new thread
Hey,
I have an idea that I wanted to run past the group to see what might come of it.
I'm a big advocate of the "Unity is Power" theme. That's one reason why I enjoy MLHH so much. There have been many instances, when out in public and noticing a fellow long hair, that I really wanted to tell him about MLHH and "bring him into the fold" as it were. But, I've always felt awkward starting up the conversation. I guess I've always thought that approaching someone you don't know with a compliment and a lengthy conversation might be misconstrued as a hit on. (Sad that society puts such limitations on guys...not so much on girls.)
So, I've been toying with the idea of having business cards made that say, quite simply:
www.MLHH.org
Men's Long Hair Hyperboard
Unity is Power
Then, in the previous situation, I could simply offer the guy a business card and say "Nice hair" and walk away.
What do you all think? Anyone want to chip in for part of a big batch of cards?
DavidH
I love it!!
Thanks!
DavidH
David,
That is a great idea!!!
Much better then writing the boards address in restroom stalls. LOL
Heck, print out some fliers and staple them to telephone poles.
Mike
So you're the one!!!
LOL!
Thanks for the encouragement. I'll think I'll pass on the fliers though.
DavidH
If it floats your boat as the saying goes then good on you.
I can't personally think that I would distribute such things without appearing an arse hole.
Hmmmm ... Is it really a arse hole type of thing? I hadn't thought of it that way.
DavidH
Lovely! Go for it!
Cheers,
John.B
Thanks! It's great to have your support.
DavidH
Seems like a good idea I guess.
I really don't like being bothered on the street, but it's for a compliment and a simple card, I might pay attention. Just make sure the card says the hyperboard is for straight men. Otherwise they might think you are gay.
You might want to rephrase that.
I'm not gay. But I know that there are several VERY involved, VERY cool guys on the hyperboard who are gay. If I were one of them I might be a bit put off about your comment.
DavidH
I mean no harm to the gay community, as a matter of fact one of my friends is gay, what I mean is that this Hyperboard is aimed specifically to discuss hair issue and it may be mistaken for a meet-up kind of board.
Of course gay men will no the rejected or anything, but as the creators of this board stated "If you are male and interested in meeting longhairs, we suggest you visit gaylonghair.com."
Sounds like a brilliant idea, one of the many "Daves" ;)
That'll help spread the word and possibly inspire many more to grow their hair. I say GO FOR IT!
Thanks for the input!
DavidH
i like the idea, and if you want to, go for it. but...isn't it possible that we may attract some unwanted attnetion? say if a card were to fall into the hands of a person who hated long hair on men. it could happen...
Thanks!
Hmmm ... I hadn't thought of any bad attention to the board. I guess I wouldn't think it any more bad attention that wearing a MLHH t-shirt.
DavidH
and I have been giving them out for about 2 years now. I just gave one out today to a tall (about 6'2") skinny young guy who is growing out his curly hair for the first time. He appeared to have maybe 8" of hair. (It is hard to tell with curly hair, since curls hide the length.) Hopefully he will post here soon.
I hope I don't come off as egotistical, but my image is on the cards that I hand out. I stopped handing out the huge image on the left, and hand out the smaller images now. On some, I put my e-mail and phone number as well.
I feel it is time to have a card that shows 3 or more of our members on it, with consent of course. (An image showing our hair from the back would guarantee anonimity.) I have a drawing program to put this together too. I am very into doing an official card. I can do it in a format that is easy to e-mail and print, maybe 12 to a sheet, which can be cut into cards.
Scott
Cool! I'm glad I'm not the only one with the idea.
DavidH
Hey David, I think once you work up the comfort with complimenting others the conversation that sometimes follows is more rewarding than leading someone back here with a card. The wording of compliments is personal, what works for others won't necessarily work for you but here's what my husband does. As a balding longhair "I'm jealous of your hair" with a smile always works for him. I think most people are comfortable getting compliments and have a good sense when it is from awe or a come on.
Sometimes the person is interested in talking and if they mention problems they have, maybe family acceptance, maybe tangles, that's a great lead-in for mentioning the Hyperboard as a resource. On the other hand a lot of the longhairs I encounter have long hair but don't need a social connection for it so passing out a card for something they don't need could be intrusive, especially if they think it might be a commercial site, dating group, or crazy longhair cult.
For those that are interested in this place a card is ideal though since the website is not something that would stick in their minds. One place I have used before is VistaPrint which always has a special of 250 cards you design and only pay for shipping. I got my own address cards that way and they look really nice and only carry a Vistaprint logo on the back as the trade off for getting the cards free.
Good luck with your complimenting David, it is fun and gets much easier as you have more positive experiences.
Elizabeth
http://www.vistaprint.com/
Thanks for the advice.
Hi David
Well reading your post I have to say its a brilliant idea
but I do recall it being suggested in the past if I remember correctly.I just read Scott's post so that must be where I remember hearing about the idea.But David you bring up an excellent point as I too see longhairs about but am too shy to approach them for a compliment as much as I'd like to.Doing what you suggested to me sounds like a great solution as it appears more of promoting a website than as a hit on that person.Your phrase of "Nice Hair" with the card being handed out is short and sweet and to the point.If I had a prototype card that was approved by the crew I'd be glad to have a batch professionally made locally at my expense.Great post David and lets see where this goes.Have a great weekend my friend.
Mark
Thanks for the encouragement!
Heheh, how about trading cards (with consent of those pictured of course)? Hey, longhaired dude, do you have the Bill card? I need one to battle Ogres. Next step, "The MLHH Power Hour" on Saturday morning cartoons.
LOL!
Here is what I came up with. Is it alright with both of you? This shows only hair and no faces and it is from our August 2006 longhair SF meet. It shows beautiful long hair.
Scott
Hi Scott
Hey the card looks cool and its very simple which is good.The only problem that Elizabeth being a woman being pictured on a card advertising a mens site.Some might consider that cheating.Just a thought as I'm not sure its really that big a deal.
Mark
Hey Mark, I think it is alright, since we do welcome women to our site as well as men. I intentionally left enough space on these cards for a personal touch, e-mail and phone number, if desired.
Scott
Hey Scott
Yea thats what I thought and the pic was a back shot anyway.Just thought I'd mention it but I'm sure you realized it anyway.The card looks great regardless so we'll see what the others think I guess.
Mark
Hey Scott, I'm fine (and flattered!) with any use you have for any photos I am in but agree with Mark that when advertising this site it is really all about the men here and their wonderful hair. Women are here in a supporting role but the guys and their hair are the stars and that's as it should be for the purpose of this site.
Instead of going for length perhaps a photo that celebrates the inclusiveness of the site in another way- a balding longhair and shorter length person like my Bill, maybe someone grey like Bill Choisser with you. Since your audience isn't going to be familiar with the back length shots that are conventional for hair pictures I'd suggest one showing friendly faces. That picture of Bill C. and you in his kitchen with your ponytail around him (hope I'm remembering that right) is a great example of the spirit of this site.
The card of just you works too, you are there in person and can use it to show what your hair looks like when loose which most people don't get to see in person. Another thing I want to mention, perhaps a little bit about what the site is on the card- longhair support, knowledge, and camaraderie.
Yeah, I agree with Mark and Elizabeth that the card, since it will show so few people, should have photos of people who are clearly men. Three men with varying ages, curliness, hair colors, and hair lengths would be ideal, and the photos should be from the front. Shots from the back to some people not familiar with the on line hair communities may come off as weird.
Bill
some of our regular members if they would like to be on that card, showing them from the front. I can easily swap out the image, it is just a sample. I did this in a 2 by 3.5 inch format. I can fit 4 to 6 portraits in that 1.7" square space on the card, while allowing people to still be recognizable. I guess it is time to start a new thread asking which of our members would like to have their images on the card. It would be really cool to have at least 3 different cards, or more. I can fit the images together seamlessly. By doing 3 (or more) different cards with 4 to 6 images each, we can very well represent our diverse longhair community.
Guys, I can do this, with permission of our members to use their images.
Scott