Why Did You Join Ricochet?

 

I know, I know: broken record time. But here’s the problem: we here at Ricochet HQ know why we love Ricochet. And from the rate of returning and renewing members (which, just so you know, is what someone in the member/subscription business called “stratospherically high”) we know that our members love it, too.

So here’s my question: why did you join? What triggered you to sign up and join this excellent community?

Because our problem is this: we have, across all of our podcasts, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of listeners. And we have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of unique web visitors. We — all of us — are bigger than MSNBC. Seriously.

But we have vastly fewer members.

And that’s okay — really, it is. We’re not tottering on the verge of collapse, I promise.

But we’d like to grow our membership. Just a little bit. A few thousand new members would be a very big deal to us.

So: when you joined, what pushed you over the edge?

(And I’d be roasted alive at the next management meeting if I didn’t also add: if you haven’t joined yet, what are you waiting for?)

(And also:  Hey! Sign up for The Daily Shot! It’s open to all, even non-members, because we don’t think you’ll be a non-member for long…)

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  1. Rachel Lu Member
    Rachel Lu
    @RachelLu

    I wanted interesting people to talk to, and a place to try out some new types of writing without feeling a lot of pressure. Ricochet was such a blast from the very beginning. Whatever it is you want to learn more about, somebody here knows. Not like in, say, the news room.

    • #121
  2. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Rachel Lu:I wanted interesting people to talk to, and a place to try out some new types of writing without feeling a lot of pressure. Ricochet was such a blast from the very beginning. Whatever it is you want to learn more about, somebody here knows. Not like in, say, the news room.

    Reading your thoughts is one reason I stay Rachel! :)

    • #122
  3. J Flei Inactive
    J Flei
    @Solon

    I ‘converted’ in 2012 during the presidential campaign and realized that the media actually is biased.  That pushed me to seek out something more reasonable online that would give the conservative side of the story without being trashy.   I never found anything that wasn’t trashy, so I just went with Ricochet (just kidding).

    • #123
  4. Karen Inactive
    Karen
    @Karen

    I came across the very first Ricochet podcast on Breitbart.com. That was 2009, I think. I had spent a good part of 2008 trying to find thoughtful right of center conversations on the web, but it seemed packed with Lefties and lame, uninformed arguments. I joined Ricochet as soon as I could, and made my husband join too, even though he doesn’t have time to listen to podcasts or participate.

    Here’s the thing, I’m a stay at home mom, and I need intellectual stimulation or my brain will ooze out of my ears. And conversations with other moms at playdates are pretty superficial or focus on child-rearing. I guess I felt a certain helplessness, because there I was washing dishes and folding laundry with all these opinions and questions and no one around to talk to about them – until Ricochet. It’s kinda strange how important Ricochet has become to me. And if think the podcasts or website isn’t up to snuff, I let them know.

    I think some people feel intimidated joining, because there are some really smart people on here who write very well. I’m not a writer, nor I aspire to be. But I consider myself a thinking person, and Ricochet has helped me articulate my thoughts and feelings about matters of the day more clearly. I have a voice here, because I know that people who make decisions that affect me are reading member comments. They really are.

    And people on here are nice, which makes it worth the investment of time. I’ve had issues with some here and there, but four years later, and I’m still around.

    One more thing, Ricochet isn’t just for conservatives. I’m pretty right of center on many issues, and left to a lot of people on here, but I still feel welcome.

    • #124
  5. user_95324 Inactive
    user_95324
    @torque

    It was as a fan of Mark Steyn that brought me to Ricochet then the podcast became a must listen each week. The other podcasts are great listening and the writers from all walks of life mean that it is one of the best websites and one that has really enriched my life.

    • #125
  6. Lance Inactive
    Lance
    @Lance

    Rob Long:

    Jimmy Carter:I’m a White Conservative Man with money to burn, so I demanded My illegal alien housekeeper to find another furnace in which to toss some extra cash while poor people die of obesity.

    And the Member Feed.

    Me too!

    Had the question you asked been, “Why do you stay?”,  the answer would have been…

    Jimmy Carter

    • #126
  7. CuriousKevmo Inactive
    CuriousKevmo
    @CuriousKevmo

    If memory serves I initially made my way here via Instapundit.  I liked what I read, so I made it a part of my “Daily Roundup”.  I was particularly impressed by the quality of posts, but more to the point, the quality of argument.  Its rare to read very intelligent, thorough counterpoints, that are pointed, but still respectful and insightful.   In particular a pilot that went by Brent(#) really impressed me.

    At some point I felt like I had garnered a lot of value from stopping by and figured I ought to pitch in to help it thrive.

    I miss Brent — as I suspect many of you do — but I still enjoy the discussion threads, the level of discourse here is stunning to me; beyond my ability to contribute typically, but I still enjoy consuming them.

    I wish I had occasion to listen to the podcasts, everyone raves about them but I’m rarely in a place that I can enjoy them.

    • #127
  8. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    Rob Long: Oh, and here’s a weird thing: we sold a lot of memberships yesterday.

    When do the commission checks go out?

    • #128
  9. user_1210 Inactive
    user_1210
    @JayLong

    I could think of many things I could say to answer the question, but I am sure no one would believe them when they see my name.  Like a few others here I was asked very nicely at the first day to join.  For many reasons I haven’t regretted it.  This is a great site.

    • #129
  10. user_656019 Coolidge
    user_656019
    @RayKujawa

    Claire Berlinski:

    Ray Kujawa: Perhaps, Rob, it would be better to know why people are renewing,

    You said it, not me. Or even “not renewing.” Or “not joining.”

    Not a mistake or omission when I mentioned people renewing. Guys have given their own reasons for renewing (if you check out the Rooster PIT) — as well as what they know from people who have left and not renewed. (Guys are very honest among one another, in case you didn’t know.) Once you’ve been a member for a year, you’re better informed than when you first joined. You might have had different expectations when you joined originally. I would give an existing member’s opinion more credence than a new member’s. There might be more fruit in marketing the site that way. The first model (aka, ‘why did you join?’) relies on turnover. The second model (‘why did you stay or upgrade?’) relies on retention and long term growth.

    • #130
  11. user_656019 Coolidge
    user_656019
    @RayKujawa

    Okay, I suppose if I had to put it in one word, it was the Member Feed. I had to have my own membership to read comments being written by members. They were and are priceless, many of them. There’s my answer.

    • #131
  12. SWBart Inactive
    SWBart
    @SWBart

    The flagship podcast was my gateway drug.  I don’t write much, (My wife would tell you I don’t talk much either) and I comment here and there.  Mostly I want to be sure the flagship podcast remains along with the GLoP podcast, and the community in the comments.

    • #132
  13. user_656019 Coolidge
    user_656019
    @RayKujawa

    Claire Berlinski:<  > But if your goal is to get more people to join? We’ve still got a few problems left.

    If saying, “Hey, I asked, and this is what they said, so let’s do it,” would fly with management, we’ve got an even bigger problem. (One that could even be closely connected to why we keep finding ourselves mighty surprised by the results of elections–and we might want to worry about that, first. But also in a narrower and more personal way, because management just isn’t thinking straight.)

    On the other hand, as a conversation-starter, it’s great: <snip>

    One of the problems with this strategy is it is backwards looking. Yes we joined. This is a list of reasons. So — obviously — we got to do what worked in the past (and it’s looks like many people would be induced to join if Mark Steyn were still doing podcasts). This ignores what missed opportunities (‘what would have induced you to join Ricochet’ that you’d have to ask of people who lurk but haven’t joined) and what might work in the future, both of which are about approaches that might not have been tried yet. The latter two are important if it becomes evident that Mark Steyn, who is a real rock star among conservative commentators, will not be available at a price we can afford (which I would say likely).

    • #133
  14. Penfold Member
    Penfold
    @Penfold

    I joined because I thought this would be like a progressive Onion with fake right wing commentary.  Then I found out you guys were serious……………………

    • #134
  15. user_138106 Member
    user_138106
    @LidensCheng

    By way of Mark Steyn that I found Ricochet and since the first podcast was on. Being a college student with modest means it took me until April 2011 to join.

    • #135
  16. sam.kirby.osborne@gmail.com Member
    sam.kirby.osborne@gmail.com
    @Ozzymandias

    Why did I join? I have more reasons that James Lileks has segues from content to product plugs (well, maybe not that many). To list a few:

    …okay, scratch that last one.

    (But you what won’t be scratched? Your face if you use Harry’s Shave!)

    • #136
  17. user_435274 Coolidge
    user_435274
    @JohnHanson

    I spent a lot of time on NRO and the corner, saw this place advertised, was burning out on NRO because the corner wasn’t as good as it used to be, was seemingly dull and not conservative enough for my liking.  I was hooked on Peter Robinson’s uncommon knowledge, and saw he was associated with this site, so I listened to a couple of the podcasts, lurked for a couple of months, and decided it wasn’t much, so lets see what the members were writing.  Then saw a couple of posts and was hooked.  As soon as possible I bought the Thatcher membership, because it was still below my wife’s divorce threshold for spending money she doesn’t want to spend.  But I let her play bingo, and have her nails done every two weeks without complaint sooooo—-

    • #137
  18. user_435274 Coolidge
    user_435274
    @JohnHanson

    On a slightly more serious view, why don’t more individuals join, I think it has to do with the nature of the comments and the posts.

    This is not a site for hard news.

    It is also not a site for entertainment, in the gossipy style of People Magazine, or the inflamed ranting of may leftist sites.

    It is a site that requires one spend time to read and try to understand various conservative points of view, and spend time thinking and if necessary researching more information about the points-of-view presented.  This is work. Fun work, but still work, and many in our culture just want mindless entertainment.  That is not Ricochet.  There is humor here, quite a lot, but mostly there is a quiet dignity, and respect for the opinions of others that isn’t found very many  places, but tends not to appeal to the mass audience.  But it did appeal to me, and still does!

    Pain of 2.0 launch was severe, but site remained worth it.  One of these days I will invest the time to figure out how to post graphics and multimedia successfully. In the meantime I will read and lurk a lot, listen to all the podcasts, occasionally write an original post (very rare, so far) and I hope get involved with meetups etc.  That hasn’t worked yet.

    One of these days hope to get my wife interested, but while she is even more conservative than I she want’s more direct news, or flaming gossip.  She in her too limited free time, isn’t attracted to reading and thinking, she just wants to here the punch lines and move on, so the site seems slow to her.  But if I can find a way to get her to interact with the people here, relationships could get her interested :)

    • #138
  19. GadgetGal Inactive
    GadgetGal
    @GadgetGal

    I thought it was because you asked me to!

    Seriously, I think that, for me, the clincher was the framing of the value proposition. Like all of us, I am constantly being cajoled to pony-up for Internet content.  And I get that this stuff is expensive to produce.  But in every case the value is presented as uni-directional–“look at all this wonderfulness WE are providing YOU.”  Ricochet is unique I think, not only because of the focus on conversation, but because I sense that–on the rare occasion that I have something to contribute–it will receive respectful attention.  For me, it was well worth the price of admission.

    That, and Rob’s rant demanding that the perpetrators of the financial crisis be reduced to selling apples in the street.  You won me over on that one.

    • #139
  20. Reese Member
    Reese
    @Reese

    I’ve read maybe 30 comments, including the one from the guy who had the “Ricochet– Coming soon” as bookmark or favorite.  I had that too until about a year ago.

    I discovered Ricochet probably via Lileks.  Fan of his since his Gnat was a toddler and the late “Jabber Dog” was just past puppy.  He (Lileks, that is) said something like, “The Bleat began, and will no doubt end, as an online journal.”  Few knew the word “blog” at the time.  Hugh Hewitt wrote a book of that name a year or three after, which James promoted.

    As I said, I’ve not read all the comments.  But as a math question, how many people look at your site without logging in, yet are members.  I probably do that with a ratio of ten to one.  I don’t MEAN to pour water on your views to subscribers fire, but it’s probably not as bad as you say.

    • #140
  21. gil.reich@gmail.com Member
    gil.reich@gmail.com
    @GilReich

    1) I thought about joining since I listened to the podcasts, and thought maybe it’s only fair that I pay the $5 a month

    2) I joined when I wrote an article and was looking for a good home for it.

    3) I stayed mostly because it’s a great community. The small entrance fee keeps out most of the trolls and jerks, and the remaining people are fantastic. I like that good, smart people read and comment on my stuff, and that I can comment on their stuff and have them see my comments (and not have my comments buried among thousands of others). And part of it is the hope that some of these people will help me become a better writer and help me get read by a wider audience.

    • #141
  22. user_645 Member
    user_645
    @Claire

    Rob Long: But still:  this is interesting stuff.  And in the imperfect and unmeasured and inconsistent way in which we have to do business — and, to be honest, in which everyone everywhere in every business everywhere has to do business, it’s awfully useful.

    Oh, I agree, don’t get me wrong. Better anecdotes than nothing, and in the real world, where resources are finite, conducting a proper and rigorous study may not be the best place to invest them. But there are lots of free anecdotes in the member feed, too. Some of them may be even be less methodologically problematic, in the “Why didn’t you want to marry me?” sense I mentioned above. I have a feeling some of the points raised on some of those threads might be a little more like “not nice to hear, but probably something we should know.”

    Intuition matters. In business, politics, and life. Science isn’t the answer to everything. And my intuitions about business are demonstrably not good. (Politics, life: pretty good.) But I bet someone with a keen eye would pick up some recurring themes over there … and might be able to use them better than I could.

    • #142
  23. user_657161 Member
    user_657161
    @

    I heard about this place from Rush, and started lurking.  Then you guys said that you were going to have to close down shop unless Simon Templar joined, but I was impervious.  On the other hand, I had been arguing with general officers since Nov 10, 1775 about a concept I had for winning the Long War.  Some of them even liked my idea.  I wanted to test it in the fires of Ricochet.  Maybe some of you still remember my glorious series on Winning the Peace.  Although battered and bloodied, my idea stood up (more or less) to the slings and arrows of the Ricochetti.  After you guys got bored with learning about how to actually go about winning the war against Islamofascists, I tried out a few of my snake farm adventures and that really got the party started for me.  All of that and DocJay’s masturbation posts.

    P.S.  Few, if any, of our general/flag officers have a clue about how to win the so called War on Terror.  Their strategy mainly consists of combining a war of attrition with building infrastructure that the locals either do not want and/or cannot/will not maintain in our absence.  Brilliant!

    • #143
  24. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    An actual conversation between me and my 10-year old as I dropped him off at school this morning:

    Me: Love ya. Be good.

    Xerox: You, too. Don’t make too much trouble on Ricochet!

    (Door slams, Dad rolls his eyes.)

    • #144
  25. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    EThompson: At the risk of embarrassing Jimmah, he is actually another reason I stayed faithful to the site. He won’t remember it, but He was the First member to comment on my First post.

    Yeah…. Ladies always remember Their first.

    • #145
  26. user_1026136 Inactive
    user_1026136
    @BeHappy

    I joined for the conversations, listening in on the ramblings of:

    1. James Lileks, Peter Robinson, & Rob Long,
    2. Jonah Goldberg, John Podhoretz & Rob Long
    3. Milt Rosenberg

    James, humorist extraordinaire is one the most underrated wits of our time, fast on his feet ready to trade barbs with anyone at any time. I have been listening to him on Hugh’s show for years and his 30 minutes on Friday with Dwayne is a must listen for me. I can’t get enough Lileks.

    Peter is currently the best long form interviewer around, his interviews on Uncommon Knowledge are some of the most interesting I have heard in years. Peter comes prepared.

    Rob, everyone’s favorite RINO squish serves isa great counterpoint in any discussion and because, “Cheers”.

    Johan’s warped mind on display is thing of beauty, like James he serious in humorous way, yes he makes me laugh and no, I don’t think he is a clown.

    John’s vast knowledge of matters both trivial and important makes me jealous, most days I am lucky to remember my own name.

    Milt Rosenberg is a voice from my misspent youth, having grown up in Chicagoland his voice will forever remind me of the Tribune Tower and WGN. The only thing that preempted his broadcasts was the Cubs and the Blackhawks games. Anyone listening regularly to his nightly conversations was given an opportunity to pull up a chair and sit next to him and listen in on the great minds of the day toss ideas back and forth. It was like sitting in the faculty lounge after a lecture and learning the back story on the topic of the day.

    These six individuals, on those three podcasts were the reason I subscribed, Since then I have been pleased to discover Mona Charnen & Jay Nordlinger; James Delingpole; Richard Epstein, Troy Senik & John Yoo, and all of the rest including John Hinderracker & Brian Ward, who are familiar voices from 4 cold years I spent in Minnesota, I listen to them all.

    Thanks to all of you who put in the time and effort into producing these, they are the reason you pried my wallet open.

    • #146
  27. Casey Inactive
    Casey
    @Casey

    Claire Berlinski: And my intuitions about business are demonstrably not good. (Politics, life: pretty good.)

    I’d like to nominate Claire to sit in, as a Member rep, on these management meetings.

    Here’s why: I think, more than anyone else, Claire has a bead on what Ricochet can be.  In the sense of what Ricochet could mean to politics and life.  And she has a finger on the pulse of membership and a clear idea of what a good member is/ought to be.

    My gut says management views Ricochet as a website and has clear ideas about how to make the website profitable.  But we members view it as more of a club.  We like what we have and we want to keep it like it is.  We want it to be a little exclusive.

    Each new wave of members changes the club a little.  When that happens, certain people who liked the club a certain way leave the club.  Thus changing the dynamic again.  This fluidity damages the appeal of the club.  And I think this explains some of the recent waxing and waning of member interest.

    • #147
  28. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    Casey: My gut says management views Ricochet as a website and has clear ideas about how to make the website profitable.  But we members view it as more of a club.  We like what we have and we want to keep it like it is.  We want it to be a little exclusive. Each new wave of members changes the club a little.  When that happens, certain people who liked the club a certain way leave the club.  Thus changing the dynamic again.  This fluidity damages the appeal of the club.  And I think this explains some of the recent waxing and waning of member interest.

    Exactly right.

    • #148
  29. Xennady Member
    Xennady
    @

    I joined because I wanted to encourage Rob Long, James Lileks, and Peter Robinson to keep making the original podcast and also because I wanted to tell other people that they were wrong.

    Both reasons still apply.

    • #149
  30. EThompson Member
    EThompson
    @

    MarciN:

    Casey: My gut says management views Ricochet as a website and has clear ideas about how to make the website profitable. But we members view it as more of a club. We like what we have and we want to keep it like it is. We want it to be a little exclusive. Each new wave of members changes the club a little. When that happens, certain people who liked the club a certain way leave the club. Thus changing the dynamic again. This fluidity damages the appeal of the club. And I think this explains some of the recent waxing and waning of member interest.

    Exactly right.

    Y’all talking about a fluid free-market economy?!!

    • #150
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