THE RAZZLE DAZZLE

“Give ‘em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle ’em”

I was listening to the song ‘Razzle Dazzle’ from the soundtrack of Chicago the other day, a great movie/musical, and it got me thinking about all the recent ‘Drama for your Mama’ that has been hitting the domain industry.  It seems that some people associated with the New gTLDs are not playing nice, and are causing the skeptics to want to shout from the rooftops ‘we told you so’ in regards to the New gTLDs.  And can you blame them?

“Give ’em the old flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture ’em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?”

The idea of ‘Best Practices’ has apparently been forgotten in how some do business recently.  The controversy on how some businesses are handling the marketing for their extension is opening a can of worms that further perceives the negative perception of the domaining industry.  This is an unnecessary black eye to the industry and makes all of us look evil.

“Throw ’em a fake and a finagle
They’ll never know you’re just a bagel,
Razzle dazzle ’em
And they’ll beg you for more!”

I personally belong to a writing group that teaches people how to create websites and make money with niche sites that they can focus on what they are passionate about.  These people all need domain names for websites.  Many will be willing to invest their money in good quality domain names, either for development or investment, and are or will be looking for guidance from experienced domain investors.  But how can they look to us and believe we have their best interests at heart, when the hot topics of domaining are scandal laced?  One instructor went as far as to call domainers ‘low-life’s’.  This really hurt and was downright embarrassing to me, because I truly do want to help others in their internet endeavors.

“Give ’em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle dazzle ’em
Give ’em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate”

Reputation is all you have in business and should be cherished.  Yes, the bottom line is that we are here to make money, but at what cost?  Recent events have shown how some just don’t care how they make it.  They came across as being truly passionate about their endeavors and I, and I’m sure many others, for the most part believed them.  But their actions have shown what they are truly passionate about, giving the Ole Razzle Dazzle, to get what they want.

“Give ’em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger ’em
When you’re in trouble, go into your dance”

Deceit and trickery in our industry should not be tolerated.  Transparency should be expected and demanded.  Investigative reporting is needed, and asking questions is never wrong.  Honesty and disclosure is good, but it also brings to the forefront things that we wish didn’t need to be brought out in the open.  Of course ICANN is the governing body of the domaining industry whom we look to, to being on top of these types of potential industry scandals, and addressing and resolving them as quickly as possible.  But there is also us.  All of us associated with the domain industry, that want the domain industry to fledge forward and continue to work for everyone.  We must continue to do our due diligence and continue to find and report on those practices that do harm to our industry.  As with anything, it’s always the 1% that ruins it for the rest.

“Long as you keep ‘em way off balance
How can they spot you’ve got no talent?
Razzle Dazzle ‘em
Razzle Dazzle ‘em
Razzle Dazzle ‘em
And they’ll make you a star!”

Your moderated comments are welcome.

*Razzle Dazzle Music/Lyrics by John Kander/Fred Ebb