Inside Baseball of Building a Crypto Brand | Austin Federa & Ekram Ahmed
Nov 14, 2024
auto_awesome
Austin Federa, Head of Strategy at Solana Foundation, and Ekram Ahmed, CMO of Celestia, dive into the intricacies of crypto marketing. They reveal why traditional Web2 methods often miss the mark in the crypto space. Discussing narrative building, they highlight how Solana and Celestia crafted unique identities. The duo also explores crisis communication and the missteps many projects make in that arena. Additionally, they emphasize the growing importance of authentic relationships with key opinion leaders in shaping brand narratives.
Marketing in crypto requires a fundamental shift from Web2 principles, emphasizing community engagement over traditional product promotion.
Building a successful brand in the crypto landscape hinges on creating a distinct narrative that celebrates community contributions and emotional connections.
Effective crisis communication in crypto mandates transparency and honesty, fostering trust through proactive and clear engagement with the community.
Deep dives
The Role of Marketing in Crypto Protocols
Marketing within crypto protocols is fundamentally different from traditional marketing due to the unique nature of blockchain projects. Rather than simply promoting specific products, marketing efforts must focus on building an ecosystem and conveying the overall advantages of the network. This approach is akin to marketing for a city, where the goal is to highlight the benefits of living and doing business in that location. Effective marketing strategies in this context involve creating compelling narratives about the ecosystem's strengths while fostering a sense of community involvement.
The Distinction Between Web2 and Web3 Marketing
Marketing strategies that worked in the Web2 environment often fail to resonate in the Web3 space, requiring a substantial shift in approach. Traditional metrics, such as marketing qualified leads, are less relevant in an arena where community engagement and ideologies take precedence. The experience of transitioning from Web2 to Web3 highlights the need for marketers to adapt their strategies, focusing more on building community trust and authentic relationships. This shift underscores the necessity of rethinking the role and meaning of marketing within the decentralized landscape.
Brand Positioning and Community Engagement
Effective brand positioning in the crypto space relies heavily on understanding the community's ethos and emotional drivers. Rather than attempting to be the focal point, brands should aim to celebrate and elevate the contributions of others within the ecosystem. Building a distinct narrative, particularly for innovative concepts like modular blockchains, helps carve out a unique identity in a crowded market. This narrative becomes crucial in attracting not only developers but also establishing a strong community connection, essential for long-term success.
Crisis Management in Crypto
Crisis communication in the crypto world necessitates a straightforward approach rooted in honesty and empathy. Brands must prioritize transparency by accurately representing the situation rather than engaging in speculation or deflecting responsibility. Being proactive in addressing issues and quickly acknowledging mistakes can foster trust within the community. Furthermore, maintaining open lines of communication during crises helps prevent misinformation and keeps stakeholders informed of developments.
KOLs and Influencer Engagement
In the crypto space, relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) should focus on genuine connections rather than relying on superficial metrics like follower counts. Those in the industry recognize that impactful relationships often yield more authentic endorsements than paid promotions. It is crucial to approach influencer engagement as a method of earning attention through earned media rather than paying for it. Establishing a network of industry insiders can create powerful amplification for projects, as these connections lead to organic outreach based on genuine interest.
In today's episode Austin Federa (Head of Strategy at Solana Foundation) and Ekram Ahmed (CMO of Celestia) - break down what actually works in crypto marketing. They discuss why Web2 marketing principles fail in crypto, reveal how Solana and Celestia developed their distinct narrative positions, and explain what most projects get wrong about crisis communications and community building. The conversation covers everything from the "modular vs monolithic" narrative war to why marketing agencies rarely work in crypto. Thanks for listening!
- -
Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis.
Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode