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

Morning Folks!

The Domain Industry is expanding by leaps and bounds. It is
expanding to every corner of the world and every corner of every industry and business. With
500 new TLD’s it will likely change the face of domaining in a way few have
thought about or imagined.

And while the Industry is expanding there are fewer and
fewer full time domainers by percentage and maybe even by actual number. There
are probably more employees at GoDaddy than the entire number of full time
domainers. Now start multiplying that with all the other allied companies and registrars.

The point is while there may only be 200, 300, 500 maybe
even 1000 full time domainers, there are so many more working at the edges in
allied industries that domainers are the minority and thus domainers are at
risk of losing control of what they do. Personally, I think it already happened
and there are so many competing forces out there protecting their turf and such
that things are not as good as they really should be and sometime creative ideas are silenced because they see what happens when they speak up.

So we keep talking about development and I have been talking
about it since 1997. But developing without a real business behind it is
missing something. Maybe the way to develop is to start with a “Cash Register”
and then build something around it. Work backwards. That was how I bought my first domain.
Working backwards.

This industry needs a giant leap. So we need to think about what was not available back years ago and
is today or was very costly then and not now. Tools that we have and how to use them. Many new tools in the toolbox
and we really never had time to sit back and discuss those tools. The hammer is
great the pliers are great but sometimes having the hammer maker and the plier
guy right there pitching their tools all the time may not be the best way to
allow your creativeness to come out until you start to use all the tools in the
chest together.

So back to my original point. There are many more folks
employed in the domain industry than there are full time domainers. That
presents problems and opportunities and to exploit the opportunities, sometimes
you need to talk privately with your own ilk about both.

I realize the audience that can truly understand and embrace
what I say is not getting any bigger and the critics only get louder. So what? Does that mean I have to stop
progressing? Does that mean I have to follow the crowd and do what others do?
Does that mean I can’t take risk and try new things? So maybe there are 500
full time domainers. Next year there will be 480 as some sell or go other
directions and who knows if those 20 will be replaced. But what we do know is
the registries will be hiring hundreds if not thousands of new folks. Not
domainers, but now in the Domain Industry. I am sure they will be wonderful folks. But they won’t make
you a dime when you party with them.

My point is the core group of domainers is not really
growing while the allied industries are because of what is coming. Domainers
are now the minority in the domaining Industry and while you may not have
thought about it before, maybe it is time to start now. That was the motivation for the following paragraph in yesterday's mailer. Something Howard and I have been discussing for years and we knew would be met with strong headwinds. But we will be doing it anyway.

'In 2011, T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is strongly considering the
possibility of having a 'Non Sponsored' event. That means NO
SPONSORS! Domainers only. The purpose is to keep the
advertising and commercial part out and the ideas
in. It could be a very controversial event,
but we are DETERMINED to put on a domainer only show in 2011,
to discuss where we are, where we have been, where we are
going and what is the best way of getting there. We will do
that without Registrars, PPC companies, SEO 'experts' or
Developers, or any other company selling something to us. We
will go into this in more depth during and after T.R.A.F.F.I.C. SOUTH
BEACH in October. We would like to hear from you on this novel
idea, because this is YOUR show.'

It will be a gathering of like minded folks. Cost will be modest. Only requirement is that you are a full time domainer. We also know that some are domainers and they have companies, they too are welcome, but they have to leave their company hat at home. This show will have a specific purpose. Nobody will force anyone to come. But those that understand the message will and others should not be threatened because what we come up with just might help what you do.

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz

Afternoon Folks!

That's amusing and sad at the same time. That is why most post anonymously.

So if you comment without your real name you are a loser by my
personal definition until you own what you say. If that hurts folks, GREAT! Be real and I may treat you real. But imaginary friends went out with the tooth fairy. Just Ghosts to me. I love to pee all over ghosts. Friend or foe. We never know. Until we do. And then the job is to never forget.

There
is a regular version and the General Audience version. Help yourself. I
have no idea what you would do with it, but maybe we can exchange links
and I will make a special Blog Roll for folks that know the difference
between investment quality domains and domains that mean nothing, say
nothing, have no idea behind it, no traffic within it, no idea how to
make money with it and nobody wants to buy.....What I refer to as PIGEON
SHIT......PIGEON SHIT with an extension!

Enjoy!

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!

Let's define chutzpah. I am still shaking my head but it also gave me one hell of a laugh. I took this just minutes ago coming back from breakfast. So I can testify to the authenticity. This is the type picture you see on Leno or the Nightly News. Maybe it will go viral. Enjoy!

Morning Folks!

Yesterday I exchanged emails with a small group. A successful group. Guys I have known for a while and we are all a bit controversial to say the very least. We began talking about the new folks that are struggling and what was really going on with them. I think we came to the immediate conclusion that it was not domain related. It was unfortunate but much deeper.

I wrote the following to them. It was supposed to remain private but one suggested I publish what I wrote and I am just stupid enough to do it hoping something I say will make somebody stop and think and then turn failure into success. Turn a foe into a lifelong friend. I'll have a lot of pigeons shitting on me, but I am an optimist and I know making that lifelong friend makes it worth the effort. Besides, I love when my foes waste all their passion and effort on me. That is a KNEE SLAPPER! They work their 10 hours and I occupy about how many of them?

I can understand it is confusing out there. So many motives, so much BS. But that is your job in life. Don't swallow the BS. Don't be a fish. Know the difference between bait with a hook and food. Unfortunately once you become bait, then others just use YOU and another pigeon is born and another eagle has been grounded.

'There has never been a business with so much
opportunity at every turn at every moment if you know what you are doing
and have a strong wortk ethic. These guys work for 10 hours and brag
about it. 10 hours is a morning to us! So it isn't about domains. They
are losers in life until they change how they think and approach things.
I have been trying to reach these guys for years and few if any
actually make the leap. More did earlier, today, very few. It's sad.

I used to be a loser. I did everything half assed. Then I heard a
line....'If you don't have enough time to do it right the first time,
how the hell you gonna make time when you have to do it right the second
time?' From that moment on I changed my approach and so did the
results. Fucking magic! lol
That is why even tho I like to be very inclusive, we need to recognize
and stick around like minded folks because that way of thinking can only
do harm. Eagles and Pigeons. Not much in between. Pigeons just shit on
you.
I got this the other day and it pretty much states it....'Desire is to
want something but Passion is the refusal to live without it'

I think all these
bozos are about to be schooled. Yesterday EVERY domainer had the EXACT
opportunity to speculate and win or lose. All the big mouths will have
their jaws dropping soon as they watch folks manufacture money from thin
air. This proves they have no talent and just whine. Losers in every
sense of the word. While others are enjoying success and creating even more, they will still be
saying the same crap or sitting on the sidelines spewing hate instead of jumping in and do what a true domainer does and have the balls to speculate. If they can't make it in domains which is a gift
from the heavens, they will make it in nothing.'

Then as the title suggested, one suggested why not do this as a seminar? 'Now is the best time ever, so stop whinning and do something!' So instead of waiting to October to examine this, why not now?

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz

Domain name Punchbowl.com sold by legendary “Domain King”

FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Purchase and acquisition transaction of Punchbowl.com
between Punchbowl Software Inc. and “Domain King” Rick Schwartz

Framingham, Mass., July 19, 2010 –Punchbowl Software, Inc. today announced the
acquisition of the web domain Punchbowl.com from legendary domainer Rick
Schwartz. Punchbowl Software Inc. develops web applications for start to finish
party planning. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

With Punchbowl.com, the
company plans to re-launch the domain as a leading consumer site for party and
event planning. With new technology and a new look, the party planning site
will be ready to launch in time for the holiday season of 2010. At
Punchbowl.com, consumers will be able to plan a party from start to finish. The service will offer unique features including the innovative “Date Decider”
which enables users to find the best calendar date for their event, beautiful
Save the Dates and digital invitations, photo and video sharing after the event
and other services that will help consumers throw an unforgettable celebration.

“A punchbowl is the center
of any great party,” said Matt Douglas, CEO, Punchbowl Software. “The acquisition of Punchbowl.com will allow us reach new customers and expand our
growing customer base.”

Rick Schwartz, aka the “Domain
King,” is one of the early domain pioneers. Domains he has sold include
iReport.com to CNN for $750,000, Candy.com to G&J Holdings, LLC for $3
million plus dividends, and Men.com for $1.3 million back in 2004.

“During my domain career,
I’ve sought prime, recognizable domain names that were easy to spell, easy to
remember and could be developed into a major brand in their respective
industry” said Rick Schwartz. “I
was the first to see the intrinsic value in Punchbowl.com and knew that it
could be developed into a huge brand in the social expressions and celebrations
industry. I’m thrilled that Punchbowl Software will now develop the domain to
its full potential.”

The party planning industry
is ripe for a new entrant to provide a service for party hosts. Whether it’s a
mom planning a birthday party for her five year old daughter, a friend planning
a baby shower, a family planning their annual reunion, or the company Christmas
party, everyone has multiple reasons to plan a party every year. As the
industry moves from traditional offline sources to online, the market will
consolidate. A new brand will emerge – Punchbowl.com – that will define this
new industry.

Stay tuned for frequent
updates and milestones for the new Punchbowl.com. While you can visit the Web
site in its current appearance, the complete re-launch and re-branding will not
be official until sometime this fall.

“Working with Rick Schwartz
on this domain name acquisition has demonstrated to me that he’s not only a
visionary in the domain industry, but he’s a savvy businessman who understands
how to extract the most value from the Internet” said Matt Douglas, CEO,
Punchbowl Software. “I couldn’t be
happier to be the new owner of Punchbowl.com.”

About eRealEstate.com

Rick
Schwartz, aka “Domain King” and “Webfather,” is the CEO, President and
Cofounder of T.R.A.F.F.I.C. found at TargetedTraffic.com-- the premiere domain
conference for the domain industry. It is both the oldest and largest and
attracts over 500 of the top professionals in the industry in what was a by
invitation only event until 2009 and now open to all. As one of the early
domain pioneers dating back to 1995, Rick has a knack for predicting big trends
and getting it right. He may have been the first to recognize the value of
“type in” traffic which is now commonly referred to as “direct navigation” --
the most potent and targeted traffic on the net. Rick has a prime portfolio of some
7000 one and two word domains, and is considered by many to be among the
leading experts on domain names, traffic, Web site flow and valuation. www.eRealestate.com & www.RicksBlog.com

Media
Contact:
Matt
Douglas
Punchbowl
Software Inc.
info@punchbowlsoftware.com
650
814 3393

Morning Folks!!

Next week the buyer of one of my domains will be issuing a Press Release about another domain
sale that has just been completed. Another deal that included some equity as
well as the $$$ upfront for the domain. This was my original 1995 vision. Been
a tough road to get here and I still have a long road to plow. Today we are
only talking single digit equity. But in time that will turn to 10% and on the
way to even higher percentages.

On the first of July I received my first dividend check from
the Candy.com deal. I love being part of and sharing in their success. To me this is the way with
the least headwinds and possible greatest rewards. While it was not my biggest
check ever, it certainly was my sweetest as another theory turns into reality. It
is not a mini site or a mini business or a parked page. It is the seeds of the
future. The way to do business when you focus on quality and focus on future
need. Having 2% each of 100 businesses sounds like a solid but simple business
plan to me. Some will hate that.
But in time my domains will yield hundreds of businesses with growing percentages of
equity and endless income.

That formula allows me to do whatever with my life and time.
Cruise control. The fruits without the bitterness and ordeal of day to day
business headaches. That allows me to focus on other things. New things……..or nothing at
all.

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz

TM

Morning Folks!!

Let me tell you about these PRICKS and then YOU decide! Destiny has brought you here! As you will read, I did not look for this mess. I was just goofing off, minding my own business until I was contacted by these FOOLS that are STILL clueless as they tried to take what was not theirs via the courts and lost. TWICE!!

This site is to make sure there is never a THIRD time by shining light on this practice of what I call 'Reverse Domain Hijacking'. That's when a big company competes with a small guy and loses in the market place of ideas. Then uses financial intimidation by using the court system to try and take what is not theirs. Most small guys can not afford to defend themselves and so they cave. I have spent thousands to defend MY property. My domain name, Goofoff.com. This gives me a platform to alert others. Don't cave! Fight! And if you don't have the $$$ to fight.....fight with whatever you have! Shine a BRIGHT light on whoever and let public opinion weigh in.

Updated 8AM July 27th.....'What Moron is responsible for this mess?'

After not hearing from these GOOFS about one of my domain names (GoofOff.com) for over a decade after they unsuccessfully tried to take it from me in 1999, I got an email on April 13^th of this year stating Goof-Off.com (with the hyphen) would like to 'engage in a discussion' to acquire my domain name GoofOff.com (without the hyphen). My guess is because they know that a domain with a 'hyphen' in it leaks a shit load of traffic to the domain without the 'hyphen' in it. Just like a .NET domain leaks a shit load of traffic to a .COM domain name. Sorry, but if you own a .NET domain name, you have an 'Orphan' extension because the default is .COM. a HUGE percentage of people make the mistake. So do you blame all the owners of the .COM counterpart?? That's just BAD marketing in my book no matter who does it!

So not exactly my problem until they tried to pee on the electric fence. ME! Their 'Tactics' you will read below are horrendous and you may ask yourself how STUPID can a company be?? This must have gone up to the highest levels of whatever company owns and or advertises the product and they decided to try and intimidate me LEGALLY TWICE since 1999. They lost LEGALLY TWICE and That got them THIS!!

THEY initiated contact with me with the following:

'We would like to entertain a discussion about what it would take for both companies to come to an agreement on the Goofoff.com domain name moving to WM Barr as the registrant.'

I responded to the firm I figured was representing Lilly Industries (Tho I don't know who actually now owns the 'Goof Off' cleaner) about what happened in 1999 after originally registering the domain in May 1998 and stated 'For me to respond or even entertain a negotiation, I would have to have your assurance that this will not be used against me in any way, shape or form, EVER. I don't violate trademarks and not looking for a clever way to be entrapped.'

Their response after THEM contacting ME was an NAF case.

So that was a low blow W.M.Barr & Co. and I don't forget things like that. It just fuels me to fight hard and make W.M.Barr & Co. the poster company for Corporate Bullies and companies that engage in Reverse Domain Name Hijacking.

The image below was created for ourpress release in 1999. Feel free to copy. While I can afford to defend my domain name many mom and pop outfits can not. They just lay down and give in and many times unnecessarily. Destroying their family business. It cost me several thousand dollars to defend this domain. Many small businesses and startups would not be able to fight back and would lose something they were actually entitled to. It's bullying in the worst form. INDEFENSIBLE in my book.

Howard and I are now about to go on the offense. Once again they can defend their interference and their cyber bullying in a more public forum and their own customers/stockholders can learn of their heavy handedness. And the tactics they use to “Negotiate”.

This increases the value of the domain as I invest more and more $$ not only protecting me and goofoff.com but displaying to the world the value and the peril of a domain name and corporate cyberbullies that try and take what others rightfully own. As you might imagine, I don't have a very high regard for these folks after this. I won't even talk to them directly in the future. They will have to go thru Howard and he won't even negotiate until I am reimbursed my costs. These folks can take a subliminal message from my last post. A 6 word beauty!

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz

July 27, 2010

Welcome to all the folks that typed in GoofOff.com. Now that I have control of my domain again I want to make sure GoofOff.com does not accidentally confuse anyone, contain any objectionable ads, whatsoever. I have decided to make this the new home of GoofOff to avoid any of this in the future.

Updates below as needed......

*Goofoff.com is in no way related to the folks that own, sell, or advertise 'Goof Off Miracle remover'TM

(Removes everything but us) We are here to freely express opinions, have a good time and just GOOFOFF.COM! Now post or SCRAM!W. M. Barr.....Leave me alone, stop interfering with my business or I will be free to tell folks what I REALLY think of you!! There is NO FUCKING CONFUSION HERE! We sell NOTHING. Have owned this domain in excess of 12 YEARS and.......I'll save the rest if and when I EVER hear from your Motherf*ckers again. You can start with an apology!

In 1999 this made news worldwide. Here is the article from theLondon Register from back then where I was quoted as saying 'These 'corporate bullies' intimidate small firms and individuals into relinquishing domains through the threat of litigation despite the fact that they have no legal rights to the domain,' I said. 'The only 'confusion' is in their minds -- just another example of a large company that decided they can force a small business to succumb to their demands,'

'According to Websters [dictionary], a 'Goof off' is a noun that means a person that wastes time or avoids work; a shirker. As such 'Goofoff.com' is being used quite appropriately,'

That was then. Now I think they are nothing but TOE JAM. Want what I OWN that bad that you can't live without it?? It's called CAPITALISM you slimy BASTARDS. If I were you I would fire the MORON that did not have the foresight to register it when it was THERE FOR THE TAKING!! You lived without it for 11 more years and one day what happened?? Figured you would take another bite of the apple?? Think you could become a bully again and everyone would forget? Well I am the prick in charge of reminding them and everyone else. You can explain the rest to whoever.

Did it cost you business by not owning this domain over the past years? Probably. But I would never to be stupid enough to have a product without the matching domain name. The way I view things that comes FIRST. I have devoted my last 15 years of life explaining to businesses about the importance of a domain name and the sense of urgency that it is attached to. I am on record since the days that I was laughed at and thought a fool with more money than brains by investing in domain names and what I could build on them.But to continue to accuse me and that 'I' did something wrong by registering a common term and do it TWO YEARS before their trademark, well, that is BULLSHIT and now everyone knows it!!! Maybe the customers and shareholders will comment below that they agree with my opinion that management just FAILED to do their job and now it is spilling all over the place. Stop blaming me for shortsightedness I had no control over. I guess they were just GOOFING OFF when they should have been focused on marketing. Maybe they just should have left me alone after 11 years cuz they stepped on a hornets nest for wasting my time and money. The value for Goofoff.com was pretty limited back in 1999 when few knew what a domain name meant and the worldwide marketing value was still in debate. Today there is an entire multi-billion dollar domain name industry that was not even born in 1999. Welcome to Manhattan!

I am going to be updating GoofOff.com from time to time after that to let the world know about companies that do what this one is doing. I will be adding a chat board here and let freedom ring when this becomes a stand alone site next month with this content and live interaction. My INK. MY SITE, MY DECISION. For the record, the ONLY direct or indirect contact I have ever had with these folks have been initiated by them. I never even knew they existed before 1999 and thought nothing of them again until I received that BULLSHIT email in April.

In case you missed it or still are confused or just plain stupid........*Goofoff.com is in no way related to the folks that own, sell, or advertise 'Goof Off Miracle remover' TM

Goofoff.com is owned by ME. Goof off the cleaner.......that is the only thing confusing to me. Who the hell actually owns that?? Lilly, Valspar or W.M. Barr?? Maybe they just wanted to keep one of the names out of this?? I sure as hell have no idea. I AM confused! Does Lilly Industries still own and operate and manufacture....the cleaner or does Valspar which was either a name change or acquisition back in 2000 or is it W.M. Barr??? Not that anyone cares, but I find it a bit confusingly interesting. How about you? Maybe after last time they did this and saw the publicity and stir it caused they wanted to keep the big guys name out of this?? I really don't know. Just curious what the real story is? Just questions. What do you think??? I think maybe the company just goofed and handled this horribly. 11 years and they still have not figured it out. Now that is SAD!If I were the CEO running their company I would be asking two or three questions....'What MORON is responsible for THIS MESS?? Which department allowed this to spin out of control??? And how the hell are we going to fix it now????!

TM

Good Evening Folks!!

I have just been notified byHoward Neu that we have successfully defended the domain name GOOFOFF.COM for a second time. The first time back in 1999 with aFederal Court victory that included them paying my attorney fees. Today, Howard once again successful. This time at the NAF. Both are big victories and a BIG thanks to my partner Howard who has proven once again that the little guy can beat the big guy when they go toes to toe.

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Until this past few weeks I have never referred to domains
as LLL.com or NNN.com. I have never talked about “Long tale domains” though I
have been branded by the clueless that I am against them. That is just not true. As I have said I have
never commented on them until this post today. Only because I have never segregated
domains in such a manner. But since so many do, I have no problem doing so. I
just have 2 basic categories. Ones that have value and ones that have no value. (P.S. :-))

Now back to what I believe. Dan Warner coined the phrase “Long tail Domains”. I have
nothing against these domains. Matter of fact, I was likely one of the first on
the planet to buy them. It may seem funny to you today, but back in 1997
WhoreHouse.com was laughed at because it was “Too long”. I explained why they
were wrong and how it meant something and was easy to remember and that was why
it was a good domain but to no avail.

SceneOfTheCrime.com, ShopTilYouDrop.com, I would imagine
would fit the definition of “Long Tale” even tho I have never referred to them
in that way. My longest domain is 7 words. I have several hundred 3 and 4 word domains. Many registered
back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. So not exactly anything new to me.

I am sure in the coming months and years there will be new
“Veins” that get described in as different type categories and I will then be
part of another club that I never knew existed until there were enough miners
focusing on one type of domain name.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

PS: For the Morons, I also own ShoveItUpYourFuckingAss.com (Only 6 words) Registered in 2001 waiting for this special day! Well worth the money and well worth the wait!

Morning Folks!!

In 1997 I started making my annual July 4th post
so why change now?

Many people
have asked me about the “5 year nap” that Franky talks about in a post that
just happens to have been 3 years ago today. July 4 2007 for an event that
happened in 2004 while I was on a cruise. I was with 2 of my very close friends and we were on the
island for a few hours. Franky picked us up during an absolute monsoon and we
had a long lunch. As you might
imagine Franky had many suitors for his portfolio. Until now, I have never
talked about the contents of that conversation but after reading his 2007 post
and referring back to 2004, I think I am in safe territory so many years later.

To make a long story short, the deal on the table would have
been much bigger than Yung Ye. It was a colossal deal. Franky asked my take on
it. I said take a 5 year nap and when you wake up you will be better off. Point
being, as I have experienced since, if it isn’t ALL cash up front, you can only
count the part of the deal that is. So my advice was, if you would be happy
with the amount of cash up front and the rest is gravy……grab it. On the other
hand, if it is not all cash, then you have to expect you will get nothing on
the other end and all the domains will be gone. The ONLY thing you can EXPECT to see are the dollars up
front.
Well, it’s just over 5 years, there is only one person on
the planet that can say whether my advice was good or it was not. I have debated
posting this as my July 4^th post, but then yesterday Franky made my
decision for me by his first blog post in years. That post answered many
questions. I for one am glad Franky did not sell. Hope he feels the same. Did my advice change the course of history? Probably will
never know.

Either way, Franky came to the game late, never whined about
it, just made things happen day in and day out. Quite
a difference from what we see today.

And when you are enjoying the day, take a moment to remember
those that are really working hard on our behalf and risking their lives. The folks that give us the freedom to do what we choose. I don't know why they do what they do, but thank God there are folks that do this for US.