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

Morning Folks!!

Today we are announing Nominations for Sponsor of the Year for 2012. Again, congratulations to all the nominees! Tomorrow we will post the coveted 'Domainer of the Year' Award.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Every time I look over the list of nominees on the categories, I realize how hard your job is going to be to pick the winners. Just 1 winner. This is our first ever 'Domain Broker of the Year' award and the field is crowded with those that deserve the award. So congratulations to all nominees. Winners will be announced on October 9th at TRAFFIC. Tomorrow is 'Sponsor of the Year' followed on Wednesday with Domainer of the Year and Thursday with the Hall of Fame nominees.

Morning Folks!!

Life is about betting on the future. That the future will be better than the past. It always has been, but will it always be? 'There is nothing to fear but fear itself.' See you can be cautious without being fearful. Sometimes they can be confused.

Let's be clear, it is my humble opinion that the reason we are where we are in the economy as far as the USA is one thing. The entire system is fucked up and broken and the current crew ain't gonna fix it.

I like investing in real estate. It's my hobby and my passion next to domain names. Getting a loan over the last few years has been a nightmare. It was not long ago that if you put 50% down on a property and you had good credit there was little question. A smart bank would pray that you defaulted.

I started scanning my papers back in January. I have about 70 electronic files now. Well over 600 pages in documents. So when I finally got a call from the broker I have used for the last 5-10 years saying there was money again, I was ready to go. But let me tell you, the procedure is crazy and everyone knows it. Paperwork the likes you have never seen before in an electronic society.

Banks are no longer run by bankers. They are run by an entire new crew of folks and thought because of all the restraints. They are so controlled by the government because of the bad loans that the government forced them to make before the bubble burst.

Government has a role to play as a safety net, but when they get in the way of business, you have what we have. Reminds me of a burning city and a fiddle. History is repeating itself. But life is about the future and embracing it not fear and hiding from it.

So as a businessman I make certain assumptions. I look at trends. I look at moods. I look at numbers. I look at a host of things and I make assumptions based on the evidence I have accumulated. Then I look to history for EXACT parallels. I assume a starting point and I assume a goal. I factor in everything relevant and clear away the irrelevant.

I don't draw conclusions and assumptions by one or even two parallels. I have many. The more I have the greater chance that assumption will turn into reality and THAT is how you make money once I marry them with numbers that I also assemble on any given subject. That is how you bet on the future and win. That is how you can be waiting at the finish line instead of searching for it.

If I go to the next step I would have to get somewhat political by stating how I see things happening in November. Hindsight will always be 20/20. But why don't folks see it now? Why do they ignore or don't even look to history? There is ample evidence of how this is going to play out and biting nail close ain't going to be one of them. This log jam is about to be busted wide open.

The recovery will not happen overnight but the mood will change. It will change from 2/3 empty to 1/3 full. The goal is getting back to 50/50 and that can never happen when fear is guiding so many. Fear has to motivate folks like a rocket not hold them back like a rock.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

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.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Today we are going to release one of our most popular categories and as you can see, there is some tough competition on this list. Congratulations and good luck to all the nominees! You all deserve great credit for putting yourselves out there.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Afternoon Folks!!

The first 2 categories are ready to be announced. Congratulations to all nominees!! Info about final voting will be sent within the next couple weeks. Awards given October 9th at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.

Morning Folks!!

Looks like many found the power they had and we have received a record busting amount of nominations. If my count is correct, 119 total nominations, with 101 different nominees, spread over 9 different categories. More than 900 nominations were cast among the different categories and that beats the record set last year. I want to congratulate all the nominees and the nominators! Well done!!

Beginning in the days ahead I will start listing each category and the nominees. Normally I would release all at once but because of the amount of nominations we will be releasing 1-2 categories at a time so the nominees can all have their day in the sun and voters will have more time to digest the list and make an informed vote.

Thanks again for your participation and Good Luck to all the nominees!

And don't forget we will also present the First Annual Bandit Berkens 'Goodwill Ambassador Award' in October.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

It's not much more than 60 days to T.R.A.F.F.I.C. and that is when my attention begins to focus on setting up the agenda. I don't do it alone. I reach out to all domainers and ask them constantly what they want to hear about? What issues are important to them? Who do they want to hear from? What discussions will help them expand their business? How are they going to make money in the future?

Many of us were 100% reliant on parking a few years back. When the bottom fell out, domainers went to work in new directions with new ventures. They just not sit and do nothing. I know personally I went from 100% of my income to now less than 1/2. It did not happen overnight. It took 4 years and then some. I am not done and you are not done.

As we begin to focus on individual domains our needs are going to change. Our direction is going to change. It is the reason we have always referred to ourselves as 'Developers' because that was where the road was eventually going to lead to.

With those thoughts in mind I am happy to begin to announce some of our speakers. Today, I am happy to report that Michael Ricciardelli of Bankrate.com will be speaking at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. 2012.

Michael Ricciardelli was appointed SVP, Business Development and Consumer Marketing after joining Bankrate in September 2006. Prior to joining Bankrate, he was Vice President - Marketing & Media Sales at Apartments.com/Classified Ventures where he managed all marketing functions and online advertising sales efforts. From 1999 to 2003, he was Co-Founder & Vice President of Strategic Development for Insurance.com - venture funded by Fidelity Capital and sold in 2003 to Comparison Market. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ricciardelli also held positions in strategy consulting and business development at Fidelity Investments, and financial analysis at Salomon Brothers.

I think Michael has the credentials of somebody that can speak intelligently to our group and help us define and understand the elements needed for a great success with just one domain name in your portfolio. Guys like this are the hardest to get because the pool is so very limited of people that actually know what they are talking about. So it is never from a lack of desire.

I want to thank Alan Dunn for the lead and I ask all of you to think if you know anyone that fits the criteria we are looking for. That YOU are looking for. Together we have long tentacles and I think it is time to take advantage of those folks that you have crossed paths with or heard about. All I need is an email addy and a name and I will do the rest.

I don't think anyone can argue that the Domain Industry is at a cross roads. There is a new shiny object out there in the form of gTLD's and everyone is looking. We will too. We will listen to what domainers see and don't see. But we can't ignore the FACT that we as a group have more information and knowledge about domain names than anyone. We know answers to questions many have yet to think of. That has great value. We'll kick that ball around and see if any minds are changed.

And what is the fallout if consumer does not buy into it? What happens to all those that took the wrong fork in the road trying to invent the 'Second coming'? I'll tell you. They will end up in our laps. It will be for the consumer to decide but the ONLY thing that is going to truly motivate him/her to go there willingly is new and different content that can't be found anywhere else. So far nobody has been able to do that. Name your DOT. That is even before we address the issue of confusion which is an even bigger issue. Folks fear the unknown. So to take the fear out, information is the cure.

Many domainers are downright confused themselves let alone the consumer. They are questioning each decision they make like never before. Sales are forced. A deep breath and recharge at TRAFFIC is exactly what is needed to take the confusion away and add clarity by finding out the answers to your questions. Do business from strength, not weakness. Weakness costs 100x what TRAFFIC costs and can easily be spotted.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

Why and how can people complain about things that they themselves are 100% in control of? I just don’t get it. I never have. Human nature. Some are just wired that way unless and until they step back and take a look. Invariably each year folks complain about who is nominated when they have the POWER to nominate anyone they like. They have the power, don’t use it and then complain about it.

Now nobody is forcing anyone to nominate anyone else. That is your choice and I support your choice 100%. This is directed to those that complain each year. Nominations don’t come from Howard and myself. They come from the folks in the domain industry and we just publish them and Howard tabulates the votes. That’s all we do. Then we present the awards at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.

So I always like being on the record for the record when those folks come out of the woodwork and complain in October. There is no 'Old Boys Club'. There are only doers that participate and talkers that complain. I can then point them to this post along with others and they will still get mad at me. lol Perhaps a bit misdirected?

Nominations are being accepted until COB tomorrow, Wednesday, July 25th. Last year we had a record amount of votes and we anticipate breaking that record this year.

You can send your ballots to trafficawards at earthlink.net

Morning Folks!!

While I write for domainers, I aim for the bleachers as I have stated before. Those far removed from Domaining as an Industry. Those on Main Street, Corporate America and beyond. I can't say I have been all that successful in that. Matter of fact, it is my single greatest disappointment that I can't get this ball out of the domain stadium. Can't quite break that shell open. That I have failed to attract those outside the industry in a meaningful way.

Yesterday I got some evidence that the shell is breaking and when this shell breaks it will break far and wide. I often talk about 'Overnight Successes'. I also mention that an 'Overnight Success' usually takes up to 20 years to obtain.

Now I need to protect the identity of the person but I can tell you he has very impressive credentials and is employed by a Fortune 100 company. High on the list. To 'Further the cause' as he put it, has given me permission to publish this.

Rick,

just wanted to say hello and thank you!

In 2000 I read a book that changed my life - 'Rich Dad Poor Dad'.

Growing up in the Bronx from a lower middle income family nobody ever explained to me simply about assets and liabilities. Within four months I had acquired 4 Quads and 2 homes and the fun began.

Last week lightning struck again, my good friend (Name Removed) introduced me to your blog. It always amazes me when successful people in earnest tell you how to do something to be like them in simple terms and people don't do it.

Your initial formula variable was clear, if you want to know Domaining read my posts, for the last week that is what I did, not just read them devoured them.

It immediately clicked that domains are no different than real estate investing, something I am familiar with. You have commercial, multi family, appreciation plays, cash flow plays, development of raw land, etc.

You incredibly, simply, and clearly saw and communicated where this is headed, having the actual domain of the product(nouns) or services(noun, verb, adjective) will be a crucial component in the coming years.

Once that connection was made the rest was mechanics. I immediately went into action mode, on a whim I started looking into all the major components that make up my industry. To my AMAZEMENT, most of these company marketing 'geniuses' have not had the foresight to recognize this, these products are specialized so they range from $5,000 to $ 1,000,000+ a pop

also they are symbiotic so it will be obvious to the end user how they can 'down sell', 'up sell', 'side sell', sell sell sell .

I 'quietly' started registering them, I can honestly say, I control about 10% of the equipment in my industry, And by the time I am done this week, I will have everything that is still available which would probably constitute about 20% - 30% percent of the major items.

Simply put, if my industry were a car, I would have the brakes, the transmission, not the tires but the hubcap, not the battery but smaller items like the cigarette lighter (which would be important to smokers, or phone users for power) etc.

Think of the post where you mentioned about the numbnuts who believed that thermalscanners.com did not have value, when clearly in the medical industry it meant something. Whenever possible I bought singular and plural, one for the premium provider the other for a cash registry.

Similar to plumber.com and plumbers.com.

Next is your phase 2, next month I will contact the manufacturers of these products give them options, and the fun begins. (All options will have a cash flow component - better to have % of X companies)

The cool thing is I am a systems analyst/software developer so my world is processes, both software and operational. I can develop the site for them or not, but more important I can develop the process of developing the sites. (Not Give a man to fish, Not teach a man to fish, I’m talking teach a man how to teach others how to fish and you feed the entire community)

So in two weeks, with a 'whopping' $2,000 dollars, i will control around 200 of my industries equipment domains. (Yes i know i can register cheaper than $10/domain but i have been with them for 8 years and they have always done right by me.)

In your words, you created we just followed, you were out there in the jungle with a machete, It’s easy for people to be Monday morning Quaterbacks or criticize how you incorrectly swung the machete to chop that vine, because grabbing a weapon and standing at post requires energy, purpose and balls, three commodities in demand these days if you ask me, but whose asking.

So in many posts you mention if one person gets it, it’s worth it.

Well I don't know about the rest of the world, but this guy GETS IT and is exceedingly grateful to you for it.

I want to thank the reader for taking the time to read what I have and actually employ it. This is what is all about. That is why we are still in the early stages of all this. If you are not making it, why not try what he tried?

So here is a guy domaining for 2 weeks that gets it. So simple. But are you willing to do what he did? If you are not making decent money, maybe it is time to throw in the towel, stop what you are doing, stop thinking the way you do and take a week or two and start reading this blog starting in April 2007. You don't have to agree with everything I say, but only a fool would disagree with everything I say.

Success starts with 16 hour days. Most work for 8 hours, sleep for 8 hours and play for 8 hours.

Have a GREAT day!

Rick Schwartz