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

Morning Folks!!

The domain game has changed many times in the years I have been online. It has gone thru phases, ups and downs, booms and busts. The one constant is that even in decline, things progress. That progress prevents serious decline. Just ebb tide if you played the game well.

When you surf, conditions change rapidly and you have to react rapidly. While the same holds true in business, it is like slow motion compared to surfing. That means that you have a better chance of getting it right in business because you can be more deliberate and consider more options..

So while some freak out about the current conditions I just keep the same mindset in place knowing that will outlast whatever we go through. Whatever phase. But some things in business are predictable, foreseeable, understandable and therefore you can JUMP on opportunities when others cannot. Lions and lambs. Just a force of nature.

April was going to be a hard month with taxes due. There was no two ways about it for the masses of businesses and people. The squeeze was on and the storm clouds were hovering well before that,

Deep breath. We now come out of the tax season and enter the business season. Businesses now know where they are and can set a course. There is some clarity here and with the weak dollar it motivates folks to move those $$$ around.

Andrew has written about Bin Laden names. That is chasing yesterday’s news. That event was nearly 10 years ago. Will there be a few good domains? Probably. Maybe a dozen. Compare that with the thousands that are being registered. May as well go buy some lottery tickets. Like I said, that vein was mined a decade ago.

The next Frank Schilling is entering the business right now. Or maybe it was last year. He or she is unknown and invisible to us but that does not mean they are not there. They are. What do those in business for 5 years say when newcomers come along and find a path that works while some plow a field that will never yield a crop? Don't get angry and frustrated. Take a deep breath and try something new.

We are truly entering a new phase. It is a much more interesting and serious phase because folks are becoming more educated about marketing on the net. Slowly they figure out what works and what does not. They are all coming our way whether they know it or not. I see it. I study it. I make money from it. I love it!

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

BREAKING: Bin Laden DEAD!!!

Killed in Pakistan. Shot in head by CIA operation.

USA has body. DNA match.

Congratulations to our men and women in uniform. They shed a lot of blood to get this prick.

ENJOY HELL!

Afternoon Folks!

After an industry wide blitz the past few days and a mailing to the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. customer list this morning, I am Happy to report that our friend Marc Ostrofsky's book 'Get Rich Click' debut's as #1 in Business and Investing and currently #9 overall on Amazon. (Now #7) (Now #6) (Now #5) (Now #3) Congrats to Marc and congrats to all of us! Great timing for a great book with a great need. We can only hope it gets hot and is a great success!!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

This is becoming a popular post each month. None of these inquiries are anything other than folks contacting me. 2016 is when these domains will ripen. Do you really think somebody coming along is going to convince me to sell low when I have watched these rise from no value whatsoever and a liability at that to where we are today and where we are headed in the next 5 years? As the net evolves THAT will be the thing that determines value. Would anyone here say that the Internet has reached its' full potential? Case closed.

Rick Schwartz

235.com
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efu.com
iAuction and i-Auction
FindDeals.com
eTrip.com
9595.com
8181.com
6565.com
SexoCam.com
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eGold.com
MyGirls.com
eMovie.com
DirtyWords.com
Dick.com
Cheating.com
Kinkie.com
CamCam.com
Dateing.com
StudPoker.com
399.com**
899.com**
ACRepair.com
GetTogether.com**
PartyPalace.com
Wad.com
TopLists.com
HornyGuys.com
Homemade.com
1978.com
GoBet.com
Mens.com
GetEven.com
Jigolo.com
InvestmentDiamonds.com
Luv.com
PrettyWoman.com
Maleman.com
DiscountGold.com
SinglePeople.com
Serge.com
VirtualTours.com**
iHotels.com
Middleman.com
Booty.com
750.com

Morning Folks!!

At first glance you may just laugh when I ask “Do you Know Which Domains in Your Portfolio are Worth $1 Million or More??” That is a VERY serious question. I have made a living off of those that don’t know the answer.

Let me be blunt. Most domainers would not get this one right. The ability to OBJECTIVELY pick the potential million dollar names is what it is all about. It is the #1 factor. It trumps every other.

I guess the point of my writings are that there are plenty of $1M domains out there when you know the elements to look for. When you see it through the eyes of others. When you have the PATIENCE to let the market catch up to what we already forgot.

You can apply that to $100,000 domains as well. Much easier to pick those. They stand out on a list like they were in neon lights. Flashing neon lights.

Folks, we are many years ahead of the masses. For some that causes frustration. For others they just endure day by day as they watch the world around them change and evolve and understand. They all look for what we have but are still putting the puzzle together. For that matter, so are we. But we are a few exits past where they are. And many will leap frog over us. That’s a GREAT thing.
Like I have said this year….the net may have been around for 25 years but this is the first year of the net in terms of the masses. 2010 got their interest. 2011 got them and now they are going to discover what we already have while uncovering things we never thought of. I call that progress. I call that exactly where we should be at this point in the history of the universe. Sprinkle a little luck along the way and don’t second guess what you do. Celebrate it!

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

I don’t often if ever tell folks I am a Mason. Been one for over 25 years. I don’t think I have ever written about it until today. I have never talked about this before. It was nothing secret but also nothing you speak about either.

I figured with the Internet as it is I would look some info up and see how much was still private. So I feel comfortable discussing it now.

The Mason’s have a long history and many famous members. Free Mason’s have been around since the 17^th Century. Some say even before that. Many myths have been spread over the years. They are just that. Myths.

The Lodge I belong to was established in 1795 by Paul Revere. Many of the original members were direct descendants of the Pilgrims.

The interesting thing that the Masons have in common with the Internet is that it was based on your reputation, your character and trustworthiness. Have you ever heard the term “Black Balled”? That was taken from the Mason’s. There were only 2 types of people in the eyes of Mason’s. 100% trustworthy or not.

When you get involved and go through the exercise to become a Mason they have one night in which all the other members of that chapter vote and decide whether you have the qualities needed. They use white balls which means they approve and “Black Balls” if a member does not approve. If just one black ball is cast, the membership is denied. Just one.

So if you had one bad thing happen with just one member, you were rejected. Character and reputation is everything. It’s an ancient thing this “Honor” stuff.

It’s not a religion and there are a lot of misinformation out there. It’s a fraternity. Together they do great things. Charitable ventures and just good stewards of the community. The only requirement is that you believe in God. That is the beginning and the end of religion and the Mason's.

I don’t know if it is very popular today. Are any of you Masons? I bet some of your father's and grandfather's may have been. Maybe that is why I talk about walking west to find the sunrise. Mason's will understand this one.

Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Whatever! At the end of the day, no matter who you are or what you believe, our job is to be the best person we can be and better tomorrow than today.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

If you don’t have financial security, you don’t have your health either. Between worrying and maybe not enough cash for a medical emergency, your mortgage, etc. you are at the mercy of outside factors and other forces. So financial security is key.

There are thousands preaching one form of investment or other to protect and grow your assets. Reason being this is the #1 concern in life once you hit a certain stage or are struck with an illness that can take you out of the game. Or maybe a different challenge along the way.

I lived out of a suitcase for years. I could not afford to settle down or stop. I had to keep the sales and dollars coming in to get me to the next place let alone a home. The 1970’s were much worse than current conditions. There was so much less opportunity. Things moved slower.

Others based domain values on PPC and I never bought into that. It was flawed. Now everyone can see why and just how ridiculous that was. Now that did not mean you could not extract valuable data out of those numbers. Just not a way to base value. Guidelines and hints to the future.

I looked at it a bit different. If a domain makes $10 a day, how much would you have to have in the bank to earn $10/day? Whether it be PPC or Lead Gen or Lease or whatever.

$1000? Nope

$5000? Nope

$10,000? Nope

$100,000? Getting Closer

$365,000? BINGO

$365,000 @ 1% is $3650/Year

Sure, things can fluctuate. There are variables. Interest can go to 5%. So divide by 5 = $73,000

So a domain making $10 a day TODAY has a value somewhere between $73,000 and $375,000. Sell for less than that and you left a lot of money on the table.

But wait. That $10/day domain was making $50/day. It may return to those levels. Even exceed those levels. Consistency is key. Jack Rabbit earnings have to be looked at over a 365 day period to figure out a true daily level and that only if you JACK is still earning regularly.

Wait again. New opportunities can come up and make your domain even more valuable. So why sell just because you got an offer? You have the hardest asset in the universe to obtain. A profit making, income producing asset.

Buy income streams not domain names. All income streams are attached to a domain name however all domains are not attached to an income stream.

Yes, I know, there are no more type in domains. Fine. You win. Say that is true. That means the domains WITH type in traffic continue to have great value and I just proved it.

So the point is a type in domain with daily income is the single best investment on the planet today. Why would someone sell an income stream that may last forever? Because he wants to buy something RIGHT NOW. Pay off a note. Buy a toy. He has a “Circumstance”. That’s what makes the world go round. Circumstance. There is no more powerful motivator than circumstance.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

PS: This is 'Face Value'. Raw Land. Undeveloped.

Morning Folks!!

Look, we all have varying degrees of portfolios. Junk today could be worth a big bounty tomorrow. So if you believe in something, don’t let it go. But never close your mind and eyes to new information. NEVER!

I am about to give you some.

Domaining is figuring out what OTHERS think and do. How OTHERS behave and what they buy. How OTHERS spend their time if given a choice. It ain’t about you and me, it is about everyone else. We are the only 2 people that really don’t count.

It’s about figuring out what others will do before they even know as things unfold.

THAT my friends is why it is about type in traffic. It was then, it is today and it will be about that tomorrow. That is what to aim for. You want at least 1 OTHER person out of 6 BILLION to think like you do. If not, you, me all of us are off the mark on THAT part of the equation. And I submit that is one hell of an important piece of the puzzle. Regardless of what some continue to doubt or understand and I am going to explain it in just a few paragraphs down.

Now that does not mean it is all about type ins. Most time I don’t care. I don’t care because I already know the numbers to one degree or another. The type in to me is like a validation stamp. Certified. One grade higher.

The next piece and maybe #1 are those that buy a domain that does not pass the radio test. Another CRUCIAL element of any domain name.

You have to aim for 6^th Grade easy spelling that is unmistakable if possible.

Brandables are great. I have no problem with taking the biggest risk of all. But it still has to pass those tests described above or in my mind disqualifies that domain and limiting it's potential forever.

Domains are not stone even though they have facets like diamonds because they can sometimes be used in multiple ways. Not stone. They evolve. They age like fine wine. Grapes. They ripen at different stages and points in time. And some are worthless garbage. Pigeon Sh*t.

We are all pruning our holdings to get rid of those domains that serve no purpose or were perishable or that ship just never came in. Edwards2008.com is probably disposable. Lol

I look at a domain at what it could be. How it could be the best use. Who would be best suited to do that in a perfect world?

And the biggie for me, bigger than type ins. Bigger than any other piece of the puzzle. Could I see it advertised on TV, Radio, Billboards, etc? Could I see a campaign based around that domain name? Could what I have on it go viral and then will it be easy to use as a “Word of mouth” medium?

Lastly don’t chase yesterday, chase what will unfold tomorrow. With all the new stuff coming out, new sectors coming to market, new technology being released, there is opportunity for new veins and new sources of traffic. Type ins! Maybe you won’t find an ocean. But you can surely use some rivers and streams and creeks.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Since some consider me the biggest SOB in the Industry I wonder how many other SOB's are out there? My guess is a whole lot. At every level. In every office. In every family. In every situation. Every day. You tend to be an SOB to some when you protect what you love.

So I am happy to announce that the nicest guy in the industry (Mike Berkens) and the biggest SOB in the industry have teamed up to buy SOB.COM. An 'LLL' domain with traffic that means something and was cheap by today's standards at just $45,000 and negotiated by Andrew Rosener of MediaOptions.com who did a great job bagging this asset.

Those $$$ just seem a whole lot safer in domains than in my bank account. In 5 years that money will be worth much less in buying power than it is today while this domain will maintain value and increase with the tide at a bare minimum. That's before it is even activated.

Mike an I have several other domains that we have accumulated over the years. But this one I liked the instant I heard it. So from one SOB to another.....Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Being FIRST to market is a big deal. But it ain’t the whole enchilada. When I look back at things, I was almost never first. Not even in domains. I came in on the 2^nd or 3^rd stage of this business. They were no longer free and only a fool like me who came in late would pay $100 a pop for these things when virtually nobody was online.

I look back further. The lighting product I marketed was around for 8 YEARS before I saw something unique and marketed differently. It ignited not only that factory, but several others with competing products. When I finally met the guy in Hong Kong, he was amazed at my youth at the time and knew I had made him a very wealthy man.

The Ad Blimps I sold were around for 50 years. I just did something a little different that allowed me to ship customized ones in 24 hours when others were 3 weeks. I copied everything the others did with that one twist. But when folks wanted this item, they wanted it immediately. I figured out the void and became a thorn to the other gys around for a long time.

With my Vanity 800 numbers I literally got in the game at the very end. But it was still life changing and without what I learned there, I may have never known about type ins. See they existed before they existed because human nature is predictable.

Everything I have done was never first. TRAFFIC was just a reinterpretation of other shows I had attended in my life and then just applied a few twists designed to bring an obscure industry to the attention of the universe. To bring like minded folks together where they could recharge and reenergize and see they were not alone. Not only were they not alone, but they were among some of the sharpest anywhere and they deserved a couple days to enjoy the fruits of their labor and grow their business at the same time.

So that brings me to domain development and the net. I am not looking to be first here either. I just want to copy well. That’s it. Let others blaze THAT trail. Then copy what works. I don’t need large market share to be successful. I need 1% from here and there. 5%. It all adds up.

Folks always wanted to know why I did not develop my gaming domains or why I never did a deal with any gaming sites that would pay a bounty or a percentage. In my mind that was simple, it was illegal and why risk everything for a few more dollars. Ain't worth it. Now look at the news.

Same in adult. I don't have to have content to make money. Why have the liability? But that does not mean you can't benefit. The slippery slope in adult comes down to one word and that word is different for everyone. The word, 'Obscene' is why I don't do adult the way most would with my domains. I could have made TENS of millions more but why take the risk?

I mean we are in a time on the Internet that would be like before they discovered the Arch in the real world. Or steel to build skyscrapers. We are little past the stone ages when compared to the real world. We may be entering the time of “Enlightenment” soon. But we are far from there. The caves are still cold and dark. But these companies I have been talking about the last few posts are changing that. We are beginning to realize the power and folks are starting to walk upright.

When I was in Furniture I met the greatest designer that ever lived. True! It was called the Polaroid Camera. Take a picture and duplicate the item. Make it better and cheaper. Deliver it faster and in one piece. That was the design department used by most factories. I am sure it hasn’t changed other than they use an iphone. Now and they can have it copied by the time I would drive back to the factory.

We may not live longer but we can do more in the time we have. I started the journey and there was no 'Express Mail'. No Fed Ex. No Kinkos. No Office Depot. No fax machines. No Computers. Not even Calculators. No Cell Phone. No Cordless Phone. No Speaker Phone. No VCR. No TIVO. No Cable. No Satellite. No Skype. No Internet. No SHIT! And I could go on for another paragraph.

Add to my list. It is simply amazing what has been achieved and now we get to build from there an entire new whatever this is that is starting to take shape for the first time. We are highly adaptable beings when you pay attention to what is happening.

We have millions of new tools now and we have yet to have the time to sit down and see how they are all connected and what cool things you can do with what is already out there. So while the economy sucks, innovation is running at a record pace and just be prepared to COPY what works. Go to sleep and wake up and look at the world with a fresh set of eyes. You will be amazed at what you see.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz