Peter Dengate Thrush, Former Chairman of the Board of ICANN to Speak at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.

Morning Once Again Folks!


Things are moving fast and very fluid right now. We don't stop working until the show is on and even then we just try and keep adding value for those attending.


We would like to announce that Peter Dengate Thrush, Former Chairman of the Board ICANN 2007-2011. Now Executive Chairman Mind and Machines will be joining the conversation at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.


Peter does not come without controversy but once again we go right to the source as we discuss the future with gTLD's. Special Thanks to Mike Berkens for getting us in contact with him.


I want to take a moment to thank and to recognize all the speakers this year at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Each show I ask some of the most prominent folks in the industry to get on stage and be part of the show. They unselfishly give of themselves, prepare their comments and add value to everyone that attends.


Most everyone in the industry has walked across our stage at one time during our 22 shows. We like when folks share what they are doing, how they are doing it and what they see coming our way. Some of the brightest among the brightest. 30+ people that know their stuff. So a heartfelt THANK YOU from Howard and myself.


Josh Metnick
Bill Karamouzis
Mike Berkens,
Monte Cahn


Tim Schumacher

Jothan Frakes

Peter Dengate Thrush

Scott Cleland

Frank Schilling

Adam Dicker
Michael Gilmour
Tim Schumacher
Rick Schwartz

Roy Messer
Dr. Chris Hartnett
Michael Mann
Gregg McNair

Stuart Lawley

Ron Jackson

Richard Swerdlow
Greg Balestrieri

Joe Melville
Warren Royal

John Ferber
Scott Richter
Larry Fischer
Ari Goldberger

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T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Auction to be Streamed Live!

Morning Folks!!


You may not be able to bid online but you sure can catch all the action Live from The Ritz Carlton next Tuesday at 2PM. Auction to start at 2:15PM


View the live auction RIGHT HERE!


Liveauction


Rick Schwartz


T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Starts Today! (At least for Us) See Ya Soon!

Morning Folks!!


As the core of the domain industry is getting ready to board planes, trains and cars from as many as 15 different countries and throughout the USA, Howard and I and the rest of the crew begin T.R.A.F.F.I.C. TODAY in anticipation of your arrival.


10 months of preparation now comes down to hours. And even as we wind down, we are still adding value. Still working to make the show even better. Doing anything and everything to make sure when you leave you know you experienced something very special. And if you sat at home, you will also know you missed something very special. While we never share the attendee list, I can tell you this year the biggest and the best are there in a big way.


On Saturday some 100 domainers will be at the cabanas and by Monday we will have a full house of 325 attendees. Qualified attendees. Folks looking to make things happen and make deals and that is what always makes T.R.A.F.F.I.C. so special.


To keep up with the action, let everyone know you are coming on our Facebook Page. I love show day!! The 'Fraternity of T.R.A.F.F.I.C.' to convene for the 22nd time since 2004.


View the live auction RIGHT HERE!


Liveauction


Have a GREAT Day!
Safe Travels!

Rick Schwartz

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Posted on | Comment (1)

Something for Everyone. T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Auction Has All Price Points and Variety

Morning Folks!!


Well the domain line up is all set at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Domains from $1 to $3MM and there are domains at nearly every price level and every wallet. My job is not to sit and tell you why you should bid on a particular domain. That is not my style. That is your job. My job is to give you something to think about. To tell you this is a single chance at a unique asset. Many registered a VERY long time ago and some much more recently.


I listed each domain as they were accepted. Sometimes that is like watching sausage being made. A number of factors have to happen to have a successful auction. The most important is having a domain that multiple people will walk into the auction ready to bid on because it is a bargain. That is true from 'No Reserve' to even domains at $800,000 and everything higher and lower. So agressively priced reserves have the best chance of exceeding their reserve. Plus it sets a market. It sets a floor. It's just attractive and it attracts bidders.


So the reason the TRAFFIC auction will be great is because it was built from the ground up with that always in the back of my mind. That was my base test for selection.


There are lots of opinions one way or another on the auction. I am confident that we have the right balance and that is only being backed up By Mike Berken's poll in which folks were asked: 'Which Domain(s) will sell at the TRAFFIC Auction? As of this writing with only 57 voters so far, all but 5 domains have been selected to sell at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.. So I think that demonstrates just how fluid this auction is because there are domains in there that many would LOVE to own and add to their portfolios.


When selecting I had to look at it through many different sets of eyes in order for this to come out the way I wanted it to come out. So there is a wide variety of domains, extensions and price points. Plus some 25 domains with no reserve whatsoever! Domainers that trust the market to get a fair price.


Below is the entire list and order of the auction. in Just SIX days, you will see the most exciting auction the industry has seen in years. Exciting, fun, and a boatload of sales!


Congratulations and Good Luck to all buyers, sellers and bidders! A special thanks for those that listed their domains because they believe in what we are trying to do and want to help us accomplish it! I believe about 50% of you will hit paydirt and the rest will at least get some idea of what the market deems as the value among the top domainers in the world as we start bidding at either $1, $100 or $1000 depending on the value of the domain. The bidding increments are already preset until the last few bids on each and every domain. We won't insult you by asking for a $500,000 opening bid on a domain that can't even fetch $50,000. We will start it at $1000 and together we will see where the MARKET takes it.


Rick Schwartz


View the live auction RIGHT HERE!


Lot #


1 LNX.com Reserve under $25,000
2. CamQuarter.com Reserve under $10,000
3. Campaigning.com NO RESERVE
4. BirthDisorder.com NO RESERVE
5. FortLauderdale.org Reserve under $50,000
6. Rice.TV Reserve under $5000
7. Emril.com NO RESERVE
8. ThermalScanners.com Reserve under $5,000
9. PitShop.com Reserve under $10,000
10. TrainingSession.com Reserve under $10,000
11. Rapper.tv & Rappers.tv Reserve under $10,000
12. TennisPlayer.com Reserve under $25,000
13. Touchdown.co Reserve under $1500
14. HardDrives.co Reserve under $1500
15. Sub.co Reserve under $10,000
16. Tie.com Reserve under $200,000
17. Keyholders.com Reserve under $10,000
18. CashBusiness.com Reserve under $30,000
19. OpticalCare.com Reserve under $50,000
20. Assumptions.com Reserve under $10,000
21. Local.XXX NO RESERVE
22. Her.co Reserve under $10,000
23. Philadelphia.org Reserve under $10,000
24. AutomaticPayments.com NO RESERVE
25. Juicy.XXX Reserve under $15,000
26. Porn.org Reserve under $650,000
27. iConsumers.com NO RESERVE
28. RedeemCoupons.com Reserve under $50,000
29. iLocations.com NO RESERVE
30. Shopline.com Reserve under $50,000
31. FamiliesOnline.com and FamiliesOnline.mobi Reserve under $85,000
32. Trading.TV Reserve under $12,500
33. BodySprays.com NO RESERVE
34. FloridaBeaches.com;FLBeaches.com;FLABeaches.com Reserve under $100,000
35. RedeemingCoupons.com Reserve under $10,000
36. Chatroom.XXX Reserve under $15,000
37. iCabin.com NO RESERVE
38. iCamps.com NO RESERVE
39. Hotties.XXX Reserve under $15,000
40. Bashful.com Reserve under $20,000
41. ForSale.mobi NO RESERVE
42. Prompter.com Reserve under $20,000
43. NoCreditLoan.com Reserve under $20,000
44. CertifiedUsedCars.com Reserve under $50,000
45. GoldDomains.com and GoldDomain.org. NO RESERVE
46. Reserved For a Category Killer Domain Name Reserve Under $750,000
47. BusinessAdministration.com/.net/.co Reserve under $100,000
48. Singles.XXX Reserve under $80,000
49. Protecting.me Reserve under $7500
50. VinylAlbums.com NO RESERVE
51. MP3PlayerAccessories.com Reserve under $40,000
52. LaborCloud.com/LabourCloud.com Reserve under $10,000
53. Personals.XXX Reserve under $50,000
54. WineImports.com/WineExports.com/ImportedWines.com
*Package Reserve under $50,000
55. Blondes.XXX Reserve under $50,000
56. OUI.TV Reserve under $5000
57. MarketingWebinar.com NO RESERVE
58. USAflights.com Reserve under $15,000
59. OrlandoTravel.com Reserve under $25,000
60. StreamingBids.com Reserve under $10,000
61. Power.com Reserve $3MM
62. FreePreviews.tv Reserve under $5000
63. Party.XXX Reserve under $60,000
64. Emoticon.co Reserve under $3,000
65. goldjewelry.co NO RESERVE
66. England.tv Reserve under $125,000
67. MedicalPolicy.com Reserve under $30,000
68. OnlineRealty.com Reserve under $25,000
69. Sex.co Reserve under ???,000
70. Amigo.me Reserve under $3500
71. Virtual.XXX Reserve under $15,000
72. CoinSet.com NO RESERVE
73. Makeovers.tv Reserve under $30,000
74. Optical.com Reserve under $350,000
75. Reportnews.com/Reportnews.net/Reportnews.org/
Reportnews.tv/Newstip.net/Newstip.org/Newstip.tv/
Newstips.tv Reserve under $75,000
76. WorldTradeCenters.com Reserve under $25,000
77. Movies.xxx Reserve under $500,000
78. FunnyCrap.com NO RESERVE
79. BeverlyHillsShowroom.com Reserve under $5,000
80. Approvals.co Reserve under $3,000
81. Cloudfield.com Reserve under $5000
82. Slangster.com Reserve under $5,000
83. LooseBeads.com Reserve under $10,000
84. FreshVegetables.com Reserve under $10,000
85. OceanProperty.com Reserve under $10,000
86. Verification.com and .net Reserve REDUCED under $275,000
87. TutoringService.com Reserve under $30,000
88. Mosques.com Reserve under $50,000
89. Duchang.co (chinese for 'casino') NO RESERVE
90. iPerformer.com NO RESERVE
91. M4A.com Reserve under $10,000
92. DomainSuccess.com, GrandNames.com, EarthChamps.com Reserve under $10,000
93. SexyNudes.com NO RESERVE
94. StarBonds.com Reserve under $5000
95. Proposition.com Reserve under $35,000
96. iSinger.com NO RESERVE
97. Orgy.XXX Reserve under $50,000
98. Wet.TV Reserve under $6000
99. Organic.info Reserve under $10,000
100. BeautifulNudes.com NO RESERVE
101. MovieTheater.com and MovieTheatre.com Reserve under $70,000
102. Adult Portfolio includes: sexparty.com/sexparty.net /jerkoff.com
virginxxx.com/peepingtoms.com/peepingtoms.org/nudehomepage.com
nudesexgames.com/nudewallpaper.com/ebonyhookers.com, ebonyphotos.com/ebonywoman.com/bizzaresex.com/best-porn.com
asianlesbian.com/asianphonesex.com/prostitutesonline.com Reserve $100,000
103. iWage.com NO RESERVE
104. Evaluated.com Reserve under $30,000
105. iWet.com NO RESERVE
106. Siesta.com Reserve under $35,000
107. Men.Mobi NO RESERVE
108. Bidet.com Reserve under $250,000
109. Insulation.com Reserve under $800,000
110. 689.com and 002.com Reserve under $20,000
111. Socials.com Reserve under $100,000
112. Stars.XXX Reserve under $100,000
113. GreatBritain.TV NO RESERVE
114. Tumors.com Reserve under $50,000
115. Avatars.com Reserve under $200,000
116. MexicoCity.com Reserve under $800,000
117. Prague.com Reserve under $800,000
118. SailBoats.com and MotorBoats.com Reserve $1.5MM
119. Cheese.com Reserve $1MM
120. TBA


View the live auction RIGHT HERE!


Liveauction


2011 Becomes the #1 Year for Domain Name Sales.

Morning Folks!!


The last 2 years I have stated that Ron Jackson will get on the stage at TRAFFIC and report a record breaking year in domain sales. I have been wrong both times. But the third is a charm. Regardless of the report, I can tell you WITHOUT DOUBT that 2011 saw more domain sales of any year in history and by a HUGE margin.


Like many of you, I have my ear to the ground. There are mega deals every day just about and seldom do any get reported. But with an economy such as it is the auction houses are busy and doing loads of transactions. I think Sedo by itself has had a number of 7 figure weeks as has a few others. That translates to big numbers over the course of a year.


I am not sure but I think that number has been hovering in the $30-$40 Milion annual range for reported domain sales. I think in 2011 that number breached $100MM. Like much more than that when you add up the deals you will never hear about. I mean more transactions in domains in ONE MONTH or less then the years 1996-2000 combined.


Domains BUST out in 2011. Mark it on your calendar. The world went bust in another direction the same year. We have new highs with great value on unique assets that circumstance forces some domainers to sell so they can pay the bills. That drives part of the market. The other part that drives the market is need and demand. Those levels are at record highs because folks and companies need to throw as much up against the wall as fast as they can because they have a ticking time bomb chasing them called debt. Once the sand runs out, game over!


So the worst of times becomes the best of times when you see through the fog of business. Domains are taking center stage in the universe. Just like real estate has for centuries. Domains are the new real estate of the 21st Century. You will NEED eReal Estate to be able to afford REAL Real Estate.


Now I can't prove any of this but I know it to be true. It will be reported in a decade from now if ever. It's an assumption based on more things that I care to list. In 1995 I did not have the money to invest in domains. Other people had much more than me. Millions and Millions and Tens of Millions of them. But I beleived then like I believe today.


As then, I still buy the future not the past. The past has its place. To show you the pitfalls to come and the parallel sucesses you can have.


With partners, Mike Berkens and Ammar Kubba, I own 1/3 of Meet.me, Date.me and Marry.me. I think we have 1 or 2 others. In 5-10 years the same morons with different faces will say the same things they do today. So what? They completely discount that I/we had to compete with BILLIONS of other people.


Domains were no big secret. Just few saw the future of how it would all unfold. The same folks keep having a knack for finding things first. Figure out things first. See and understand things first. We bought all 3 domains at auction. We competed with all other domainers. We saw something others did not. No guarantee on success. But we have already turned down RECORD BREAKING offers for a .me extension on the domain in that group that we spent the least on. We get offers nearly every day on one of those 3 domains.


I have also bought several .me on my own. About 50 of them. I planted the seeds. It's not a bottle with a genie in it. It is an educated guess on how things will unfold in the future based on how things have unfolded in the past. Sometimes that works well, and sometimes you buy flowers.mobi.


There is the stadium full of people in the seats and there are a handful of players on the field. I would much rather be on the field recieving the cheers and jeers than in the bleachers with some jackass puking on me.


'Don't let the NOISE of others opinions drown out your own inner voice.' Jobs 2005


My blog, my diary, my vision with a date and timestamp. Nobody gets to rewrite history. On thre record for the record. For better or worse. Right or wrong. Succeed or fail. Some put a goal list on the wall. I just put it out there. That seems to motivate me that much more.


Did you plant any seeds today?? I lost count of how many seeds I plant each and every day of my life. Some call that luck 5-10 years after the seed is planted. And beleive me, some of it is luck. But my freinds, 'LUCK is the residue of hardwork', as Branch Rickey said.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz


If you are not Making Money in Domaining YOU are doing Something Wrong. Very Wrong

Morning Folks!!


I look at Domaining and see so many ways to make BIG money that it strikes me when those, some of them good friends, are making NO money. First you have to come to the reality you are making no money. Then, as I have stated for years, then you just must STOP. If you are going the wrong way, why would you want to get FURTHER from the goal not closer? So stopping is the first thing you MUST do. There are no other ways. That is why you are frustrated. You have tried everything but the #1 thing. STOP. Stop. Take a weekend off.


I hear ya, you can’t afford to. I am telling you that you can’t afford not to. Go back to the base of the mountain. Look at it via fresh eyes. Look at it in a new way. Some of you have been doing this for many years now and that means you know more than you did when you tried the first time.


Go back to the base of the mountain. Go 1 mile away. Look at the big picture. You don’t need money in domaining to make money. You just need know how and that part you already have.


There are many paths at the base of the mountain. There is no path where you are at. Start again!! When you get to the base, you are way ahead of the others there. Just choose your path. Not the same one you were just on. Go to the other side of the mountain and start there. Do the opposite of what you did the first time.


Stop delaying. Pick your best domains, get rid of all the other crap and hit that mountain with a lighter load. The opportunities are there. They are everywhere. But you need to be on the right path to begin with to see those things. Look, I don't have to prove shit. I see what I see and I am giving you the best advice I can so that hopefully you can get a better result.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

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Madison Avenue Flashback 2007. Toe to Toe….Truth to Power!

Morning Folks!!


Truth to power. Don't be too afriad to reject Bullshit. I do it right here and this clip remains one of the best most intense moments since I have been in domaining. It crystalizes the problem in a way that uncovers how laughable the answer to my question is.


Here we have corporate America bogged down in a short term budget when there are long term decisions at play. Here is how and why they fail and continue to fail. Let's have a meeting! Let's chain ourselves with a budget. Let's ignore the big picture. DEFINED! Where is the LEADER that OVERRIDES bad decisions? See's the future? Understands the future.


Enjoy!


Click Here to Hear my 2 minute Audio with our Madison Avenue panel


Rick Schwartz

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The Blogs I Like and Why I Like Them.

Morning Folks!!


When I read a blog I want a few things. I want to learn something new and I want to know how it affects the writer personally. When the writer shares and reveals themselves I get much more out of it. It can be a newbie blog or one that has been around for years. Everyone has something to share. Everyone learns new things at different times. Everyone can contribute to the knowledge base.


That was what made the adult world so compelling in the mid 1990's. Those folks did that. They shared. It sometimes was rough and tumble because 'Secrets' would come out. Business Secrets. Secrets some did not want others to know and learn about. But they were forward thinkers. Mainstream has yet to learn all their lessons allthough they have come a long way in the past few years. Thanks in part to the recession.


So new knowledge is what you look for in a blog and like medicine, sometimes you need something to sweeten a boring story. I want to see passion and humor and something that relates it to something bigger.


Have a Great Day!

Rick Schwartz


The Blame Game Defined. Are you Set to be Successful or Destined for Failure?

Morning folks!!


Everyone seems to look “Outwards” for solutions that only the individual can make. Some look to the government for all their needs. When they are not met, they get mad at the folks giving them what they have and need to begin with. Where is the logic in that?


Anytime you are not looking within yourself for solutions, you are on the wrong path. Almost every solution comes from within. Within us. WE have that power. Whether it is used or not is up to each of us.


Events can empower you or you can be paralyzed by events. You are the only one in control. Nobody else. Every shortcoming comes from within. Every achievement comes from within.


Success comes from a thought pattern and a thought process. It comes from action instead of inaction. We are wired one way when we are born and spend a lifetime trying to civilize ourselves. Every habit we are born with is almost exactly the opposite the habit we need to learn. Starting with the most basic. Figure it out.


Whether you do great things in life is solely up to you. But great things are flukes if you can’t repeat it. If you don’t understand the process that led you there. If the mechanics and foundation are not in place, then it is solely luck. But you need to only get lucky once if you follow up and understand what circumstances influenced that luck.


Like HARD WORK! Like having a GOOD ATTITUDE! Like have a SOLID WORK ETHIC! Like MAKING THINGS HAPPEN! Like having IDEAS! Like being able to FOLLOW THROUGH! Like NOT GETTING DISCOURAGED! Like NOT GIVING UP! Like RISING TO THE OCCASION! By being a PERSON OF YOUR WORD. By being a Person that DOES WHAT THEY SAY.


I don’t care who or what you are in life. What color, nationality or religion, if you don’t have those elements then life will be harder not easier. Bitter not sweeter. Unfulfilled not fulfilled. Those are the elements. Just some of them. They add up to wisdom. They add up to having a better chance of success than those that don’t think that way. It ALL comes from within. So those that lash out, you expose your failures not the failures of those you point to and blame.


I root for everyone to succeed. The point of this post is to change one person's destiny. Just one. If not, I would never use my time to write this. Some get offended, some thank me for a good swift kick in the pants.


I will be giving out a gift at TRAFFIC next week. I am hoping that there will be multiple successes from this gift. I want to change lives and the destiny of some lives. The written word is just one of my tools to accomplish that.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz


Developing: One more MONSTER of a Domain Name to be Auctioned off at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.

Afternoon Folks!!


Later this afternoon I hope to report to you about 1 last domain name entry in our auction. It is a true MONSTER and when released, I think you will agree.


A true category defining domain name. Stay tuned.


Earlier today Tie.com was added to the auction and Verification.com and .net dropped the reserve price to under $275,000. So there is a lot of movement. We will officially have 110 domains in our auction with 25 at NO RESERVES and MANY at very attractive reserves.


The .XXX domains will probably be the most active bidding. These domains are at a fraction of what they may end up going for.


Once the folks walk in the door of the auction and we get through the first 5 names, folks will KICK THEMSELVES for not getting bargains. EVERYONE will know that the MAGIC is back! Are YOU ready to RUMBLE??


Rick Schwartz