Opportunity to educate potential users about the fediverse (lemm.ee)

submitted 9 months ago by berg@lemm.ee to c/fediverse@lemmy.world

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With the advent of Reddit going public and selling user data an opportunity has arisen. I still consume Reddit from time to time and noticed in the threads about these things that a lot of displeased users were there. But when they ask what alternatives there are, lemmy is barely mentioned at all. So if you're still on there, this is a chance to educate others about the fediverse and alternatives.

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[-] ElectroVagrant@lemmy.world 20 points 9 months ago

Remember if you do:
Don't get caught up in the technical details, those aren't what matter to many people. Obvious exceptions if they express interest in hosting a server.

Don't talk in the jargon of fediverse this, federated that, those mean nothing to outsiders. Unless they ask for further details, but even then, use more familiar terms like saying it's a website connected to other sites or whatever might help bridge understanding.

Do point them to whichever instance you're on, or seems relevant to whatever interests they may have mentioned, to join. One of the big problems people mention is figuring out which site/instance to join and how to navigate around here, take this opportunity to help them cut through that.

Ask them which subreddits/accounts they've joined or like to follow where they are as relates to the platform they're trying to move from (i.e. Reddit/Twitter/etc.), and try to help point them to either their equivalents or similar that may be found around here.

[-] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 9 points 9 months ago

Came here to basically say this, especially the first couple points. I've talked a few people into trying various Fedi services and cannot overstate just how much they DO NOT CARE about the techy underpinnings of it all. People just want to know a) it's cool b) where to sign up c) where to find the content they're looking for.

Anything else can wait until they learn it naturally over time or specifically ask the question.

[-] Bishma@discuss.tchncs.de 13 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Can we buy ads on Reddit?

... not to say that I really want to give them money.

[-] WolfLink@lemmy.ml 17 points 9 months ago

If successful, a Lemmy ad campaign would cost Reddit far more than it would give them.

[-] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 4 points 9 months ago

Make a post, raise funds, its a lot easier than you think.

[-] otter@lemmy.ca 4 points 9 months ago

If we do, we should probably do it well. Otherwise the ads would just be annoying

[-] Draconic_NEO@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Also people could be misled into thinking it's a "free speech" platform (and end up attracting the people we really don't want), or end up thinking it's "complicated", both of which would not be desirable.

[-] fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com 7 points 9 months ago

Whenever I'm on a work call and mention something I found, I casually mention "on Lemmy."

[-] Candelestine@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

I always see a lot of pushback against any alternatives proposed on reddit itself. There's a pretty strong, probably multi-faceted resistance any time anything new is mentioned. So, it's good to keep in mind you will face that, and be prepared with some patience and counter-arguments.

[-] berg@lemm.ee 3 points 9 months ago

In the threads I mentioned users were literally asking for alternatives. Trying to shove alternatives by posting in subs will end badly, no doubt.

[-] Candelestine@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Agreed. Even in those threads though, in my experience. Even if the op is asking, op is not the only one in the thread. More often than not, people will jump in specifically to badmouth us.

[-] Ashtear@lemm.ee 2 points 9 months ago

Unfortunately, the shadow of Voat still looms over this conversation. Redditors are wary of platforms that have a perceived radical userbase, and Lemmy as a whole has been painted as far left.

[-] ElectroVagrant@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

So, it’s good to keep in mind you will face that, and be prepared with some patience and counter-arguments.

I wouldn't really encourage this, as much as one may be inclined. Some may be willing to change their mind, but many others of a resistant disposition aren't that interested in leaving so much as venting frustrations, and lurkers may get the impression the alternative you're advocating is full of however you may present yourself in your argument.

It's better to look for those genuinely asking where to move to or what alternatives there are, and if they specifically mention Lemmy, then you might help them along there. Otherwise I'd suggest mentioning a variety of alternatives to choose from and mix together, such as setting up a RSS reader (if they're more of a passive reader), Lemmy or Kbin/Mbin, or scaling back Reddit use as they explore these alternatives, rather than pressing them to drop it outright for a single option.

[-] Candelestine@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Fair point. But I do think it is important to protect Lemmy's reputation. It's less about salesmanship, and more about standing up to bad takes and random, misc bullshit.

[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Isn't there a subreddit devoted to alternatives where gab is listed as the top option? I don't have much faith in the ability of reddit users to listen nor choose alternatives.

Edit: I was wrong. gab isn't on the list anymore.

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