Gerard Michael is a veteran domain broker with an impressive reputation spanning over 30 years in the industry, having facilitated hundreds of high-value, premium domain transactions totaling over $600 million. As founder and senior specialist at DNPost Domain Brokers, he works with brands around the globe—helping them secure brand-defining .com domains, even when current ownership is obscured or privacy-protected. Widely recognized for his deep market insight, negotiation acumen, and client-first approach, Gerard is frequently tapped to broker major domain sales involving exact-match and highly memorable names.
Most recently, Gerard stepped into a media role as a guest contributor on the newly launched Domain Insiders Podcast, hosted on DNCast.com. With its debut in mid-June 2025, the format offers behind-the-scenes breakdowns of significant domain sales, trend analysis, negotiation strategies, and interviews with leading domain brokers—including Gerard himself. The show targets everyone from domain investors and startup founders to marketplace insiders seeking actionable insights and real-world industry stories.
Mike: Tell us how you first got involved in the domain business and what drew you to premium .com names.
Gerard: I got into domains in the early days of the internet—initially out of curiosity, but I quickly recognized that domains were the digital equivalent of real estate. What drew me to premium .com names was the permanence and credibility they carry. Brands come and go, but the right .com is timeless. From the beginning, I knew there was immense value in helping businesses secure their digital identity before someone else did.
Mike: Over 30 years, how has the domain industry evolved, and what major shifts stand out?
Gerard: The industry has matured drastically. In the early days, it was the Wild West—little regulation, low awareness. Fast forward to now, and we have institutional buyers, strategic investors, and global brands who see domains as critical assets. The rise of privacy services, international buyers, and the explosion of alternative extensions (.ai, .io, etc.) have changed the game. But through it all, premium .coms remain the gold standard.
Mike: Can you provide a high-level view of your signature 16-point acquisition system and how it gives DNPost an edge?
Gerard: Our 16-point system is built to reduce friction, increase outreach precision, and close high-value deals with speed and discretion. It blends AI tools, data mining, human psychology, and time-tested negotiation frameworks. We go beyond emailing a contact—we triangulate ownership, leverage trust signals, and approach owners with compelling, credible offers. Every step is designed to move the deal forward or uncover a better path to “yes.”
Mike: How does negotiating privately—especially with privacy-protected domains—differ from open marketplace deals?
Gerard: It’s night and day. With marketplace deals, you’re often playing by someone else’s price or auction rules. In private negotiations, you’re building trust from the ground up, often with a hidden owner. You need a tailored, respectful, and strategic approach. And when the domain is cloaked in privacy, patience and precision are critical. The reward is you often secure the domain at a better price—and off-market.
Mike: In your experience, what tactics work best to reach domain owners who use privacy protection?
Gerard: You need more than a WHOIS lookup. We use layered strategies—cross-referencing historical WHOIS records, identifying patterns across domain portfolios, and leveraging AI to surface signals others miss. And when we do make contact, the message has to land—credibility, purpose, and professionalism open the door. You often get one shot at a reply. Make it count.
Mike: What percentage of inquiries come from startups versus established brands or investors?
Gerard: It’s about a 40/40/20 split: 40% startups, 40% established brands, and 20% investors. Startups want their category-defining .com before launch. Brands often realize they need to upgrade from a compromise domain. And investors are always scanning for arbitrage. We serve all three, but the strategy behind each is very different.
Mike: When should people consider hiring a professional domain broker like you instead of going it alone?
Gerard: The moment a domain matters to your brand or business, bring in a pro. We save time, avoid costly mistakes, and often secure better terms than founders or marketers going solo. It’s not just about buying a name—it’s about securing the right name without burning the bridge or overpaying. You only get one shot with many owners. Don’t blow it.
Mike: What are the biggest misconceptions clients have about pricing premium domains?
Gerard:
People often think it’s like buying a car or a website—plug it into a calculator, get a price. But domains are unique, non-replicable assets. It’s more like fine art or beachfront property. Just because a domain isn’t “in use” doesn’t mean it’s not highly valuable. The owner may be sitting on it for strategic reasons. We help clients understand that they’re not just buying a word—they’re buying a global advantage.
Mike: What role do domain marketplaces play in your acquisition strategy?
Gerard: Marketplaces are a great research tool and sometimes a starting point. But most of our deals happen privately. Why? Because the best names often aren’t listed. Or if they are, the real conversation happens off-platform. We treat marketplaces as intel sources, not destinations. Our edge is in going off-map.
Mike: In the podcast, you share behind-the-scenes stories—what can listeners expect from upcoming episodes?
Gerard: We helped fund the Domain Insiders Podcast, a new show dedicated to the domain industry. It’s still early days, and the team is learning how best to deliver high-impact content. From day one, we prioritized quality over quantity—short, insightful episodes that focus on delivering real value.
Listeners can expect real stories, real numbers, and real lessons. We break down 6- and 7-figure deals, dissect what went right, what went sideways, and how the deal got done. It’s part case study, part war story—designed to give founders, brokers, and investors an edge in a competitive space.
As we grow, the format is evolving. Episodes will expand from 5 to 15 minutes, with 2 to 4 new releases per month. The funding and resources are already in place—we’re just making sure we scale it the right way.
Mike: How do you prepare when invited to join a podcast episode—as an interviewee, what do you aim to deliver?
Gerard: I aim to be clear, honest, and valuable. I prep with examples, data, and stories that haven’t been told. No fluff. I want listeners to walk away thinking, “Damn, I just learned something useful.” Whether it’s negotiation psychology or a wild domain rescue story, I want to deliver substance.
Mike: Finally, what’s your vision for DNPost and the Domain Insiders Podcast over the coming year?
Gerard: For DNPost, it's about scaling with precision—selective client intake, high-impact deals, and more AI-driven outreach. For the podcast, it’s growing a loyal audience of founders, investors, and brokers who see domains not just as assets, but as strategy. We’ll keep sharing what others won’t—and raise the bar on transparency in this industry.
And Mike, I just want to thank you for being such an honest voice in this space. You ask the right questions, cut through the noise, and genuinely care about the future of this industry. It’s a privilege to be part of this conversation with you.
How to reach me: Visit www.DNPost.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Check out the Podcast: www.DNCast.com