Regular Hoops is slowly gaining traction at the University of Michigan. Here are two recent stories highlighting the brand’s small, yet noticeable network effect.
Story #1: “Are you Regular Hoops?”
Last week, I went to the Intramural Sports Building to film my friend Diego. While standing behind the baseline and recording with an iPhone, one of the players asked…
“Are you Regular Hoops?”
This moment stuck out because celebrities are recognized by their physical appearance, but I was recognized by the act of recording random pickup basketball.
After the game, I spoke more with Tim (the guy who recognized me) and learned he discovered Regular Hoops in October after I featured his former high school basketball teammate, Cam Cash.
It’s one thing to see followers on a screen, but it’s another to have in-person conversations with those individuals. These interactions with people who resonate with the brand are priceless.
This also re-emphasized that Regular Hoops is different because “Regular Hoopers” are not usually filmed.
Story #2: “They all knew about it”
I did not experience this moment first-hand because it happened in my roommate’s class, so here’s the screenshot from my house’s group chat that describes it.
It’s crazy how things come full circle, and good to know the Instagram algorithm is doing its job :)
On a serious note, I appreciate the passion my roommates share for Regular Hoops. Ian, Nabil, and Zay have shown genuine excitement for the brand. Their thoughtful ideas and constructive feedback motivate me to push forward.
Lingering Thoughts
While the Regular Hoops network effect is growing in Michigan, I’ve realized my New York network is not as engaged with the content.
There are many possibilities why, but I won’t dive down that rabbit role. Instead, I want to note my goal is to produce location-agnostic content that entertains basketball fans.
This is why I’m fascinated by Sidetalk (@sidetalknyc)—a brand that built a massive audience through social media videos spotlighting New York culture.
Nevertheless, I trust my vision and won’t get trapped comparing Regular Hoops to other accounts.
PS—Shoot me a message if this resonated. And if you enjoyed these stories, you might also like reading how Regular Hoops went from 0 to 2,500 Followers in 10 Days.