Specialised Channel Manager for The Dyrt

For avid campers Sarah and Kevin Smith, planning camping trips was a constant struggle. The two used to spend hours scouring the internet for honest reviews and detailed information about campgrounds, only to come up empty-handed. Frustrated by the lack of reliable resources, the Smiths created The Dyrt. The user-generated content platform shares authentic camping experiences.

The Origins of The Dyrt

The Dyrt was born out of Sarah and Kevin’s realization that many fellow campers faced the same challenges when trying to find local recommendations and pictures of campgrounds online. After researching, Sarah discovered a real market opportunity in over 60 million Americans spending roughly $166.9 billion on outdoor recreation and camping yearly.

Gamifying User-Generated Content to Build an Active Community

Sarah and Kevin implemented a clever gamification strategy to incentivize users to contribute reviews, photos, and videos. They created a points-based system with leaderboards, where users could earn badges and win prizes from outdoor brands by submitting high-quality campground reviews.

The approach proved to be a highly effective growth hack, organically crowdsourcing more user-generated content than any other platform in the camping sphere. Sarah notes that the company focuses on the 1%, the super users who submit content and engage.

By nurturing a core community of dedicated contributors, The Dyrt built a vast repository of authentic campground reviews, photos, and tips—an invaluable resource for campers seeking reliable information.

Transitioning to a Sustainable Business Model

The Dyrt initially generated revenue through brand partnerships and sponsored content, but Sarah and Kevin recognized the need for a more sustainable business model. The goal was to monetize technology and user data directly.

The Dyrt PRO, a paid subscription service offering upgraded tools, like a trip planner, offline maps, and discounts on camping gear, was launched in 2020. The response was overwhelming, with 40,000 users signing up within the first six months.

The Dyrt’s success attracted investors, and the company has raised $12 million across four funding rounds, with a fifth round already underway. The influx of capital has enabled The Dyrt to expand the team from the initial duo to 38 employees, including developers, marketers, and customer service representatives.

Scaling Up and Staying Ahead of Industry Trends

The Dyrt focuses on enhancing mobile apps and exploring new opportunities. One trend the company is capitalizing on is the rise of remote work. According to data, nearly 25% of campers continued to work remotely from the campsite in 2022, despite many companies returning to the office. The findings have prompted The Dyrt to develop features that cater to the new segment of digital nomads and remote workers seeking outdoor experiences.

Another area of focus is the growing popularity of glamping (glamorous camping). The Dyrt’s 2023 Camping Report found that glamping increased by 10% in 2022, with survey respondents who self-identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) going glamping for the first time at a rate 50% higher than the survey average.

Expanding the Camping Community with Diversity and Inclusion

The Dyrt promotes diversity and inclusion within the camping community and identifies trends among segments of the increasingly diverse camping community, such as race, sexual orientation, age, and household income. The data provides valuable insights into the evolving demographics of the camping community and helps The Dyrt tailor the platform’s offerings.