If you have spent some time in the crypto space, you might have seen it - there are only two ways to win crowds' attention - shameless hype and promise of airdrops. Many would believe that's how it's done. I think it's fair to say that we all feel it's wrong, but it works.
But what if you want to capture the crowd's attention in the long run? That's when community-focused marketing strategies come in handy. Today they're different from traditional startup marketing but this difference will disappate with time. Businesses of any type will start using our web3 marketing strategies to win their communities in the long run.
The Web3 space, with its unique blend of technology enthusiasts, investors, and early adopters, correctly demanded strategies that not only inform but also engage and inspire. That's also why these will always work because that's what every user, consumer, or client wants.
Top 3 Marketing Strategies
Here are three (not so) surprisingly effective marketing strategies that have emerged as forever game-changers in the Web3;
Firstly, Community-Centric Initiatives.
Unlike the Web2 era, where marketing was often a one-way street, Web3 thrives on the power of community. We all love "our" early projects that involved us as a community in meaningful ways, often turning us from buyers into passionate advocates and memes makers.
This often involved AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions) that foster a sense of belonging and direct connection with the founders, Poker nights, book clubs, IRL regional events, meme competitions, giveaways, opportunities and collaborations with other projects, discounts, and often also governance tokens that give holders a say in project development.
In essence, the product is not just a tool or a platform but a shared venture where every participant has an emotional (if not other) stake. This accelerates adoption and builds a resilient user base that can weather the volatility inherent to the blockchain space.
Building community not-on-hype but on core product offering is the bases for the future resilience.
Secondly, Transparency as a Marketing Tool.
Web3 projects that openly share their development process, challenges, and future plans cultivate long-term trust and credibility.
In a sector rife with scams and skepticism, being transparent can be your most potent marketing strategy.
This can be as simple as regular development updates on social media or as involved as making your codebase open source. The key is to communicate openly and consistently, turning potential vulnerabilities into strengths.
By demystifying the technology and your business model, you make your project accessible and trustworthy, attracting users and investors who value honesty over hype.
By the way this strategy works great for artists as well!
Lastly, Leveraging NFTs for Engagement and Loyalty.
This is something we all know about. Some projects managed to transcend NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and their initial use as digital collectibles to become powerful tools for marketing and user engagement.
Innovative projects use NFTs to offer tangible value beyond mere ownership, starting with things like exclusive access to events, services, or premium content. But please be creative and don't be afraid to experiment. Depending on your niche, your community may get excited about totally different things.
This strategy taps into the human desire for belonging and recognition, turning every NFT into a badge of honor that carries both social and practical benefits.
This is also our wedge into the Web2 business world. Loyalty is something businesses have understood for a long time, but they lacked the advanced tooling that NFTs can bring to loyalty programs.
And sure, NFTs can serve as a way to fundraise, offering a tangible product in exchange for investment, which can be particularly appealing in the early stages of a project. Kind of Kickstarter with NFTs. I'm not a big fan of this approach because many founders in the past misused it.
Why They Work
To close this musing for my friends, the most effective Web3 marketing strategies work because they:
build not just a user base, but a community;
offer not just a product, but a shared vision;
and seek not just a transaction, but a relationship.
And I believe this is the future for web2 marketing as well. So let's win together!
I hope to see you around, if you like - bring your friends - and let's support each other!
BFG (aka BrightFutureGuy)
- on X: https://twitter.com/aka_BFG
- on Farcaster - https://warpcast.com/bfg
