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

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

Evening Folks!!

Bill Hartzer just published a piece about Reverse Domain Name Hijacking that I was fortunate enough to have contributed to. I hope what he writes will get the attention of folks. It's clear and concise and we all have a duty to make sure it gets circulated.

If we don't take the time to do this, who will?

Rick Schwartz

Afternoon Folks!!

The schedule is done, the domains for the auction are picked, badges have been printed and the show program will be ready tomorrow. Once the show begins and people get their credentials, my job is done other than to make sure things run smooth and the train stays on schedule.

Starting today folks from all corners of the world begin their final plans for TRAFFIC. I am packing and we head out tomorrow.

So first and foremost, I want to make sure everyone has safe and uneventful travels and let them know the weather will be considerably better than last year! No storms, no hurricanes and no threats of one. You will actually see the Florida sun and the prettiest blue water you may have ever seen. Come on down the weather is great!

Now for the auction on Monday. We have no plans of broadcasting it. We will record it. Folks are free to blog or use skype to keep things current. What you will continually see and hear is SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

I want to take a moment to thank all the sellers, the buyers and the bidders.

First the sellers. If I did not choose your name I am sorry. Either it was priced too high for a domain audience or I saw not enough interest in something over specific. And of course there were a fair amount of pigeon dropping that we all have.

But to the sellers that signed contracts and have domains in the auction, thank you for providing a list that will work. See nobody has to look at the list and say I want all 400 domain names. But every open minded and willing domainer can look at the list and find at least one domain of interest. Just one. That was a simple and achievable goal. And if they saw more than one and they have, then all the much better.

Now for those that think there are no gems and bargains there, you will be hugely surprised not only with the sales but the amount of bidders for each domain. When 20 people walk in a room targeting one domain name, THAT is an auction. So we are going to see action like never before and that is before we even talk about the gallery of phone bidders that are assembling. I would not be surprised to see over 100 domainers involved in the phone bidding.

You will see 'No Reserve' auctions going into the thousands and maybe even the tens of thousands of dollars. That will be the single biggest proof of success.

Getting back to the sellers. Thank you for promoting your own names. That is a large part of the formula. I am honest enough to tell you that we just can't do it and we don't have to fool you into thinking we can. You can focus on your name and that focus will bring much better results. Collectively it all adds up. That too is part of the formula. It's all part of a formula and when the vision becomes a reality I can point to what I said before hand that will just add more and more credibility and that is really what it is about. Building on credibility. That takes time. That takes patience. That takes a persistence to see a vision through regardless of pressure to change it.

Sorry, no $4 Million domains. Not even $1 Million. If a domainer can't realize a 10x gain to 100x gain it is not in the auction. I have to look at it through a wide variety of eyes. Not just mine. That is why we have .com, .co, .org, .info, .tv, .me, .us, .co.uk and other extensions in the auction. There is opportunity in our auction list and for those that don't see it now sure as hell will see it next Monday.

If I buy a domain for $1000 is there somebody in the world it might have a $10,000 value or even $100,000 or higher. THAT is the question. If the domain is $10,000 is there a $100,000 customer, partner, opportunity or idea? Collect enough of those and you will never look back.

I started asking that question when domains were $100 a pop before the aftermarket was even a thought. If it is not a 10X return as a minimum, it has no value when I am looking for a domain to invest in. It's not about today, it's about tomorrow. It's about circumstance. It's about opportunity. It's about somebody else seeing what you see.

When I see a portfolio I look at it four ways. Is there ONE gem in that ocean? Is there more than one gem? Would others see that gem? Or combined, could it be meaningful?

Most of all when I thank the sellers I thank them for taking a risk, trusting the market and trusting my vision of what a REAL live domain auction should look like, feel like and result in.

Then I turn to the bidders. You! The bidders are the key. They are the report card. Without them this all fails and I get to fall flat on my face in front of all of you and it will be a horrible day for all domainers. But I think I see things thru 'YOUR EYES' as best I can with the inventory available.

But I look at the names of the phone bidders alone and that thought goes right away. We are on the eve of a great success. Everyone is going to be a winner except those sitting on the sidelines and watching opportunity slip away.

If you can't afford to bid, it is likely because you have a lot of domains in your portfolio that are just costing you money. ADJUST!! You are not locked into failure unless you don't try. It's called 'Risk' for a reason. But what is 'Risk for some is a 'Sure thing' for others.

I want to thank Escrow.com for being our new partner and stream lining the process after the show. I want to thank Zenscrow for offering domain financing on our auction. You can buy a car or a great domain for $500/month. The car will be worthless in a few years and the domain could be life changing.

Most of all thanks to all of you for keeping an open mind and understanding what I am trying to accomplish and do. Failure starts at the beginning and so far we have a solid plan and we think we can execute it in a way that will change the spirit of the industry at what I would call one of the lowest points I have ever seen as far as spirit and confidence.

We are the Veteran Real Estate agents of this century and nothing can be more comforting knowing we follow a path in which so much wealth has been created for hundreds of years. It's an exact parallel with less work, less risk and much higher and faster rewards when you have a 10X-100X or more formula you use to measure by.

Good Luck to all of us.
Travel Safe

Let TRAFFIC take your self doubts away and bring back the confidence you need to press on. We have the CURE! Like minded people feeding off each other and that is the way to recharge your batteries and understand tthat the noise out there is just that, noise. See you in Lauderdale for T.R.A.F.F.I.C. #23.

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

I have come to the conclusion that as domainers many of us are blessed and cursed with A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) or maybe some of us are the opposite and focus too much. Possibly we suffer from both.

The more you think like the masses the better you will do. You must recognize that the 'masses' hold the keys. If they don't go along with the program, you have a flop. No matter how much is invested or touted. The Edsel and the Volt come to mind.

The consumer is finicky and only likes a change with a benefit. Change for change sakes seldom gets rewarded. 'New Coke' and 'Classic Coke'. A failure and a victory. The public rejected the new coke, but in the loss, coca cola company now controlled much more shelf space at the grocery store.

Stage one of the net had to be gathering the domain names. The 'nuts' if you will. Why? Because as I have stated many times, this was a unique moment in time that would never ever happen again. Opportunity your father, your grandfather and his father before that never had. That's a FACT NOW and only a crazy pipe dream back then.

My prediction is that window will be CLOSED at the end of this 20 years cycle. A generation it was open and anyone could participate and at the end of 20 years and possibly a few days before, that window will close. Stage one of the Internet will be over. But for me, that is just when it all really begins. The first 20 years devoted to nothing more than gathering nuts and learning. Realizing that sophistication also takes 20 years. We are growing the most enormous tree the world has ever seen. 20 years is nothing.

My first 20 years were always devoted to seeing a dream through for the next 20 years. More meaningful in terms of the Internet and as I get older and can work less, my little nuts will be doing all the work. It's an engine. 20 years to assemble all the parts and 20 years to implement.

So while there are still REVERSE DOMAIN NAME HIJACKERS out there impatiently waiting and losing millions, they can't hijack my vision or how I CHOOSE to implement it and WHEN I choose to implement. And should they try, they will have hell to pay. Ask the poster boy.

Patience is the key and while I can point to tens of thousands of failures they can only point to my slow and deliberate manner as their reason

But here we are. If you want to go into business today you are likely to start on the Internet. There was never going to be a second chance to get great domain names. Once they were spoken for, game over. So our mission was to gather those nuts. Fill the wheel barrels with gold and not even look at the booty for 20 years. Because in 20 years some of that booty would become priceless and others would be worthless.

When you don't know how something is going to unfold you shoot in all directions in the sky and hope some birds fall down. You don't aim, you shoot. You shoot as many as you can as fats as you can and worry about everything else later. You can point the rifle later or at any time in between.

Well, it's getting to be 'Later' and those that have held on and have dozens or even hundreds or maybe thousands of core domains that each on their own could keep you busy for a lifetime are soon to be well rewarded.

I look at the 20 year trip as a wagon train or stage coach going from the east coast of the USA to the west coast of the USA like they did 150-200 years ago. Many were lost along the way and many just gave up. Yet others sprinted off in other directions on their own. It's a tough trailblazing trip. Mountains and valley's and snow and rain and storms and cold nights and summer heat.

So where are we on this trip to the west coast? Well we are nearly there but we will lose more folks now then ever before. We have crossed the mountains of the east, the rockies and now we are in DEATH VALLEY!! A true test of what we are all made of. Some don't believe there is a great ocean just another 100-200 miles away or less. They have traveled 2500-2700 miles and it is at THIS POINT when so many will give up. Will second guess themselves. Will sell out of fear for no reason.There IS an ocean after this hot sand. There is a point where everything will reveal itself and it is at that moment that the your universe changes and the rewards come.

But still remember one thing. Mainstream today is yet to catch up to the adult market of 1997-1998. But they will. The numbers paint a picture for all to see. Stronger than anything I can say those numbers demonstrate what is valuable and what is not.

So that is why I see what I see and how long the journey takes. Frustration starts when you anticipate something happening much sooner and become impatient. Don't second guess the value of a great domain name. Understand that fruit has to be ripe before you pick it or you will likely just spit it out when you get it too soon.

This point is the last opportunity point before the opportunity evaporates completely. The unique moment in time will be gone. The ship will have sailed. So I would imagine this is like 2003-2004 all over again but in a different form and if you knew then what you know now, would you make some corrections to your course? The ONLY way to see th future is to study the past and understand it.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

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)

Morning Folks!!

I like to find out what people are made out of in minutes not years. When they are no good, I want to find out ASAP. So check out this story.

I get an email this morning for eBid.com.

The first one goes like this:

'Would you please just sell your domain to ebid and stop wasting everyones time.'

I respond:

I get this:

Morning Folks!!

SEO is a fools game. If you have been online 3 seconds that makes you qualified to be an seo guru. Not. There are more SEO Experts than any species on the net. But I stand by something I have said for years. Nothing can compete with 'Relevance'. If you want 'Google Love', don't worry about seo, worry about being good. Being relevant.

Now I do know there is seo traffic. But there are problems. The major one being after all the gyrations of SEO, you are lucky to get 5-10 extra visitors a day. So a lot of expense and effort without a lot of result. You would be better off working on your site.

Morning Folks!!

Big things to be unveiled at TRAFFIC Next Week and now it is starting to surface.

Why did we pick this time of year and October specifically to do most of our annual show since 2004? The #1 reason is because October means BUSINESS! That is when folks really start paying attention again. The financial engine of the universe starts up for the holiday season. In October things happen. Big things happen and BIG decisions are made. This is all teeing off for the season and the following year. Even the cars are mostly unveiled in October. The market goes crazy in October because of what i just started.

Last night Frank Schilling distributed a letter to his group of traffic partners. Frank takes the gloves off and offers a 'Revolutionary' change and one of the frankest writings I have ever seen from him. He is determined to break the status quo wide open and by luck of timing, he will introduce his new baby next week at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Let me give you one tidbit. You MUST have an iphone 4 or 5 to participate. No droids at this time. He recommends that if you don't have one, you go out and buy one. I wholeheartedly agree. Here in small part is what he had to say:

'I think I’ve found the Gold folks. Something to bring you real value.. No fluff here. Something material and revolutionary. You will ultimately be the ones to tell me if that’s so. During the past 9 months, DNS has taken the first and perhaps the most important step of improving the experience for buyers, of explaining value. For the sellers we have created a process to speed up negotiation and provide greater speed and certainty around negotiation.

I’m very proud of the platform that results from our effort. We think that you will find this software revolutionary to your business – so much so that we’ve patented many elements of it. It will be free to use and open to everyone.

During this project we have revamped the inside of our ITC/DNS management interface to make it more simple and enjoyable to use and improved everything that folks liked. Even our existing partners have never had these tools, permissions or powers. Newcomers will be blown into next week when they see it. We’ve built a very elaborate, but easy-to-use application for which you will need to purchase an iPhone .. (any iPhone, 4 or 5).

We’ve coupled these two pieces with a sophisticated in-house management platform to change the way you think about your domain business. The three elements, Management interface—App—CRM System work together like a piston engine. I plan to announce these changes at TRAFFIC in Ft. Lauderdale. I have no particular reason for choosing TRAFFIC as the venue to launch this product other than the dates align with our readiness and I’ll be there as an attendee.'

As Frank does that I am reading on DNJournal.com that Afternic will be unveiling their newly designed site with all types of new bells and whistles.

I am privy to a few other introductions and a couple of delayed which could be because of the crowded field of what is going to come out next week at TRAFFIC. I also am seeing companies disappearing and melting down. It's not going to be easy from here on out and if you see what Frank wrote, you know that he too sees things far beyond the confines of domaining that are sure to affect us all in the coming year. Let's just say 'Challenging' will be an understatement.

I am on record as saying the 3 months before the election and the 3 months after the election would be some of the most volatile months we have ever seen in our lifetimes. We are in that gravitational pull right now. Just look at a world on fire.

The big puke is coming and then things will get better. Much better. Just like a stomach ache. And then it goes away.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

I really feel bad for those struggling in life. Terrible in fact. That is why I spend so much time and energy trying to show folks what I see and how I see it and how I can work at my leisure and accomplish more in 1 day then some folks can in a year or more because they are 'Decision-ally Paralyzed'. Unable to make a decision. Unable to accept defeat which means they are unable to accept a win.

It pains me to see so many questioning their domains and business investment model because they hear the loud chatter out there telling them black is white. That the gtld with 61% leakage is somehow superior to your easy to spell one or two word .com domain names that are used universally.

Come on. But I keep my mind open and I am capable of being swayed, but I am not capable of losing faith in my .coms. One has nothing to do with the other. Same as Moon to Mars. They are both in space but one does not have much to do with the other. I have more faith in my domains than my dollars by a wide margin. I sleep well knowing I own the domains I do. I don't sleep as well knowing that my buying power for my dollar is likely to take a major hit next year and every day until then. The domain name will become my single greatest hedge in the future against inflation.

ALL and ANY .whatever will LEAK to the .com counterpart. PERIOD! Every single one of them. The ONLY thing that will vary is the size of that hole. So far the evidence of the only true test, shows a 61% leakage. That is more than a leak. That is more than a gusher. That is a failure beyond anything anyone expected including myself. I was in the 25%-35% camp until Mr. Johnson and the folks at Overstock.com spent millions and millions and millions to find out that they lost an amazing and astounding 61% of all their traffic.

Advertising is about targeting simple things to simple people. Techies trying to duplicate the hoola hoop have SEVERE head winds and don't understand human behavior.

Sorry, I went a bit off on a tangent. But it needed to be said as I see what I see.

Just look at Cowboys.com. We as a group of quality folks could not make a decision. 5 YEARS went by and finally a decision was basically forced. SUCCESS!! I like .TV and I like .ME. Do you really think the same scenario for those extensions (cowboy.me or cowboys.tv) would have been like it was and the publicity it got for the .com?? It would have been .meaningless. No story at all. That's a key!

But as I stated privately, it took 5 YEARS for a decision that should have been made in 5 MINUTES. Paralysis in the flesh. Change that ONE THING and you have the power to change the world. Fear is what prevents success. 10 type 'A' personalities does not have the power of two like minded people. THAT is the lesson I learned from the Cowboys.com deal. No regrets. I would do it again. I am glad I am a stockholder in such a great domain name. We are only up to chapter 2 of this story. Much more to cum. :-)

There is one thing Howard and I can claim that no other show can. We are 100% paid attendance. Everyone pays. Our rates are published and there are no 'Comps'. PERIOD! No other show can claim this as far as I know. Is there a difference? You bet there is and I am going to prove it right here right now!

Now doing this over the years and actually enforcing it has not been easy. Has made me no friends. But when my best buddy pays and the top domainers pay, then everyone should pay and be equal. And so they do and it hasn't been easy for all these years. But we have a formula that works and continues to work. When folks have 'SKIN' in the game they are more likely to do deals so they can see a concrete result for their efforts. If it did not work, folks would not come from half a world away where they easily have to add thousands in expenses just to get here let alone 20 hours on a plane or more.

Simply put...T.R.A.F.F.I.C. works because T.R.A.F.F.I.C. really does mean B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S. We never have 'Extras from Central Casting' just to fill seats or have more noise.

Do you really want to deal with the guys you see out there with bad judgement like my new friend Roger this week? How many folks like that do you want to waste your time with? We don't exclude them, but the bar is set high for a reason. They must at least be 'Financially qualified'. The only way you do that is doing what we do. And when we start prices at $995 like we will do for all the shows, the bar is set reasonably enough for anyone with true passion and desire to make the leap and attend. GREAT things happen when you actually put yourself out there.

Next week we expect some 300 domain investors to drop in and take their destiny in their own hands. They don't WAIT for things to happen, they MAKE things happen. I learned about making things happen back in the mid 1980's and early 1990's. The difference in sitting on the sidelines and being passive or jumping in and being aggressive. Passive did not get you where you are today. DID IT??

Ya know what troubles me the most? Domainers questioning the future of their holdings. If they are solid domains, the future is bright and there is absolutely nothing to worry about. If you have portfolios of .nets and .whatevers, you better have prime one worders or something naturally meaningful. Get rid of the crap. Replace with quality and you will be on track again. Been repeating that for many years now.

When you see the future like I see the future, you would never second guess yourself again. You all listen to too much noise. Much of that noise with an agenda. Until you can see and understand the difference, you will be lost in space with no compass. That makes me terribly sad. Like fish swallowing the bait. Bad ending and it doesn't have to be that way. You just need to identify it before the fact!

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

I have only one question that blows the lid of all the bullshit of the Cowboys.com fiasco. It's really the only question.

See the attorney did not bid on Cowboys.com without being sent. Somebody sent him or there was a MEETING and he was sent to bid.

So my one and only question is why would you pick a $750/hour lawyer to buy a $275 item? That's the one that cuts through all the lies and bullshit.

'Some People tell me I have a short temper. I prefer to call it a swift and assertive reaction to BULLSHIT'

Someday when I have some time I will go through the 3500 comments as I am sure their stuff is just as good if not better.

This Week's front page Yahoo! story now has some 3500 comments in less than 24 hours. Some of them are brutal. It started here last week on MSNBC.com and then CBS in Dallas. Then it hitDeadSpin.com just before it spins out of control yesterday and 1 week later it is still growing. The whole city of Dallas is buzzing.

Then it hit CNBC.com. Then CNET.com. Then the HuffingtonPost.com

In Philly, they talk about the Eagles.com.

The 'Trojans' are now worried. As are other teams that have a 'Gay' outlook. Buccaneers Titans.

Bottom line.....It doesn't pass the laugh test. Anyone with a brain the size of a PIGEON can see through that nonsense. But it is a part of history now and it took 5 YEARS for the story to really get out.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz