I’m currently developing my first NFT collection, or Genesis as you will and it is a very nerve racking experience I have to say. Not only is Web3 a whole new world, but producing an NFT collection is like producing a small collection of products in a totally foreign environment with totally foreign ways of developing. I mean, you don’t even sell it in regular currency for starters!
As a working class, creative woman in the web3 space, I wanted to build a guide that’s jargon-free and liberated from taboo veils trying to keep crypto a secret. I want creativity to grow and showcase diversity in a space often dominated by white men with a lot of cash – not that there’s anything wrong with that, in fact, they’re the ones who will invest in your project. Nevertheless, I feel there is a lack of clarity when it comes to how to actually make money from your collection.
In spaces and other areas online its even frowned upon to launch an NFT collection for the sole purpose of making a quick buck. While I agree with that wholeheartedly, as a young creative on minimum wage, the web2 music industry isn’t doing me any favours. My latest single just hit 200,000 streams on Spotify and I received a royalties cheque from PRS for £2.50. So yes, I would benefit from making a little revenue – not a ton!- from a well thought creative project in the exciting world of web3.
The beauty with NFTs is that they really can be anything. I know artists who mint real life NFTs even – you buy a token and get sent something in the post as well as own a digital version which exists on the blockchain. My own personal collection merges music with 3D fashion design in the form of playing cards. I wanted something collectible, fashionable and unique which showcased my brand as a music artist.
However, as with any product, you could create the hottest and most exciting NFT collection in the world but if it isn’t marketed correctly, it just won’t sell. Your “pitch” is the main way people hear about your project, especially in the early stages. In the NFT world, where your community is also your stakeholder, it’s crucial to create a pitch that resonates with and attracts many people. Twitter spaces are the main form of marketing in the NFT space so you only have your voice and your profile to attract your audience.
Twitter spaces are the key to entering the world. Ideally, you should start getting active in spaces before even brainstorming your NFT ideas. This is how you build a community, get invited onto popular spaces and make a little name for yourself. Then, when you start developing your collection you can use these spaces as a digital networking event. Give teasers, talk about your project, post updates and build the hype.
Once you’re actively marketing in Twitter spaces, I would recommend semi-preparing beforehand.
- Write bullet points for what you want to go over. My bullet points consist of: one line hook, intro team, problem statement, and call to action.
- Record yourself. You only have your voice on Twitter spaces, so you need to know what your voice sounds like, whether it’s convincing and you’ll hear things you never thought about! Focus on pacing, um/uhs, pauses, and energy. More info in the Delivery section of this article.
- Make sure your audio sounds professional. You can record yourself before and double check that the audio works. Invest in a good mic or headphones.
- Try to reduce background noise. You can take advantage of the iPhone’s mic voice isolation mode. There isn’t a built in way on Android but you can look for other apps. I hear a lot of people sharing with a bunch of background noise and I understand that not everyone can get rid of background noises (I live in north London!) but try to go somewhere that has less noise.
- Double check internet strength (are you using 5G when you’re not supposed to be?). Twitter is known to rug people, and having bad internet doesn’t help.
- Practice some breathing exercises to help calm nerves. My favourite is box breathing, where you breath 4 seconds in, hold for 4 seconds, breath out 4 seconds, then hold for 4 seconds.
- You can only speak on Twitter spaces on mobile, so make sure your setup works on the phone! You can listen in on desktop but at the time of writing this article you can’t speak on desktop.
When it comes to the content of your pitch itself, you want to make sure it’s concise and effective. Here’s a rough guide on what the body should look like.
- Hook. One liner about your project that will get people engaged. Most people will fall off after this anyways.
- Team. Start with your name (so many people forget this), and talk a little bit about yourself. Tell a story, make it memorable. Personal fun facts are fun too!
- Problem statement. This isn’t applicable to all projects/artists, but many are solving a real world problem, and people better want to come along to solve the problem. Most pitch decks to VCs (venture capital) are entirely problem + solution, and I think there is merit to this structure even outside VC.
- Project specifics. If you have time, talk about what makes your project unique?
- Call to action. Don’t forget to tell people the details! What chain? What’s the price? Website? Like/RT for a giveaway?
If anything, the post pitch action is as important as the pitch itself and many forget this.
- Follow the hosts. Not only is this the right thing to do, but this also allows you to see what spaces they’re joining/hosting on your main page. They probably will join similar spaces and you can see them on your feed. It’s a great organic way to find new spaces. Hopefully the host will follow you back, and then you’ve built a relationship with someone great in the space.
- Ask the host when they usually host their spaces. Usually they’ll send you a link and you can select ‘send me a reminder’/ There is something called the mere exposure effect where people gravitate towards things they are familiar with, and so attending the same spaces is KEY to success.
- Ask other projects questions about themselves or their projects. Don’t be that person who jumps into a space, shares, then leaves.
- Check out what other spaces are going on
Very recently, Twitter introduced a spaces tab on the app so you can literally scroll for a relevant space.
Twitter spaces, I’d say, are the most organic way to pitch your project. However, I wouldn’t stop there. Get a deck together 6 weeks before you intend to drop your collection and send it out to a few people. It’s also worth asking for the email of people and platforms, especially distributors, you have connected with in spaces.
Another alternative way is through PR publications. And to write an article about your NFT Collection and send it to media outlets like CoinTelegraph, CoinDesk, that cater to the target audience. You may also want to have an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Twitter Spaces to give your collection a voice. This will give your project the boost it needs. Work together or employ an influencer to help promote your project. Through this kind of collaboration, they are able to enhance their artworks with the assistance of other experts and introduce new audiences to their collections.
Head to Discord. Discord offers a number of chat rooms where creators may connect, meet up, and discuss ideas for their digital creations. You don’t have to introduce your collections right away; if you do, some individuals will immediately write you off as spam or a con artist. Therefore, take part in the discussions and be human before implementing your concept. If you want to generate the buzz you need for your upcoming NFTs, you may also host and participate in Discord events.
