[March] The First Official Month of Nightmare Shift

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The First Official Month for Dustjacket Social​

On February 12th (my 27th birthday), I unveiled Dustjacket Social, more-or-less a conglomeration of ideas I'd been cooking up and ambitions I had stewing for years.

All in all, I am fairly happy with how things have turned out thus far. We don't have a community of millions (and millions!) of members nor have I fully fleshed out all the ideas I want to, but I feel like I have the itch again.

Reviews Section​

Movies	21
Videogames	6
Books	14

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One of the ideas I am very excited about is the "Reviews" section of Dustjacket. If you've noticed, I have been trying to redirect everybody whenever possible to log their ratings for anything they may talk about.
The idea isn't to collect essays, but, rather, tabulate a consensus and stimulate more in-depth, intimate discussion about the stories we all enjoy.
I like the random Topics and how they can stimulate discussion, but I would also like to mature that as well whenever I can. For instance, I'd love to one day be able to have us (as a forum) all break-down every Studio Ghibli film. Or, if we ever have enough that'd be down with it, I'd love to look at our favorite fantasy book series', talk about them. Maybe have Tournaments or "Year Of" Awards whenever we can.
This all has to develop and build, however. And that will require time and effort.
So, for the month of March, I will be primarily focusing on the Reviews sections development. Key factors I am looking into are:
- continuing to build-out the database by adding new videogames, books, and movies wherever I can
- adding new codes that can better showcase the section (i.e. I want to implement the Reviews section more on the frontpage and I also want to make the Reviews section for aesthetically appeasing and less like a simple list laying everything out).
- creating "How-To" threads better explaining how to make use of it (I have contingencies in-place for members to "log" films, but I want to lay it all out and make it more palatable for everybody).

Advertising​

Something I am actively looking into is advertising and helping people become aware of Dustjacket Social. So far, for the most part, I have taken a basic, simple approach. I have went back to my roots of other people's message boards, touched base with and befriended former colleagues, and made new friends as well. That's good, but I don't believe that will be a sustainable approach.
Fact is, I don't want a forum with a workman-like mentality to it. I won't ever pay individuals to talk to me on my forum ('cause that seems a little sad and frankly, it doesn't accomplish anything). I want individuals who are committed (on some level) to the celebration of storytelling, of that idea and passion. I don't want a forum of half-baked threads or comments that sound like they were somehow, someway automated. (This is a general statement, not a comment on anybody on the forum. At this point, we do need to fill the forum out.)
Thus, for that reason, I don't see myself looking to advertising forums much for engagement. However, I am happy with some of the new communities I have registered at and do see myself continuing to post on them for my own enjoyment.
I am all ears for anybody who may have some unique, thoughtful ideas for how to advertise Dustjacket Social.
Currently, I am working toward building our social media following (so far, that's Facebook and Twitter) and soon, I am hoping to run some ad campaigns and see how that plays out (I did run a small Facebook ad as an experiment - didn't receive much traction, did, however, receive a private message from somebody telling me to "phuck off", so that's something).

Cosmetics​

I don't know how sold I am on the current theme yet (I bought it with coupons and it only cost me about ten bucks, so I am not at all committed to it). If you have any feedback on that, I would love to hear it.
I had thought about looking into a "Custom" theme, but my options appear limited (and / or too expensive to be presently feasible - I had one company quote me five-figures). I might look into coding my own or modifying another theme and making it unique to what we need it for. I am skilled at graphic-design and I used to code Invision themes, and XenForo streamlines things fairly well, but I am also busy (... and lazy).
What do you think of the pictures that appear in the forum descriptions? I originally did it because I wanted to shy away from the standard layout of either having (a.) nothing or (b.) a one-sentence explanation for each section. I think I prefer what I did, but I am not certain. Should I workshop it some more? I'd love to hear any ideas you may have!

 

[Maul]

You're doing an absolutely amazing job so far. Thanks for running an awesome community.

 

[Tramuson]

Reviews Section​

Movies	14
Videogames	6
Books	21

Them's rookie numbers. You're slackin'.

Kidding. Site looks good, mate.

 

[Nick]

Them's rookie numbers. You're slackin'.

Kidding. Site looks good, mate.

I know.

I have to add everything by hand (which isn't as hard as it sounds, since I already do, more or less, the same thing with my personal blogsite). I can usually make upload 5 or so to the database in shy of 10 minutes. There are codes that float around that allow you to import from TMDb and, I think, some videogame equivalent, but they're threads (not what I need). I also think that adding them by hand like this is a nice little 'moment' for the website and makes it more special when it becomes larger - and stimulates discussion, spotlights a film / videogame / book.

 

[Hattrick]

I like this theme a lot more than the one you had previously. The other wasn't bad. I liked the Tolkien quote, I did, but it was a little bit too much on the screen.

 

[Nick]

I like this theme a lot more than the one you had previously. The other wasn't bad. I liked the Tolkien quote, I did, but it was a little bit too much on the screen.

I like it more as well. In fact, it was the one I originally wanted, but was outvoted by everyone I asked. The other theme will still be there and maintained. I am waiting on a patch for a small issue it has, but I think it could still be cool. What I really like is that the navigation is more clearly shown. I intended to add more tabs to that navigation later on.

 

[Jake]

Loving the site and the community so far. Hoping to stick around and help however I can. I need to add more reviews to the books and films already added as well as contributing to the discussion.

 

[Nick]

Loving the site and the community so far. Hoping to stick around and help however I can. I need to add more reviews to the books and films already added as well as contributing to the discussion.

I appreciate that. Once everything's in-place, I believe it will be a lot better, more cohesive to what I want to make happen with it. However, as it stands, I am pretty happy with it. The hardest part will be finding a community and adding members on a consistent basis. I will look into other avenues of paid advertising soon. Part of me wants to wait until all the major components are put in first though before I invest any large sums.

 

[Jake]

I would continue doing what you're doing. I think you'd prefer to attract members who plan to stick around and not so much those who register, contribute very little and leave.

 

[Nick]

I would continue doing what you're doing. I think you'd prefer to attract members who plan to stick around and not so much those who register, contribute very little and leave.

Unfortunately, what I am doing doesn't have the largest shelf-life and I know it. The websites I've used (I believe you registered off Forum Promotion?) have their limit. Let's say they have 100 members, give or take. Cut out the ones who want to be a part of a forum. That brings it down to about 25, honestly. Cut out the ones who aren't interested in what Dustjacket is selling and you can count them on both hands. It's alright though, for starting out. It's a tool, really. A transaction, almost.

But, in order for Dustjacket to succeed, I will need to find ways to appeal to a new demographic that isn't necessarily on niche forums like that. I want to find individuals who are passionate about the concept, want to improve the concept, and then, from the foundation we create, attract individuals who are committed to participating in conversation.

Like I've said, that's really what I want - the ability to have book clubs, discover new movies or video-games, and create little ecosystems for each.

 

[Jake]

Unfortunately, what I am doing doesn't have the largest shelf-life and I know it. The websites I've used (I believe you registered off Forum Promotion?) have their limit. Let's say they have 100 members, give or take. Cut out the ones who want to be a part of a forum. That brings it down to about 25, honestly. Cut out the ones who aren't interested in what Dustjacket is selling and you can count them on both hands. It's alright though, for starting out. It's a tool, really. A transaction, almost.

But, in order for Dustjacket to succeed, I will need to find ways to appeal to a new demographic that isn't necessarily on niche forums like that. I want to find individuals who are passionate about the concept, want to improve the concept, and then, from the foundation we create, attract individuals who are committed to participating in conversation.

Like I've said, that's really what I want - the ability to have book clubs, discover new movies or video-games, and create little ecosystems for each.

Oh, I get it, I do. I've bemoaned the fact that we're in a perpetual snowglobe with the same audience floating between the same forums. Maybe try having a link in your directory on the website for your publishing company? Could also try getting the ranking increased on search engines you've submitted DJ to.

 

[Nick]

Oh, I get it, I do. I've bemoaned the fact that we're in a perpetual snowglobe with the same audience floating between the same forums. Maybe try having a link in your directory on the website for your publishing company? Could also try getting the ranking increased on search engines you've submitted DJ to.

That's exactly it, a perpetual snow globe of the same audience of people. I want to try and escape that bubble a little bit. I will be looking at Google Ads soon. Fact is, I will have to drop around $500 for the initial start-up cost of Dustjacket (I've already dropped more than half of that). What comes next will likely be an investment in advertising cost. Google Ads offers a deal where, for the first $500 you spend, they will match you (gone are the days when you could abuse their $25 coupon to death). I won't jump into it head first, but if I could find some semblance of real, actual evidence that it'd lead to registries (like the right in-depth targeting, etc.) and memberships, I would do it. That'd be the year's advertising budget though.

 

[Jake]

Yeah, I get that. I remember when being high in the Google searches would result in registrations. Unfortunately there's no guarantee of that any more. You might be able to garner registrations from those who are looking for this sort of niche community.

 

[Nick]

Yeah, I get that. I remember when being high in the Google searches would result in registrations. Unfortunately there's no guarantee of that any more. You might be able to garner registrations from those who are looking for this sort of niche community.

Something I will have to fine-tune is how to market what Dustjacket is. It isn't a literature forum, nor is it a movie forum or a videogame forum, and I want to try and keep it from feeling like it leans too heavily in either of them. I believe that will happen when I have had a chance to incorporate some of the add-on's onto the forum that will spotlight each individual section.

I have a lot of memories of constantly checking Alexa (as it was called back then) and seeing how I could raise my ranking, etc., but a lot of that isn't applicable anymore. We can still use search engine optimization and other organic ways to advertise, but I am not at all certain how fruitful it will be. It will require some experimentation.

 

[Jake]

It's just one of the pitfalls of social media taking so much interest from others. The diehard forum goers (like me) are a dying breed. Most people don't want to spend the time and effort to write replies or actually convey thought. They prefer twitter, Facebook and the like where they say what they need to in 250 characters or less.

 

[Nick]

It's just one of the pitfalls of social media taking so much interest from others. The diehard forum goers (like me) are a dying breed. Most people don't want to spend the time and effort to write replies or actually convey thought. They prefer twitter, Facebook and the like where they say what they need to in 250 characters or less.

I am hopeful I can appeal to it in some way (guess we will see). I had an entire social media website made for Dustjacket before I threw it all away (I poured hundreds into software). I threw it away because I wanted to take a chance on myself and what I wanted more than what I thought was exactly marketable. You don't need that many people to make a huge forum - only a drop in the bucket, but it's about finding them. If you look at it as bigger than the neighboring forums, it seems more feasible. Every few years, a new batch of users are frequenting the internet. I'd like to be some people's first forum.

I will likely try Reddit ads in a few months as well.

 

[Jake]

I am hopeful I can appeal to it in some way (guess we will see). I had an entire social media website made for Dustjacket before I threw it all away (I poured hundreds into software). I threw it away because I wanted to take a chance on myself and what I wanted more than what I thought was exactly marketable. You don't need that many people to make a huge forum - only a drop in the bucket, but it's about finding them. If you look at it as bigger than the neighboring forums, it seems more feasible. Every few years, a new batch of users are frequenting the internet. I'd like to be some people's first forum.

I will likely try Reddit ads in a few months as well.

I'm all for getting some of the newer generation into forums and showing that they still have a chance in the current online world. I would love to be a part of a community as it grows into something standalone with its own unique draw.