If the domain name industry wants respect from the mainstream, it needs to be more professional.

The single biggest threat to the domain name industry isn’t Google’s smart pricing. It isn’t VeriSign raising .com prices 7%. It isn’t the trademark lobby. And it’s not ICANN.

It’s professionalism. Or a lack thereof.

Like many industries, the domain name industry started as a group of wildcatters from diverse backgrounds. It has grown into much more; a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet many people still look around wondering why the domainer contingent doesn’t get more respect.

Where is Madison Avenue? Where are the end users? Why don’t they respect clicks from domain names?

They might not be here because a number of people in the industry aren’t professional. They start to investigate getting involved with domain names in some fashion, but are turned off by what they see. Turned off by the used car salesman approach. Turned off by the adult side of the business, which somehow gets co-mingled with the rest of it. Turned off by discussions laced with profanity.

Whatever the specific turn-off, it boils down to professionalism.

If domainers really want respect, we as a collective need to earn it. Not by telling people they’re wrong or stupid. Not by biting the hand that feeds us. Not by standing in front of a crowd with unprepared remarks. Not by becoming unhinged.

By being professional.