5 ms·

I'm sort of in the middle of this with my much-more-niche fun-side-project site http://www.b-rhymes.com http://www.b-rhymes.com (while we're whoring). It's an a

by mclin 17y ago

I'm sort of in the middle of this with my much-more-niche fun-side-project site http://www.b-rhymes.com http://www.b-rhymes.com (while we're whoring). It's an algorithmic rhyming dictionary. It's post metafilter spike. Twitter chain reaction has died. Not sure what to do next. I've been wondering how to approach bloggers, as in the article, to try to get them to cover it. More difficult, I think, is finding people in the right niches. I kind of feel like this stuff just happens, and I have no control.

prawn 17y ago
Post or tweet some novel or amusing combos you've found. Even something like 'flexible' and 'indelible' from your FAQ might be of interest to some. Two to three times a day, tweet two words and ask followers to submit the best use of them as a rhyming couplet within 140 characters. RT the best efforts or put them on your blog. Phrase your responses so that the best submitters are likely to boastfully RT your flattering award to their friends. Have a comp for the worst attempted rhyme out there in mainstream music. Or the most inventive. I'm sure there are other similar things you could try.
- mclin 17y ago
  Actually the metafilterers kind of did just that: http://www.metafilter.com/89217/BRhymes http://www.metafilter.com/89217/BRhymes The problem is I'm just a geek with an algorithm that's kind of fun, definitely not a rapper poet. I like the twitter idea though. Definitely worth a try.
  - prawn 17y ago
    That's fine, but you can either stay as just a geek with an algorithm (no excuses! ;)) and wonder if the site will ever get attention, or find a co-conspirator or push out of your usual territory. I reckon the latter is simplest (especially since there's hardly revenue to split with a partner) and picking two interesting words a day and plugging them on Twitter with an example of what you expect is pretty easy. Another idea: Have a topical lyric competition on your blog. Each day of the week is a different format - couplet, limerick or whatever. And each time, the topic is something new that's in the news - natural disasters, celebrities, movie launches, etc. Get friends involved and seed it until the regulars start to suggest news and other ideas. Plus, try some viral stuff that people might spread around. Tweet, "You'll never guess what 'earthquake' almost rhymes with! http://www.b-rhymes.com/rhyme/word/earthquake http://www.b-rhymes.com/rhyme/word/earthquake " Who the hell wouldn't click that to find out?! :)
    - mclin 17y ago
      Hmm... I'm picturing internet earthquake memes... :P This is going to sound funny, but I was taking the obvious geek approach with this, which is... make it into an iPhone app! http://www.b-rhymes.com/iphone/ http://www.b-rhymes.com/iphone/ How predictable am I? haha. I can see though that I'm probably going to need some community if it's ever going to stick. Anyway, thanks for the input!

by mclin 17y ago

prawn 17y ago

Post or tweet some novel or amusing combos you've found. Even something like 'flexible' and 'indelible' from your FAQ might be of interest to some. Two to three times a day, tweet two words and ask followers to submit the best use of them as a rhyming couplet within 140 characters. RT the best efforts or put them on your blog. Phrase your responses so that the best submitters are likely to boastfully RT your flattering award to their friends. Have a comp for the worst attempted rhyme out there in mainstream music. Or the most inventive. I'm sure there are other similar things you could try.

mclin 17y ago
Actually the metafilterers kind of did just that: http://www.metafilter.com/89217/BRhymes http://www.metafilter.com/89217/BRhymes The problem is I'm just a geek with an algorithm that's kind of fun, definitely not a rapper poet. I like the twitter idea though. Definitely worth a try.
- prawn 17y ago
  That's fine, but you can either stay as just a geek with an algorithm (no excuses! ;)) and wonder if the site will ever get attention, or find a co-conspirator or push out of your usual territory. I reckon the latter is simplest (especially since there's hardly revenue to split with a partner) and picking two interesting words a day and plugging them on Twitter with an example of what you expect is pretty easy. Another idea: Have a topical lyric competition on your blog. Each day of the week is a different format - couplet, limerick or whatever. And each time, the topic is something new that's in the news - natural disasters, celebrities, movie launches, etc. Get friends involved and seed it until the regulars start to suggest news and other ideas. Plus, try some viral stuff that people might spread around. Tweet, "You'll never guess what 'earthquake' almost rhymes with! http://www.b-rhymes.com/rhyme/word/earthquake http://www.b-rhymes.com/rhyme/word/earthquake " Who the hell wouldn't click that to find out?! :)
  - mclin 17y ago
    Hmm... I'm picturing internet earthquake memes... :P This is going to sound funny, but I was taking the obvious geek approach with this, which is... make it into an iPhone app! http://www.b-rhymes.com/iphone/ http://www.b-rhymes.com/iphone/ How predictable am I? haha. I can see though that I'm probably going to need some community if it's ever going to stick. Anyway, thanks for the input!