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

Afternoon Folks!!

So you want to be in the Domain Game? You are sick of Pigeon Shit. You are ready to see what you are doing wrong. Here is MY VIEW on domains. MY step by step guide to free yourself from Pigeon Shit!

If you seriously want to do this, just abandon all the bullshit you think you know. Before you can progress you have to cure the disease. The posts of the last few months and particularly the last few days was to do that. Now onto the real method.

1. You are planting a SEED not buying a domain name.

2. You are staking a claim not buying a domain name.

3. Seeds take time to germinate, mature and bear fruit

4. You are planting trees not grass.

5. This is a 5 year plan

6. If I just lost you, you may be lost forever. Don’t have 5 minutes? You will piss away the next 5 years and still end up right here to figure out where you went wrong.

7. Your mindset has to change from the immediate gratification to that of investor. Hooker or Call Girl. One gets $50 and stands in the rain one gets $5000 and sits in a penthouse. Choose!

8. Why am I wasting my time with this? Because the start is where folks go off course. THIS is the PLACE they all goof at.

9. Don’t quit your day job! Seriously. You need $$$ to fund a hobby into a business.

10. If you don’t have a day job, get one unless you don’t need to.

11. Take a deep breath

12. You FIRST purchases are VERY important so you MUST get these right or you are off course and out of the game until then and by that time you will likely be broke and confused and frustrated and angry.

13. Pick a category. Any category.

14. Make sure there is a Yellow Page listing for that category.

15. Find the listings with the most advertisements

16. Start drilling.

17. You will see that vein picked apart like a Friday Morning Turkey after Thanksgiving.

18. Try xylophones. Less crowded.

19. Work up to better categories.

20. Start with a noun like Insurance.

21. Add adjective to the beginning like: DiscountInsurance.com, NewYorkInsurance.com, CheapInsurance.com. THOUSANDS to try and find. Drill. Don’t be lazy. Drill. Thousands.

22. Use Verbs. GetInsurance.com, BuyInsurance.com, They are taken. buyxylophones.com is available as I write this. The audience there is tiny. So look for bigger audiences. More common items.

23. When you know the difference between a domain and Pigeon Shit, THEN you will recognize domains of value the INSTANT you see them. Just like I know Pigeon Shit the instant I see them.

24. Drop lists now come into play. When you know what to look for you can go thru a list of 100 in 3-5 seconds.

25. Domains of value standout

26. Set a realistic budget. You buy your car for $20k or whatever, invest in yourself

27. Buy with a rifle not a shotgun.

28. Don’t be a spammer.

29. Be creative

30. Don’t buy and try to sell 10 minutes later

31. Activate the domain and monitor for traffic.

32. Don’t be a whore and try and sell 30 minutes after that

33. Just put it in inventory and assuming it was a value, pat yourself on the back for a good grab! It’s a fish!

34. Repeat, repeat, repeat

35. There will be a time for selling.

36. If you do it right, you will be too busy getting domains to worry about selling them and then they will be chasing you too.

Yes, I hear ya. You have no money and you need to flip fast. Fine! But you still have to go through these steps to find a domain of value. And if you do it right., you will find a liitle income along the way.

My test for a truly valuable domains is if it stands alone can I build a business around it if all I ever did was focus on that one domain from now on. That’s the test. I have the luxury of not having to do that. But you MUST do that if you want to start in the right direction.

Of course you can’t start going the right direction until you come to a complete stop and change course. Folks have a choice. Buy pigeon shit and make pennies and lose dollars or understand what makes a domain have value and transform what you do.

Clear out the inventory and start fresh again if you are losing $$$.

Just KNOW there gems that sell way below what pigeon shit sells for.

No one post will give you all the answers. But almost all the answers lay within the confines of these several hundred blog posts.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

So many wonder why they are not having the results they would like. But I find one thing interesting. I have been retired or semi-retired since 1998. But even in my state I start earlier in the morning and work later at night than most. But to me it is not work. It is called 'Life' and my work is weaved in it. So I look forward to Monday when others dread it.

My job is to get up before the sun and do more work before breakfast than most folks will do next week. I start and finish projects. I plant seeds. I learn new things. I test new whatever. I read the headlines. I check the market. I make decisions. I set a course. I make a list every Monday of things that MUST be accomplished that week. I make sure I use my time wisely and don't waste time on 'Gopher' things. I do most of my purchases on Amazon so I don't piss away time doing the same thing and having to run all over town. I don't leave this keyboard unless there is a REASON to do so.

The ONLY natural resource any of us have is 'Time.' That's it and it is limited. Not only is it limited it usually does not come with a meter to let you know when it is running low. Time. Nothing matters more. So making the most of your TIME is the true key. How much time do you waste? Don't laugh. It's really not funny.

When you can prioritize life, you will never have to work again. Read that once more. When you can prioritize life, you will never have to work again. You will find more time than you knew existed and when you find those extra hours you will produce $$$, be more effective and use less energy. But if you are a SLAVE to the bad TIME habits you might have found comfortable over the years, they are actually the chains that hold you back.

You know the type. Always too busy to do anything but accomplishes nothing as opposed to the guy that is busy as hell and always finds TIME to do whatever is needed, whenever it is needed. That is what is the TRUE dividing line in life. The doers and the talkers. The talkers look at it as an insurmountable workload and then their mind does not allow them to do the job and be successful. The doers don't say a word. They just do. They just roll up their sleeves and make whatever is needed HAPPEN. So which are you? Which do you want to be? You do have the control to change it if you are willing to STOP. Stop and consider. Stop and take a deep breath. Stop and question why you are not where you see yourself?

I can never stop a winner and I can never make a loser. Only you have that power and it is your attitude and approach that determines your destiny and success more than any other factor. Olympians are champions because of strong minds not strong bodies. Anyone can make a strong body. But it is how you use the body controlled by the mind that counts. That separates the winners from the losers. Study Olympians and their discipline and you apply that to anything in life and you will be a winner, a champion.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

After a 30 second discussion early this morning, Howard and I have agreed to do TRAFFIC West just before the ICANN meeting in San Francisco next March. T.R.A.F.F.I.C. ICANN RETREAT.
This show will be a uniquely different TRAFFIC of which details will be coming out in the days ahead. We will announce those details in South Beach. You may see a few hints a little later in something that will be published soon. But T.R.A.F.F.I.C. ICANN RETREAT will be another milestone in the story of domains and domaining.
Now back to your regularly scheduled Monday and remember, ticket prices go up $300 on Friday for TRAFFIC Miami.
Rick and Howard

Morning Folks!!

In this post I will give you some rapid fired do's and don’ts that will change how you make more sales for more dollars and KNOW when you have reached THEIR top dollar. Nothing worse than a guy having a $250,000 budget for a domain that you end up selling to them for $250. Want to avoid that?? Pay close attention.

1. DO NOT set a price right away

2. Don’t answer questions

3. Ask Questions

4. Ask more questions

5. Answer the questions they pose with a question

6. Buy time

7. Don’t commit, think about it

8. Do the research.

9. Don’t be lazy

10. Know the difference between a domain name that has value that others want and pigeon shit that only one person in 6 billion thinks is valuable. That is why TYPE INS are the key. I don't care if the get 5 a day or 55 a day or 55,000. Just stay away from ZERO because when you double ZERO you got ZERO.

11. Be vague

12. Do not commit

13. Keep is ALL in writing

14. Don’t get weak knees

15. Don’t flip out when you don’t hear back for a few days or weeks or even months.

16. NEVER, EVER, EVER, contact them back before they contact you back. That is WEAK and that email or phone call will likely cost you dearly as they FEEL your weakness.

17. Don’t “Pitch” the domain name. If they contacted you, they already know why.

18. Look at it as a game. Nothing more, nothing less. Those that are busy getting pissed never win the game because they are too busy being pissed.

19. Anything goes in a negotiation so don't take anything seriously until it is all over and the buyer and seller can have a beer. Then you can each tell the other how full of shit you were during the back and forth and have a GREAT laugh! That's what you get when both parties walk away happy and as winners.

20. Deals are about formulas. Just because the first ones does not work does not mean you give up. By asking questions you find out what is important to them and you can work with that. So be creative and imaginative. Keep coming up with ideas until you find a fit.

'When you see John Jones through John Jones eyes, you will sell John Jones what John Jones buys.'

No one post will make you a salesman. It takes time and practice and more than that, replaying where you went wrong when you don’t make a sale. Many books have been written on selling. Many are great and will change your life because you look at things differently.

Some sales are very easy because there is no bullshit. A conversation of what each party wants can do wonders. But you have to be dealing with more savvy folks that know what they want and a realistic outlook.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Everyone always wants to know what my technique is for selling a domain name is. Problem is when I tell those techniques I am met with all types of people telling me I do this wrong or that wrong when in fact, they are wrong.

First, don’t take it too seriously or personal. The chances of you selling a domain for big money is small. However you can sell something undervalue and do it easily. Like selling $100 bills for $85. Do you REALLY believe you need a talent to do that??

I rarely send out the same reply as each offer is unique. Well almost unique. 98% of offers are a waste of time. But most get sucked in and WASTE THEIR TIME! They get hooked by weeks of back and forth email. Me, I blow them away with one email. One email let’s me know who and what I am dealing with. Usually a one word answer or whatever I feel like. I WANT TO PISS THEM OFF!!

This is the time that everyone starts shaking their heads. Keep being wrong. You can’t piss off a REAL buyer! A REAL buyer has their eye on the prize and they just laugh and get back to business. The 98% get pissed off and that proves my point.

Now you can’t do this unless you have a UNIQUE item for sale. If 50 people sell the same thing at the same price, then you need to find a way to kiss ass. To do a lot of things. But domains are different and if you don’t know that, you are wrong again.

Of course it is always good to have something of value to sell to begin with. Does not work so well if you have pigeon shit. But, if you have a domain of value, most domineers leave MOST of the money on the table and goes into the pocket of the buyer not the domainer.

Selling a domain is much more involved then just sending back a price. You need to do research. You need to think. You need to think well into the future. You need to find someone with a BIG idea. THAT is part of the sale. The domain is only as valuable as their idea. Again, blow away the 98% asap and stop wasting your time.

DO NOT answer emails from other domainers. Oh, you don’t know how to spot SPAM from a domainer?? Then learn! Pretty obvious. But so many of you jump up and down when you get an inquiry on a domain and most are other domainers. Wrong direction!

Now I don’t have all the answers and I am sure most of you won’t agree. But most of you have not sold 6 and 7 figure domains as a habit. Sometimes my domain is not that good. BUT I AM! I know what to look for. I know the elements of a big deal or a whale on the line. I know by so many things by the words they use, by the tone, by the signature. Everything is a clue.

We also have our own techniques that may work for me and won’t for someone else. But those skills and techniques need to be learned by practice. But even practice has limits. Limits because the #1 factor is human nature and until you learn to read and interpret human nature, the results will never be what they could or should be.

Just like this post. 80% of you won't agree with what I am saying here. But I am talking to the 20% that gets it and the 80% have the same opportunity to understand what I say. But they are too busy being pissed by my words which is what I described above. That is because I understand the human nature aspect and you ain't buying no matter what I say and no matter what proof I present. So why waste the time convincing them?? I have 20% that are willing to understand and that is a much better investment of time. Clear out the 80%. The NOISE of life.

And of course the most important word in selling is saying “No”. So when folks ask me how I managed to get $750k for iReport.com I tell them the TRUTH. I said NO a hell of a lot. For months. Month after month. Learn to say “No” It is the most powerful tool in your tool box.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!

Last week we ran a contest for a Cabana at TRAFFIC South Beach:

'T.R.A.F.F.I.C. SOUTH BEACH will be as hot as South Beach itself. Our Security Guards will have the best legs on the beach. But, before the show even starts, T.R.A.F.F.I.C. will be giving away a free Poolside Cabana to the Domainer who can explain to folks why T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is virtually free because of all the business they do. Perhaps just one event that changed your destiny. One deal that will pay you forward for a lifetime. What value did that really have as opposed to the expense of coming? Just send us a short story or essay by midnight tomorrow by return email. Winner will be announced later this week.

Each cabana will come stocked with a bottle of Champagne, bottles of water and soda, a flat screen T.V. (to watch football, of course), 6 Chairs, towels and of course service by one of our HOT cabana girls. The T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Cabana Girls will make your weekend a little more enjoyable. A little more pampered. We expect more than 100 folks for the weekend before the show even starts.'

And the winning comment came to this from a guy that travels half the world to come TRAFFIC and has done it as much or more than anyone.

Michael Gilmour Wins TRAFFIC Contest for Poolside Cabana!!!

'Anyone that doesn't get value fromTRAFFIC is either blind or dead.'
Michael Gilmour of ParkLogic.com

Congratulations to Michael for telling it like it is! I am sure Michael wants to invite ALL domainers to HIS cabana for some fun with the girls of Modelstore.com. :-)

And Mr. Gilmour is right of course and everyone knows it. That's why TRAFFIC means BUSINESS! That's why a guy that pays much more to get to TRAFFIC than anyone else can make a statement like this and leave his home and family for a 24 hour flight each way for almost every show.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Afternoon Folks!!

We are still ironing out the details but as you know the last breakfast is not that heavily attended as folks are partied out andf getting ready to check out. But this year will be different. Don't run anywhere. We plan to host Rob Monster's SwapFest right at TRAFFIC.

Details to follow.....

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

My job was the same as the gold miner EXACTLY 100 years before. Mine as much gold as fast as possible and don't worry about anything until you lay your stake and get back to town. Their premise with a different booty. Their trail with a different prize.

Coincidentally I was in Alaska in 1998 on a cruise. The centennial of the gold rush. I did not know that before I went and when I found out, my body shuttered. We were walking an historical parallel. I already knew that and with oil wells I based my everything on that viewpoint. But what I had were gold mines that were also spewing oil. And they were not in Alaska, they were in Times Square and by the Ocean and other places people pass and are interested in going to.

But the moment I learned of the EXACT time and there was a second parallel, it did something to me that I will never forget. I never looked back after that moment. The moment that destiny proves you are on some exact path and your job is to stay on course no matter what the naysayers say. No matter the snickers. No matter the laughs. No matter what. I became an Evangelist. Not for religion, but for domains. For increasing business. For beating your competition. For being the best in your category. For reaching the next level no matter what that level is. I preached since 1996, but now it was a different level. Now I had confirmed what it was that I saw and could go out with a bolder more confident message.

The Internet was still the enemy. Most companies were yet to have an online presence let alone doing any ecommerce. Media wanted to put a dagger thru the heart of this beast and kill it. Today you can see why they were so scared. But then, who knew?

And then there was that one other magical moment on that trip. We were one day behind Bill Gates and Warren Buffett and an all celebrity cruise. It was just then that Gates had been crowned the richest man in the world for the first time. I was on some sort of a magic carpet and whatever doubts I may have had before that trip, never surfaced again.

But I bought a miners hat on that trip and started to wear it. See I was thankful that while many thousands died searching for gold, I had the luxury of sitting in my bathrobe in a warm safe home and do the same thing they did. It was my tribute and my guilt.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Afernoon Folks!!

I accidentally stumbled on my ORIGINAL eRealestate.com site. This is circa January 1998 thru April 2000 and has not been updated in over a decade. This was my running collection of thoughts from that point in time adding as needed. It was originally my DomainSeller.com circa 1996-1998.

So for those that need a place to start or need a tune up or need some perspective and history or need some motivation or whatever, see it thru my eyes back then. No Google. No PPC. No domain tools of any sort whatsoever. The Internet was the enemy of Main Street and the Media. They never missed a moment to remind us how risky online purchases were. NSI was all we had and that was pitiful. The majority was just getting their first email address but only about 20%-25% until that point.

So I left a bread trail of words and thoughts and ideas from day one for anyone that cared to see what I saw and go where I was heading. Or not. I never put a gun to anyone's head. To this day the trail only has a few hundred on it. But when you realize that almost everything in the future starts with a domain name, that is a far cry from a decade ago. That was insanity. Life is good when you are crazy. The trail will turn into a street and then a highway as more and more see the future.

Here is the key comment among a lot of jewels:

'But just like a 5 year old child......you can't blame them for not being 20! You must be patient as the child or in this case until the net matures.'

This is the transition site as Domainseller morphs into eRealEstate.com

My BEST, most important papragragh I EVER posted on the Internet came from this page. Circa 1996:

Why is this medium becoming so powerful?
'One reason may be that in cyberspace nobody knows if you are black or if you are white, if you are rich or poor, tall or short, fat or skinny, clean or dirty, handicapped, healthy, Christian or Jew etc., ....They know only two things....the content of what you have to say and a way to communicate effectively to people from all walks of life and from around the globe. Plus the value you put on your own character. Consisting of your credibility, your honesty, your integrity, and your devotion to do things the right way without taking advantage of others. This will be either your greatest asset or a liability that will inevitably be your downfall. You don't judge a book by its cover, In cyberspace you are judged by your content.'

Check out the News from 1999 and Vote on which Flash Site you like best. The designer is a very famous domainer today from South America.

Had I not looked at the Internet in a way that showed the mountain it really was, the EPIC marathon to come, I would have been off the path from the get go. Though I sprinted on a daily basis I knew then that it would be a long hard slog composed of countless sprints. My job was the same as the gold miner EXACTLY 100 years before. Mine as much gold as fast as possible and don't worry about anything until you lay your stakes and get back to town. The next post talks about the Gold Rush and the parallels with domaining.

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz.

Morning Folks!!

The Men.com deal was headlines around the entire world from CNN to some 125 newspapers and more. If not for that sale, I doubt TRAFFIC would have happened in 2004. The Men.com sale gave me more mileage than anything else I ever did. But did I want to sell? No.

I was divorced just months before. I did not see it coming and most of my cash went with it. Some $5M at the time between cash and property. But most importantly, my domains, home and other critically important things were kept. (Maybe I should have talked to MM) But it took me out of the 'Domain Game' during a very important point in time. So I missed a very potent unique opportunity and had to focus on rebuilding my life until 2005 when I purchased Property.com to replace my previous 'Crown Jewel'.

This is the first time I am ever telling this story. I think I only realized the impact on my life when I looked back earlier this summer and began to analyze things. But hey, you deal the hand you are dealt and make the best of it every day of your life.

Could have been a lot worse.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz