Are you an Eagle or a Pigeon? The Expanding Pigeon Based Domain Industry.

Morning Folks!!

I posted this over atTheDomainsand decided I need to post it here and perhaps expand on it a bit. I will get some folks upset. Not my intention. Just my absolute view of things. You are free to disagree. Most do. Nothing new or unexpected. So I can tell you what you want to hear or I can tell it the way I see it. Those that know me also know I have little choice other than to tell it the way I see it as opposed to blowing smoke up your ass. One has value and one does not.

Since 2007 I have bought only a handful of domains. Good ones were hard to find and overpriced considering the sales were to other domainers and not to end users. Some don't get the difference and the prices for the audience were just not in line with reality. But now times have changed. There is a bumper crop of really good domains at prices that are much lower than the previous period. Now don't get confused between overpriced domains and a falling market. The market is not falling, just realistic prices are in play and those prices continue to rise. A great domain will be a great domain and will outlive everyone reading this today. Crap will be crap forever and that is what motivates me to write. Lots of new blood off on the wrong track. The truth produces anger. I just believe everyone involved in domaining should make big money because it is laying there to be made. It saddens me when I hear folks are in trouble and they can't make ends meet. It is never too late to start over. It is never to late to get it right. Next time never happens so may as well do it today and make it this time. Forget about what you thought you knew yesterday. Per chance, you may have been wrong. Especially if you are not earning at least 6 figures from the jump in domaining. Don't blow your opportunity for another day. This really is your last best chance. Weakness and circumstance make great assets surface.


There are a lot of assets to invest in. Never has there been an asset priced so low that went up so fast and maintained that value. This opportunity in domains was open to every living and breathing person on earth and 99.9% missed it.

I have asked one question now for a decade. Can anyone name me an investment that was available to all and went up faster than domain names in value other than a lottery ticket??

Gold?? Took thousands of years to get to $1000 an ounce. Diamonds? Real Estate?

Like anything else, domains are a market. Markets go up and markets go down. But the foundation for premium dotcom domain names is more solid than any other single investment on planet earth.

I always qualify what I say with “Premium” and “dotcom”. I do admit that there is a significant amount of the industry that is tulip based. Means domains with no value are trading at prices that don’t justify it. But that happens in every sector. The domain industry is still very young and not yet matured. That takes time to fix. Only time can fix that. And it will.

But I go around all day looking where I can put cash to work. 1% or 2% at the bank ain’t gonna cut it. Real Estate is wonderful but it comes with taxes and maintenance. Not very portable. Gold? Very heavy. Hard to secure. Difficult to travel with. Stocks? I have made a small fortune in the stock market. But it is no longer for the long term. It’s a day casino at best. You can make lots of $$$. No question. But again, what do you do with those $$$ once you accumulate them? My answer for the last 15 years has been to buy great domain names and that seems to be more solid than anything I have ever been involved with. Just don’t buy garbage. I see investment quality domains laying around for $500, $1000, $2000 and I see domains with little or no value fetch much more. That’s what makes the world go round and the way I see it, domains and domaining have never been hotter. More shows, more auctions, more large companies getting larger. A guy could come into domaining today with a few thousand bucks and within a couple years time could be worth millions. Unfortunately for so many of the newer folks coming into the industry, they buy before they learn. Before they understand. Not knowing that the first domains you buy are THE most important domains. That sets your course and that is where most mistakes occur. A place where folks can't afford to make that mistake. That and not being patient. Not understanding that sometimes doing nothing will make you more money than doing something and screwing it up because of the need you feel and can't control. There are great values out there. There is a tremendous amount of shit out there. The prices are similar. Pigeons eat shit, eagles methodically swoop over their prey. Both are birds. Are all folks that call themselves 'Domainers' actually 'Domainers'? See, this is where I get in trouble. Because I can't help but to mention it in an effort for many to realize that it is the same effort, the same dollars, the same time to find great domains as opposed to crap. It's worth taking the time to learn. Learn the rules that worked 10 years ago still work today because those rules worked 20 years ago, 50 years ago, 100 years ago and they will work in 100 years from now.

In most business you buy something for $10 and sell it for $20, $30, maybe $50 or $100. Things have shelf lives and your job is to move it fast. Great domains are like fine wines, the longer you hold them, the better they get. It is an appreciating asset when you buy right and buy the right domain. An appreciating asset that can be expanded on, built on, developed. And done on your own time table at the right time as things unfold in reality and not calendar based. There are two types of domainers. Ones that hold assets and ones that hold liabilities. The asset class has only grown marginally in the past few years. However the liability class is growing faster and much more furiously.
Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz
PS: Here is yourstarting point of your new life. It's a compass. Don't ask how, it is all spelled out. Both of these posts should be linked everywhere. I leave this for last because MOST will never read this far. They are too busy rushing off to another failure.

Plus, here is a post from a DECADE ago.This post was dug up by Owen and posted today. 5/4/2010. It was originally posted by me in 1998.






42 thoughts on “Are you an Eagle or a Pigeon? The Expanding Pigeon Based Domain Industry.

  1. Tony

    Rick, I hope you answer this question for me. I totally agree with you that there are not good but great domains to be had for a few thousand dollars right now and many names selling for that much are junk.
    I know you focus on great names but there are a few decent ones that drop everyday. What do you think of the strategy of picking those up for regfee. For example, here are some I picked up yesterday:
    pushbuttonlock.com
    losingbelly.com
    benchscraper.com
    casualvest.com
    I believe names like these make up the bulk of Frank’s and Kevin’s portfolios. What is the future for names like these?

    Reply
  2. mywebsearches

    Mr. Rick, I read your articles carefully just to find some great advice before investing in domains but as always most of the information is general that left me thinking more than before.
    I only have one question and that would be all for me:
    Which extension should I buy? And which should I avoid?
    Thanks!

    Reply
  3. George

    Tony,
    Those are garbage IMO. Focusing on domains that mean something to other people is what domaining is all about. It’s not about picking random terms and hoping they will appreciate in value, because they won’t. Now, there is something to be said for speculation (clever speculation) but names like those are liabilities at best. Kevin and Frank also subscribe to the 80/20 rule IMO… 20% of their portfolio makes money, the rest should be sold off at auction for whatever they can get.
    I too, have made the same mistakes… now I am trying to liquidate the crap I bought. I do have some good stuff but some of it is garbage. The first and best step you (or anyone can take) is to admit that to yourself… it’s not too late to change your game-plan. Good luck.

    Reply
  4. GhettoCaveMan

    Some domainers are like ranchers who slaughter their cattle.
    Other domainers are like dairy farmers who milk their cattle day after day, year after year.
    Purchase quality and milk it for years.
    I never understood the rancher mentality in the domain industry. Although, I’ve never been afraid to slaughter my losers.

    Reply
  5. Dean

    Timely and succinct, some great pearls of wisdom. There is a learning curve to all this, but if you follow the ball and stay on course you are bound to win against all no matter the insurmountable odds.
    The beauty of this game is that it is as Democratic as it get’s. Entry is relatively cheap and anyone can play, but just like any game there are rules and a hierarchy that wants to stay in power at any cost. They to some greater degree decree the value of these items and let me tell You they are passing off some inferior shit solely based on the merit of their reputation and they’re position of privilege (I think you get my drift). But the tide is turning and people are wising up, although there will always be the”pigeons” picking at their droppings.
    This is a game like no other, just keep you eye on the ball, time is an ally.

    Reply
  6. Domain Advisor

    Tony,
    Seriously, what is your thought process that gives these domains you picked up any value?
    1. They make no sense.
    2. They have no type-in traffic.
    3. They won’t make any money on a parked page.
    4. They don’t have any development potential.
    So why why why do you and so many others buy domains like these and think you’ve got value there????????
    STOP WASTING YOUR INVESTMENT CAPITAL ON JUNK!
    START BUYING QUALITY DOMAINS THAT MAKE SENSE AS WORDS!!!!
    God almighty I just don’t get what people are thinking with domains like these.

    Reply
  7. mywebsearches

    I think you should be able to at least make the annual registration feed from your domains if you develop them.
    Pushbottomlock.com
    benchscraper.com
    casualvest.com
    You have one year to test them and then sell them, keep them or delete them from your portfolio.
    That’s how you find domains with profit and start creating a prifitable list of domains to keep.

    Reply
  8. Jeff Schneider

    Hello Rick,
    There has never nor will ever be, another asset class that will match the intrinsic valuations that only domain names can garner. Those who think it is too late to participate need to reevaluate. Some of the stongest branded name .coms are still not leased.
    As to stocks, you are oh so right if you say that they are the second place star investments. Fact in point I bought for clients in 02 Intuitive surgical at 18$ and under. It went to 300+ and split 2 for 1 and is looking toppy now ,but you get the picture.
    Now here is a gift to all of you out there. We have been collecting shares of Nuance comminications NUAN at 14.5$ and plan on buying till 20$ a share for a 2 for 1 split in the future if they don’t get taken out in a takeover battle. We see a possible takeout value of 40+ $ a share.
    Hope this helps out some of your followers Rick.
    Gratefully ,
    Jeff

    Reply
  9. Jeff Schneider

    Hello Rick,
    A second thought here. If newbies are buying secondary domains they are buying old thinking. The real play is in new BRANDED creations in the .com universe.
    Gratefully,
    Jeff

    Reply
  10. Louise

    Thanx for the nice post. Pigeons have a bad rap because, technically speaking, they’re clean and don’t eat poop, but grain and greens – what we all need to be eating more of! Since I fall into that [pigeon] category, let me say one more thing in the defense of pigeons: the learning curve rises steeply near the limit of one’s ability to invest.
    Glad you confirm something newly discovered by me, that many great domains at Snapnames auctions are at reasonable investment prices of $500, $1000, or $2000! Shows I learned something since we agree!
    Thanx again! :)

    Reply
  11. Anunt

    Rick, stop lying to people…tell the truth…stop promoting…just tell the truth…we have already made our money in domains…the new comers dont stand a chance…maybe one in a thousand might get it right…all others will fail.
    Domain names are going down in value from here. They have hit the top…all new comers will lose…they will over pay or end up buying junk.
    Rick, you are a pro at domaining correct?…tell these new comers what was your last domain name you bought for couple of thousand bucks thats a great deal…cat got your tongue…i dont hear you…didnt think so…whatever your last purchase was, i bet you…it is not worth the amount you paid for…try selling that domain…i bet no one will buy it for that price…try selling it in the future…even worse…it will be worthless…so stop lying to people…tell them the truth…domains are going down in value from here…any one else think they got a great deal recently…speak up…can you sell this domain that you bought for more today or in the future…i didnt think so…you cant…why….there are no buyers who want to pay more for that crap…with the new ipad and people just using apps for everything now…domain names are going to be worthless very soon…when was the last time you went on pizza.com to search for a pizza…you didnt…why goto pizza.com when you can just goto google.com and type in what you want…the new way of searching for stuff is through google…nobody types in domain names any more…and now people just use apps…domains going down in value every day…sell your crap now to a sucker…there are still alot of suckers out there that will buy your crap…but not for long…get rid of your crap now…look at these domain auctions…not many people buying crap uhh…nope…domains were a good investment in the past…but not today…sorry Rick, you are wrong and you know it deep inside…didnt mean to ruffle your feathers, but just telling it like it is…you want to hear the truth…well there u have it!

    Reply
  12. LS Morgan

    Anunt: I’m sorry, but this will be long….
    There are smart people who believe what you do about the value of domain names going forward There are equally smart people who believe the exact opposite. Only time will tell for certain.
    Still, you should understand that there are people, right now, who are making money buying and reselling domain names. To be sure, the bar is MUCH higher than it was in years past. Gone are the days of money falling out of the sky onto the heads of idiots, with freshly registered names. Now, pretty much all of the successful ones are savvy and shrewd types, buying aftermarket names and flipping them en masse for ROI. The”buy, hold and hope” model is dead for most everything registered new since 2003 or so… In this regard, the ‘newbies’ don’t stand a chance, but the ultimate question is, how fast can they learn?
    Unlike ‘domaining’ of years past, the ratio of winners to losers is heavily stratifying. The losers can no longer drag out the inevitable”leaving domaining” fire sale across multiple years, with a smattering of end-user bites. Now, it’s sink or swim, fast. They either ‘get it’ all at once and quickly ditch the bad habits of rookies, or they’re destined for the ranks of small time hobbyist or outright failure.
    There are the developers; the ones who are taking their shot at building meaningful, durable e-businesses. For developers, the instant credibility premium afforded by owning a great .com name cannot be overstated.
    Domaining is just so interesting in that it’s a confluence of personality types that are often times polar opposites. You have the ‘techie’ end of things, but then, there is the qualitative stuff. The human Y factor. The guys who get this are the ones who win… There’s a reason that the most successful domainers are lawyers and great salesman and not coders and programmers. A great salesman, lawyer, poker player or bullshitter possesses one unique and totally innate skill that cannot be learned; the ability to assess, comprehend and capitalize on the intentions, fears and/or desires of other people. They know what makes people tick. They know what gets feet shuffling and how to command attentions. They know what to do to facilitate action. This intelligence type is sometimes referred to as ‘street smarts’ and it’s what allows some domainers to look at a domain name and intuitively know that it will inspire someone else to buy it…
    Domains are the perfect medium of transaction for this sort of person- the catch is, ‘that sort of person’ is maybe 1-100 and a lot of what we’re seeing right now is simply the culling of the heard; the death of easy money and all the people who just can’t seem to make sense of a changing market. Still, even though it’s changing, the ‘market’ remains.
    So, as long as the internet needs domain names, they will remain a salable product. As long as they’re a salable product, there will be people selling them and as long as there are people selling them, there will be some who do it better than others.
    For as long a reply as this was, that seems to be the short of it, as best I can tell. Apologies for the polemics.

    Reply
  13. Rick Schwartz

    Anunt, you have been wrong on every post you have ever made on my blog. How is shorting Apple at $220 working out for ya dude?
    Mike Berkens can verify many of my domain purchases this year. I don’t trumpet what I am doing until after I am done.
    I have hand registered several hundred domains this year. I register some every single day. I could drill down on some and buy thousands, but that is not how I do business. I go far and wide not deep.
    Getting back to you, Anunt, get that hair out of your ass. You are the single least constructive person in the industry. You tried to peddle one domain name for 10 YEARS trying to sell it by spamming the universe over and over and over again. Get a life already.
    You sound like a newbie that is still frustrated after all these years. What exactly have you achieved? The money sure did not make you a nice person. Did not give you any class. Did not do anything good for you.
    Anyone that reads some of your comments will know what a nasty SOB you are. You don’t like pets and think you should kill them before saving them. Your attitudes over the years is not in tune with folks with a good heart. You are just a nasty piece of work and just because you don’t get called out does not mean you are not what you are. But carry on. That is what makes the world go round. I love when folks come here and expose their true souls for all to see.

    Reply
  14. Arnie Katz

    Another great post Rick. It is a pity more domain people out there don’t understand the wisdom you impart to your readership.
    Keep up the great work you do. By the way I do get it. Beast Regards.

    Reply
  15. Rick Schwartz

    “Some domainers are like ranchers who slaughter their cattle.
    Other domainers are like dairy farmers who milk their cattle day after day, year after year.
    Purchase quality and milk it for years.
    I never understood the rancher mentality in the domain industry. Although, I’ve never been afraid to slaughter my losers.”
    GhettoCaveMan….BINGO!!!!! This is one hell of a statement that I have had a hard time articulating for years.
    There are so many ways to win at domaining and so many are losing. There is no reason for them to lose. But then again those that whine the most never took the time to read these posts or understand the simplicity of what we do.
    1000 ways to climb this mountain that can be successful and an infinite amount of ways to climb it and have bad results.
    This is just the most tried and true method. It works. It worked in 1996 it worked in 2006 and it will work in 2016. Lifelong results vs everything else.

    Reply
  16. Danny Pryor

    Well this was a good post. The question about whether one is a domainer or something else is critical, and if one can’t answer that question, they should put away the wallet or the bidding paddle. It’s fun to say you’re a domainer, but there’s a great chance one could be a developer who knows the value of excellent domain names. And, if one follows the link to the June 2009 post (which followers of this blog should have read last year), the simplicity of it all is spelled out so clearly.
    And for the record, Rick, there are those who are struggling because they are working their tails to the bone on a long-term plan for global domination, and they started with nothing but good clients, in the first place – LOL!
    In other words, they manufactured their venture capital as they undertook the effort.
    ;-)

    Reply
  17. UFO

    Going forward I believe registration fees will continue to rise which highlights the large operating risk that the bulk wholesaling (portfolio) approach has.
    I can only see one area of the market that presents a potential opportunity as an undervalued class. Most aspects to the domain game are over valued.
    The difference between investing and speculation, is that speculation tends to have very low cash flow yields and relies more on capital appreciation rather than developing that asset class. Domainers fall into both classes. Speculators would also tend to be less sophisticated and”hope” the market continues its trajectory.

    Reply
  18. FloName

    Truly one of the best posts on ANY DN blog in recent history.
    I am a”Domainer!” I’m attracted to this industry for all of the aforementioned reasons & more. I’ve been at it since ’08 & am just to the point where I feel like I’m getting it. I too have been the pigeon. For many of my shit domains, I had no problem finding other pigeons to feed them to, so I was stuck for too long believing that the shit was what buyers were hungry for. Its reminiscent of the old adage:
    “you live with apes, its hard to be clean”
    So I moved out & sought the other side of the market. I found information; I read it; I absorbed it; I developed strategies & I put them to work! I’m still unloading the pigeon shit from my portfolio, but just this year I’ve made more buying & selling then I have the last 2 years combined!
    One of my biggest lessons? If its in the open registry, its because nobody else wants it!
    The market is literally flooded with pigeon droppings belonging to newbs who don’t understand what constitutes value in a domain name.
    And as long as this continues, its ultimately the registrars that are winning.

    Reply
  19. Dean

    “It is what it Is” but if you think you are going to follow the same business model as Rick and succeed you are doomed to failure.
    What works most excellent for him will not work for you or anyone else. Some of you need to stop sniveling and the rest need to get your nose out of his ass.
    “When the world hands you lemons, paint those motherfuckers gold”

    Reply
  20. Anun

    Rick, calm down…i am just stating my honest opinion. I didnt mean to ruffle your feathers…i’m just telling it like i see it. I can lie to you and make you feel good or i can tell you the truth as i see it.
    Rick: Anunt, you have been wrong on every post you have ever made on my blog. How is shorting Apple at $220 working out for ya dude?
    Anunt: I day trade stocks and mostly apple. I took a profit when i shorted apple at $220. I bought apple right before the earnings and made a killing. I just shorted it at $270 and bought to cover friday at $262…and now i went long on apple at $261 and when it goes up couple of points, i will sell it again for another profit.
    I agree with your posts sometimes, like your last post about apple, ipad, etc….but just because i do not kiss your ass on every single post, you do not have to call names and get all angry…it’s going to be okay Rick…just calm down.
    Rick: Anunt, get that hair out of your ass. You are the single least constructive person in the industry. You tried to peddle one domain name for 10 YEARS trying to sell it by spamming the universe over and over and over again. Get a life already.
    Anunt: I agree, i have sold alot of domain names by just emailing people and have made a nice profit…nothing wrong with that, is there? It has worked out very good for me! You want me to get the hair out of my ass…no need to get mad…it’s all good!
    Rick: Anyone that reads some of your comments will know what a nasty SOB you are.
    Anunt: Be nice Rick…just cause i dont agree with some of your posts, doesnt mean i am a nasty SOB. I agreed with your last post about apple computers and ipads…so put a smile on your face Rick!
    Rick: You sound like a newbie that is still frustrated after all these years. What exactly have you achieved? The money sure did not make you a nice person. Did not give you any class. Did not do anything good for you.
    Anunt: The money i made thru domaining has given me financial freedom for me and my family and i have helped alot of people back home in my country with this money…it has been life changing for the people i have helped. You dont really know me as a person…you just know me thru these posts…i believe in donating and helping people with most of my money rather than using it on my self for unneccessary items…if you go travel to poor parts of the world, you will understand how much help they need…while your here bitching just because i am not agreeing and kissing your ass!
    Rick: You don’t like pets and think you should kill them before saving them.
    Anunt: I am a vegetarian…i dont believe in killing pets…you guys kill animals and eat them…not me!
    Rick: You are just a nasty piece of work and just because you don’t get called out does not mean you are not what you are.
    Anunt: No need for this comment…it’s okay Rick..calm down!
    I just dont agree with you on this post…i didnt mean to ruffle that many feathers by stating what i believe in…just like you always say…do you want me to lie to you or tell the truth…i can lie to you and make you happy or i can tell the truth and ruffle some of your feathers…and i guess i did the latter and ruffled not some but most of your feathers…sorry about that Rick…but thats how i see things unfolding from here…i believe domain values are going down from here and that the new comers dont stand a chance in this game…like i said before, one in a thousand might succeed…the rest of them will most likely fail.
    Let me conclude by just saying…Rick, we have a great life and should help people instead of telling people that they have a chance in domaining…because they don’t…i dont want to see more and more people waste their hard earned money trying to buy domains and failing…save your money…domain values are going down from here…mark this post!

    Reply
  21. Altaf

    Rick,
    You always said it in a great
    way. It is up to us how we learn and invest our money. But you dedicated yourself fully. Thanks for that again and again.
    Re some guy(s) negative comments: you once agreed not be angry & pass comment. Rather agreed to let them expose their personality. Any way you cannot stop commenting when needed to do so.But despite that we all respect you and want to learn from you. There will always be difference in opinion as there are 6.5 bn people around.So either ignore them or expunge their postings please.

    Reply
  22. Stephen Douglas

    Hi Rick,
    Normally I don’t agree with you, but this post was pretty straightforward. A lot of truth in it. This part I’m showing my partner – although I’m lucky I didn’t invest in stocks, I did invest in domains and it’s still making me good money to live my lifestyle. But the majority of the big money i’ve made I have to get out there and away from the banks giving me 3%.
    “But I go around all day looking where I can put cash to work. 1% or 2% at the bank ain’t gonna cut it. Real Estate is wonderful but it comes with taxes and maintenance. Not very portable. Gold? Very heavy. Hard to secure. Difficult to travel with. Stocks? I have made a small fortune in the stock market. But it is no longer for the long term. It’s a day casino at best. You can make lots of $$$. No question. But again, what do you do with those $$$ once you accumulate them? My answer for the last 15 years has been to buy great domain names and that seems to be more solid than anything I have ever been involved with. Just don’t buy garbage. I see investment quality domains laying around for $500, $1000, $2000 and I see domains with little or no value fetch much more. That’s what makes the world go round and the way I see it, domains and domaining have never been hotter. More shows, more auctions, more large companies getting larger. A guy could come into domaining today with a few thousand bucks and within a couple years time could be worth millions.”
    I believe what you said in quotes wholeheartedly. I hate to say it, I’d rather find something wrong with your comments, but not today.
    kudos

    Reply
  23. Rick Schwartz

    Just for the record…..
    I STILL hand register most of my domain names. I registered one on Friday and 5 type ins on the first day. 34 cents revenue. I expect it will grow because that is why I registered it to begin with.
    Since 1998 I have been told that all the type in domains are gone. Now I agree that you won’t find type in domains with thousands of visitors chasing what happened yesterday. You need to figure out how things will unfold tomorrow. That is the KEY and that is why there will ALWAYS be type in domains. Always!
    Let’s say this domain produces $100 a year in revenue. That allows me to be wrong registering 10 other domains and still end up with more than I started with. Repeat that 10,000 times and you will make at least $120k a year. Pick better than 1 out of 10 and you will do even better. Get rid of a few of the ones that did not work out and make more and do it faster. The point is to create a revenue engine and then buy domain names. The first domain is the key. Make the next domain your first domain.
    There is a choice. You can hustle a living day in and day out or you can build a revenue engine that lows you the freedom to be selective. The freedom to do a lot of things.
    From here on, it will be EVENTS that take a domain from zero to hero in a matter of seconds.
    In April I hand registered 31 domain names, I won 35 domain auctions and I partnered up on 5 other domains. Some are for a right now type of response. It either hits, or not. Most are seeds that are planted that will sprout in time. That is why my type ins grow. I am predicting how things will unfold I have many many many domains that once got no traffic, no earnings, not much of anything that today do pretty well and earn $ every day of the week. What I bought in April won’t sprout or germinate for years. But when they do, they will be a consistent source of revenue. How do I know this? 15 years of patience.
    I also sold one NNN.com for $50,000 that I registered in 1997. My 13th domain sale. I watched these domains go up in value from registration fees with no value to mid 5 figures and eventually 6 figures. I had 120 domain inquiries and responded to 15 of them in April. I have 5 in the fire. Baking. Ripening. Deals can and will be struck. Just a matter of time and patience and decisions by others to seize what they want. Sometimes they take days, sometimes weeks and sometimes much longer. But events are bringing things closer together with every passing day.

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  24. Dean

    Right on!
    this thread is like the equivalent of Moses coming down the mountain or the President giving his State of the Union Address. One of the big Domaining Guru’s comes down off the mountaintop and breaks bread with his disciples.
    Most of what I read in the domain blogs is such utter bullshit, glad Rick could take the time to write something of relevance, something worthy of contemplation, something intelligible. Regardless of weather you agree or disagree at least it has some substance, something we can sink our teeth into. It would nice if some of the other Big Domain Honchos could shed some light on the path, instead of just bullshitting and pumping up their coffers do something noble for a change, something for the”Industry”.
    Let’s keep this thread going!

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  25. jeff schneider

    Hello Rick,
    I will offer a standing wager to anyone in the blogosphere and beyond.
    The largest sum of money offered for a domain name in .com sector has not happened yet.
    Second part of wager, is that the next blockbuster sale will be a BRANDED name that has not yet been registered. Date: 5/ 2 /10
    Gratefully, Jeff

    Reply
  26. asdf

    Your wager is impossible to resolve as stated, since”not yet happened” is infinite.

    Reply
  27. Rick Schwartz

    @Dean, There is no mountain. I have been saying the same things since the 1990’s to anyone that cared to listen. Some did, most did not. Same with this post. It is here for all to see. But you can’t force the ones that need to read it the most to actually stop and read and then digest it. In 1998 when there were an abundant supply of really great domains just waiting to register, the pigeons were still eating shit. What I do know is 1 or 2 reading this will have their lives changed. That is my way of giving back.

    Reply
  28. George

    @Everyone, I am relatively new to this game and have quickly discovered that there is a lot of s**t information out there. As a matter of fact, I don’t bother with reading forums… too much talk and not enough action. I don’t want to sound like an a** kisser either but I have to give credit where credit is due. Two of the best sources of information on domain investing are 1) Rick’s blog and 2) the Oz domainer podcasts… and no, I am not affiliated with either one of these sites in any way.
    People need to stop and listen to what those have made it have to say. Obviously the landscape is different at this point in time but there are eternal truths to be had right here, right now. Stop wasting your time with those dropped auctions too, by the way. I would venture a guess that unless you’ve got serious bankroll you will not pick up anything worthwhile there… for the amount of effort it takes to score 1 good domain you could be doing your research and hand registering better ones.
    But I digress… to be a successful domain investor (or successful at anything for that matter) you have to try to look into the future and make educated guesses. Or, research those domains which you could potentially buy from private parties (without auction, you’ll pay more) and close deals privately.
    Just my $0.02 on the matter.

    Reply
  29. Dean

    @Rick Thanks!
    With all due respect 1998 was not that long ago what Wtf was I doing then? I wish I had registered some domains back then, I would either be sitting pretty or dead from snorting it up my nose. But That was then and this is now and so much water under the bridge, glad to have survived the insanity.
    Anyways, I do”get” a lot of what you are saying, but I have only been at this (seriously)for 6 months, there is a big learning curve, but it’s quick if you are paying attention. Yes,investing in the future is where it’s but holding out till that ship comes in is the crux of the matter. No shortage of domain ideas to register, just shortage of liquid assets. On the other hand some opportunities only come around once and are brief, so you have to grab them as they present themselves.
    This stuff makes my head spin sometimes, but
    like I said I am a young grasshopper domainer and still have much to learn I am enjoying it however.
    Thanks for your words of wisdom.
    Dean

    Reply
  30. motor wiper blades

    I have only been at this (seriously)for 6 months, there is a big learning curve, but it’s quick if you are paying attention. Yes,investing in the future is where it’s but holding out till that ship comes in is the crux of the matter. No shortage of domain ideas to register, just shortage of liquid assets. On the other hand some opportunities only come around once and are brief, so you have to grab them as they present themselves.
    This stuff makes my head spin

    Reply
  31. George

    Wow… some more FREE and VALUABLE information on the fragerfactor… BTW, the links in the sidebar also contain a goldmine of information for those who care to read. It’s all there waiting for you…
    Back a number of years ago I had this idea to buy unused, run down land in my city. The idea was to buy land in highly trafficked areas and simply setup a parking lot. Collect your $2.50/hour for each person parking and you’re laughing. Very little maintenance, no calls at 2 am about the water heater not working (as in residential rentals) etc, etc… And to top it all off, when that developer comes around wanting to build a condo on your lot you’ve got the opportunity to cash out at a handsome premium.
    Domains are like parking lots. The exact same maxims hold true: buy in an area that receives TRAFFIC preferably in a downtown core where people will need to park to shop, work, etc. Hold onto the asset (while collecting parking fees) until the time is right… until development in the surrounding area warrants a suitable buy-out. Or, gradually develop the site yourself adding value.
    So what’s the next step? Finding your parking lot and securing investment either from an outside party, your own assets, or from your bank. I have made a conscious effort to stop pissing away my hard earned $$$ on garbage domains. Look (and research) before you leap.. nothing can be closer to the truth.

    Reply
  32. Dave Wrixon

    It never fails to amuse me that players that invest in domains like Tony’s deride the concept of investing in Chinese. To most of us they might as well be Chinese, but in China they mean nothing!

    Reply
  33. jeff schneider

    Hello Rick,
    I cannot quite fathom how often people discount the actual fondational value of .com internet addresses.
    Simple question ? How do you access the most powerful corporations on earth? The simple fact is that we are witnessing the most powerful transition of printed word into digital media text.
    To all you naysayers,How can that not have value? You do realize that domain names are the foundation of this powerful convergence.So lets all get real and open our eyes to the truth.

    Reply
  34. wholesale nike shox r4

    mr rick,from your massage I always can learn about the latest information of the economic and the world.it is very helpful for me who just 20 years old.thank you,I`m veru glad to meet you in your blog.

    Reply
  35. nike shox OZ

    Rick, calm down…i am just stating my honest opinion. I didnt mean to ruffle your feathers…i’m just telling it like i see it. I can lie to you and make you feel good or i can tell you the truth as i see it.
    Simple question ? How do you access the most powerful corporations on earth? The simple fact is that we are witnessing the most powerful transition of printed word into digital media text

    Reply
  36. Stephen Douglas

    @Domain Advisor
    I don’t about Tony’s other domains, but”BENCHSCRAPER.COM” is clearly a generic descriptive product domain, which not only has 80k google results but seven EXACT phrase keyword matchings in adwords on the result page (always a sign of a valuable start for a domain).
    But yeah, the others… yipes. I never heard of Benchscraper.com, but I looked it up and it’s probably worth at least $500-$1000 to a site builder or product manufacturer.

    Reply

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