creative domain name on the Internet would ensure that his vision would become a reality. Today, CreativePublic.com -- which originally was a resource for his college students only -- is now one of the top resources for graphic designers all over the world!
The founder credits much of this success to the unique identification of his creative domain name. Because of this domain name and web site, Vaughn is able to share his knowledge with graphic designers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Since registering and launching CreativePublic.com, Jason has been able to fund his childrens college education, meet like-minded people from places like China , Ireland , England , Russia , and obtain job offers from companies such as sessions.edu, which is an online school of design.
I recently spoke with Jason about his new domain venture. This is what he had to say:
Shaun Cronrath: Can you tell us a little about yourself
Jason Vaughn: I have over 10 years experience in the graphic design industry including print, TV, animation and the Internet. During that time, Ive owned a graphic design firm, taught web design at a community college, and co-founded Internet startups. Some of my clients include Blue Cross, NBA, NFL, NHL, Energas, and Aramark. Im also currently an online instructor for sessions.edu, which is the first accredited online school of design.
Shaun Cronrath: Can you tell us about your domain
Jason Vaughn: CreativePublic.com has been something I have wanted to do for quite some time. It first started out as a resource for my students that I was teaching at a community college in the Dallas , Texas . I had already decided that I wanted to make CreativePublic.com into a business resource for graphic designers; something that is not very available for designers. Most sites out their today have little to do with the background of business, they are all about design. That is when I decided that every designer at some point would need the same forms, contracts, pricing guides, employee manuals, and other information that I needed with my business.
Shaun Cronrath: How did you think of this idea
Jason Vaughn: The idea has been there since I first started my ad agency back many years ago. Many people have come to me, asking me how I got started and what it took to get going in business. I wanted to create a site based on what I did with my business. The idea did not become a reality until I got the opportunity to teach Web design at a community college 2 years ago.
Shaun Cronrath: When did you realize that sharing your passion via creativepublic.com could turn into something successful
Jason Vaughn: I realized that my passion for CreativePublic.com would turn into something successful when I got my first sale. I figured if one person bought my product, there should be more designers out that would do the same. Another really big deal was when CreativePublic.com was featured on HOWDesign.com (HOW magazine), a leader in the graphic design publication industry. That was when I knew, for a fact, that the site had value and was on its way to being successful. Since then, CreativePublic.com has become one of the top resources for graphic designers.
Shaun Cronrath: How has your life changed since you registered and launched your domain
Jason Vaughn: I feel more connected to the graphic design world, even though I sit behind a computer all day. I feel more a part of a bigger community. CreativePublic.com has not only become a community for designers, but has given me the opportunity to meet so many great people. I get to talk to people across the world and make great friends in places like China , Ireland , England , Russia and many other countries. The extra income is great too! It helps pay for my car, house, and my childrens college education.
Shaun Cronrath: How has other peoples lives been effected since you registered and launched your domain
Jason Vaughn: The feedback I get from my visitors and members is great. Everyone is always complimenting me and thanking me for coming up with such a great resource for designers. It has helped many designers to get their business started or obtain information and forms that they could use for their business operations.
Shaun Cronrath: Can you share with us any obstacles you overcame while registering your domain
Jason Vaughn: Finding a domain was hard, almost everything was taken, but with a little imagination I was able to conger up a name. I tried several names, but one tool that helped out were those that listed alternate domain names I could choose from. After several days of research, I decided on a name based on my concept. I was really surprised that the name was available. The domain was chosen to pertain to creative people of all types, not just graphic designers. The site is mostly for designers, however it has much to offer for other creative individuals.
Shaun Cronrath: As a successful domain name owner, do have any words of advice for others who aspire to use a domain name as a vehicle to share their creative talents and ideas
Jason Vaughn: If you have an idea, the only way to see if it will work, is to put it into action. If you just sit around dreaming about it, it will never ever happen.
Shaun Cronrath is the President & CEO of DomainPurpose.com, a domain name registration company offering all the major domain extensions --.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .name, .ca, .us, .cn, .eu, .de, .pro and more.