How Sway-able Are you?

Morning Folks!!


Are you easily swayed? Do you have a weak fortitude? Do you take the position of whoever you spoke to last? Another words are you a 'Wet Noodle' and just go where ever the breeze goes? Then again are you so set in your positions that no new evidence can sway you? No new information have value? No new information change how you might look at something?


I am sway-able. But it's not an easy job to have me change a position on a given subject. I can only do it methodically. One grain at a time and putting it on the scale and then re-weighing the new evidence to see if the scales have been tipped in a different direction. It's a procedure I do with everything in life. I clear off the irrelevant and give weight to each and every piece of true evidence.


Emotion is never involved at this point and seldom is. Facts are not emotional. Weight is not emotional. Evidence is not emotional. Information is not emotional. So when you limit or even exclude emotion, things look differently. Then you can always add the tint of emotion as you see fit afterwards. Separately. Like salt and pepper. Emotion might just be a sprinkling.


I think separating the emotion may be the single hardest thing to do. You can't always do it. It is always there. But you have to know when to factor in emotion and when to leave that emotion out of the equation.


The day you stop taking in new information and processing it.....you are DEAD! You are STUCK! You can only just rot away. The day you stop learning is the day you die whether you breathe or not.


And today, life moves so fast that if folks would slow down they would see incredible opportunity. Folks miss opportunity because they pass the exits of opportunity because they are in the left lane flying at 150MPH. Slow it down and you can have more options. Slow down and it is like magnifying things to see clearer.


When I listen to an idea I am completely open minded. But as the story goes on I get to shoot down assumptions the other party might be making. Usually because the number is based on a wish not a fact. Nothing proven. If it can withstand my assault, THEN there is something there. The key of a good idea is to try and shoot it down. If it can withstand the attack, then it has a viable chance of working.


So for me to be swayed, I have to have evidence that holds up to the scrutiny. So every new grain of information I get on any subject has to be put on the balance scale and re-calculated. Based on that, I am sway-able.


So we get to .whatever which for many is the single biggest question or even obstacle facing them. I have a panel at TRAFFIC. 'Do you See What I See?' See, I want to see .whatever through their eyes and then put it on my scale. What will they say that would sway me? Wishful thinking and grand ideas won't do much to move the needle.


Explaining what will change and WHY the consumer will adapt is more important. Explaining is there investment to be made or is this simply a clever way for registrars to make money? (That may not be a bad thing. That's Capitalism. Lead by a corupt ICANN of course)


The .mobi 'Regsitrar' might be successful but those that invested in the extension have not had the same success. Same with .Co. Great for the registrar, but a disaster for the end user like Overstock and investors like us. Point is even in a success, it is a fractional success. Not everyone up and down the chain is a winner. When that happens, I see a flaw. In the case of .whatever it comes in the form of a leak to the .com and the ONLY question or variable is HOW BIG IS THE LEAK? And when the answer ignores that part of the equation, it becomes hard to be swayed.


Domainers have reacted to .whatever like mind control. They just buy into these things without the evidence. They are easily swayed and if you are easily swayed then you become fearful. Snap out of it!!! It's not a threat!! Its an expansion. Manhattan won't collapse because Wichita is expanding. DUH!!


This is a simple equation from an investor and end user point of view. How can anyone in their right mind believe .com can or will suffer? Short term? Possibly. Long term? Are you kidding me? The leak will determine the value and ALL willl leak. WE know that, they do not. But they will LEARN! And when they learn, your dotcom counterpart of .whatever, goes through the roof. They are trying to scare you so you will drop your pants and it is working!!


They can build the mall right behind our small corner. But as long as we own that small corner, we can open almost any business and have a degree of success, while the mall loses business every day you are there. Whether it be in not enough parking. Not enough access. A competing entity. Whatever the case. Having owned that corner property before the mall was even thought of puts you in a pretty strong position regardless of huffing and puffing. So while they negotiate for a million this way or that way, they lose $10 million in time wasted and customers lost and other intangibles that exist but can't be measured. Like 'Good Will'.


Ya think Saveme.com.br has more or less goodwill then this time last year? What was the cost? What was the damage? What was the result of a self inflicted wound? Can anyone even measure it? Does ignoring it make it go away or help?


I think most surprising of all is after the loss he does not come to the table and get real. He is now infamous and I feel great to have been part of that. To help sway people and how they see things. People know right from wrong and THAT is the #1 way to sway! But he also missed an opportunity to rehabilitate himself and his reputation. He could be a Poster Boy with a message and he did not recognize it. Maybe even get what he wants, but he has to be willing to deal like a businessman not as a bully ad worse. He bullied for a few months and I get to repay that for a lifetime.


Saveme.com case will save more than just me. It will save you too. I am certain that companies that had been targeting me had to rethink what they were about to do. Is it worth risking their entire business and livelihood on a Reverse Domain Name Hijacking attempt? The 'Scarlett Letter' that WE have to enforce until there is a criminal penalty.


Ask Howard. I was waiting for a case like this since the day we met. One case that would be so clear and so overwhelmingly off the charts that I would be able to do my schtick backed up by Howard and sway opinion with right from wrong. That leads to the emotion you want in this decision. You can separate the emotion. The passion. And knowing this was the key we would all need to move forward through the jungle with less attackers because would-be attackers have so much at risk.


So we can sway in an effective manner and the number of Reverse Domain Hijacking decisions are becoming more frequent. That marks the beginning of the end for this practice. We have swayed opinion by proving something to be very wrong and then being able to have others feel how it would be like if it happened to them.


So I ramble a bit. But it is all connected. It is all from the same thread. It is all what we are dealing with more than any other thing besides paying the bills.


Sales is all about swaying. A customer comes in with their defenses at 100% strength and it is the job of the salesmen to melt that wall away. To gain their confidence by being knowledgeable and truthful. By being able to sway them from the point they came in the door to the sale as they left the door. That is the big sway. Each of us has to be a salesman but you sell from knowledge and comfort and no tricks at all. You sway. Sway is the dance that makes the world go round.


Last nights debate was all about 'Sway'. Thing of all the things you do or involved in where 'Swaying' is the key.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

-----

More Than One Third of all Domains at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Auction Now Have Phone Bidders! New Updated Final List!

Morning Folks!!


I have stated that I have a 3 year plan for the auction.


Year #1 was to regain the trust and restore credibility to live auctions.


Year #2 is make a vision about an auction a reality. Multiple auctioneers and no wasted time and exciting as opposed to boring. We pay for Internet at the hotels and rarely get what we pay for not dependable and we have all witnessed what happens So a lot of noise against it but I know if you want a domain you will do what is needed to get it. That's what makes us all tick.


Year #3 is to take advantage of the previous 2 years and have an event that folks look forward to. I already have solid names for Las Vegas and we have yet to start that process. But a success breeds more success and that is where we are heading.


As of yesterday, fully 1/3 of ALL the domain lots in the auction now have a registered Phone bidder. As we get closer that number will swell and I think we can burst through the 50% mark. Why are they registering? Because as a domainer there is a huge upside to some of these names. Most of these names. I picked every single one based on what came in and fit my criteria as discussed before. Not all would be domains I would buy, but each was attached to OPPORTUNITY. Whether developing or a quick flip for a quick profit.


I want to thank everyone that submitted domains. I could not email every person that was declined but I did my best as the process went on. But I was bombarded with some ten thousand domains or more and I went looking for ones that would meet the criteria and accomplish the goals I have set.


Here is the latest final list. We had some duplicates and some contracts where the domain was never listed. But now the list should be 100% accurate. You should look one more time as some lots have changed. But NO LOTS have change that have phone bids, So folks are all set!


I will be less visible over the coming days and emails may or may not get answered timely. So just a heads up. I am now in the 'Gravitational Pull' of TRAFFIC and my time gets swept to wherever.


Here is the phone bidding link: Registration closes at 6PM Friday. So you have just 3 more days to register. Take one more look at the list with a FRESH set of eyes and I promise there is a domain there that belongs in your portfolio.


http://targetedtraffic.com/auction/phone-bids.php


Rick Schwartz


Lot#100 Tumors.net (No Reserve)
Lot #101 Tumors.com (No Reserve)
Lot #102 Fibre.com ($1 Reserve)
Lot #103 3dMovie.com (Aggressively Priced)
Lot #104 DesPlaines.com ($1000 Reserve)
Lot #105 AmusementPark.com
Lot#106 gtldforum.com (No Reserve)
Lot#107 gTLD.org ($1000 Reserve)
Lot#108 AerobicExercises.com (Guaranteed Placement)
Lot#109 FixedAPR.com (Guaranteed Placement)
Lot#110 SeePrague.com (Guaranteed Placement)
Lot#111 AnsweringMachines.com (No Reserve)
Lot#112 CheapLaptops.com (Aggressively Priced)
Lot#113 gtldAttorney.com (No Reserve)
Lot#114 NavigationGlasses.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#115 SmartLawyer.com (No Reserve)
Lot#116 FinancialGoals.com (No Reserve)
Lot#117 FitnessResort.com (No Reserve)
Lot#118 TechnologyTimes.com (Priced well)
Lot#119 FanClub.com (Opportunity knocking)
Lot#120 Saws.com and MiterSaws.com 7400 August type ins (Greatly Reduced)
Lot#121 3 Business Categories with a VERY reasonable reserve
DebtService.com,
FlipHomes.com,
SolarPaneling.com
Lot#122 11 Domain Adult Portfolio (No Reserve)
HotDevil.com
BigLong.com
F*ckingBastards.com
hardcoremoviesonline.com
analcouples.com
freeamaturemovies.com
hornyhotwives.com
pornoshoots.com
femalescreensavers.com
forbiddengirls.com
amateurasiansex.com
lickmyb*aver.com
shortskirtgalleries.com
turkishp*ssy.com
sextoymall.com
(No Reserve)
Lot#123
WaterproofSmartphone.Com
WaterproofSmartphones.Com
WaterproofTablets.Com (No Reserve)
Lot#124 EuropeanAutos.com
GlamourJewelry.com
Checkbuy.com
CashBusiness.com, (Reserve under $15k)
Lot#125 MondayNightBaseball.Com (No Reserve)
Lot#126 4 Domain Portfolio .TV (No Reserve)
ch9.tv
rude.tv
pals.tv
investmentproperty.tv (No Reserve)
Lot#127 simplyletters.com, wholesalefruits.com (No Reserve)
Lot#128 joanna.tv, tammy.tv, kirsty.tv (No Reserve)
Lot#129 LoanOfficers.com (Reserve under $10k)
Lot#130 QuickBuck.com and QuickBucks.com (Reasonable Reserve)
Lot#131 BridalShowerRegistry.com (No Reserve)
Lot#132 JustSamples.com (No Reserve)
Lot#133 LowestTirePrices.com (No Reserve)
Lot#134 RXweed.com (No Reserve)
Lot#135
WeddingPartyCake.com
WeddingPartyDecorations.com
WeddingPartyGowns.com
WeddingPartyReception.com
WeddingReceptionPhoto.com (No Reserve)
Lot#136 15 Adult Domains (No Reserve)
NicePieceOfAss.com
SexTrophy.com
PornImports.com
eSexParty.com
ToplessDanceClubs.com
ToplessBarGuide.com
HotSexHub.com
HotSexResorts.com
LatinGuysLive.com
SexpertsOnline.com
StrippersToYourDoor.com
TheLoveKit.com
TheLoveTap.com
WildestSex.com
ToplessSite.com
Pu**yhub.com (No Reserve)
Lot#137 Absolving.com (No Reserve)
Lot#138 WeddingToday.com
Lot#139 HollywoodTimes.com and HWTimes.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#140 27 Domain Portfolio (No Reserve)
highgradebond.com
aloeflower.com
aloeVeraEssence.com
aloeVeraFlower.com
aloeVeraLeaves.com
antihairloss.com
antiinflation.com
bohemianstyles.com
compoundinterestrate.com
compoundrate.com
compoundrates.com
deepmoisture.com
earlybuyer.com
electricracers.com
endprices.com
EspressoMug.com
fashionists.com
investmentofficers.com
isubsidize.com
itbanker.com
photoaged.com
PrivateBankingManager.com
PrivateBankingOfficer.com
PrivateEquityMan.com
PrivateEquityManagers.com
PrivateFundManager.com
ShortTermRate.com
Lot#141 VisitBogota.co (No Reserve)
Lot#142 Kannabis.com (Cheap)
Lot#143 LetsFixLunch.com, LetsFixBreakfast.com (No Reserve)
Lot#144 BulletproofVest.com (Corner the Market)
Lot#145 StartInvesting.com (Bargain)
Lot#146 AdultGaming.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#147 CloudFileServers.com (No Reserve)
Lot#148 WelcometoNewOrleans.com and WelcometoChicago.com (No Reserve)
Lot#149 WarrantyCorporation.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#150 ChipCreditCard.com (No Reserve)
Lot#151 SkinClinics.com (Category defining)
Lot#152 Vag*nas.co (No Reserve)
Lot#153 1800foreclosure.com Comes with Matching 800#
Lot#154 100 Geo Domains (No Reserve)
AtlantaGAArea.com
AtlantaGAMetro.com
AtlantaGeorgiaArea.com
AtlantaMetropolitanArea.com
AustinMetroArea.com
AuthenticChicago.com
BaltimoreMetroArea.com
BirminghamMetroArea.com
BostonMetroArea.com
BostonMetropolitanArea.com
CapitalAreaMetro.com
CapitalCityMetro.com
ChicagoMetroArea.com
ChicagoMetropolitanArea.com
CityoftheAmericas.com
ClevelandMetroArea.com
DallasMetroArea.com
DCMetropolitanArea.com
eCityLiving.com
EdgeOfTheCity.com
eEastside.com
EnjoyingTheCity.com
eNorthside.com
eSouthside.com
GreaterBostonArea.com
GreaterCapitalArea.com
GreaterLosAngelesArea.com
GreaterMetroArea.com
GreaterMetropolitanArea.com
GreaterMiamiArea.com
GreaterPortlandArea.com
GreaterWashingtonArea.com
HoustonMetroArea.com
IntheCityof.com
KansasCityMetroArea.com
KCMetroArea.com
KCMOMetro.com
LAMetropolitanArea.com
LasVegasMetroArea.com
LosAngelesMetroArea.com
MajorMetropolitanAreas.com
MetroAreaNews.com
MetroAreaSales.com
MetroAreaServices.com
MetroAreaTransportation.com
MetroAreaUSA.com
MetroDCArea.com
MetroMinneapolis.com
MexicoCityArea.com
MiamiMetroArea.com
MilwaukeeMetroArea.com
MinneapolisMetroArea.com
NashvilleMetroArea.com
NeworleansMetroArea.com
NewYorkCityMetroArea.com
NewYorkMetroArea.com
NorthernSide.com
NYCMetroArea.com
NYMetropolitanArea.com
OklahomaCityMetroArea.com
OrlandoMetroArea.com
PhiladelphiaMetroArea.com
PhoenixMetroArea.com
PhoenixMetropolitanArea.com
PortlandMetroArea.com
PortlandOregonArea.com
PortlandOregonMetro.com
PortlandOregonMetroArea.com
PulseofChicago.com
RaleighMetroArea.com
Real-Florida.com
Real-LA.com
Real-LasVegas.com
RealNewYorkOnline.com
SanDiegoMetroArea.com
SanFranciscoMetroArea.com
SeattleMetroArea.com
TampaMetroArea.com
TheCityofBeijing.com
TheCityofCompton.com
TheCityofCoralGables.com
TheCityofJoy.com
TheCityofOrange.com
TheCityofPompeii.com
TheCityofTheAngels.com
TheCityofTroy.com
TheGreaterMetropolitanArea.com
TheMetroInfo.com
TheRiverFrontCity.com
TorontoMetroArea.com
TrueManhattan.com
TwinCitiesMetroArea.com
UnitedStatesPage.com
USCityMetro.com
USMetroArea.com
USMetroAreas.com
USMetropolitanAreas.com
WashingtonAreaMetro.com
WashingtonDCMetropolitanArea.com
WashingtonMetropolitanArea.com
Lot#155 Teeny.tv (No Reserve)
Lot#156 24HourRental.Com (No Reserve)
Lot#157 (5 Cloud Domain lot (Low Reserve)
CloudStockIndex.com
CloudStocksIndex.com
CloudInvestorNews.com
CloudInvestorsNews.com
CloudBugle.com
Lot#158 TanningFoam.Com (No Reserve)
Lot#159 (Low Reserve 3 domains)
DomainPawnBroker.com
DomainTitleLoan.com
DomainTitleLoans.com
Lot#160 OrthopaedicSurgeon.com (No Reserve)
Lot#161 MedicalRepresentative.com (No Reserve)
Lot#162 Fluzi.com (No Reserve)
Lot#163 RealityShows.TV (No Reserve)
Lot#164 BuildingCredit.com (No Reserve)
Lot#165 ShortTermLoan.com (Guaranteed Placement)
Lot#166 LastLaughs.com (No Reserve)
Lot#167 GamingApps.com (No Reserve)
Lot#168 SolarBusiness.com (LOW Reserve)
Lot#169 BrownNose.com
Lot#170 VirginiaMortgages.com
Lot#171 JiffyRental.com and JiffyRentals.com (Reserve under $10k)
Lot#172 OnlineWallet.com
Lot#173 MobilePaymentApps.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#174 6 Domains (No Reserve)
Homeo.com
HomoeopathicDoctors.com
HomeopathicCompanies.com
HomeopathicCompany.com
HomeopathicSuppliers.com
HomeopathicSupplier.com
Lot#175 Insults.TV (No Reserve)
Lot#176 3 Domains (No Reserve)
CardmemberCenter.com
CloudVideoServices.com
LastSecondRooms.com
Lot#177 SameAsCash.com (No Reserve)
Lot#178 3 Domains (No Reserve)
JobGrant.com
WirelessCopier.com
ForeclosureAtty.com
Lot#179 DrugStorePrices.com (No Reserve)
Lot#180 4 domain Lesbian and Gay sector (No Reserve)
LGBTTimes.com
LGBTServices.com
LGBTService.com
LGBTClips.com
Lot#181 Obgyns.co.uk (No Reserve)
Lot#182 MedicalAssistants.co.uk (No Reserve)
Lot#183
PhvsicianAssistants.co.uk
PhysicìanAssistant.co.uk (No Reserve)
Lot#184 3 domains (No Reserve)
CharterCompany.com
Hotelclerk.com
PrebuiltWebsites.com
Lot#185 MailboxCash.com (No Reserve)
Lot#186 22 Domain Lot (Low Reserve)
UniversalHealthcarePolicy.com
UniversalHealthcareQuote.com
UniversalHealthInsurancePolicy.com
UniversalInsuranceProgram.com
UniversalInsuranceQuote.com
CapeCodHealthInsurance.com
CapeCodNoseSurgery.com
CapeCodPharmacy.com
CapeCodPhysician.com
CapeCodPhysicians.com
CapeCodPlasticSurgeon.com
CapeCodPsychiatrist.com
CapeCodPsychologist.com
NewYorkInvestmentBanks.com
EuropeanBuilders.com
CelebritySpermDonors.com
NutritionalFoodGuide.com
ScalpRenewal.com
MineralLotion.com
WingsuitSkydiving.com
InflatablePartyToys.com
BlogForBoys.com
Lot#187 DonateCash.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#188 4 Domains (No Reserve)
PokerChipsSet.com
WasherDryerCombination.com
MultiTouchWatch.com
MultiTouchWatches.com
Lot#189 8 Domain Package (BARGAIN)
HighEnergyBar.com
HighEnergyBars.com
Multiscreens.com
DateLadies.com
DatingLadies.com
FareDiscount.com
SingleGentleman.com
FirstPageRanking.com
Lot#190 Plugin.com (Huge opportunity)
Lot#191 Fantastic .ME 33 Name Portfolio (Huge Opportunity)
SMITH.ME
WILSON.ME
WILLIAMS.ME
WALSH.ME
SCHWARZ.ME
THOMAS.ME
TAYLOR.ME
WALKER.ME
THOMPSON.ME
SANCHEZ.ME
OCONNOR.ME
ONEILL.ME
PETERSON.ME
SANTOS.ME
SCHMIDT.ME
SCHNEIDER.ME
WEBER.ME
JIMENEZ.ME
QUINN.ME
RAMOS.ME
ROMERO.ME
RUIZ.ME
RUSSO.ME
MURRAY.ME
NAVARRO.ME
ACKERMAN.ME
ADAIR.ME
CASTRO.ME
CLARKE.ME
DELGADO.ME
FLOYD.ME
GALLAGHER.ME
ALONZO.ME
Lot#192 StockPrice.com (Reasonable reserve)
Lot#193 BedKing.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#194 6 domains (No Reserve)
ApparelUSA.com
BabyFlair.com
ZipCovers.com
MGKG.com
Lustily.com
Conceding.com
Lot#195 Entrepreneur.info (Reasonable)
Lot#196 Enviable.com (No Reserve)
Lot#197 GoldBullion.com (Not cheap, but gold never is)
Lot#198 CocktailWeiners.com (with 50% going to the charity of the buyers choice at the price listed)
Lot#199 Eatme.com
Lot#200 TutoringService.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#201 DiaperWipes.com (Low Reserve)
Lot#202 Socials.com (Priced right)
Lot#203 ClosetDesign.com (Big Business)


Nothing can Substitute for Meeting Face to Face

Morning Folks!!


Here is an article from USA Today that helps explain the old way of doing business which just happens to be the most effective way to do business. Sometimes you can reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you can't. Sometimes you don't have to and sometimes the wheel is better than the new invention. How's that for a full circle? But if you don't understand the circle, then you don't understand the wheel. And if you don't understand the wheel, it makes it practically impossible to reinvent. And so we just had another circle. Some ideas are GREAT for a circle. And some ideas DIE in the circle. Do you know the difference when it applies to your business and futures?


I always get a kick when a business owner tells me he is not a salesman and is proud of it. Hello?? If you are in business you MUST be a salesman. It's the #1 job description. Now I do understand that some have a different focus, but these guys still must walk and chew gum.


The Internet has been one of the grandest experiments in history. Never have we seen so much, so quick and so often. Look back the last 10 years. Look at all the new friends and business partners you have met and engaged with over the years. Bet your life would be missing a few colors had you not actually met them and looked into their EYES! Their souls. Their upbringing. Their mindset. That 6th sense you get. Never before in the history of the world were so many folks brought together from such various and far places. Just a few short years ago that was not possible. Living longer means doing more things in a shorter amount of time. Some things are time LOCKED. You can't change those things, but you can change the points inside those locks. Add value and experience and wealth and all the rest.


In the USA article it just kinda gets back to basics. The wheel still works ev en tho their is high speed wireless.


'Most people tell me they try to connect with others by sending their resume to a place online or listing their name in a database that they hope someone influential will see. The odds of them meeting their objective? It doesn't seem promising.


How does listing your name with thousands of others get you noticed, let alone inspire someone to want to know more about you?


Sometimes extraordinary things just happen through pure luck or chance.


But I am certain that when you put yourself in situations where you meet eyeball to eyeball, where you can develop a mutual interest with someone and they experience your enthusiasm, the odds of something extraordinary increase greatly.'


See folks, when you mix certain ingredients together and it is good, it becomes a recipe. You do it EXACTLY the same because the result ALWAYS works. Now there are always 100 chefs in the kitchen that want to add a little of this or a little of that. And it is always great to try ONE different ingredient. And see of you have a better recipe or not. If not, go back to the basic recipe OR you risk destroying the recipe when you try adding the second ingredient without going back to the original. Now you can purposely put 2 new ingredients to a recipe. But if it is still not better, better go back to the standard and start all over again. The original recipe works. As humans we always want to improve. But don't improve without understanding the risk of destroying the original when we start tinkering and forget about where and how it all started.


When things are going off course, always go back to basics and you win!


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

-----

The #1 Thing I Look for and the ONE Question I Ask When Picking a Domain Name

Morning Folks!!


Labor Day!! Start your engines!!


The #1 thing I look for is not always what I get but it certainly is my target. I have the luxury of not following my own rules as I chase tomorrow in a 'Social' way. But here is the tiny little secret that will change how you look at and buy domain names.


The simple question is: 'If I had this domain and ONLY this domain, could I figure out how to make a living from it?' That's my test. It's so simple. And when the answer is yes and the price is right, I buy that domain name. Simple. It's my guiding light. My north star. When all else fails and I have this one domain, can I make a living?


When you do that, you really can't lose. But you still have to know what a business is. You still have to have an idea. You still have to make a mousetrap that catches profit. But the first thing you need is a domain name. A domain name that when standing by itself makes a statement, is a brand and clearly says what you do.


That's the primary method behind my madness. Go ahead, tell me how wrong I am. Cherry pick names out of my portfolio that don't meet the test. Do whatever losers do and focus on anything other than the simplest way to pick a domain name and almost never lose. Oh yeah, stick with a dot com.


Let me make it crystal clear. When you use a non dot com you will always be working harder for less. PERIOD! There will always be an invisible loss of sales and profits. PERIOD! There will always be some level of confusion. PERIOD! There will always be a cloud hanging over your business that a bad decision was made along the way and until they get the .com it won't be fixed. It is a business faux paux of the greatest magnitude. Just like hard to spell domains or cutsey domains.


Sorry, but I don't look at it thru the prism of a domainer. I look at it thru the prism of the business owner, the startup, the consumer, the eyes of human nature. I look at it as how does one differentiate themselves without confusing them in a more and ore crowded playing field. No matter how many websites are out there now, millions will be added this week alone. See when everyone is on their own soap box yelling ME! ME! ME! how do you get the attention of consumers? It gets more and more difficult. As that happens the domain is what goes up in value because it is one of the biggest things to elevate you over the rest. End user that is. That is the prism I look thru. The guy on Main Street. The guy in the middle of nowhere. The consumer most of all.


More importantly, the average consumer that folks aim for are not rocket scientists. They have an average 6th-8th grade education level. The masses! So you must keep it simple. Finally, all the sales and marketing laws off the net apply on the net. Supply and Demand still runs the whole thing. Sales and Profits are still the epicenter. No sales equals no business. Need, Want, Desire.


Have a GREAT Labor Day!

Rick Schwartz


Tuesday, September 4th is”Business New Year’s Day!”

Morning Folks!!


Tuesday, September 4th is 'Business New Year's Day!' Huh? Yup. To me, one of the most important days of the year. It's the day 'Normalcy' begins to return along with it's cousin 'Routine'. It's the day the economic engine begins to transform itself as it gets ready for the all important 4th quarter. The excitement to me is like the build up to the Superbowl. Sorry, business turns me on and in the last quarter, that is when most of the years business is done decisions are made and a course is set for a new year.


What happens in the weeks ahead determines where we actually end up by the spring of next year when this ride coasts into another summer slowdown. Ever been on the 'Log Flume Ride'? Well 'Business New Year's is the day you reach the peak and just before you go on your merry way which occurs in late November. The hard work is done but these are the days that you pick the fruit from that hard work.


This is just the part of the year that really counts. That serious folks get serious. The folks that realize that the reason they enjoy their summers is because they work hard to make hay for the few weeks a year that they can make big things happen.


There are a few important cycles during the year for business. None more relevant and important than now. It all ends early in December. You heard me, it's over by the first week of December. By then the cards for the holidays are already dealt. Business will sink or swim with whatever decisions they make between 'Business New Year's' and the end of the year on the calendar.


December is a deal making, horse trading, get your books and taxes in order. So have a great weekend and when you come back in Tuesday, know we are in for a race to the finish line!


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz



T.R.A.F.F.I.C. to Have 3 Auctioneers at LIVE Auction.

Morning Folks!!


You won't be complaining about boring, but you might complain about just how fast a pace auction we are going to present. For those that have been to any of the live auctions, one of the worst parts is all the wasted time between the actual domain names auctioned off. Once a winning bid happens, there is generally 1-2 minutes of bookkeeping and other things to attend to.


So how do you fix that? You have 2 auctioneers! While one gets bogged down for those 1-2 minutes, the second auctioneer will swing into action and keep it all moving and exciting.


We expect by the time auctioneer #2 is done with his auction, then auctioneer #1 will take over. And if not.....auctioneer #3 is ready to go. Call me crazy! Call it a lot of things, but boring won't be one of them. Reserve judgement until you see what we are going to do. My goal is to have as many domainers targeting specific domains before they even enter the room.


We have 2 hours. We will auction off whatever we have time for. I am encouraging portfolios and auction lots with multiple domains.


These are the domains as of this morning. I am still considering others and waiting on a few contracts. I am in no rush to fill the slots. The ONLY criteria is 'Will it sell?'


Lot #101 Tumors.com (No Reserve)
Lot #102 Fibre.com ($1 Reserve)
Lot #103 3dMovie.com (Aggressively Priced)
Lot #104 DesPlaines.com ($1000 Reserve)
Lot #105 (Awaiting Signed Contract)
Lot#106 gtldforum.com (No Reserve)
Lot#107 gTLD.org ($1000 Reserve)
Lot#108 AerobicExercises.com (Guaranteed Placement)
Lot#109 FixedAPR.com (Guaranteed Placement)
Lot#110 SeePrague.com (Guaranteed Placement)


Below are our strongest runner up candidates so far to make the final cut. Domains that are under Contract and serious consideration to be in the live auction. All priced well.
Once we have 100 slots reserved for the Live Auction, and great domains are still coming in, we will select the ones with the very best chance to sell. We plan to sell as close to 100% of the inventory selected for the Live Auction as possible.
SolarBusiness.com
VirginiaMortgages.com
BrownNose.com
BulletproofVest.com
gtldAttorney.com (No Reserve)
VisitBogota.co (No Reserve)
Tumors.net (No Reserve)
Kannabis.com
ch9.tv, rude.tv, pals.tv, investmentproperty.tv (No Reserve)
simplyletters.com, wholesalefruits.com (No Reserve)
joanna.tv, tammy.tv, kirsty.tv (No Reserve)


Posted on | Comment (1)

The Worst Enemy of the Domain Industry Is……

Morning Folks!!


Everything in life seems to circle back to human nature. We spend a lifetime trying to control our emotions. A lifetime learning how to react. How to behave. How to adjust. How to get along with others. How to win and how to lose. Harnessing our emotions and our energy and having them work together is not an easy thing.


The Worst Enemy of the Domain Industry is not understanding cycles and history and sales and human nature and that all boils down to inexperience. There are many seasoned veterans of business in domaining. Most are doing just fine. They ain't sweating at all. But there is also the 'First Timers' that have built great businesses when things were going well but have yet to learn how to handle adversity.


Sorry, it shows. Large organizations struggle because of short term thinking, limited budgets, dwindling income streams, high overheads and that translates into fear and fear leads to paralysis which is the very last thing you would do in an emergency. But that is inexperience showing.


History repeats itself. There are patterns and waves and when it rains folks think it will never stop and things will never dry off.


I recalibrate things every day. But if I did not factor in the history and cycles to look back upon I could never calibrate effectively. Adversity is really forced opportunity. It's so damn simple and so hard for so many to get their heads around.


Progress is forced! You have to force progress. Progress happens when your back is up against the wall not while you are sitting in comfort. Adversity is the CORE of success and that progress!!! It's not the enemy! It's the window of opportunity that few see or understand or take advantage of. Why? Because it has never been presented to them in the way I just did.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

-----

ICANN Likely to Collapse?! Here’s My Take.

Morning Folks!!


I predict that ICANN will either not exist in the form it does now or will lose much of the power they have enjoyed and ABUSED before this decade is out and maybe even sooner than that. Many will say 'Who cares' and the rest will say 'It ain't ever gonna happen'. I beg to differ and here is why.

I have been writing online for 16 years now. I have said this now a few times. I have never had the occasion in my LIFE to use the word CLUSTERF*%K until ICANN. This organization as a whole is one big clusterf*%k. They have the system of clusterf*%king down 3 levels deep plus 3 generations of leadership. It is so screwed up that the only way to fix it is to dissolve ICANN, eliminate the past and current corruption noted as 'Conflict of Interest' repeatedly, and appoint a panel that will actually work for the public good instead of their OWN PERSONAL GOOD! That my friends is a DISGRACE! A violation of the power we entrusted them with.

Criminal activity? I can't say that at this point but if there were ever a true Congressional investigation (and that might happen someday), it certainly would not surprise me. What I can say is that the motives at work have nothing to do with the benefit to the public and if there were a Congressional investigation, heads would roll and possibly even worse because they have a culture there that paints a very ugly picture.

As just one example, the process that ICANN has put in place for the new gTLD's is so messed up that it will likely be 3-5 years before they actually roll out and possibly longer as they work through all the bombs they will have to deal with because of poor thought and planning. Negligence has penalties. They built this monster to put money in the ICANN coffers, but now they have to control this monster. What happens when it becomes OUT of control? Who will be responsible? It just may be that all roads lead right back to ICANN.

I am betting they won't be able to keep it under control and it will have to be dealt with in some major fashion. Yes, I know that I am crazy for thinking this can/will happen. But how do you unravel a clusterf*%k? How do you fix so many bad decisions that it can only lead to chaos? As it spins out of control what exactly happens? Who eventually fixes it? It seems physically impossible for the folks that brought 'Clusterf*%king' to the web to now fix what they built. The world depends on ICANN and ICANN is NOT DEPENDABLE!



This is really beginning to look like a road to nowhere and that is why I believe we will see massive changes before the end of this decade and could be much sooner.

As always, I like being on the record early on. Time tells all and that is what I see in time. Odds are way against me on this one. But they still have to deal with the clusterf*%k and conflicts of interest and they have the eyes of the world watching.

Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz


UPDATE:


I always say 'Timing is everything'. I wrote this post last week and have been waiting to publish it. I have no substantiation in this article as you see. No links, no evidence. Just some gut feelings from watching from the bleachers. But then I find this post at DomainIncite.com last night by Kevin Murphy. I think he provides more than ample substantiation of why it is I have these thoughts and reinforce what I see likely to happen in time.

Announcing the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. 2012 Auction and Revised Guaranteed Placement Program

Evening Folks!!


Sales and Auctions are about current conditions of the market. Last year it was difficult to get good names at attractive prices even starting as early as we did. This year it is exactly the opposite. Even though we have not opened submissions and have not even considered the ones we have gotten, I can tell you that folks want to sell and have been sending in domains for months. Quality domains at attractive prices is the way to get an exciting auction. Unfortunately none of those counted because we have not opened the auction process until TODAY!


The domains chosen will either be on the 'Guaranteed Placement Program' as described below or picked by us based on most saleable and most reasonable. I will tell you right now, that unless it is a truly PREMIUM domain, don't submit a domain with a high reserve in 2012. The competition for the slots will eliminate you from the get go. Even 'Guaranteed Placements' have to have reserves in line with current market conditions.


If you don't need to sell, the auction format we have is NOT designed for you. This is basically a WHOLESALE auction, not RETAIL, as the bidders are primarily other domain investors. The market is soft and to be honest, it may be in your best interest to wait for the next pop. Nobody is forcing you to try and sell when things are not that good. However if you are really aggressive and want to turn some of your gems into cash, then that can happen because we have a focused and qualified audience and this is going to be an exciting auction.


My goal is to have a down and dirty auction that moves faster than most can keep up with. If there is no opening bid in the first 10 seconds. GAME OVER! NEXT Domain!


We always go back over the list of domains at the end of the auction if somebody reconsiders and wants to bid. But no more BORING auctions and the way to fix the boredom is to move this puppy at warp speed.


We run a clean auction that you can have confidence in and we proved that last year. The rest is up to the audience, the market and the wallets. What we offer is the single most qualified audience in the business and an open and transparent auction that domainer or auction house alike can participate in.


Your job as a seller is to have a better domain and a better price than the next guy. An auction is about multiple interested parties. The only way that happens is when several folks walk in the room all targeting the same domain name. The bids give the value and when you see who is bidding that allows others to bid with more confidence. That is the psyche behind any auction.


As for bidding, it is either live in person or live over the phone or pre-bids or prearranged text. So we have multiple options for serious bidders. Complain away. But it works and this is the way we do it. Everyone knows in advance and every bid has a person there or on the phone for all to know. Everyone has to be pre-registered to bid regardless so it's a much smaller issue than some like to make of it.


Until we can be assured that an online auction will run without flaws and 350 people in the room won't have to wait and have things slowed down, this is the way we will handle it and nobody is forcing anyone to participate if they don't want to.


You can send your entires to me starting TODAY. Do not send domains that you are advertising all over the place or you are not ready to commit to the auction. Not interested. Don't send me a list of 1000 names. I won't even look. Howard will be in touch and send you a contract once we decide.


Because of the amount of submissions, you will only hear from us if we are considering placement to sign a contact. Reserves MUST be included. Domains will be judged against other submitted domains for quality and price. We reserve the right to reject a 'Guaranteed Placement' on any domain name. If so any up-front money will be refunded.


Please don't get mad at me if your domain is not selected. With a limited amount of slots and unlimited supply, my job is to be very choosey. It may have nothing to do with the quality of your domain, it has to do with how that domain stacks up next to the others. Auctions today are 24 x7 and countless amount going on at once. The ONLY thing that will make this auction a success is the domain names available.


Most won't follow these rules so let me be very clear from the get go, unless the domain actually has a 'No Reserve' price, domains with no prices, no reserve prices = no consideration and I don't do valuations. I will just tell you if a domain is too high for the market and/or the auction. But I don't do valuations and anyone submitting a domain with an apprasial won't even be considered. I am going to talk about appraisals at TRAFFIC and who they are designed to HELP and who they are designed to HURT.


If you want to see good domains with lively action than you need to set some standards and rules. Nobody is forced to participate. Last year we gained back the confidence of running a CLEAN auction. This year we will reap the rewards of patiently planting the seeds and building on what needed to be done.


An auction is about bargains THIS YEAR and in THIS market. Send your BARGAINS Here. We invite brokers, auction houses and domainers to submit domains or even reserve a block of spots.


We charge 15% to auction a domain name. Those that want to help with their own sale and marketing, and want a guaranteed placement in the auction, can pay a fee in advance and get a reduced commission rate if the domain sells. They can play an active role by using their own data to make contact with previous interested parties and end users to announce the place and time. of the auction and create a contest.


Commission rates as low as 6% on the sliding scale below. If it is hard to read on your device, Email me and I will send you an excel file. This allows any domainer to take control.


*Auction houses and brokers can participate on an accepted domain name with a negotiated commission split. Can also negotiate a block of slots. However, individual domainers are given priority.











































































































































































































































Level



Flat Fee



Commissions



Total



Commish Level



$5,000.00



$0.00



$750.00



$750.00



15.00%



$350.00



$600.00



$950.00



12.00%



$10,000.00



$0.00



$1,500.00



$1,500.00



15.00%



$500.00



$900.00



$1,400.00



9.00%



Save $100*



$25,000.00



$0.00



$3,750.00



$3,750.00



15.00%



$650.00



$2,000.00



$2,650.00



8.00%



Save $1100*



$50,000.00



$0.00



$7,500.00



$7,500.00



15.00%



$750.00



$4,000.00



$4,750.00



8.00%



Save $2750*



$100,000.00



$0.00



$15,000.00



$15,000.00



15.00%



$1,000.00



$7,500.00



$8,500.00



7.50%



Save$ 6500*



$250,000.00



$0.00



$37,500.00



$37,500.00



15.00%



$1,500.00



$17,500.00



$19,000.00



7.00%



Save $18,500*



$500,000.00



$0.00



$75,000.00



$75,000.00



15.00%



$2,000.00



$35,000.00



$37,000.00



7.00%



save $38000*



$1,000,000.00



$0.00



$150,000.00



$150,000.00



15.00%



$3,000.00



$65,000.00



$68,000.00



6.50%



Save $82000*



$5,000,000.00



$0.00



$750,000.00



$750,000.00



15.00%



$5,000.00



$300,000.00



$300,000.00



6.00%



Save $445000*



*Savings PLUS GUARANTEED Placement




2012 Nominees for the”We Get it Award” &”Developer of the Year”

Morning Folks!!


Today we are posting the nominees for the 'We get it Award' and 'Developer of the Year' for 2012. Congratulations to all the nominees! On Monday, we will announce the 'Domain Broker of the Year' nominations. Winners will be announced on October 9th at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Again, congratulations to all the nominees and good luck in the voting when it happens next month.




















































THE 'WE GET IT' AWARD


Quidsi (Soap.com, Diapers.com an Amazon Company)
Amazon.com
ParkingCrew.com
Quinstreet.com
SalesForce.com
L'Oreal
Peter Niederman
Cat5 Commerce
Facebook.com
TABcom (formerly Pets United, LLC)
Brown Shoe Co. (Shoes.com)
London Olympics
Donuts.co
Afternic.com

















































DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR


Lance Block (Swells LLC)
Michael Cyger
Alan Dunn
Mathias Hennig (Sedo)
Roy Hooper
Bill Karamouzis
Morgan Linton
Fred Mercaldo (Geoplatforms)
MediaGuys.com
Braden Pollock
Protrada
Danny Pryor
Dan Warner
Tia Wood

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz