Hyphen & The Question of Organic Growth

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
11/13/2020 at 10:50 • Filed to: None

Originally Posted on Hyphen:

So, I’ve seen some discussion around people expressing doubt around our potential for organic growth without big daddy Jalopnik. To be honest, I always thought, at least near the end, that Jalopnik was reliant on us rather than the other way around; we were a) dedicated kinja users and b) a source for content/inspiration/leads.

The below represents my personal thoughts, and I’d love to hear dissenting or supporting opinions from other Oppo’s.

Active Recruitment

Facebook (I know, I know) - This morning I joined Oppositelock’s FB group with my burner FB account that I used to use to stalk claimants and made a post. Seems positive so far... I know that there are some past issues there, but I really think that it could be a source of fresh members and that here, we have a great community and community guidelines, we could help grow those people into strong new members. They’re familiar with our “brand” and for sure interested in cars.

Drivetribe - I don’t understand where this “Hyphen vs. DriveTribe” thing came from. It’s literally 2 websites. As I write this, I have like, 9 different sites open....it isn’t a big deal to check both during the day. I like the idea of Drivetribe and there seems to be some organic growth arising from the “crossposts” that occur on the site. I’d like to see us export (key word!) some of our better content there to drive new membership.

Local Communities - An interesting thing about IRL Oppo meets is that, typically 25%-50% of the people who actually turn out are not Oppos. Also, I am sure that we all live in communities with thriving car communities. I’d encourage some active recruitment through those means. I’ve had people on both my Instagram and IRL ask about all this “Oppo” business. Remember, a lot of people are just looking for a place to belong.

DISCUSSION (33)

Cash Rewards > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 10:54

Fair point about Drivetribe. I am one of those concerned about cross pollination between the two, but you're probably correct

Just Jeepin' > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 10:58

I’m not terribly comfortable with the idea of importing Facebook’s culture, but hopefully that won’t be a problem.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Cash Rewards
11/13/2020 at 10:59

I don’t think the community interaction is as strong over there but it helps with visibility. Oppo seems to be at its best when it is ever so slightly off the beaten path.

I definitely think the Hyphen is our home but not the limits of where some of our content can and should end up.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Cash Rewards
11/13/2020 at 10:59

yeah, like, I go on both all the time

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Just Jeepin'
11/13/2020 at 10:59

I think maybe being selective about it? We’ll figure it out. My point is, there is a bunch of potential people there.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 10:59

Well I quite like the hyphen except for the fact that I haven’t been able to create an account yet. So that may be slowing membership numbers if others are facing that problem. I also like drive tribe since it just works. I like the idea of both though, I think the hyphen should be more selective and maybe not need organic growth. There is a reason kinja oppo splintered many times and people left to Facebook (for both oppo FB and Manual Elitist J erks). I think it needs to be considered whether that was a good thing or if that was something requiring course correction for the new site.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:00

This has been a topic of discussion since the start, and while it’s important I actually had an even more concerning though t recently: Hyphen has no user vetting process th e way Kinja does. Any old schmuck can make an account and start posting. If we do find somewhere to advertise and recruit from we will need very active moderation in order to preserve our community values.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:00

I was like hey that’s not your name... good one.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/13/2020 at 11:03

I think that the mods/curators are meeting on that soon. Keep in mind that we just learned of Kinja’s death 7(!) days ago. We’re moving at breakneck speed!

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:03

We’ve had a fair amount of discussion already about how DT can be a place to publish our polished content and increase visibility. I wondered if we could get them to put a link to our forum from the Tribe page and vice versa with a DT link on our hyphen page. It would be the same as having a link in the top bar in Kinja and would do what we need it to.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:03

Yeah! Always good for creepin on folks.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Chariotoflove
11/13/2020 at 11:04

That’s a decent idea

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:07

If we have a line to the DT head honcho, how do we contact him about it?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Chariotoflove
11/13/2020 at 11:11

I..think we just @ him? Let me give it a go.

HammerheadFistpunch > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/13/2020 at 11:18

have you turned off ad block? I found that was the holdup for me

Urambo Tauro > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:27

Have any official rules for posting been set yet at (for lack of a better term) the hyphen? I always liked how “be excellent to each other” was vague yet powerful. It’s been a cornerstone of our community and I’d like to see that spirit continue. But we’re gonna need it spelled out for any new users who are unfamiliar with how we do things at Oppo.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:27

I know it, it’s on card you gave me for Secret Senna. Hello (name redacted).

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Urambo Tauro
11/13/2020 at 11:31

We’re still using the same set. Oppo is still Oppo!

RallyWrench > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/13/2020 at 11:32

Nor does DriveTribe, but we have a better chance of integrating some kind of vetting ability at Hyphen than we do on DT.

Urambo Tauro > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:36

Awesome! It’s been a very busy week and I haven’t spent much time getting familiar with DT or the “hyphen” but hope to do so this weekend.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > RallyWrench
11/13/2020 at 11:36

this is also a good point. We’ll have total control at hyphen

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Urambo Tauro
11/13/2020 at 11:37

The counsel of mods was ported over, for me at least, it feels very much like business as usual.

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:39

Cool. Ima go post this on your hyphen thread too.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/13/2020 at 11:43

Glad you made it in!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Chariotoflove
11/13/2020 at 11:46

I messaged Morgan (Function over Fashion) to add hyphen to our tribe’s header. I think he’s a little overwhelmed though with the growth of the group

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > HammerheadFistpunch
11/13/2020 at 11:47

I had to delete adblock and reboot the browser. Just turning it off didn't do it.

HammerheadFistpunch > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/13/2020 at 11:48

dang.

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/13/2020 at 11:59

I’ll bet!

Okay good. Let’s give him a few minutes to find out what’s involved and if there are any obstacles to this.

Mid Engine > Just Jeepin'
11/13/2020 at 12:46

Agreed, I have never us ed FB and don’t plan on it. It’s a cesspool and Zuck should not be rewarded. Fuck him.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > HammerheadFistpunch
11/13/2020 at 12:47

At least it worked but I'm sure others may be less determined. Instruction on how to do that would make for a better error message though.

Chariotoflove > Just Jeepin'
11/13/2020 at 12:55

We’ll create our own culture, same as how this group has been very different from the FP comments sections. We will have procedures for dealing with the occasional troll.

Nom De Plume > Urambo Tauro
11/13/2020 at 15:32

Start a chat on hyphen with those who have means to reply with authority.

Stef Schrader > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/15/2020 at 05:21

I feel like I’ll like hyphen better when they integrate some kind of blog feature. I’ve always felt like DriveTribe is its own thing sort of like the Facebook group is , for better or for worse. It is possible to do both at once. T here has to be a driver back to Oppo itself, though, and for me, that attraction was some good blogs hosted on Oppo . Oppo has been its own destination for a mix of good blogs and shorter posts even without the front page shares , and it works. I know it’s early, but t he forum layout doesn’t quite scratch the Oppo itch for me as it sits, and DriveTribe doesn’t have the same vibe . Shuffling off all the longer/quality stuff to DriveTribe doesn’t give folks a big reason to hop off there and look at another site, IMHO.

Several members have bemoaned the fewer numbers of higher-effort blogs ever since front page shares were turned off, for one. I’ve found out a ton of interesting car facts/news/whatever from the blogs here over the years, and having a single feed with The Meat has been the biggest reason why I come back. So, cultivate some relationships with existing websites—DT, Hyphen, and hell, maybe even other ex-Jalop hangouts like Hooniverse could link over—and then post interesting stuff. Good blogs. Stuff other people don’t know. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hat-tipped Oppo or used it as a source for different pieces over the years, and those always link back.