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

Morning Folks!!

Everything Howard and I do is to lift domains, domainers and the domain industry to a higher more accepted level. That has been our mission. In doing that we help up and help out as many folks as we can.

We don't always trumpet what we do. Times are rough. We know. Money is tight and credit card lines have shrunk. That in mind we know there are some that would like to come to T.R.A.F.F.I.C., but of course, the expense was a burden at a time when cash flow might have been less than you like. We have personally and quietly worked out flexible and compassionate payment strategies. That has allowed those that do want to come to get the motivation and education they need from TRAFFIC without the stress on their family and its budget. The price is still the same, but we try and help where we can. We bet on you!

And speaking of betting on you, Howard and I are happy to announce a “TRAFFIC Scholarship Program”. What this will do is give away 1 ticket to a deserving newcomer at all future TRAFFIC Shows. Your essay is your entry. Just send us in 250 words or less why you deserve to get this scholarship. Beginning with our March 2011 'ICANN RETREAT' in San Francisco. We will announce the entry date in November.

More than 100 folks have already publicly stated they are coming and started the networking on our facebook page. Never before have we done so much to make sure every minute in Miami will pay you dividends for a lifetime.

Laugh if you will, we aim for the stars and and at a minimum hit eagles. Then fools laugh at our 'Failure'. The ONLY thing we sell is the furtherance of your business and the Domain Name Industry. PERIOD! We create the conditions for you to do great things and then GREAT things happen at TRAFFIC.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

If you have read Mike Berken's Blog yesterday you will know that there is a serious secuirty problem in the domain industry and it can't be ignored and swept under the rug any longer.

Morning Folks!!

To be successful in domains or in anything you do there are certain things you must achieve. When I approach a project it is a “Mission”. In an earlier post this week I talked about losing time when you start a project or mission while others all are so focused on the $$$ that they sabotage themselves right into failure.

I gave a 10 step process to help you gain success in nearly anything you do. When you get the basics right, the BIG things right, then failure is subdued into submission. Just folks are always in a rush to do it. And wrong or right is just a passing thought. They always say.....'I'll do it right next time' as they get on the trail to suffer another failure.

I get the BIG things right and no detail is too small or ignored. That means improvements and updates and revisions are continuous but not paramount. They never stop but the BIG thing MUST be right or the little things don't count. So I watch a lot of folks wasting time with details when the main item is a no go. Perfection takes time, patience and employing what you learn every time you learn something new. Then testing and see how if may affect something else for the good, the bad or not at all. But only after you get the BIG thing right.

I look at every project like this. I start in a desert and my job is to make water appear. When that water appears my job is to make it run thru my haphazard pipeline and get to the other side. Just a trickle is all I need. Nothing more. A trickle. No matter what the flow, I need a trickle to start. There may be many leaks along that haphazard pipe, but I have the luxury of TIME once I get that water from point a to point b. Most others are working on perfection but perfection does not count unless you get that water to trickle.

I then know that each day as I fix that pipeline to perfection, that I will increase the flow on the other side. I don’t care that I lost 100 gallons the day I made it work. I care that I constructed a pipeline that when my improvements are made it will carry millions of gallons of water.

All in the desert. That’s how folks create money. Out of thin air. Ideas. Buying low selling high. Buying junk and knowing it is gold. No desert in the domain business. Much easier. Realize how easy it is and perhaps that will break some of the chains that have harnessed you until now.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

If you have paid attention to what I have been saying about the economy you also know I believe that 2011 will be the toughest year so far. It takes years for the current situation to trickle down. That is what is coming and a lot of desperation may be weaved within it.

I already hear you saying, “There he goes again”. Well think of me as a weatherman. If I told you that a torrential rainstorm was coming tomorrow, you just may opt not to wear those $500 shoes you just bought. That is all I am doing. Alerting you to the economic weather and how it affects us.

Truly you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that cash flow is the 2000lb gorilla in the room. I don’t care who you are or how much you make, if the cash stops flowing, you may collapse and choke before you know what hit ya.

So if you look at history the spigots started softening in 2007. When we hit New York TRAFFIC in Fall 2008 the crash was just happening. But that crash takes YEARS to trickle down to us. Years.

So the average person has bills that exceed their income. However many had savings and assets and were able to fill in the gap relatively comfortably until NOW!

Enter 2011. That is when the “Suffocation” truly begins. For some in happened in 2008. They were over extended, had little cash reserves, were all in….and then…….BUST. Caught flat footed in an economic storm they never saw coming. THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING!! Those folks are gone and you won't be hearing from them for a very long time. You don't know who they are because they don't make a huge announcement that they lost everything.

Even if you don’t see it coming you have to always progress with a certain degree of caution. Not every day is a sunny day. Not every deal works.

So what I see is almost everyone getting weaker month, by month, by month. That depends how much cash reserves you have. How much assets you have. Most importantly, which assets are liquid. Which assets are not depreciating. Which assets are really liabilities.

Then of course are those liabilities. The anchor that can sink the biggest no matter how big you are. The bigger you are, the harder you fall. That comes from the liabilities and they can fold a business like a house of cards faster than you can imagine.

So here we are on the eve of 2011. If you have read what I have said over the years you will know that this is when it is time to START being concerned. They may have saved the institutions, but they sure as hell have not done a thing for you and me other than to hand us the bill.

That BURDEN is coming. The unrest in Europe will soon spread to America. If you think you can be all business and not pay attention to politics and current events, that may have worked most of our lives, I don’t see that working anymore.

So 2011 we march into. Most will continue to get weaker. Have less money. Do less things. Take less risk. But you never have to settle to be part of the “Most”. You can be smarter. You can pay attention. You can be aware. You can use the weakness to gain strength. But you can’t do any of this if you don’t understand where we are economically, historically, politically.

My gift has always been being able to see around the corner. See further and understand some very simple things that have HUGE impacts that most people miss and if I were to articulate it few would agree. But it keeps proving itself to be accurate. Very accurate for many years. I see what I see and I interpret it. That allows me to walk in between those storm clouds when I want and get rain when I want. To navigate and miss the worst part. Like having a radar system while others just look at the sky. That would be an edge that if used correctly would pay dividends in one way or another.

Nobody is immune to cash flow problems. Soon it could turn into an epidemic. All I know for sure is that you have to work 3x has hard now and you still won’t be back to 2007 for a number of years.

Those that have experienced these downturns before do have an edge. If you saw it coming in 2007 you have an edge. If you have prepared, you have an edge. If you have your bills in check, you have an edge. These times are about “Edges”. Those with the edge……WIN!

I hope this post, gives you an edge.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

The largest TRAFFIC since 2008 is just 2 weeks away!! Never have we had such a tightly wrapped, high powered attendee list like the one for Miami. 300+ MOTIVATED domainers will meet in Miami for what will live on as one of THE events ever in the domain business.

As I mentioned, still working on a big surprise. Not definite, but still moving forward. Should we get this special guest, I guarantee he won't be boring and guarantee he will be met with a lot of excitement. Let me just say that this may be the greatest single marketer since PT Barnum himself.

Howard and I know this is for all the marbles. We have had a year to work on and plan this event. It will be like no other. Eat, drink, be merry, make MONEY, do deals, expand your business and your horizons. It's not to late to reconsider coming.

The hotel room block is SOLD OUT! They are still taking reservations but a $50/night increse will be happening any moment. So last chance.

Lastly, if you have more domains than dollars, Rob at epik.com will trade a domain name for a ticket to TRAFFIC. I don't know how you beat that and many folks have already taken advantage of this deal.

There you have it. The next post I hope to make an announcement about the speaker I referred to above. Wish us luck. This is a big dog!

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Somebody sent me that this quote this morning in an email. Said that should be the headline for the TRAFFIC show.

I asked if he read my DNJournal Interview or looked at the schedule?

Take a few minutes and read. It may be worth MILLIONS to you in future earnings. Millions! I can add. I don't need to exaggerate. Probably already cost you millions if you have enjoyed some level of success or when you multiply what you used to make X your longevity.

But he said none of the reasons I gave on my earlier post were the ones he was coming to TRAFFIC for. He said the title of this post and his is RIGHT! 100% right.

So WTF are you going to do about it? Maybe time to speak up and speak out?

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Our goal is to give you so many reasons to come to TRAFFIC that you would feel derelict in your business not to come. Feel guilty for not being in the middle of the action when hundreds of the most respected names in the business converge on South Beach. I admit it freely! It's not a secret. Howard and I want you to come and here are the reasons:

Tomorrow the prices for T.R.A.F.F.I.C. go up and this is the last opportunity to take advantage of the discounted price on the biggest and most important T.R.A.F.F.I.C. event in years. Here are just a few of the reasons to come to T.R.A.F.F.I.C., as well as some of the new additions to the program that makes T.R.A.F.F.I.C. South Beach the Best Ever. Back to the future my friends.

Before I get to the list, however, let me remind you that our block of rooms at the beautiful Loews Hotel expires at 5 P.M. EDT TODAY! Make your reservation right now! The hotel will be sold out!

1. We start off with the poolside cabanas to bring networking to a new level with ModelStore.com girls to make your day by the blue Atlantic as memorable and comfortable as possible. Cabanas are stocked with refreshments, flat screen TV, Lounge Chairs, Towels and everything else you might imagine sitting around the hottest pool in South Beach!

2. Then we have the legendary T.R.A.F.F.I.C. OPENING NIGHT COCKTAIL Party. Come hungry and thirsty. You know you will see a feast like none other!!

3. The show then opens with new speed networking software that will make the next 48 hours more valuable than ever and help you meet who you need to take things to the next level.

4. You will hear from the highest-ranking government official to ever come to a domain industry event. Congressman Cliff Stearns is in line to chair the Telecommunications and Internet subcommittee of the House Energy Committee, which can directly effect everyone reading this.

5. We have Simon T. Bailey who is one of the most dynamic speakers we have ever heard; a speaker who is a Disney alumnus and who can explain how Disney’s “Pixie Dust” is used in a way that each of us will benefit for a lifetime.

6. You will participate in interactive and most provocative panel discussions that we have ever had at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.. At times like these, we can abandon some of the pleasantries and engage in real down-to-earth, no-holds-barred conversations with our “so-called” partners.

7. Test Track will have some of the most creative and interesting ideas to persuade a panel of Investors to put their money where it will do some good.

8. Party with .CO at the Famous Versace Mansion on South Beach!!

9. The annual T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Awards Brunch will build the excitement to see who is the Domainer of the Year and who will be inducted into the Domain Hall of Fame. This is where the industry recognizes those who have done great things as voted by their peers

10. Rick Latona will be running one of the best auctions in a long time. The inventory list is out and domains like LasVegas.co will be up for grabs to the highest bidder.

11. You will see history made as flowers.mobi sells for NO RESERVE! It will be a bell weather for .mobi lovers and haters alike!

12. There are too many other functions, parties and get-togethers to list. But the moment you walk into the lobby of the Loews, you will know that this is the most special T.R.A.F.F.I.C. ever. You will feel the excitement of South Beach and welcome the chance to do Big Business in a relaxed atmosphere.

Yes, it is Decision time my friends. You can either pull back or hit the throttle. The year 2010 has been pretty rocky. The storm that may be coming in 2011 could be even more challenging. Don’t allow your business to weaken any more than it already has. Become proactive. Hit that throttle and NEVER look back or gamble with a lifetime of regrets. Folks are coming to make things happen. They are not passive. They are taking their futures by the horns and bending destiny in their favor. This is not the time, nor the show to sit on the sidelines. This is the time to just do it!

That’s it folks. Can’t say or do any more. We are still working to add to that list. Still working on someone else for you to meet and hear from who is well-known for his enthusiasm and promotion of meaningful ideas. Not to tease you, but wish us all luck and hope he agrees.

And to those that listen to folks that say:

“All shows are the same.”

Bull!. That is just a way to try and marginalize T.R.A.F.F.I.C. and prop up inferior products by folks with an agenda or have NEVER been to a TRAFFIC show. The truth is that the history and evolution of the domain Industry has been wrapped in T.R.A.F.F.I.C. since before there WAS an industry, because our formula works and we mean business.

There is cutting edge, and then there is everything else. Folks can accuse us of a lot of things, but there has been no dispute that T.R.A.F.F.I.C. pushes the envelope.

If you are happy with the direction that your business is taking you and you’re your current earnings, I will likely not convince you to take action. On the other hand, if you are like me and believe we should see better days ahead, then T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is where you need to be. Howard and I really appreciate your participation and seeing how the attendees improve their businesses and income at T.R.A.F.F.I.C..

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Afternoon folks!!

If you are into .CO domains, some of the most prime available will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in South Beach on October 19^th. Along with the headliners LasVegas.co, Cash.co, CreditCard.co, Gambling.co, Houses.co, will be some 175 other high profile domain names. Many with substantial traffic.

I expect the auction will be well into the 7 figures. That’s what will happen when you have great domains at great prices. The entire first release is here.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Afternoon Folks!!

You have heard the expression 'Dress for Success'. But you also have to 'Think for Success' and plan to have a success.

Here is what I mean and here are the bullet points to get you there.

1. Make a decision and do it with a sense of urgency

2. Set a goal

3. Develop a plan to get to the goal.

4. Define amount of TIME not a defined amount of MONEY to get to the goal.

5. Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize

6. Don't waste time or get bogged down with bullshit.

7. Evaluate, re-evaluate, evaluate again and again and at every new point of progress.

8. Relax, take your time

9. Go like hell like there is no tomorrow

10. Know the difference

#4 is where I believe so many go wrong.

Folks want to learn by example. There is an example right in front of you. The one I use ALL the time. The one I used on Monday.

Howard and I decided to do a show before ICANN Meeting. That was the decision.

We then set a goal and what we want and need to achieve.

We set a TIME line.

Then doing it RIGHT trumps how much this or that costs. So when you restrain yourself with an artificial budget that somebody, committee, or boardroom made up, it just strangles all the right decisions right out of the equation and as a result, STUPID decisions are made. And as bad, TIMELY decisions are never made. Paralysis sets in and failure is not far behind.

Then prioritize what needs to be done and set deadlines for having them done. Don't wait for the deadline to complete. Complete everything early. There will always be a fire to put out and you'll need that time.

You can apply this formula to anything and everything. It works. It works every time unless someone varies from the SIMPLE guidelines.

It's also important when you see that the time is not working well, not to be afraid to abandon. If you fail and you fail the RIGHT WAY, it costs little or nothing. When you fail the other way and often it does....it is also VERY expensive.

So that's the road and formula I use. Hope that helps you!

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Afternoon Folks!!

We are working on another huge surprise as well. A real long shot, but we are swinging for the fences at this TRAFFIC. A TRAFFIC like none other. The schedule will be complete next week.

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz