Pigeon Shit for ME may be an Opportunity for YOU.

Morning Folks!!


I have quite a portfolio of NNN.mobi domains and 1 word .mobi I may or may not renew for those into 'Keyword' domains.


If anyone is interested, contact me. And just remember for all these guys yelling SEO and Keywords domain names, the ones on the bottom of the list should be of interest. If these SEO and keyword guys can't do anything with .mobi, why would anyone believe they can do it with 1000 .whatevers? That has always been my big question?? Cuz according to them, the extension does not matter. The keyword does. So are they FULL OF SHIT??


















































































































































































































































































































































































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BILL.MOBI


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Rick’s University of Domain Names. FREE 90 Day Course!

Morning Folks!!


Would you like to get a 'Rick Schwartz Degree' in domain names? Want to know what I know? Want to find all the hidden secrets? Want to be in all the secret clubs?


I have a formula that will make almost any willing mind a domain graduate. If I got online today I would be confused as hell. Which way to turn? What to do? Which voices to listen to? I don't have all the answers. But I sure as hell have some of them.


So I have come up with a simple 90 day course that will turn a taxi cab driver into a domainer. So domainers should do even better!


If you are making more than $100k a year in domains you don't have to read this. But I think even you folks would turn what I say into 2X as much as you earn today.


So here is the program. In the last 4.5 years I have made about 650 total blog posts. If you eliminate the posts about T..R.A.F.F.I.C. you would be down to about 500. The program is easy and you can start today. Go to the archives and pull up April 2007. Read those posts. Then go to May 2007 and June 2007 and if you just read 5 or 6 posts per day, you will be fluent in domaining in 90 days. It's all there. Not just me, others leave important comments as well.


There it is, 90 days and you will have all your questions answered and answered accurately. Discard what you already know and grab some of the missing pieces.


Here is your first lesson. A link to my posts of April 2007.


When you are done, go read Mike Berkens blog. Go read Frank Schilling's Blog posts. Keep up with the news with Ron Jackson. See what new project Elliot is working on. I mean if computers were what you were interested in you would want to get Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Please don't ask me where to find these things. Lazy STOPS here!


But even the Lazy can find the 'Cliff Notes' RIGHT HERE!


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz


The Book of Morons, Trolls, Shills and Blah, Blah, Blah! As Only Rick Can Tell it!

Morning Folks!!


Grab a cup of coffee, this may take a few minutes.


Wouldn't be great if we all got along? Based on the past, that is unlikely to happen so let's admit it and then define it and then deal with it. Keep reading. I will do all three.


As time goes on, more and more LEGITIMATE and SMART domain investors and others in the business, see the BS of the Peanut Gallery. But sometimes the gallery deserves an answer. Sometimes, however, they deserve what they get when the truth is revealed.


Guess which type of post this one is? Are we having fun yet? Did you grap that coffee? Now grab a napkin for the times you may spit up laughing and agreeing or even if you are getting mad as hell and screaming at your screen, you will still need that napkin.


I have been criticized, damned and harangued and sometimes even worse, for everything that we create and accomplish at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Every change that we make is accompanied by a chorus of complainers. Every decision we make. Anytime you just mention the words, T.R.A.F.F.I.C., or Rick Schwartz, you know that the morons won't be far behind spewing the garbage and hate of the day. I learned how to handle these folks from guys like Jeter and Jobs. So let's cut the cord.


You know who they are, because it is almost always the same naysayers and guys with pseudonyms and aliases to protect their identity. Why don't the 'Ghosts' post under their real names? Because deep down inside, they know they are Morons just trying to stir the pot and adding something nasty to the stew. The more they fail the more moronic they get. Their worst offense is that they drown out legitimate discussion on each and every issue. They slow progress.


Nearly 100% of the complainers have one thing in common. They have never gone to T.R.A.F.F.I.C. to begin with or they have an agenda. They are not the professionals in the Domain Industry, our customers. We would like SOME of them to be, but not most. So let’s review what they complain about and why they are irrelevant.


Some are upset because they don’t go to the show and we have eliminated online bidding. But that’s too bad. We have a well-thought-out reason to do away with online bidding that I have articulated during the year. We still have phones, so if you are LEGITIMATE, you can still bid. So what is the takeaway? In my little pea brain, I believe that SOME of those who complain could easily be the ones who abuse the system the most.


Let me illustrate how silly the complaint is since there is still a way to bid that just makes sure you are LEGITIMATE. I would liken this to folks complaining about us not using a calculator to add up all the sales and using the old fashioned method of simple addition. That is a threat?? No, that just screws up scammers. That puts them out of business as far as T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is concerned. Anyone who is LEGITIMATE and really wants a domain name in the Auction, will find a way to locate one of those old fashioned phones.


Now what makes it laughable, is that these are the same folks who complain that we have crappy domains in the auction. But If the names are so crappy, why would they be concerned about no online bidding?? If the names are so crappy why would they be investing so much time in trying to discredit T.R.A.F.F.I.C.? Because that puts them out of business as far as T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is concerned. And as I stated in THIS POST, until folks have confidence and trust they won't be able to take the auction seriously. What we are doing is designed to accomplish that goal.


Interestingly enough, not a single seller has an issue with the way we are conducting the auction. In fact, most agree with it and are happy about it. The others are open minded enough to try something new because they already know what 'broken' looks like.


I would suggest that a STRONG T.R.A.F.F.I.C. auction could be a threat to many companies and many folks. It shouldn’t be, but some folks see everything as a threat. T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is also rewriting the rules for live auctions that others will eventually be forced to follow if they want to have credibility and be taken seriously going forward.


I'm certain that I don’t have to remind everyone of the colossal glitches that have happened that have delayed and cancelled live auctions after months of promotion. Whether they were technical or maybe there were just no bidders, I guess we will never know.


But one thing is for sure; eliminating the bidding on the internet solves one problem and having 300+ of the top domainers in the world present at the live auction, solves the other. Either way it was bad not only for them, but for all of us. We are all connected.


Teams of tech's could not fix the online problems and all the selling in the world won't make an overpriced domain look attractive.


Some folks believe that if my side of the boat sinks, their side stays afloat and they will have a better life and greater success. I would love for every domain auction venue to do GREAT! To set RECORDS! To get HEADLINES about their premiere sales. That is good for all of us. By the same token, when things don't go well, that hurts all of us. Nobody intentionally fails or has something go wrong. So we should all applaud the effort.


Now let’s address the quality of the domains in the auction. This is going to be my favorite part.


Many thanks to all the Pigeon Shit Farmers giving ME advice on picking good domain names. MY reputation is on the line. All I can do is pick the VERY BEST domains available on the market at the time of the show. Once I PROVE what I MUST prove here, then it will get a little easier in the future. But I can tell you one thing for sure. The 115 domains in THIS auction are better than 99% of the Naysayers' ENTIRE COLLECTIVE portfolios by a wide margin. A guy that gets into the business TODAY, can buy every domain in the auction and be in better shape than most of them. That’s the truth.


Lastly….the ONLY FOLKS I am accountable to are the Buyers, Sellers and Attendees. PERIOD! THOSE FOLKS AND ONLY THOSE FOLKS! And guess what? Not a single one of them has had anything negative to say. Not a one!! Want to know why?? Not because they necessarily agree with me. That ain't it. It's because they know that I am trying to do something very big. They know that I am fighting against the norm. They know the “Norm” is broken. They know that there are shill bidders driving up prices. They know some have been caught and many more are still in operation. They know there is so much abuse that they know they think twice and more before they bid. They know whatever is going on a lot of feathers are being ruffled and we are doing the ruffling.


They also know (or hope) that I might fail. But that's not likely! We all know that it may or may not work. And if not, I'll just keep fixing it and tweaking it until we get it right. They root against everything that I do, and I love cramming it up their collective asses when I achieve my goal in the face of their negativity that I use for FUEL. Not that I need any more fuel or the desire to put up with needless shit from morons and trolls that sit in the bleachers but have yet to step on the playing field.


313782_273987255966771_270734249625405_938306_645984927_n
It’s in the collective best interest of the entire industry and our futures that we have a good auction. I have done what I can to insure that this will be the outcome. We have 25 domains at NO Reserve. We have 25 more domains under priced. We have 12 domains from .xxx that will be exciting as hell to watch develop. So, I will say with a fair amount of certainty that you will see a minimum of 40%-50% of the domains sold on Tuesday, October 18th.


Lastly, let me thank the sellers personally for having confidence in me and what I am trying to do. You guys have set the price. Many of you have paid for a Guaranteed Placement because you were sick of being told “No” or it was too much money or whatever. YOU took control and I believe the market will reward you. You are actively courting end users and sending out Press Releases. You understand that I can't do it alone. Your reward is that you take control and then you get a second reward by paying a substantially lower commission fee.


This is the reason why this will be so successful. I can give a date and time certain with a credible and qualified audience at a credible venue with tight controls and as much transparency as any live auction has had.


This is what I can promise. This will be the single most exciting live domain auction that you have seen. I have sat in the audience for each and every live auction. I know why folks fall asleep; why they leave early; why they don’t pay attention. Wthin the first few minutes EVERY person in that room is going to know, understand and watch something unfold that they are going to love. And to show you how much confidence I have in the outcome, the next session following the auction is “Meeting of the Chiefs” and the #1 subject will be the auction, the results, the good, the bad, the ugly.


So I ask you to reserve your judgment for another week. That is the only difference between “Fair Minded People” and “Agenda driven people” and their know-nothing followers. That's the 1 over 2 in this equation. Fair minded people vs. all the bullshit. I am the one at the plate and if I strike out, we all strike out. If I hit a home run, we all hit a home run.


That's all I have to say on the subject until 2PM Tuesday October 18th. I am asking you to root for OUR COLLECTIVE SUCCESS! Those who root against us can only be Morons, Trolls and Blah, Blah, Blah! The rest of the industry should note who they are. They add nothing to the industry. They perpetuate the negative stereotype of domainers as cybersquatters and those who yell the loudest are most often anonymous and if THEY were held up to public scrutiny like they try to do me, they would not last the day before becoming 'Personna non Gratta' to most of you who read this.


And when the curtain of anonymity comes off of them, they blame me. That's coming soon. Exposed! Tail between the Legs, take a hike. I don't mince words or play games. Life is too short for those who waste your time and energy.


I just do what I say. I do what I promise. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it does not. All I know is I have done my very best to make this work. The rest is up to the market and as you know, I do trust the market. Good luck to all the buyers, sellers and bidders!


Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz


-----

Something for Everyone. T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Auction Has All Price Points and Variety

Morning Folks!!


Well the domain line up is all set at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Domains from $1 to $3MM and there are domains at nearly every price level and every wallet. My job is not to sit and tell you why you should bid on a particular domain. That is not my style. That is your job. My job is to give you something to think about. To tell you this is a single chance at a unique asset. Many registered a VERY long time ago and some much more recently.


I listed each domain as they were accepted. Sometimes that is like watching sausage being made. A number of factors have to happen to have a successful auction. The most important is having a domain that multiple people will walk into the auction ready to bid on because it is a bargain. That is true from 'No Reserve' to even domains at $800,000 and everything higher and lower. So agressively priced reserves have the best chance of exceeding their reserve. Plus it sets a market. It sets a floor. It's just attractive and it attracts bidders.


So the reason the TRAFFIC auction will be great is because it was built from the ground up with that always in the back of my mind. That was my base test for selection.


There are lots of opinions one way or another on the auction. I am confident that we have the right balance and that is only being backed up By Mike Berken's poll in which folks were asked: 'Which Domain(s) will sell at the TRAFFIC Auction? As of this writing with only 57 voters so far, all but 5 domains have been selected to sell at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.. So I think that demonstrates just how fluid this auction is because there are domains in there that many would LOVE to own and add to their portfolios.


When selecting I had to look at it through many different sets of eyes in order for this to come out the way I wanted it to come out. So there is a wide variety of domains, extensions and price points. Plus some 25 domains with no reserve whatsoever! Domainers that trust the market to get a fair price.


Below is the entire list and order of the auction. in Just SIX days, you will see the most exciting auction the industry has seen in years. Exciting, fun, and a boatload of sales!


Congratulations and Good Luck to all buyers, sellers and bidders! A special thanks for those that listed their domains because they believe in what we are trying to do and want to help us accomplish it! I believe about 50% of you will hit paydirt and the rest will at least get some idea of what the market deems as the value among the top domainers in the world as we start bidding at either $1, $100 or $1000 depending on the value of the domain. The bidding increments are already preset until the last few bids on each and every domain. We won't insult you by asking for a $500,000 opening bid on a domain that can't even fetch $50,000. We will start it at $1000 and together we will see where the MARKET takes it.


Rick Schwartz


View the live auction RIGHT HERE!


Lot #


1 LNX.com Reserve under $25,000
2. CamQuarter.com Reserve under $10,000
3. Campaigning.com NO RESERVE
4. BirthDisorder.com NO RESERVE
5. FortLauderdale.org Reserve under $50,000
6. Rice.TV Reserve under $5000
7. Emril.com NO RESERVE
8. ThermalScanners.com Reserve under $5,000
9. PitShop.com Reserve under $10,000
10. TrainingSession.com Reserve under $10,000
11. Rapper.tv & Rappers.tv Reserve under $10,000
12. TennisPlayer.com Reserve under $25,000
13. Touchdown.co Reserve under $1500
14. HardDrives.co Reserve under $1500
15. Sub.co Reserve under $10,000
16. Tie.com Reserve under $200,000
17. Keyholders.com Reserve under $10,000
18. CashBusiness.com Reserve under $30,000
19. OpticalCare.com Reserve under $50,000
20. Assumptions.com Reserve under $10,000
21. Local.XXX NO RESERVE
22. Her.co Reserve under $10,000
23. Philadelphia.org Reserve under $10,000
24. AutomaticPayments.com NO RESERVE
25. Juicy.XXX Reserve under $15,000
26. Porn.org Reserve under $650,000
27. iConsumers.com NO RESERVE
28. RedeemCoupons.com Reserve under $50,000
29. iLocations.com NO RESERVE
30. Shopline.com Reserve under $50,000
31. FamiliesOnline.com and FamiliesOnline.mobi Reserve under $85,000
32. Trading.TV Reserve under $12,500
33. BodySprays.com NO RESERVE
34. FloridaBeaches.com;FLBeaches.com;FLABeaches.com Reserve under $100,000
35. RedeemingCoupons.com Reserve under $10,000
36. Chatroom.XXX Reserve under $15,000
37. iCabin.com NO RESERVE
38. iCamps.com NO RESERVE
39. Hotties.XXX Reserve under $15,000
40. Bashful.com Reserve under $20,000
41. ForSale.mobi NO RESERVE
42. Prompter.com Reserve under $20,000
43. NoCreditLoan.com Reserve under $20,000
44. CertifiedUsedCars.com Reserve under $50,000
45. GoldDomains.com and GoldDomain.org. NO RESERVE
46. Reserved For a Category Killer Domain Name Reserve Under $750,000
47. BusinessAdministration.com/.net/.co Reserve under $100,000
48. Singles.XXX Reserve under $80,000
49. Protecting.me Reserve under $7500
50. VinylAlbums.com NO RESERVE
51. MP3PlayerAccessories.com Reserve under $40,000
52. LaborCloud.com/LabourCloud.com Reserve under $10,000
53. Personals.XXX Reserve under $50,000
54. WineImports.com/WineExports.com/ImportedWines.com
*Package Reserve under $50,000
55. Blondes.XXX Reserve under $50,000
56. OUI.TV Reserve under $5000
57. MarketingWebinar.com NO RESERVE
58. USAflights.com Reserve under $15,000
59. OrlandoTravel.com Reserve under $25,000
60. StreamingBids.com Reserve under $10,000
61. Power.com Reserve $3MM
62. FreePreviews.tv Reserve under $5000
63. Party.XXX Reserve under $60,000
64. Emoticon.co Reserve under $3,000
65. goldjewelry.co NO RESERVE
66. England.tv Reserve under $125,000
67. MedicalPolicy.com Reserve under $30,000
68. OnlineRealty.com Reserve under $25,000
69. Sex.co Reserve under ???,000
70. Amigo.me Reserve under $3500
71. Virtual.XXX Reserve under $15,000
72. CoinSet.com NO RESERVE
73. Makeovers.tv Reserve under $30,000
74. Optical.com Reserve under $350,000
75. Reportnews.com/Reportnews.net/Reportnews.org/
Reportnews.tv/Newstip.net/Newstip.org/Newstip.tv/
Newstips.tv Reserve under $75,000
76. WorldTradeCenters.com Reserve under $25,000
77. Movies.xxx Reserve under $500,000
78. FunnyCrap.com NO RESERVE
79. BeverlyHillsShowroom.com Reserve under $5,000
80. Approvals.co Reserve under $3,000
81. Cloudfield.com Reserve under $5000
82. Slangster.com Reserve under $5,000
83. LooseBeads.com Reserve under $10,000
84. FreshVegetables.com Reserve under $10,000
85. OceanProperty.com Reserve under $10,000
86. Verification.com and .net Reserve REDUCED under $275,000
87. TutoringService.com Reserve under $30,000
88. Mosques.com Reserve under $50,000
89. Duchang.co (chinese for 'casino') NO RESERVE
90. iPerformer.com NO RESERVE
91. M4A.com Reserve under $10,000
92. DomainSuccess.com, GrandNames.com, EarthChamps.com Reserve under $10,000
93. SexyNudes.com NO RESERVE
94. StarBonds.com Reserve under $5000
95. Proposition.com Reserve under $35,000
96. iSinger.com NO RESERVE
97. Orgy.XXX Reserve under $50,000
98. Wet.TV Reserve under $6000
99. Organic.info Reserve under $10,000
100. BeautifulNudes.com NO RESERVE
101. MovieTheater.com and MovieTheatre.com Reserve under $70,000
102. Adult Portfolio includes: sexparty.com/sexparty.net /jerkoff.com
virginxxx.com/peepingtoms.com/peepingtoms.org/nudehomepage.com
nudesexgames.com/nudewallpaper.com/ebonyhookers.com, ebonyphotos.com/ebonywoman.com/bizzaresex.com/best-porn.com
asianlesbian.com/asianphonesex.com/prostitutesonline.com Reserve $100,000
103. iWage.com NO RESERVE
104. Evaluated.com Reserve under $30,000
105. iWet.com NO RESERVE
106. Siesta.com Reserve under $35,000
107. Men.Mobi NO RESERVE
108. Bidet.com Reserve under $250,000
109. Insulation.com Reserve under $800,000
110. 689.com and 002.com Reserve under $20,000
111. Socials.com Reserve under $100,000
112. Stars.XXX Reserve under $100,000
113. GreatBritain.TV NO RESERVE
114. Tumors.com Reserve under $50,000
115. Avatars.com Reserve under $200,000
116. MexicoCity.com Reserve under $800,000
117. Prague.com Reserve under $800,000
118. SailBoats.com and MotorBoats.com Reserve $1.5MM
119. Cheese.com Reserve $1MM
120. TBA


View the live auction RIGHT HERE!


Liveauction


If you are not Making Money in Domaining YOU are doing Something Wrong. Very Wrong

Morning Folks!!


I look at Domaining and see so many ways to make BIG money that it strikes me when those, some of them good friends, are making NO money. First you have to come to the reality you are making no money. Then, as I have stated for years, then you just must STOP. If you are going the wrong way, why would you want to get FURTHER from the goal not closer? So stopping is the first thing you MUST do. There are no other ways. That is why you are frustrated. You have tried everything but the #1 thing. STOP. Stop. Take a weekend off.


I hear ya, you can’t afford to. I am telling you that you can’t afford not to. Go back to the base of the mountain. Look at it via fresh eyes. Look at it in a new way. Some of you have been doing this for many years now and that means you know more than you did when you tried the first time.


Go back to the base of the mountain. Go 1 mile away. Look at the big picture. You don’t need money in domaining to make money. You just need know how and that part you already have.


There are many paths at the base of the mountain. There is no path where you are at. Start again!! When you get to the base, you are way ahead of the others there. Just choose your path. Not the same one you were just on. Go to the other side of the mountain and start there. Do the opposite of what you did the first time.


Stop delaying. Pick your best domains, get rid of all the other crap and hit that mountain with a lighter load. The opportunities are there. They are everywhere. But you need to be on the right path to begin with to see those things. Look, I don't have to prove shit. I see what I see and I am giving you the best advice I can so that hopefully you can get a better result.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

-----

Madison Avenue Flashback 2007. Toe to Toe….Truth to Power!

Morning Folks!!


Truth to power. Don't be too afriad to reject Bullshit. I do it right here and this clip remains one of the best most intense moments since I have been in domaining. It crystalizes the problem in a way that uncovers how laughable the answer to my question is.


Here we have corporate America bogged down in a short term budget when there are long term decisions at play. Here is how and why they fail and continue to fail. Let's have a meeting! Let's chain ourselves with a budget. Let's ignore the big picture. DEFINED! Where is the LEADER that OVERRIDES bad decisions? See's the future? Understands the future.


Enjoy!


Click Here to Hear my 2 minute Audio with our Madison Avenue panel


Rick Schwartz

-----

Domain Pioneer Marc Ostrofsky to be on the View June 9th!

Afternoon Folks!!


Long time Domainer and Best Selling author Marc Ostrofsky to be on 'The View' June 9th!


This is what I just wrote to Marc O a few minutes ago after he told me the great news:


Congratulations!!! You have a chance to change the course of history. The biggest audience EVER to hear about domain names in depth.


Keep it SIMPLE!! :-)


Good luck!!


Rick


This is very good news and while some may not recognize the importance, what's new? But this is big and I am sure that Marc will rise to the occasion. Just remember that 'Over night success' generally takes about 20 years.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz


T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Gives Bang for the Buck!

Morning Folks!!


Expensive is relative. If you spend $100 for an
advertisement and get no return, that is expensive. If you spend $5000 and get
a $100,000 return, that is cheap! So the definition changes as the rewards
change. By that standard T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is not only cheap, it is life
changing. We aim for the moon, yet we have delivered over and over again. But
hey, why listen to me? Listen to a guy that travels over 50 hours to get to
TRAFFIC and the story behind why he comes. Michael Gilmour, who writes the
popular 'Whizzbang's
Blog
,' shares the reasons he would get on a 25 hour flight each
way and do it 3 times a year. He joins a growing group coming from 'Down
under' as well as from 15 other countries who make their way to TRAFFIC
show after show after show. Coming to TRAFFIC once is a novelty, twice means
that it was so worthwhile that you want more. But when you come to show after
show after show and invest time, energy and substantial funds just to get
there, then there is something very valuable going on because we would all rather
be sitting in our homes in front of the computer with our families.


So I ask you to read
Michael's story. Then if you still think no big deal, go read similar stories
from our page of unsolicited testimonials; and I have some yet to post there.
48 people took time to write a note expressing the value they got from
attending TRAFFIC. And when you look at the names saying it, quite a compliment
and the reason we are committed to keep making each show better than the last.


We have a formula for
TRAFFIC. A recipe. Others have tried to copy that recipe but they will always
miss one key ingredient. Just like Coca Cola has their secret formula, we have
ours and it is called 'Gut instinct.' Instinct that has proven to be
right on target over and over again year after year after year. Many parts of
TRAFFIC can be simulated, but without the secret formula, it will never taste
or be as good as the original. Going forward, folks will be much more conscious
of where they spend their time and money and the return they get. No where else
do the biggest and the best get together in such a meaningful way. You have to
ask yourself how does a show that is by invitation only, that screens every
attendee, that takes place at expensive and high end hotels, is also the most
attended, most meaningful and consistently sets the tone, the stride, the pace
and the agenda of the industry? It seems like an impossible FORMULA. But this
formula has a track record of great success and when we bring in speakers like
Steve Forbes it says to the attendees that they are worth bringing in the
sharpest minds to discuss who we are and what we do. It says to the outside
world that this is a serious industry wanting to hear from the most influential
business people of the day. It says we have something valuable to discuss. It
also shows we are willing to take profits out of our pockets to elevate our
industry. We won't sell extra tickets because of Steve Forbes, but there is a
sense of some seriousness when you have someone of his stature coming to spend
some time with a small group of serious investors even if he is getting paid to
do it.


One of the hidden
benefits of TRAFFIC is that we are in the domain business; we are investors.
The combined total investment represented by the attendees of TRAFFIC is
measured in the tens of billions of dollars. Think of the value represented by
that audience. Yes, we own domains and that is the investment that fuels all of
our other investments. We also own stocks, bonds, hedge funds, real estate,
restaurants, businesses from every walk of life. Some of us are in the funeral
business, some in the flag business. We cover every aspect of every corner of
investments on a global basis. We are an interesting group of entrepreneurs! We
are decision makers! While corporate America has meeting after meeting to
decide how to make a decision without losing their jobs, we make deals. We move
mountains. While they look for others to finance their ideas, we are self
financing. We write a check to see if our idea works. We don't need to BURN
other people's money to build a flawed business that returns no profits. That
gives us a certain independence that only fuels our growth. That makes us
unique. That makes us interesting. That makes us different from the rest of the
universe. To this day nobody can really get their heads around the FACT that
only a few hundred, (Maybe even a thousand or two) figured out the greatest
opportunity in our lifetimes, our father's lifetime or our fathers before them.
The last time the 'Common man' had an equal shot at such a big
'Find' would have been the gold rush. But even in the gold rush it
was a place you had to get to. It was difficult. Many died. In this gold rush
the playing field was much more comfortable and the risk of dying had little to
do with domain names. Truly, never have so many had such access to great
success with such a low entry fee. The historians will write about these days
as they did about those days. So never ever doubt that you are in an historic
time on an historic path. The most surprising thing that they will write is
about how many missed the greatest opportunity in any of our lifetimes and how
a few hundred or a few thousand changed the face of the new century. How the
ones that got PAID not to miss these things, missed them, continue to miss them
and continue to fail their companies and investors.


So there is much more to
TRAFFIC than a domain trade show. We are writing history. It's more than just
the world's largest live domain auctions presented by Moniker.com. It's more
than the $25 million in sales during the last 3 auctions. It's more than having
some 60 speakers that actually know what they are talking about. It's more than
being fed steak and lobster. It's more than hearing from Steve Forbes. It's a
launching pad for folks with resources and a track record of success to network
in the best environment and to do it in a way that is conducive to meeting as
many folks as possible and doing deals that can become life changing. We have
one thread in common that brings us all together. That thread has turned into a
steel reinforced rope that binds as together as we trail blaze the future.


Some think that with the
great success that we achieved in the New York City show, there is no new
horizon. The TRUTH of the matter is that whatever we accomplished in New York
won't become evident until the Florida show. It will be in Florida that the
DIVIDENDS of those efforts will germinate. Make no mistake; we are not talking
about a small 'Dividend.' We are talking about an avalanche of things
unfolding. I am usually pretty good at predicting what will happen. However in
this instance, I can't even begin to articulate how that show will effect you,
your portfolio and your future as a Domain investor.
Now let me be clear. I usually make VERY bold predictions before the shows.
Look at my words before each show and then look at the reality of how the
industry was affected by each show. Stating a goal publicly in front of all
your peers is a risky thing to do. But if it were not for those predictions
becoming reality, there would be no reason for anyone to pay attention.


Do the research. See
what I said publicly and in this blog before the New York show, then read the
independent reviews after the show. See what I said 10 years ago about the
industry, and then see how it has unfolded today. T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is the serious
show for serious people looking for serious networking and surrounded by lots
of serious fun and serious food.


I rest my case. See you
in South Florida.


Have a GREAT day!
Rick Schwartz


Why August 15th is so important

Over the years the one thing that I have focused
on more than anything else is the TRAFFIC. The traffic is what fuels the net.
The traffic is REAL people looking for something. Most buy a million
'hits' or they may be silly and buy a million 'Impressions.'
But what they are TRYING to buy are targeted eyeballs. People, buyers,
potential new customers, looking for their specific product. Many have not
looked past THAT. But what is it about those buyers? How did they get to your
site? Why did they get to your site? Ask questions. Get into their mind set.
Profile them like you worked for the FBI. See the FBI catches criminals by
putting themselves into the minds of the suspect. They get so deep that they
basically may be able to figure out the criminals next move before the criminal
figures it out. They know what they are going to do before they do. That same
type of thing works for the customers coming to your site. When you figure it
out for one you make a sale. When you figure out many, you make many sales.


You don't have to be that sharp to figure out
that Christmas is probably the single slowest day of the year on the net. But
do you know the second slowest day? The third slowest day? The tenth slowest
day? The biggest day? The second biggest day? The third biggest day? Do you
know why August 15th is important? Labor day? October 12th?


Let's start with August 15th. To me, this is one
of the most important days of the year. Why? Because on June 21st summer
arrives and surfers think more about surfboards than going shopping onlione. So
you see a steady decline in traffic and earnings. Most factories in The USA
close for July 4th week. Some run half shifts that week and then half the crew
comes back and the other half goes on vacation. Then you have the heart of
the vacation season. The last 2 weeks in July and the first 2 weeks in
August. Europe goes on Holiday. The world is just out and they are distracted
by life. So during this period it is a bit harder to get things done and it's a
time and opportunity to recharge your batteries for the next business cycle
that starts on August 15th. It may be invisible to the naked eye, but that is
the day that a real transformation begins.


As I said before, you need to get into the MINDS
of your customers. What are they doing on August 15th? Just look in your local
papers. BACK TO SCHOOL!! So while some think August 15th is the middle of
summer, and it is for some, the majority of folks are buying school supplies,
and clothing for the upcoming school year. They are making the TRANSITION from
summer to fall. A transition that takes about 8 weeks to complete. So August
15th represents the day that folks start to come back and pay attention again.
Not the heavy hitters. They are just going on vacation. But if you deal with
the MASSES, they are coming home each day and the eyeballs grow and grow until
we have full strength again. When does that happen you ask? The
answer.....November.


Now this may not be true for all business in all
industries. There are many seasonal businesses that different rules may apply.
For example on Candy.com, August is a very big month and interesting who the
buyers are. This time of year candy.com gets “Industrial buyers” of candy
products. School districts search vendors and start placing their orders. Retailers
are also in play because Halloween candy starts to go on the shelves in the
next few weeks. These are just things I have learned since owning the domain name
and never actually selling a single piece of candy directly. But knowing who is
coming to your site is vital if you are going to enjoy GREAT success on the
net.


And let me add for the record, we are taking the
'Long' view. There is another view. It isn't seasonal. It isn't
monthly. It isn't even weekly or daily. It is HOURLY. Why do I even bring any
of this up? Well for one thing, very few know it. Even fewer will agree with
it. Many will be asking what the hell is he talking about?? I will repeat something
I have said year after year. 'More sales are being LOST on the net than
are actually being made on the net.' So then I say this and they don't
know what the hell I am talking about so they just shrug their shoulders and
move on. Well, just like there is a science and an art to selling in the real
world there is a science and an art to selling on the Internet. The companies
that understand this dominate their industries. The companies that don’t are
losing market share to those that do. It’s the greatest shift of market share
across the board in history.


I have the ability to go to virtually any website
that is doing commerce, has traffic, and in 15 minutes I can increase their
sales by a minimum of 15% and likey much more. I have done it many times. It’s
easy for me. There are certain common and repetitive MISTAKES folks make that
nobody ever told them were mistakes. So if they don't know, they don't see and
they can't fix. Do you expect somebody to fix something that important that
still doesn't understand what I have written here over the last few months? All
I can do is try to give certain pieces of the puzzle that may lead to a better
understanding. It could be as simple as a font change, a color change, a change
in the location of a specific button. Usually a combination of all these and more.
They need FRESH EYES to pick up those shortfalls that can make a huge impact on
their bottom line. Most people just scoff if off. They don’t believe a few
SIMPLE changes can add more sales. Ok, that is their right…..but they are wrong
and it is costing them money. Costing them business. It is costing them
customers that are likely being picked up by their competitors. Their
businesses are getting weaker by the day and it is invisible to them until it
hurts and by then it is too late. That is the cost they are paying.


It’s the heart of summer. Go have some fun,
enjoy life, un-wind. Don't look for anything dramatic, just a trend. Like
a large ship turning around, it takes time and the slowest part is at
the beginning and at the end. The bleeding stops and the healing begins on August
15th.


Have a GREAT day!


Rick Schwartz


RicksBlog.com Grand Opening!!


Happy Grand opening!

 

What? No balloons?? Where's the marching band? When the first mall opened near my home in
the late 50's or early 60's my mother brought home 2 gold fish for showing up during the
grand opening. It's been a long time since that has happened and I am sad to
report I have no gold fish for you today. However I do think I have some gold to
share with you. Gold that will be with you for the rest of your life and gold
that I hope you will share. I don't sell this gold by the ounce. I give it away
by the truck load. We'll just have to agree to meet up on another day for the
fish.

 

Some may call my gold "Fools
gold." They are entitled to do that. But I will tell you that they were
wrong about yesterday, wrong about today and the evidence shows they
will be wrong about tomorrow as well.
My mission is to begin the conversation with those outside the
domain industry as to why domain names are an important part of any marketing
strategy. Perhaps THE single most important part. It is the foundation of what we do. I
will ask folks to leave their prejudices and misconceptions about domain owners
at the door because we have NUMBERS to talk about. Stunning numbers compiled
over more than a decade and while others were swept out of the game during the
collapse, we as domain owners, survived and even thrived. So domain insiders
please stand by. I will need your assistance presenting those numbers. Then we
will compare those numbers against traditional parallels.

 

The first few posts were an attempt to lay a foundation. A
starting point. I hope folks that come here for years to come read these initial
posts first as it will help to explain where I am coming from. I hope folks will
point others here that need to quickly get up to speed about what a GREAT domain
name represents. I will try and define what a GREAT domain is and how to spot
them.

 

I hope you will allow me to continue to lay this foundation
over the next few weeks before I attempt to address current conditions and where
I see us all in the next 10 years. This blog is not for everyone. Believe me I will say something that you won't agree with and
is gonna piss you off. So what do you want me to do? Not tell you what I truly
believe? Sugar coat it? BULLSHIT you?

NO WAY! You get it direct and unfiltered
and if it provokes a passionate debate, then the GOAL should be find the best
answer and look at as many possibilities as possible without getting stuck in
the gunk. I believe good people with good hearts will find common ground even when they disagree.

Life is all about making good decisions. Lee Iacocca said something to the effect that if you can gather 75% of
the facts, you are in a position to make a good decision. I have used that as a
rule of thumb for many years. I think EVERYTHING in life is based on EVERY
decision we make. The smallest decision can be the biggest and vice versa.

 

What I hope to accomplish is let you see what makes me tick so
you can see what I see. Let's be blunt. 6 billion folks on the earth and only a
few hundred really saw this incredible opportunity that is now a worldwide
industry and growing under the radar faster than anyone has any idea
of.

 

It's about saying out loud what you dare to believe and dare
to dream and dare to achieve. So much of all of our successes comes from how
deeply we believe in something. Passion without being obnoxious. All I can do is share
what I see, why I see it and what I saw in the past that has unfolded like a
well thought out portrait and why that is directly realted to the future.

 

I came to the net and domains with a 20 year plan. That always
raises some eyebrows. But it was with this 20 year plan in mind that I have
always moved forward. That plan is now more than 50% complete. All I can say is
I underestimated just how big and important the domain channel would become and
how fast that would happen. It's also frustrating as hell that it moves so slow
on a daily basis. My mission has been to accelerate the inevitable because our
time here is short and undefined.

 

So I hope you will bear with me as I try and paint a picture
that folks from every corner of industry can come to and grasp and understand and respond
and embrace. I hope folks that need a fast track education on domain names will
be pointed here. It's free for anyone that wants to listen and see what I see.


I
promise to shorten these posts once I create the foundation I think
it will serve us well for years to come. But one last thing. If you look
to your left you will see some of my domain names and websites. I think it will be fun to change
the last domain from time to time. Today's domain is "Widgets.com."
Today it is a parked page. The power of a domain is that tomorrow it can be
anything I want it to be and the flow of fresh new eyeballs that come
there every day will just see something else. There is obvious room for VAST improvement on widgets.com. But that is a domain to be developed on another day. Today's domain is RicksBlog.com and I want to thank you for coming!

Have a GREAT day!
Rick Schwartz