Last month, I bought a $2.7k domain and started building a niche luxury travel directory.
This isn’t a personal brand or a content play. It’s a test: can a domain-first approach turn into a long-term digital asset?
I’ll be updating this biweekly and sharing all the numbers along the way.
More on my background: Intro Post
That flipped how I thought about side projects.
Instead of asking “what am I passionate about?”, I looked for:
A clean, filterable directory could simplify decision-making and reduce friction.
Why?
The newsletter helps:
This time, I wanted leverage. Something where the work stacks.
The market’s right too. Escapism spending tends to hold up in downturns, and high-net-worth travelers stay active.
• Launch directory + newsletter
• First 5–10 leads
• A few hundred in revenue
6–12 mo
• Grow list
• Start sponsor convos
• Target ~$1k/month
12–24 mo
• Become the go-to resource
• Launch awards event
• ~$5k/month
24–36 mo
• Expand into related verticals
• $10k+/month
• Still part-time unless upside demands more
I’ll follow up in this thread with what I worked on this week and where things stand. Updates will drop at least every two weeks.
This isn’t a personal brand or a content play. It’s a test: can a domain-first approach turn into a long-term digital asset?
I’ll be updating this biweekly and sharing all the numbers along the way.
More on my background: Intro Post
1. Why This Niche
I came across Peter Askew—he builds domain-first businesses like DudeRanch.com and VidaliaOnions.com, turning exact-match domains into cashflowing businesses.That flipped how I thought about side projects.
Instead of asking “what am I passionate about?”, I looked for:
- A domain with strong search volume
- A high-spending buyer (affluent travelers)
- Weak execution in the space
️ 2. The Gap I Saw
The booking experience felt broken:- Agency sites were bloated and dated
- Blog posts were scattered or vague
- You’d open 10+ tabs just to compare options
A clean, filterable directory could simplify decision-making and reduce friction.
3. Why I Bought the Domain First
Most people start with content or social. I started with the domain.Why?
- It proves there’s real search intent
- It gains value as the site grows
- It creates a moat against copycats
- It builds trust—especially important in high-ticket categories
4. What Shaped My Thinking
- Peter Askew — Built DudeRanch.com from a single domain
- MJ DeMarco — Sold a limo directory for 7 figures by owning demand
- Dan Kennedy — Marketing to the Affluent reframed how I think about trust and resistance
5. Why I’m Pairing a Directory with a newsletter
These aren’t impulse purchases. People research, compare, and take their time.The newsletter helps:
- Stay visible while buyers are still deciding
- Feature listings and insights
- Attract sponsors down the line
- Add SEO value even if engagement is low
⚙️ 6. My Stack
All lean, low-code, and easy to hand off:- WordPress — Flexible, ownable foundation
- Bricks Builder — No-code front-end
- ACF Pro + FacetWP — Structured, filterable listings
- Beehiiv — Newsletter + sponsor-ready
- Pretty Links — Track outbound clicks
7. Why This Is a Long-Term Play
This niche is evolving fast. Three signals stood out:- Boomers retiring with time, money, and a desire for more intentional travel
- Demand shifting toward slower, scenic experiences
- Legacy operators investing heavily (one spent $250M+ last year)
8. Why I’m Building in Public
Building in public helps me:
- Stay accountable
- Attract sharper feedback
- Connect with builders running similar plays
️ 9. Why Now
I shut down an Amazon reselling biz that felt like a grind—high effort, low control.This time, I wanted leverage. Something where the work stacks.
The market’s right too. Escapism spending tends to hold up in downturns, and high-net-worth travelers stay active.
10. How I’m Defining Success
0–6 mo• Launch directory + newsletter
• First 5–10 leads
• A few hundred in revenue
6–12 mo
• Grow list
• Start sponsor convos
• Target ~$1k/month
12–24 mo
• Become the go-to resource
• Launch awards event
• ~$5k/month
24–36 mo
• Expand into related verticals
• $10k+/month
• Still part-time unless upside demands more
I’ll follow up in this thread with what I worked on this week and where things stand. Updates will drop at least every two weeks.
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