Some influencers have been promoting scams for the past few days.
This has led some people to wonder...
"What's the end game for these influencers?"
Here's my end game and what I'm trying to build:
This has led some people to wonder...
"What's the end game for these influencers?"
Here's my end game and what I'm trying to build:
Brief Background:
In my 20s, I found success through eCommerce and re-invested my earnings into the stock market.
This led me to financial independence in my 30s.
I started working on a new eCom company (Pet Supplements), but then COVID messed up my plans.
In my 20s, I found success through eCommerce and re-invested my earnings into the stock market.
This led me to financial independence in my 30s.
I started working on a new eCom company (Pet Supplements), but then COVID messed up my plans.
I'm part of the 2017 Crypto class.
2018 Crypto winter wrecked me, and I stayed away for a few years.
Then my friend got me into DeFi (Q3 2020).
I found my new drug and became a full-time investor.
2018 Crypto winter wrecked me, and I stayed away for a few years.
Then my friend got me into DeFi (Q3 2020).
I found my new drug and became a full-time investor.
2021
I was studying Crypto 12+ hrs a day.
I did well investing-wise, but I felt empty the whole time.
"There has to be more to my life than shitposting on Twitter and Discord."
I've built multi-million dollar companies in the past.
I've created jobs.
I missed BUILDING.
I was studying Crypto 12+ hrs a day.
I did well investing-wise, but I felt empty the whole time.
"There has to be more to my life than shitposting on Twitter and Discord."
I've built multi-million dollar companies in the past.
I've created jobs.
I missed BUILDING.
The Spark
In January 22', Frog Nation and Bankless had some drama.
I saw someone asking in the comments,
"is there anyone like Bankless but for non-ETH maxis?"
I thought that was a 🔥 idea.
I brainstormed a few names, and The DeFi Edge was up within the hour.
In January 22', Frog Nation and Bankless had some drama.
I saw someone asking in the comments,
"is there anyone like Bankless but for non-ETH maxis?"
I thought that was a 🔥 idea.
I brainstormed a few names, and The DeFi Edge was up within the hour.
Massive Growth
I had no idea this account would grow as fast as it did.
I benefited from:
• Writing threads before it became saturated
• Experience in writing & growth marketing
• Keeping it real
I had no idea this account would grow as fast as it did.
I benefited from:
• Writing threads before it became saturated
• Experience in writing & growth marketing
• Keeping it real
There Wasn't a Master Plan
Around April, I realized that I could turn this into a business.
I had no clue what to build.
My approach is simple.
1) Build an audience.
2) Find problems.
3) Solve problems.
Here are 2 examples of how I've done that...
Around April, I realized that I could turn this into a business.
I had no clue what to build.
My approach is simple.
1) Build an audience.
2) Find problems.
3) Solve problems.
Here are 2 examples of how I've done that...
1. People want to transition to Web 3 jobs
So I created a job board.
2. Retail has a hard time keeping up with DeFi news
I write a free newsletter once a week. Sell sponsorships to quality protocols.
I'm proud that I created a few win/win situations.
So I created a job board.
2. Retail has a hard time keeping up with DeFi news
I write a free newsletter once a week. Sell sponsorships to quality protocols.
I'm proud that I created a few win/win situations.
What's my End Game?
This leads to the big question - what's my end game?
Everyone's suspicious of influencers now.
"Are they all building massive followings so they can pump & dump or shill a paid discord?"
Here are some of my motivations:
This leads to the big question - what's my end game?
Everyone's suspicious of influencers now.
"Are they all building massive followings so they can pump & dump or shill a paid discord?"
Here are some of my motivations:
DeFi is a Game of Information Asymmetry
"What do you know that others don't?"
Having a large account is an unfair advantage for getting information.
1. You get invited to Gigabrain groups. I am 100% the dumbest person in several groups I'm in.
"What do you know that others don't?"
Having a large account is an unfair advantage for getting information.
1. You get invited to Gigabrain groups. I am 100% the dumbest person in several groups I'm in.
2. Mentorship
I didn't understand a mechanism.
I DM'ed the founder, and he explained it over Zoom an hour later.
3. Early Info
Some protocols send me white papers or ask for design feedback. This is an edge over retail.
A bigger following gives you ACCESS.
I didn't understand a mechanism.
I DM'ed the founder, and he explained it over Zoom an hour later.
3. Early Info
Some protocols send me white papers or ask for design feedback. This is an edge over retail.
A bigger following gives you ACCESS.
The Media Business
I started a newsletter in case my Twitter account got banned.
I love writing it each week.
Sponsorships have almost dried up because of the bear market.
Businessinsider valued Morning Brew (business newsletter) at $75m, so there's long-term potential.
I started a newsletter in case my Twitter account got banned.
I love writing it each week.
Sponsorships have almost dried up because of the bear market.
Businessinsider valued Morning Brew (business newsletter) at $75m, so there's long-term potential.
Podcast
I am interested in starting a podcast next year.
I miss the Uncommon Core podcast and would love to start something similar.
BTW, I'm looking for a co-host.
Looking for someone that I vibe with, is respected in the space, and has a different background than mine.
I am interested in starting a podcast next year.
I miss the Uncommon Core podcast and would love to start something similar.
BTW, I'm looking for a co-host.
Looking for someone that I vibe with, is respected in the space, and has a different background than mine.
The Edgy Fund
"I want to be in the room where it happens."
I'm interested in advising & investing in seed rounds of protocols.
1. Financial upside
2. Work behind the scenes
3. Support protocols I believe in
"I want to be in the room where it happens."
I'm interested in advising & investing in seed rounds of protocols.
1. Financial upside
2. Work behind the scenes
3. Support protocols I believe in
Big Swinging Dicks like a16z typically lead the round.
And then there's allocation on the cap table for smaller investors.
If it's a hot deal, you need to be a value add beyond money.
So that's my play to get a seat at the table:
Distribution + Growth + Biz Mentorship
And then there's allocation on the cap table for smaller investors.
If it's a hot deal, you need to be a value add beyond money.
So that's my play to get a seat at the table:
Distribution + Growth + Biz Mentorship
Education Products
How do we get more USERS in Crypto?
1. Builders - build dApps that get more real-world adoption
2. Educators - Simplify and help retail investors onboard and navigate the industry.
Retail won't buy your bags if they don't know how to set up BetaMask.
How do we get more USERS in Crypto?
1. Builders - build dApps that get more real-world adoption
2. Educators - Simplify and help retail investors onboard and navigate the industry.
Retail won't buy your bags if they don't know how to set up BetaMask.
Educating Retail
I see a gap in the market for quality education products.
Yes, there are plenty of free threads and YouTube videos.
People should 100% learn from those FIRST.
But some people prefer learning with a more systematic, hands-on approach.
I see a gap in the market for quality education products.
Yes, there are plenty of free threads and YouTube videos.
People should 100% learn from those FIRST.
But some people prefer learning with a more systematic, hands-on approach.
My philosophy?
Give away 99% of my content for free.
Create quality products for the 1% of my audience who are interested in more.
Transparency: I have started working on a paid course in the past few weeks.
Give away 99% of my content for free.
Create quality products for the 1% of my audience who are interested in more.
Transparency: I have started working on a paid course in the past few weeks.
So those are some of my ideas.
It's not "if you build it, and they will come."
You have to think about distribution, and that's why I focused on growing my audience first.
There's no special hack to growing.
Write good stuff and be consistent.
It's not "if you build it, and they will come."
You have to think about distribution, and that's why I focused on growing my audience first.
There's no special hack to growing.
Write good stuff and be consistent.
Retaining Independence
A few companies have offered to buy me out or invest in The DeFi Edge.
I've said no to everyone.
When you take money, there's pressure for growth.
And sometimes growth comes at the expense of the audience.
I rather bootstrap this and grow slowly.
A few companies have offered to buy me out or invest in The DeFi Edge.
I've said no to everyone.
When you take money, there's pressure for growth.
And sometimes growth comes at the expense of the audience.
I rather bootstrap this and grow slowly.
You Lose Editorial Independence
Imagine if I write a thread or an email piece that's critical of a project.
Investor:
"Hey, you mind deleting that? That's one of our portfolio companies. Remember, you're our bitch."
I never want to be in this situation.
Imagine if I write a thread or an email piece that's critical of a project.
Investor:
"Hey, you mind deleting that? That's one of our portfolio companies. Remember, you're our bitch."
I never want to be in this situation.
"Ser, Why Don't You Just Invest All Day?"
I did that in 2021 - it's boring.
First, cash flow.
Building businesses = more cash flow to buy the dip. I'm more of an investor than a trader.
And most importantly, personal fulfillment.
I did that in 2021 - it's boring.
First, cash flow.
Building businesses = more cash flow to buy the dip. I'm more of an investor than a trader.
And most importantly, personal fulfillment.
Fulfillment
DeFi will be a fundamental shift in financials.
I don't want to sit on the sidelines as just an investor.
I want to help grow DeFi, and be a positive sum for the industry.
And I want to influence other influencers that there's a better, more ethical way.
DeFi will be a fundamental shift in financials.
I don't want to sit on the sidelines as just an investor.
I want to help grow DeFi, and be a positive sum for the industry.
And I want to influence other influencers that there's a better, more ethical way.
"I'm Not Throwing my Shot"
Lockdowns made me depressed.
Money solves a lot of problems, but it doesn't solve everything.
Once you get money, you have to find a purpose.
Through The DeFi Edge, I have found a bigger purpose.
And I won't ever abuse the trust I've earned.
Lockdowns made me depressed.
Money solves a lot of problems, but it doesn't solve everything.
Once you get money, you have to find a purpose.
Through The DeFi Edge, I have found a bigger purpose.
And I won't ever abuse the trust I've earned.
Understanding Your Edges
Success is about understanding your competitive advantages and using them.
I'm not a coder - if I were, I'd be building a dApp.
I'm good at writing, teaching, and building businesses.
So my end goals are all about creating value based on my edges
Success is about understanding your competitive advantages and using them.
I'm not a coder - if I were, I'd be building a dApp.
I'm good at writing, teaching, and building businesses.
So my end goals are all about creating value based on my edges
Closing Thoughts
This thread is uncomfortable as I don't like talking about myself.
But I recognize that did grow rapidly this year, and people are suspicious of influencers.
So I wanted to take the initiative and be transparent about my motivations.
This thread is uncomfortable as I don't like talking about myself.
But I recognize that did grow rapidly this year, and people are suspicious of influencers.
So I wanted to take the initiative and be transparent about my motivations.
That's a wrap!
I hope you enjoyed this - it's a little different than usual.
Lemme know if you want more business thoughts.
I don't shill coins, but I shill my newsletter.
It's pretty badass, and you should subscribe.
TheDeFiEdge.com
I hope you enjoyed this - it's a little different than usual.
Lemme know if you want more business thoughts.
I don't shill coins, but I shill my newsletter.
It's pretty badass, and you should subscribe.
TheDeFiEdge.com
Loading suggestions...