Chef Patrick
This being the first interview on this domaining blog, I’m honored to have Patrick Ruddell as the first guest. For those of you who haven’t heard of Patrick, he runs a very popular blog at ChefPatrick.com, focusing on latest news in domain investing. He’s an advocate domainer and pro-blogger who is kind enough to lend a helping hand to anyone. I first had the pleasure of meeting Patrick online, when we both were caught up in a bidding war on Bido, later that day he reached out to me through twitter. Over the past several months of getting to know one another, I found Patrick to be someone with integrity and very humble. Recently I caught up with Patrick in New York City where we both discussed domaining over dinner.
Interview
How did you get involved with domaining and what experience did you carry over into it?
Chef Patrick – My prior businesses, which I sold in early 2008, was physical real estate. A major part of my success with those businesses was our online presence and marketing. I sold my company knowing I would get into online real estate, better known as domain names. The same basic principles applied in virtual real estate as they did in physical. I’d purchase a property and flip it for a quick profit.
Your blog ChefPatrick.com has become very successful in a short period of time. What is the one thing that you give the most credit to in making your blog so successful?
Chef Patrick – Besides the obvious answer of HARD WORK I’d have to say creativity. Two things that were not being done when I am came into the industry was a comic strip and video. Funny enough I had a big fear of being on video. I wouldn’t even get in family home videos. I’ve since gotten over that fear and now have a strong following of video viewers every week. I just did some research for a potential advertiser and found that my videos have had over 17,500 views this year. Chef Patrick in itself is creative. I don’t cook, but our slogan is What’s Cooking In The Domain World. It’s different!
A couple of months ago there was a stir created with “nipple gate” video on your blog. Can you explain what happened?
Chef Patrick – I shot a video with a beautiful female model in body paint. It was an idea I approached one of my sponsors (WhyPark.com) with and they loved it. A few people were upset, but nothing major. In fact this is the most watched video to date for me. I believe it had around 3,000 views. This was a great example of creativity that I spoke about in the previous question.
In your travels, you’ve reached out to many beginners as well as experienced domainers and also met some high profile domain investors from around the world. How would you characterize domainers in general?
Chef Patrick – A domainer is an entrepreneur/investor looking to buy domain names and sell them for profit. With the change of our economy I’ve noticed domainers adapt and begin developing their domain names into developed businesses.
What do you say to those who call domainers to be cybersquatters?
Chef Patrick – I explain to them that a domain name is a vacant piece of land. Once I give that simple analogy most people get it.
What advice would you give to those who are starting off in domain investing?
Chef Patrick – Don’t be afraid to fail! Failing is just a learning lesson. The secret is to learn quickly from that mistake and don’t repeat it.
What advice would you give to those who are just starting an online presence? Does a good domain really matter for a online business?
Chef Patrick – A good domain name is important for offline branding (radio, tv, print) and type in traffic. If you have an ONLINE ONLY business and rely on SEO and online ads then no, you can get away with a mediocre domain name.
Many people know you from twitter (@ChefPatrick), facebook and other social media networks. Is this a trend or here to stay?
Chef Patrick – I hope they are not trends. I have invested a lot of time on both Facebook and Twitter. But after watching MySpace take a major fall to Facebook, something new is always coming.
This is an off-beat question – What is your favorite dinner dish? 
Chef Patrick – Veal Parmigiana
Last question, what’s next for Chef Patrick?
Chef Patrick – I just announced my partnership in GoDrops.com, an online service that provides lists of dropping domain names. Please read more about that here. I am also working on the development of TampaBay.tv which should be launching sometime in December.
Thank You Patrick!
For more of Patrick visit ChefPatrick.com
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
1. Great interview. Very interesting! Been reading Patrick’s stuff when the blog was DNKitchen.
2. No clue how I’ve never heard of eDomaining.com. Bookmarked!
.-= Sammy Ashouri´s last blog ..“How to Maximize Revenue with Your Domain Portfolio” Afternic Webinar =-.
Very nice interview! Congrats to Dan and Patrick!
.-= Daniel Dryzek´s last blog ..T.R.A.F.F.I.C. NY 2009 auctions results =-.
@ Sammy – Thank You for your support.
@ Daniel – Thank You for your kind words. It was a pleasure to see you too in NYC. Looking forward to getting together again.
It is interesting interview.
I would also want to shoot a video with a beautiful female model like him.
@Mike – Chef Patrick does have the most beautiful models
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