Yeah, nostr has to get past being the place that people just talk about nostr. 

That naturally happens over time. Every tech protocol (new way of doing things) starts with a small group and spreads from there if it is successful. If there's nothing to draw people to using it, it becomes less used as the enthusiasm of the initial group wanes. 

Being creative with communication and with the other possibilities of the protocol (NIPS) are likely to be the key to widespread nostr adoption.