The Rick Schwartz Domain Name and Traffic Blog: RicksBlog.com – Home of The Domain King®

Morning Folks!!

As I do every year, December is a month of reflection and
planning. I don’t work in December. At least not in the way I do the other 11
months. So I just got back from a
10 day cruise. I spent over one month this year on the High Seas. More than a
year of my life in all. Downtime is very important if you don’t want to Burn
Out.

So as my role in the industry now requires less time, I will be entering
another universe of sorts in 2010.
A new focus. Just like nobody can take my adult industry years away from
me, nobody can take my domaining years away from me either. But now it is time just
like it was a decade ago when I left the adult world as an everyday participant
and started to help work on the framework for an industry. In 2010 I will basically repeat that except with a new
audience, a new focus, a new agenda and a new end game. I never forget or even
try to hide where I came from. The adult industry taught me so much that I am still employing those things I
learned. That industry is nothing like it once was. But that is a natural
occurrence and it repeats itself. Now again in domaining. Again, I won't hide where I came from. I am proud of my accomplishments even tho the audience I may be speaking to may not share that view. They are likely to have the same opinion of domainers as many domainers have about the adult industry. That 'Prejudice' is just a reality you deal with and overcome. But how
many times can you take the same ride, the same cruise and not want to do, see,
and learn more?

The “End user” we refer to is not a group. It is a ONE that is HIDDEN in a group. Like
I say all the time, “End users come one need, one project and one domain at a time.” You
can’t change that. But you can do things that accelerate that eventuality. See
I am all about acceleration. That is what I do. Making things happen in a compressed amount of
time. Things have a “Natural progression” but since life is short, accelerating
things is always been the key. The key since the invention of the wheel. We
always try and go faster. So my role, that I created for myself, has always been to make things happen
faster because if you let it take its' natural path, it may take too long and we
will all be dead. I am happy with a smaller piece of a larger pie. Had I not thought that way I would have never shared my views and what I learned along the way. But it was so much bigger than just one. As we can see, an army of thousands of domainers are still trying to make headway Alone?? Impossible.

So when I went from adult to mainstream it was quite a leap
with lots less resources but a much bigger playing field. Now another leap is in my future. There
is something missing. Something very big. Something I looked for when I met and pitched Steve Forbes, Ben Stein, Barbara Corcoran, and many of our other speakers along the way. TRAFFIC financed those appointments. Those pitches. We will never know what those conversations produced. But I guarantee it did not dead end when they left the podium. A SEED was planted deep in them. We will never know the point of germination, but WE together made an impact on THEM. While they touched us with their wisdom, we also returned the same with what we do. How do I know this? Because planting seeds is what it is all about. They can't 'Unseed' themselves.

When I travel I go into a lot of retail stores. I TRY and
discuss the Internet with them and their sales. They all basically tell me they
do well on the Internet and abruptly change the subject. That’s cause they are
full of shit. I still try to engage, but it is fruitless. Some even still
fighting about all types of things as the Internet is still a threat to them
because of distribution, cutting online competitors off, doing things
defensively instead of offensively.
So I am out to change that. Not sure how I will or can accomplish that goal.
But in 2010 I want to talk to large audiences of diversified businesses. I want
to break down this wall once and for all. There is no longer ANY excuse. The #1 way to grow your business is via the Internet. We ALL know that. THEY DON’T. That
needs to be changed and that is what I will focus my time on in 2010.

What does that have to do with domains? Nothing and
everything. It is about BUSINESS and as I have said for a long time, domains
are a VEHICLE, a product, a commodity. It’s a horse to another destination. But
when you ride your horse, does not mean you don’t keep an eye out for another
mode of transportation. Faster, more efficient methods and a way to make more
money in a quicker amount of time. THAT is what it is about. The adult
industry, domains, lighting, furniture, are all vehicles. The only reason I
landed up in any of these is I was always looking for something, bigger,
faster, more profitable and easier after some initial very hard work.

So in a few days this journey enters the 15^th
year for me and another stage. Literally. As David Castello says, “Been waiting 15 years for the next 5.” My friends, that is as clear as it gets. It took an economic collapse of 2009
for the Internet to reach critical mass in every category and every industry in
every corner of the world. The next 5 years is what it is all about. The amount
of money coming to the net is unfathomable. Don’t trap yourself and don’t box
yourselves in. Domainers? I don’t think so. It’s just a piece of what we really
are. This is the start, not the end. If you are not making the dollars you
should, start over! Get rid of the crap. The liabilities. Start with assets and
you will never have to look back. You have the power to turn things around but
first you must stop running in the wrong direction if indeed things are not working out for you. On the other hand, if they are, just keep doing what you are doing. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

No matter which way the general economy goes in 2010 it will
be one of the best years ever for opportunity and great wealth. The weakness of
some will become the fruit for others.
There is such chaos and hurt and collapse that if you are in a strong
cash position or not, you can really do some big things. Just be as diversified and PORTABLE as possible. Don't have all your assets in domains, or cash, or gold, or stock, or this or that. Make sure if one thing crashes, and it may, that something else will keep you afloat. We are far from out of the woods and forces every day want to sink the dollar and change the balance of power. The result is unknowable at this point in time. One incident can change the world and how we all do business. When things are unstable as they have been, long term planning is much more difficult and in some cases, impossible. That will be the headwind we have to deal with.

Our success or failure comes from within. Nobody can hold back a winner and nobody can help a loser unless they do the things necessary to be a winner. We all see what we want to see, hear what we want to hear, read what we want to read. Many times without regard for the overall intent. When folks are supposed to read between the lines, they don't. When they are supposed to take something literally, they are too busy trying to read between the lines. Timing really does count. Approach counts. But it is results that matter. Blah, blah, blah forever, but without results, it is just Lip Service.

Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy and Healthy New Years! See you all in Las Vegas!

Have a GREAT Day

Rick Schwartz

PS: I have racked my brain for the last 18 months and I can't find a better, safer or more portable investment than INCOME PRODUCING domain names. NONE! The TRUE GOLD and OIL WELLS of this century.

Morning Folks!!

The days of going to a tradeshow for the parties are over.
What may have been in vogue in the past is no longer in fashion. The focus is business. Business
and Networking. Those focused on other extraneous events are just not in tune
with the times. That is why where a tradeshow is held is important. Business
during the day, hard business and then play hard at night. Often times you are
not sure where the show begins and the parties end. I think you need some
definition.

If you have not listened to Rick Latona’s interview with
Andrew Allerman, you should. The audio is a bit hard on the ears but the
content is solid. Rick answers one of the single biggest questions in the industry. Definitely worth a few minutes of your time.

One thing Rick mentions is that they called up their top 100
customers and asked them why they come to TRAFFIC. I think Rick was surprised
by the answer. Not me. It is what I have been saying all along. When he asked
the question he assumed “Parties” would be much higher on the chart. In a way he
is right. But in a minute I will explain what it is. First of all the #1 answer
by far was “Networking”. Parties were barely a mention even tho we have had
some legendary ones. But Like I said, that is no surprise to me as TRAFFIC
means business and always has. Now if you were to ask the same question at
other venues, the numbers would be different. So when you mix folks that come
for the parties with serious folks that are coming to do business, that my
friends is a distraction. Wasting time with folks that could care less about
other things. I am really happy that Rick Latona took the time and energy to do
that. Rick will tell you himself that he has learned things about TRAFFIC from the inside that surprised him. Good stuff. That allows him to build on our foundation and still stick to business.

I want to be 100%
inclusive, but I have always wanted to have as few distractions as possible.
When you bring great people together, great things happen. I have said that for
years and there is just no time for sideshows and drama.

Folks make up all types of stuff to fit their biases and agenda. The partnership we have with Latona is based on OUR VISION that we all share and to give me the time to do what I want in 2010 that I will be discussing in my next Blog post. None
of the folks that think they know so much was ever there privy to our
conversations however they speak like they know something. Ignorance in action. Price is no longer a barrier in coming to TRAFFIC. Invitations are no longer a barrier. The only barriers are the ones that are made up in the mind. Also known as EXCUSES.

So while Rick Latona is opening up TRAFFIC to more folks, I will still discourage folks
from coming that are not focused on business and furthering their careers and
the industry in general. TRAFFIC means Business and I think the industry is going to be delighted with the changes in Las Vegas and then delighted with our Florida show in October not to mention the International shows in between. Hong Kong to Vancouver with stops in Milan and Dublin. That is pretty damn exciting!

Last year I explained that during a recession businesses do one of two things. Either they pull back on the throttle because they are inexperienced, timid and scared and that puts them in jeopardy or they put the pedal to the metal and expand because that is what you do if you want to have success during hard times. So when you look back at 2009, how did you do? What did you do? Are you stronger or weaker? Are others that you work with stronger or weaker? Have you seen some that have fallen into my first category?

As you can see I took my own advice. Expansion to every corner of the world by TRAFFIC at the very least likely time. Full throttle baby! The ONLY way to navigate times like this. In my next post I will discuss other things that I have done and am doing. Candy.com was also a great success in 2009 but not even included in my equation or list of accomplishments. That was just a little bonus and sweet reward for work done YEARS ago. Now we all get to see what happens to a GREAT domain in the hands of a GREAT company that has a vision and the energy to fulfill that vision. And do it at the BOTTOM of the business cycle. These guys did not pull back either. They expanded. They expanded while others were scared and that will produce rewards greater than anything I can write. Just look at the big winners of 2009. They ALL expanded. And the losers? Well you can fill in those blanks with those that have pulled back and are now paying dearly for that decision. Yup, 2009 was tough. 2010 may be tougher in many respects. But let me be clear, that has nothing to do with making great fortunes. It is easier to make $$$ in times like this. Just have to know how it works and how to look at things. A prism is only a piece of glass until you hold it and look at it exactly right.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

No matter how many times you tell folks the answer to their
questions, they still ignore the answer. It must be human nature. Two types of
people. Give folks a million keys to sort through to figure out which one
unlocks a vault and you will have two groups. MOST will try any key
other than the one you give them or the one where you tell them where it is but it requires EFFORT on their part. The FEW will try the key you give them or will put in the EFFORT. The first group has a very small ratio of people that figure it out and unlock it. So they fail. Frustrated and angry. You see it everyday in this business. The second group has a very small failure rate. They find success.

So folks ask over and over and over again, how to make a lot of money with
domains?

1. 1. YOU MUST learn what constitutes a GREAT domain
as opposed to a WORTHLESS domain. MOST domainers buy WORTHLESS domains. It's a FACT. They try to sell this CRAP all over the place. But it is CRAP so they have to find other domainers that don't know the difference and that is NOT HARD!!! They do this because they really have
not studied what makes a domain have value. Either present value or future
value. They are clueless domainers and their bank account proves it.

2. 2. Then the laziness factor sets in. You point the
direction, even sometimes give the url and they still can’t get there. They
want to know so damn bad but won’t do a damn thing to learn.

3. 3. Domains are about Nouns with Adjectives and
Verbs and such. That is the foundation of domaining IF you are looking to the
future. IF you want to know what many of the successful have in common. But no
matter how many times I have given the KEY to domains, NADA! I have an entire
blog post about just nouns and verbs and adjectives. Now I am not going to dig through to give you the url. If
you really want to know, you will find it.

4. 4. I have ALWAYS said there are many ways to climb
this mountain. I can only share the way I did it. It does not mean you have to
be on the same path. Chart your own, just make sure you are wildly successful
before you take shots at others. My path just happened to work well for me and
many that followed that path became very wealthy and transformed their lives. I
always said that path was “Time Sensitive.” (But it still works)

5. 5. I have always said that your FIRST purchases are
your most important. If you can’t get the cash flowing, you are stuck.

6. 6. Everyone excuses my success because they say I
started with a lot of money. EXCUSE ME, That is FALSE! It is a LIE! It is NOT
TRUE! Now that does not mean I was not successful before and it does not mean
that I did not have some money and a going business. BUT, I started this with
$1800 on a credit card! That was my TOTAL investment. Like any other investment
or dabbling, you take a dollar amount that you are comfortable losing and you
TAKE A SHOT! I took a shot with $1800.
I bought 18 domains at that time.
By the time the bills came in, I was in a positive cash flow and was
able to buy another 18. Another $1800. Each time I bought a domain I would
learn. But there were no tools or ppc to learn with. My only compass was
NUMBERS and DOLLARS. That’s it. And a bit of gut. And knowing that to do what I
wanted to do without running out of money while I waited YEARS for mainstream
to develop, ADULT was the only way to accomplish that. So I made $$$ with adult and focused them on mainstream domains that were YEARS away from being income producing.

7. 7. So I took my adult earnings and would buy
completely worthless mainstream names with no chance whatsoever to monetize
those domains. I had to be patient, hold and wait for the Internet to develop. I knew some of how it would unfold, not all. But that was enough.

8. 8. Since others employed methods that I DID NOT
BELIEVE IN, and were short term, I was able to buy their GREAT domains. Sometimes they were flipping so fast
(And still are) that they never took the TIME to evaluate the domain name. That
was to my benefit.

9. 9. So if I started again today, I would DO THE SAME
THING even tho everyone says that can’t be done. Well that is BULLSHIT!

10. 10. So
there is a formula, a map and a way to make a lot of money. If you can’t do it,
then it is on YOU not me. But you MUST know what makes a domain name GREAT and
that is the #1 shortfall. Much easier to sell gold then SHIT. You say you can’t
afford gold? Bullshit! Just get a smaller piece and build it up. It takes PATIENCE. But when you are starting, you need to flip and make a GREAT profit as quick as possible. Want to do that? Go back to #1 and you will.
Again, this was MY way. I can only share MY story. Anything else would just be nonsense and have no value. And while I focused on 'Type Ins' back then, it is NOT essential NOW. Things have changed. Valuation is different. The old 5x or 8x is GARBAGE that was thrust upon the industry by VC guys and like fish in the sea, domainers took the bait and swallowed it hook, line and sinker. It was nonsense then, it is nonsense now. Those that knew laughed and those that did not sold out at a fraction of the true value. And now that PPC has plummeted, how is that formula working for you now?
Rick Schwartz

Good Afternoon Folks!!

First I want to say that as of this time Nelson Brady has neither confessed his guilt nor proclaimed his innocence. He has been accused by his previous employer of this massive scandal and we assume this is all based on fact. But as I write this, thatSTONEWALL (Tiger Woods Style) is still up and few are demanding them pull it down. How the industry treats this, reacts to it, and how this all unfolds will determine a lot about the future.

This will certainly raise some eyebrows. Ihad hoped to get this online just a few minutes after the post yesterday and could add to it. As it turned out, it was a much more time consuming process than anticipated. The audio file is over 100 megs and took a while just to upload so that Danny could download. This really has required hours of work way beyond my expertise. After I was on it for more than 3 hours I want to thankDanny Pryor for helping me out. He was up until 2AM working on this and has been on it since early morning today.

Nelson 'Halvarez' Brady.
Image lifted fromDNJournal.com
Publication of RECORD for the Domain Industry