The Longhairs A Global Community For Men With Long Hair

VOTE FOR THE LONGHAIRS – San Diego’s Emerging Brand of the Year

In Celebrate by El Rubio126 Comments

We Need Your Help

Yo Longhairs!

This month, SDX is accepting applications for the SDX Brand Diego Awards, honoring San Diego companies who have made a notable or lasting impact by building strong brands, as well as their contributions to the San Diego community at large.

Among 16 award categories, we felt this one was a lock:

Emerging Brand of the Year
Emerging Brand of the Year describes a San Diego based company that is no more than 5 years old. This company has made great strides in consumer, customer, or public awareness through advertising, marketing, and public relations efforts during the past year. The winning company is quickly shifting perceptions, garnering market share and/or making a name for themselves in the region.


“SDX is San Diego’s premier media, marketing and technology organization for brands, agencies, publishers and startups.”

The Longhairs’ Application
The application process was a great opportunity to look back at what’s transpired over the past year. It’s been pretty incredible, and we thought you’d appreciate reading.

There were some notable highlights, but the true strength of our application came down to one thing: our community. Which is you.

With that in mind, we’ve actually included this exact blog post as part of our application. Literally. The post you’re reading right now. And we’re asking for your help, because we can talk about the brand all day, but it all comes down to what you have to say about it.

So help us out! Read through our application below, then leave a comment. Let the decision makers know what you think about The Longhairs, and help us take it home.


Q & A

Demonstrate that this company gained significant market share or brand/perception awareness during the past year:

This is a particularly relevant question, as prior to The Longhairs, there was virtually no market share, perception or awareness of men with long hair. They were out there, you’ve seen them on the streets, but there was no community or a place to go.

Until now. The Longhairs have created a global community for men with long hair, whose mission is to advocate, educate and celebrate. Through hard work, patience and consistency, we have built this community—and our audience has responded.

Some quick facts to demonstrate these gains:

  • Grown our email list to 4,000 subscribers
  • Grown YouTube audience to 9,000 subscribers
  • 32 videos published on YouTube with over 600K total views, 15 videos with over 10K views, and the most watched video with over 140K views
  • Averaging over 22K unique website visitors per month
  • Shipped Hair Ties For Guys to 48 states in the US and 36 countries on 6 continents around the world
  • Consistently grown sales since launching, making at least one sale almost every day
  • Sam—who we did not know previously—got a 9” tattoo of The Longhairs logo on his shoulder


Hair Whip with Lindsay Barto

List up to 3 strategies and tactics employed in the last year to achieve these results:

Strategy #1: Content
Content is the cornerstone of our community. At the time of this application, we have published content—videos, articles, tutorials and how-to, photography and podcasts—once a week for 98 consecutive weeks. We never miss.

More importantly, we offer a sense of belonging, of not being alone any more. We offer the confidence of, “I know what I’m doing,” in place of, “I don’t know what I’m doing.” We offer understanding, when no one else understands. And we offer you a hair tie, when you’re eating spaghetti and you don’t have one.

Strategy #2: Longhairs Referral Cards
While it’s proven challenging to proactively target men with long hair online, we can spot our guys in real life from 100 feet away. Not only that, but there is a certain recognition and camaraderie that occurs in these face-to-face interactions. Recognizing this, we felt a strong need for a way to engage.

We created a simple referral card that we could hand out, along with instructions on what you should do when you see other longhairs: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/when-you-see-guys-with-long-hair/

We started handing them out ourselves, but family, friends and followers said they wanted to hand them out as well. We did a few blog posts about the experience of handing them out, and created a program where you can order a free pack of 10 cards from our website: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/referral-cards/

So far we’ve gotten nearly 1,000 orders from all over the world, meaning there are 10,000 Longhairs cards out there, in addition to the thousands we’ve handed out ourselves. The cards create an organic, hand-to-hand introduction while garnering a positive reaction over 95% of the time, from guys of all different age, race, occupation and appearance.

Strategy #3: Quick Tips
Quick Tips is a collection of basic hair knowledge every man with long hair needs, from brushing, washing, growing, caring and more. It’s free, all you have to do is sign up: https://thelonghairs.us/pages/longhairs-quick-tips

Since launching Quick Tips we’ve captured roughly 2,400 email addresses and our audience has responded with comments, follow-up questions and appreciation for finally knowing what the hell to do with their long hair.


Long hair styles for men Chris Healy

Describe how the nominee consistently delivers on its brand promise:

The Longhairs’ brand promise is to advocate, educate and celebrate, while publishing original, quality content for men with long hair once a week. And we deliver, every single week, without fail.

We advocate for men with long hair. We publish hair knowledge, advice, and tips for guys with locks. And we celebrate mens’ long manes with membership referral cards, high fives and Hair Whip Wednesdays.

Here’s a little more about what that means.

We Advocate for Men With Long Hair
Countless influencers of the world have been men with long hair, yet today they’re called “slacker” and “hippie,” told to get a job and they look like a girl. Long hair is widely considered unprofessional, and there are HR policies and grooming codes prohibiting men from wearing it.

We’ve tackled this issue from several angles.

Longhairs Professional Series
It’s no secret long hair on men is considered “unprofessional.” There’re a lot of jobs out there—most jobs—where you can’t have long hair. Why?

Leaders, politicians, professionals, royalty, even warriors have had long hair for millennia. Only in the past century has long hair on men become “unprofessional.” In today’s day and age, you can’t expect to apply for most professional-type jobs with long hair and be taken seriously.

That’s why we created the Longhairs professional series. The purpose is to show successful men with long hair in their professional fields. Talking long hair and business. We aim to reinforce the belief for every longhair:

“Yes, I can be a longhair and be a professional, be taken seriously, make a good living. I don’t have to fall in line. I don’t have to be “conventional.”

Another unexpected topic that has surfaced has been little guys with long hair. We’ve had at least a dozen mothers of boys with long hair write in, telling us how their sons are teased, bullied, told they look like a girl and that they should cut their hair, so they will look like “a real boy.”

This post perfectly demonstrates this subcommunity: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/boys-with-long-hair/

Lastly, The Longhairs have demonstrated that long hair transcends age, race, color, religion, socioeconomic background and nationality. Men with long hair form a global community, that until now have never had a place to go.

Advocate posts: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/category/advocate/

We Educate Men With Long Hair
Women tend to learn about their long hair, as knowledge is passed between mothers, aunties, sisters and friends. Men rarely have that luxury, finding themselves with a head full of locks and unanswered questions, left to figure it out alone.

We’re here to bridge the gap, publishing tips, advice and tutorials on how to tie it, brush it, braid it, care for it and more.

Educate posts: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/category/educate/

We Celebrate Men With Long Hair
Every man with long hair has a story. His hair is part of his identity, and he’s proud of it. Instead of celebrating that fact he tends to stay quiet, having friends and family who are tolerable at best. He certainly isn’t high-fiving and chest-bumping to his long hair goals, relegated to celebrating in silence.

Not anymore. Here’s a collection of our celebration of follicle freedom.

Celebrate posts: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/category/celebrate/

The Men’s Aisle
Finally, if you’re a guy with long hair and you decide to upgrade from the $1 shampoo, where do you go? If you want to keep your hair out of your face? If you want a nice brush, or a comb, or something to help with those awful tangles and frizzy hair days?

You go to the women’s hair care aisle. And stand there, awkwardly, reading product descriptions on pastel-colored packaging about volume and shine that just aren’t speaking your language. There is no aisle for men with long hair, or the unique, but very real problems they face every single day.

So The Longhairs was conceived, which goes far beyond a piece of elastic. We are here to solve these problems, and fill an empty space.

And the longhairs of the world have responded. Here’s just a slice of the feedback and engagement we’ve seen over the past year. See it here.


Has the nominee launched any game-changing programs? Has it garnered any ground-breaking press? Has it won any awards? Please state your case for why else you believe your brand deserves to be Emerging Brand of the Year (1000 words or less).

This award was made for The Longhairs. Founded and headquartered in Little Italy, we are a grassroots San Diego brand, born from an idea and an uncompromising vision to make that idea real.

Perhaps most impressively, to this point The Longhairs has been a side-business. Our full-time business is a two-man web shop and marketing agency founded in 2012. Starting with making $300 websites, we’ve built a respectable agency, figured it out and survived in a competitive environment for four years.

Putting only 10%-20% of our time into The Longhairs, we’ve built a global brand with zero funding, investment or outside resources. Just grit, perseverance and determination. And we intend to take this to the ends of the earth.

Game-Changing Programs
Established our charitable outreach, “Longhairs Do Care,” donating $1 for every sale to Locks of Love. To-date The Longhairs have donated $962 to Locks of Love, in less than one year of earning revenue. https://blog.thelonghairs.us/longhairs-do-care/

Hosted “Long Manes & Candy Canes,” bringing together nearly 20 San Diego brands and businesses to celebrate the launch of our flagship product, Hair Ties For Guys: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/manesandcanes/

Past Press

Upcoming Press


Not only is The Longhairs quickly shifting perceptions, garnering market share and/or making a name for ourselves in the region, but truly around the world. Through all, we hope to continue building this brand into a business, and a community, that will make San Diego proud.

But don’t take our word for it. Let our community speak for themselves. See what they have to say about this application in the comments below.


VOTE FOR THE LONGHAIRS

Leave a comment below, and let SDX know what you think about The Longhairs. It can be short and sweet or a full dissertation, it’s up to you. Just show us some love. We only ask you include:

  • Where you’re from
  • Why you think The Longhairs deserve to win the Brand Diego Emerging Brand of the Year

We’ll let you know how it all pans out. Thanks, and keep lettin’ it ride.

Comments

  1. Daniel Harris aka El Picador, Living at the center of the continent (Arkansas) leaves us somewhere near 10-15 yrs behind many other places. The Longhairs has helped educate some of us in the middle to catch up. As a boy, we southerners have not been taught the many things we have learned at The Longhairs site. Along with the encouragement one receives from the energy level, and the ease with which these guys inhabit their skin.
    And to those choosing the recipient of the award mentioned above… Please take note of something that I found very compelling. In the comment section of one of the recent blogs about long hair in the American Indian culture, a non-native English speaker valued the blog so much that they took the time and effort to translate the entire blog into French, and offer it as a link.
    How awesome is that???

  2. The Longhairs is a company co-owned my brother Christopher Healy (El Rubio). Chris and Lindsay (El Rubio) pour their heart and soul into this company and everything they do, and are very passionate about what they do. Keep it rolling.

  3. The Longhairs approach live with an energy and enthusiasm that is truly unique. Building a truly inspirational and unique community around their brand. Good work guys !

  4. Aspiring longhair from the east coast (Baaaaahstan). My whole life I have always had a real tight haircut due to my Pops always telling me I had to be clean cut (even though he had a great set of lettuce growing up). I found the longhairs over the summer (end of July) and I am proud to say I haven’t cut my hair since. Everyone is already impressed with how thick my mop is, I cannot wait to buy my first hair ties for guys.. in 8 more months by my estimation.
    The Longhairs rock.

  5. Hi! I’m from New Delhi, India. The Longhairs must win the Emerging Brand Of The year award. It is super unconventional and a breakthrough in its field. Undoubtedly, the one and only, the best site for men long-haired community. Long-haired or not, every man associated with this site is bound to feel “with a family”. We are a family that advocates, educates and celebrates “being different”, being unique. I love TheLonghairs for its amazing videos, tips and its overall aura. Best of Luck Guys! Cheers!

  6. Just love what the Longhairs are doing! So many brands and companies start with a product and try to shoehorn it into the market by creating a false narrative for consumer appeal. The Longhairs, from the beginning, started with their community and listened – really listened – adapted, created, evolved, efficiently maneuvered and never lost track of what they were and what they wanted to be. It’s a testament to their grit, resolve,and tenacity. Do they create a product that has a market? Absolutely. But The Longhairs are more than a product: they are a lifestyle, a support group, an advocacy center for men who have never had one before.

    Growing your hair long isn’t something you do overnight. There are more tough moments than pleasant ones during the entire experience. The Longhairs have built a brand that allows people to share, celebrate and believe that the juice is worth the squeeze.

  7. Love the Longhairs! They should be the Emerging Brand of the Year nationwide but San Diego is a good start. 🙂 I spread the word daily…

  8. I’ve been a friend of The Longhairs for some time now and can honestly say that I’ve never known another brand to start out as grassroots and bootstrapped as these fellas AND galvanize such a hearty following. Not only is everything they put out on point, everyone they reach can’t get enough.

    And I didn’t even know the statistics on their growth until I read this blog post. Guys are killing it and I don’t know of another brand in SD making strides like they have. I may be a short hair, but I fully support The Longhairs.

  9. Hi, my name is David and I’m from Toronto, ON, Canada. The longhairs brand is amazing! They provide so much tips and advise that you simply cannot get anywhere else!

  10. Where else can guys turn to get products, learn how to use the products and meet Longhairs like themselves? These guys are innovative and saw not only an opportunity to succeed in their business, but a chance to help others just like them. I live in L.A. and Arizona. I refer guys to them and have now referred my son, who is growing his mane! They most definitely deserve this award and many others! Keep up the great work and ideas, Longhairs!

  11. Yo Longhairs,
    I support you completely and I am forever grateful for your videos and articles. Keep on rocking and don’t even think about cutting that hair.

  12. This is Nick from Eureka, CA. The Longhairs are providing a service that has for too long been an obscurity. I have learned more about my hair over the past few months of reading their articles and watching their tutorials than I have been taught in my 31 years of existence. While I’ve done a lot of damage to my hair through my ignorance, I’m now on track to reduce further damage and hopefully repair some of the existing damage. I absolutely love what these guys have done to help educate their fellow Longhairs and think they are a prime candidate for the Emerging Brand of the Year award at SDX. Thanks for showing the world that long hair on men is just as classy as a traditional short cut when the men are properly educated on care and style.

  13. After paying for cheap $10 haircuts with a number 5 all over to keep it simple and having different barbers screwing that up, I said screw it and decided I’m not getting another haircut. In June I started letting my hair grow and a few months later came across The Longhairs and being a San Diegan they have inspired me to keep letting it grow and ignore my mom’s constant comments that She’d give me each time I tried to let it grow. So yeah, these guys deserve to be San Diego’s top emerging brand of the year. I also gave a speech in class about traveling because of El Rubio’s inspiring adventure around the world. Thanks guys.

  14. I live in Mammoth Lakes and love The Longhairs for how it’s a brand built on and for a passionate community. Truly bold and innovative.

  15. These guys are great! They created a great community and they donate to charity with every online sale. I always look forward to new videos and updates from them. Love this site, and they deserve this award. Fasho.

  16. The Longhairs is easily the only place I can call home as a longhair. No one else except The Longhairs has expressed how fun being a part of this unique community actually is. I accidentally stumbled upon them and can’t imagine how another stray longhair can find this glorious mane of a website without some help. They deserve to be Brand Diego Emerging Brand of the Year to finally destroy the word “manbun”, and instill some culture into our way of life and perception. As I glide through the streets of NYC, I now feel reinvigorated. Now I Highball through Harlem. These guys are on to something.

  17. I live in St. Louis, Missouri where men with long hair are generally considered to be “rednecks” or slackers. I am 59 years old and work as a Senior Research Scientist at a major corporation headquartered in St. Louis. I attend professional scientific meetings and routinely interact with scientists in academia from around the country and in other countries as well. I also have long hair (for close to three years now). Longhairs gave me the confidence to believe that wearing long hair is not unprofessional, and with the guidance I have gained from them on how to groom, care for, and style my long hair I know that I am representing a new generation of professional, respectable men with long hair.

  18. I’m a shorthair but have known the longhairs since the beginning, what they are promoting and advocating is a culture of acceptance, freedom and knowledge in an area not many have talked about. Keep up the great work guys.

  19. These guys are in it for the community – the weekly content I look forward to – creative, fun, engaging and on brand every time – makes me wonder what they could do if this was their full time gig. I’ve been reminded that Long Hairs were/are everywhere in history – from George Washington to today’s heros. I enjoyed their Sports Teams (NFL) players with Long Hair and the Famous Longhair Fridays. Keep the Tier 1 content coming and I believe the world will discover this gem that was birthed in San Diego by a couple of Long Hairs – smart, passionate, successful, driven, innovative, introspective, caring, giving, … definitely not the 1970s stereotype “hippie” or “deadbeat” that surrounds this community before you guys brought the reality back.

  20. Keeps me up to date and CONSTANTLY gives me new ideas. Reading their stuff is always informative and entertaining.

  21. I’m from Moline IL and the longhairs’ posts have helped me during these awkward stages of growth and hopefully will be a longhair soon!

  22. Found The Longhairs a couple years ago while searching youtube vids for how to comb and tie long hair for different occasions. This group has helped fuel my love for my long hair plus my wife thinks it rocks! I think you deserve the award for your efforts! From Raleigh, NC

  23. The Longhairs is an awesome brand that is run by two men who know how to put in the hard work to make their ideas come to life. They have transformed a simple idea into a global community – and it just keeps getting bigger everyday. I am so proud of you guys and honored to be part of the journey.

  24. Wow !!!! Finally a company who is all about men’s hair by men with LONGHAIR !!!!! Keep it up !!!!!! Customer 4 Life!!!!!

Leave a Comment