Creators of Web3: Recent Episodes
Eric Siu and Wil Lee
Creators of Web3 is a show that takes a candid look at the people who are inventing the future of blockchain and digital assets. Hosted by Eric Siu and Wil Lee, we dive into the unique lessons and stories of these creators, giving insight on what goes on behind the scenes in the Web3 space. In each episode we will shed light on the biggest players in Web3, and explore how they are pushing innovation forward.
Web3 continues to make massive advances and promises to disrupt even more industries going forward. Today, we take a look at what is really happening in Web3 right now, some of the biggest trends that we have witnessed recently, and what we believe they mean for the industry. Tune in for more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:04] Trends in professionalism that Eric is witnessing at Single Grain.
- [01:30] Will reflects on the FTX collapse and what it means for big brands in the Web3 industry.
- [02:40] How the amateurs are being flushed out to make way for serious professionals.
- [02:55] An increasing focus on wisdom, experience, and accomplishments.
- [03:25] Why we don’t believe we’ll see a bull market for a while still.
Tweetables:
“The flipper, the speculation mentality, that is gone and that is a blessing. That is what I want to continue to see [in Web3]. As more money comes in, there are more people that are serious.” — @ericosiu [0:01:05]
“A lot of amateurs that are in it just for the quick buck or in it just because of Web3 are being flushed out completely. What’s left are the adults coming in [to build] the real stuff.” — @wilxlee [0:02:41]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
During his talk at Art Basel, Wil was asked about the three things that he would advise someone launching an NFT project to focus on and why. Today our hosts share their answers. Tune in for some insightful information on business plans, missions, and understanding your ‘why’, along with plenty of examples of what people in the industry have done right and wrong.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:23] Why do you need to have a business plan if you are launching an NFT project?
- [01:17] Why you should lead with your mission and not how you’re going to make money.
- [02:51] Why you can’t copy what everyone else is doing, you have to have something original.
- [04:20] The importance of having clarity on your ‘why’.
Tweetables:
“The bigger your mission, the more people are likely to follow it and also stick around too.” — @ericosiu [0:01:50]
“The ups are super high and the downs are super low. And if you do not have some sort of reason as to why you’re doing what you’re doing and why you’re in the space, you can so easily be drowned out by the noise, by the marketplace.” — @wilxlee [0:04:29]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Art Basel Miami
Miami NFT BZL
SpaceX
DoodlePutt
VeeFriends
Cockpunch
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Single Grain
ChatGPT is an AI chat interface that is incredibly useful and time-saving. Today our hosts discuss how this and other forms of AI relate to Web3. Tuning in you’ll hear about how ChatGPT works, the research Wil did into how AI can help enhance Web3, and what Wil was able to achieve using AI. Tune in for a better understanding of AI and Web3 as well as speculations on where this kind of technology is likely to take us in the near future.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:05] Wil’s thoughts on AI and Web3
- [00:19] The research Wil did into how AI can help enhance Web3.
- [01:08] Some context into ChatGPT.
- [01:48] How ChatGPT relates to community and Web3.
- [02:19] The complexity of the algorithms that it can come up with.
- [03:45] Tools that you can use to figure out how this all works.
- [03:56] Why you should familiarize yourself with these tools.
Tweetables:
“Not only was the AI able to actually spit out a smart contract but also it was able to design new tokenomics if you give it enough variables.” — @wilxlee [0:00:34]
“I think this is just the very beginning. In two to three years, we’re going to see something like this [ChatGPT] really start to challenge Google.” — @ericosiu [0:02:13]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
ChatGPT
Stable Diffusion
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Single Grain
Nike’s RTFKT has been teasing a drop of metal boxes that were at some point valued at 2+ETH. What this product actually ended up being was a 0.1ETH discount that would be applied upon the purchase of Nike’s new self-lacing shoes (which are not available for shipping outside of the USA). In this episode, our hosts discuss the anger that this caused, the tension between Nike’s corporate background and Web3’s focus on the community, and how they can improve loyalty among their Web3 community going forward.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:07] The backstory to RTFKT’s horrendous merch drop.
- [00:43] The frustration at the fact that they don’t ship outside of the USA.
- [01:28] The impact that this has had on RTFKT’s holders’ sentiment and loyalty.
- [02:07] Eric’s prediction that RTFKT will pick up their sense of professionalism.
- [02:26] The struggle between Nike’s corporate background and Web3’s focus on the community.
- [03:07] Wilson’s proposed solution.
Tweetables:
“It seems that [RTFKT] is missing their bearings a little bit in terms of community first and making their holders feel like they’re a different class, whereas everyone is seen as consumers right now.” — @wilxlee [0:01:15]
“I think RTFKT, because they are owned by Nike, will pick up their sense of professionalism faster.” — @ericosiu [0:02:08]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
RTFKT
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Single Grain
Last year’s NFT or Art Basel was the height of the NFT market. Having just returned from NFT Basel 2022, Eric and Wil share their views on this year’s event and what it says about the NFT market going forward. Tune in to find out what Eric and Wil gained from this year’s NFT Basel and why they are cautiously optimistic about the NFT space.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:04] Some background into last year’s NFT Basel.
- [00:40] Wil’s take on this year’s NFT Basel.
- [01:07] The types of meetings Wilson attended.
- [01:55] The geographic limitations of NFT Basel in Miami.
- [02:14] Eric’s experience of last year’s NFT Basel compared to this year’s.
- [02:53] Why this year was smaller but more productive for Eric.
- [04:02] Why Wil believes that people are cautiously optimistic about the market?
Tweetables:
“I think this down market is proving who’s going to be around for the long term.” — @ericosiu [0:03:45]
“The common theme is just people are getting very cautiously optimistic. They’re cautious about the uncertainties that are in front of us in the short term, but optimistic about the long term.” — @wilxlee [0:04:07]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Art Basel Miami
Miami NFT BZL
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Single Grain
When you are dealing with anger from your community, it’s important to take a step back and gain perspective. In today's conversation, we unpack the difference between useful feedback and unwarranted anger, and how to determine when you should engage.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] An overview of the anger we’ve been seeing in our communities.
- [00:29] Examples of when Wil chooses not to engage with anger in his community.
- [01:28] Why you need to protect your mental health.
- [02:07] How to differentiate between respectful feedback and unwarranted angry comments.
- [02:40] How a member of Wil’s community has inspired him.
Tweetables:
“My way of dealing with it is to not engage, there is no point in engaging because you're stooping down to their level. And it's truly a reflection of how they feel at that current time. It's not really a reflection of who you are as a person.” — @wilxlee [0:01:05]
“You have to protect yourself. Because at the end of the day, people are going to take whatever you give them.” — @ericosiu [0:01:30]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Traveling for an extended period of time, whether it’s to attend an event or go on holiday, can be incredibly invigorating. In today’s episode, Eric breaks down his recent three-week trip in which he visited Dublin, London, and New York. He breaks down what he learned from attending conferences in each city, and offers his advice for anyone looking to travel more by being hired to speak. To learn more about our key takeaways from long periods of travel, make sure you tune in today!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:26] The conferences that Eric recently spoke at in Dublin, London, and New York.
- [01:05] How traveling allows you to form deep relationships and create content.
- [02:13] Eric’s advice if you are just starting out as a speaker.
- [03:40] Why providing value is essential if you want to be invited to conferences.
- [05:04] How to take advantage of travel to meet other people in your field.
- [06:28] What does solo strategizing means for Eric?
- [07:16] The inspiring and energizing effects of travel.
Tweetables:
“Going to these events allows you to find like-minded people and build a deeper relationship.” — @ericosiu [0:01:38]
“The caveat is actually to do good work. To have something valuable to share before you even think about doing these things. Otherwise, you’re on stage and you have no value, no substance, nothing to add to people's lives. Then why would they want you there?” — @wilxlee [0:03:42]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Teamwork
Asana
YPO
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
It’s always a good time to network and make connections, and one of the best ways to do so is through common interests. Tune in as we discuss the best ways to connect with people (both online and offline) and how to identify the many ways you can add value when reaching out to new people!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:06] The new checkmark feature on Twitter and why you should get yourself verified.
- [00:37] Why now is a good time to network.
- [00:57] How to learn about what people are interested in and how you can add value.
- [01:26] Examples of how to create opportunities for connection, both online and offline.
- [02:50] The importance of connecting with people who share your values.
Tweetables:
“I think this is actually a really good time for you to do any type of networking because markets are slow. There's really not much going on.” — @wilxlee [0:00:37]
“What's always worked really well for me is throwing dinners with people that are doing interesting things. And so instead of trying to be interesting, put a group of interesting people together and just be interested in them. And everything will fall into place.” — @ericosiu [0:01:26]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
How Win Friends and Influence People
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Time management is something every founder needs to come to grips with. The “work hard, play later” mentality can be a really dangerous one to fall into, and today, we discuss ways to manage your time effectively to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Tune in for our personal time management goals and tactics.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:08] Who inspired the topic of today’s episode?
- [00:43] What entrepreneurs get wrong when it comes to time management.
- [01:54] Our time management strategies and goals.
Tweetables:
“Time block is a really important tactic.” — @wilxlee [0:02:28]
“Not taking control of your time and letting someone else manage it for you is delegating your life to somebody else and it’s not worth it.” — @ericosiu [0:04:47]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Winter is coming and, as founders, we need to prepare to weather the storm. With the recent mass layoffs and hiring freezes in the Web3 space, it’s important to stay level-headed as a leader and do your best to steer the ship in the right direction. In this episode, we discuss strategies for staying afloat, and the qualities required to do so. Stay tuned for our prediction for the future of NFT projects!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:07] Recent news: Meta layoffs, strikes, and hiring freezes.
- [00:35] What to do as founders, to survive the winter.
- [02:09] Whether or not it’s a good strategy to proactively raise capital.
- [04:01] How to behave as a leader.
- [05:08] Eric’s prediction for the future of NFT projects.
Tweetables:
“In the last year or two, cash was trash but now cash is oxygen.” — @ericosiu [0:00:43]
“As much as there’s extreme weather coming to the entire market and whatnot, there’s still a lot of funds on the sidelines waiting to invest in great projects.” — @wilxlee [0:02:23]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The FTX saga has really drained confidence in the crypto space. In this episode, we examine the implications for founders and the industry at large. We speculate about the cause of FTX’s undoing and the lessons that can be learned from it. Tune in to find out how, despite its negative implications, this collapse may actually benefit the industry in the long run!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:17] The FTX saga explained.
- [00:52] The role of leverage in their undoing.
- [02:20] What they’re doing to try to bounce back.
- [02:30] The implications for founders and the industry at large.
- [03:42] Lessons to take away from the FTX saga.
- [04:50] How the saga can be framed as a long-term positive for the industry.
Tweetables:
“The retail sentiment on this entire industry is going down a hole for sure. It’s going to take a few years for this confidence to build up, and this itself affects the entire industry.” — @wilxlee [0:02:56]
“You have to be responsible and think about a business model that actually works.” — @ericosiu [0:04:26]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
More often than not, Web3 events are poorly organized, and attendees walk away with far less than their money’s worth. In this episode, we look at examples of both good and bad event experiences and break down what’s required to run a proper event. Tune in for more on the business model of these conferences and networking events, and how to personally make the most of them.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:05] The pitfalls of the NFT London conference.
- [00:57] Examples of good event experiences and how proper events should be run.
- [03:33] Examples of badly organized events.
- [04:00] What makes for a good event?
- [05:04] The intention you should have when you walk into an event as an attendee.
- [05:17] The business model behind events.
Tweetables:
“The less you have filters … the more it becomes less valuable for people because there’s no intention behind it.” — @ericosiu [0:03:38]
“It’s really important that whoever’s throwing the event [has] the intention and [understands] what’s good and who’s in the audience so they can take advantage.” — @ericosiu [0:04:48]
“Any conference or networking event you go to, just have the intention of meeting and developing one quality connection and that would already be worth it.” — @wilxlee [0:05:07]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Although we’re in a particularly tough economic climate, it’s ironically a great time to hire. In this episode, we examine why that is, and break down how best to find the perfect team members. You’ll also discover what not to do when hiring generalists versus specialists, and why values should always come first!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Today’s topic: building teams in the current economic climate.
- [00:15] When to hire generalists versus specialists.
- [01:52] How not to approach hiring.
- [02:12] How to ensure you find the right people for your team.
- [05:15] Why now is a good time to hire.
- [05:25] Why values always trump talent.
Tweetables:
“Finding the right person is a matter of you defining what outcomes you’re looking for in the beginning, defying the competencies, and then defining your core values.” — @ericosiu [0:02:12]
“It doesn’t matter how good someone is [or] how competent they are if they don’t align with your core values.” — @ericosiu [0:02:56]
“Hiring for talent or values — it values every time.” — @wilxlee [0:05:29]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Find Your Why
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Staff turnover is never comfortable, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. In this episode, we examine our experiences of turnover against the backdrop of the current labor market in the web3 space. The market has evolved significantly in the past ten years, and today, we look at what that means for employers and discuss ways to smooth the turnover process.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:11] The challenge of employee turnover.
- [00:49] The current labor market in the web3 space.
- [01:39] The Fed Put explained.
- [02:04] The evolution of the labor market in the world of technology.
- [03:02] What the current employer’s market means for hiring in the web3 space.
- [03:40] Wil’s recent experience of losing a team member and hiring two more.
- [04:21] The importance of getting comfortable with the idea of turnover as your company grows.
Tweetables:
“Now it’s very much an employer’s market which means that if you’re an employer, you can scoop up talent and you’ll get people that are not as entitled, and you’ll probably get a better price as well.” — @ericosiu [0:03:02]
“In reality, there are actually a lot more professional people who are a lot more capable at a much more reduced cost.” — @wilxlee [0:03:57]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Having a roadmap for your NFT project is an industry-standard, yet is it always a good idea? In this episode, Wil fills us in on why he chose not to publish a roadmap for The Littles. We discuss the limitations of roadmaps, when it’s a good idea to have one, and how best to approach it to allow flexibility.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:16] Why Wil chose not to publish a roadmap for The Littles.
- [00:56] The limitations of roadmaps.
- [01:39] When it’s a good idea to have a roadmap.
- [01:56] How best to approach roadmaps.
Tweetables:
“We were one of the first ones in meta to set up with no roadmap launch.” — @wilxlee [0:00:41]
“When the vision’s not clear enough, to create a roadmap really ties you in and doesn’t give you any flexibility to maneuver around the space.” — @wilxlee [0:00:56]
“If your vision is clear, in terms of the pillars that you’re focusing on, then it’s a good idea to have your roadmap out there because it really gives clarity on how you plan on building this thing.” — @wilxlee [0:01:39]
“Simply enough, have a flexible roadmap. That’s what it is at the end of the day.” — @ericosiu [0:02:53]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
There are many pros to building a committee within your NFT projects and an equal amount of drawbacks. In this episode, we break down the benefits and share tips to avoid a toxic outcome. We look at the importance of vetting people and how to do so, as well as the value of diversity in council members. Tune in to find out how Wil is building a council for The Littles NFT community.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:18] The pros of having a council or committee within your NFT projects.
- [00:52] What to be wary of when building a council.
- [01:47] How to prevent a toxic outcome.
- [02:33] Why it’s important to vet people and how to do so.
- [03:09] The value of diversity in council members.
- [03:49] Wil’s approach to building a council for The Littles NFT community.
“Having a council allows the community to have a voice directly with your projects.” — @wilxlee [0:00:24]
“We’re setting the expectation for our committee to work on one specific project so we can actually learn from it.” — @wilxlee [0:03:49]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
We’ve noticed a recent rise in councils in NFT communities. In today’s episode, we break down the ins and outs of this trend and what it means for the evolution of communities. Tuning in you’ll hear why The Littles are creating their very own council to nurture their community and how having a council can help more people feel included.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: The Rise of Councils in NFT Communities.
- [00:05] Why The Littles are creating a council to nurture their community.
- [00:51] Examples of other NFT projects that have announced adding councils to their communities.
- [01:06] The main problem that councils are expected to solve.
- [01:25] Why it’s good to have relatable council members.
- [02:11] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“We at The Littles are creating this council, or a committee, to involve our community a little bit more to co-create together and to really nurture our community.” — @willxlee [0:00:08]
“You actually want your council members to be relatable.” — @ericosiu [0:01:47]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Bored Ape Yacht Club
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
We live in an age of information overload, and if you’re trying to capture someone’s attention, you need to stand out from the crowd. One of the best ways to excel in the new attention economy is to have a media company where you can regularly put out fresh information. This is especially true in a fast-growing field like Web3 where things are constantly changing and your audience is actively looking for updates. To learn more about what it means to have a media company and why it matters in the Web3 space, make sure you press play now!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: Why Having A Media Company Matters in Web3.
- [00:04] An overview of media companies that currently exist in the Web3 space.
- [00:42] Why capturing people’s attention is so powerful.
- [02:07] How a media company helps you shape the narrative around Web3.
- [02:30] Why trust is so important when you create a media company.
- [02:47] How Wil builds trust by regularly talking to his community members.
- [05:02] Why consistency will make or break your content.
- [05:54] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Attention is currency, it is the new oil, so to speak. And if you don't have someone's attention, then why would they even care about you?” — @ericosiu [0:00:45]
“I love to be able to talk to my community members all the time. So I set up calls with them on a regular basis. Even the skeptics, actually, more so the skeptics because I want to see and understand what it is that they're skeptical about?” — @wilxlee [0:02:47]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Bankless
NFT Now
The Kevin Rose Show
ONE37pm
MrBeast on YouTube
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Constantly remaining engaged with your community takes a ton of work (and attention!). And while building your community is essential, it is equally important that you do so in a way that does not result in exhaustion and burnout. Join us today as we discuss how you can get more out of your community without falling into the burnout trap!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: How To Get More Out Of Your Community (And Not Burn Out).
- [00:04] Why it’s essential for community members to be aligned with your core values, even if it takes some time.
- [01:15] The importance of setting boundaries in your community.
- [02:28] Some of the common issues that Eric has seen in other communities.
- [03:23] How The Littles community changed after they launched Arcade.
- [05:44] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Our core values are people that are improvement-obsessed, people that are open-minded, and people that have unimpeachable character, meaning that they're honest and reliable.” — @ericosiu [0:00:17]
“For a project that has been waiting for 10 months to deliver something of super high expectation, we not only met the expectation, but we exceeded the expectation. For that, I'm super proud of the entire team.” — @wilxlee [0:04:08]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The current downturn in the economy has had a significant effect on fundraising. Tuning in you’ll hear about Will’s approach to fundraising, how they have demonstrated their worth, and what he is doing to showcase his work. Make sure you tune in to gain fresh insight into what it takes to fundraise for your Web3 project!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: Fundraising for Your Web3 Project.
- [00:10] An overview of how Will is currently fundraising for his Web3 project.
- [01:24] Why do you need to define what sets your project apart from others?
- [02:58] What Will is doing to showcase his work.
- [03:37] Hear a breakdown of Will’s pitch deck.
- [05:04] How Will is reaching out to investors.
- [06:09] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Now that we have our MVP, it shows a lot about the founding team's ability to execute, their attention to detail, and quite frankly, their tenacity to go through hardship.” — @wilxlee [0:01:03]
“If you're just following the trend, and you're not kind of coming up with your own angle and your own ideas here. You don't deserve to raise capital.” — @ericosiu [0:01:58]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
In today’s episode of our Web3 series, we share our reflections after doing free mints. ‘Crypto winter’ is here, and NFT creators are searching for ways to gain recognition, sell work, and save on heavy minting costs. That’s why a growing number of projects, including The Littles and Leveling Up Heroes, have opted to release NFTs via free mints. Tuning in, you’ll hear our personal perspectives on this low-commitment model, why we did it, and what you stand to gain from doing the same!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:04] Why free mints are popular right now.
- [00:26] Will’s goals for his free mint (and whether or not he met them).
- [01:48] The more strategic side of free mints.
- [02:15] How active free mint holders are versus paying holders?
- [02:55] Some of the pros and cons of releasing a free mint.
- [04:25] How free mints can work for you, depending on your goals.
Tweetables:
“A lot of people do a free mint thinking that it’s going to be a way to make money. If that’s the case, then the entire structure needs to be done in a different way through secondary royalties and whatnot. For us, the free mint was a way for us to showcase our experience.” — @willxlee [0:00:37]
“Free mints are good for generating awareness.” — @ericosiu [0:04:13]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Today, we talk about how VeeFriends’ Toys R Us and Macy’s retail push will change everything going forward. This signals a major shift for Gary Vaynerchuk’s IP from digital to physical NFT collectibles, with the first-ever limited collection of plush and vinyl characters becoming available at Macy’s and Toys “R” Us nationwide. Tune in to hear our thoughts on this big move!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:11] Potential long and short-term impacts signaled by the retail partnership.
- [01:06] Why NFT collectibles and merch are somewhat of a status symbol?
- [01:49] Why do we say this move will “change everything.”
- [02:13] Whether or not pushing NFT collectibles through retail channels will work.
Tweetables:
“It’s going to be a nice model for people to follow if it works.” — @ericosiu [0:02:08]
“I don’t think it’s going to get the response that we’re looking for but I do think the fact that [Gary Vaynerchuk] is pushing into toys [is] a nice step.” — @ericosiu [0:02:48]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Today, we address why OpenSea’s volume is now the lowest it has been in 14 months. In October, OpenSea recorded $8.4 million in daily volume. Of course, this still seems like a very respectable amount of trading, but it’s a number that nonetheless marks a long-term low for the world’s largest digital marketplace for crypto collectibles and NFTs. Tune in today to get our take on the matter!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:05] A look at the numbers and the state of the market right now.
- [00:23] Why Will believes we will continue to see even lower lows.
- [01:13] The need for more guidance on the war in Ukraine and other extenuating factors.
- [01:24] What needs to happen for the situation to turn around?
Tweetables:
“No capital is being invested into these growth stocks or these really speculative assets such as crypto and NFTs. Therefore, if there’s no capital and [no participants], we’ll continue to see new lows until things turn around.” — @willxlee [0:00:47]
“At the end of the day, risk assets don’t do well in high-inflation environments.” — @ericosiu [0:01:24]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Today, we talk about what really matters for all builders. Whether you are a budding Web3 builder or just crypto-curious, there is a seemingly endless list of tools and resources that you need to wrap your head around. In this episode, we cover two surprisingly simple core principles for builders to keep in mind as they navigate the complex ecosystem of ever-evolving information in the Web3 world. Join us to find out more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:17] Why first-time builders often struggle with focus.
- [00:44] A lesson in focus and success from Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
- [01:10] Understanding that you get what you focus on at the end of the day.
- [01:48] How you lose your edge when you spread yourself too thin.
- [02:08] The importance of having a clear vision and sticking to it.
- [03:10] A key takeaway from this episode: have a focused vision!
Tweetables:
“You lose your edge when you don’t focus as much. [I see] a lot of people in the world of Web3 trying to do too much with too few resources.” — @ericosiu [0:01:48]
“Being able to have a vision and continually going back to it to reiterate [it] and make it more and more clear, adding more meat to the bone, is what really matters for the builders out there.” — @willxlee [0:02:52]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
In today’s episode, we discuss how Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter will affect Web3. This is an ever-changing and somewhat messy story with a lot of moving parts. It’s also a story that will likely continue to stretch out over a number of months, which is why we’ve put together a guide for how one of the biggest tech deals in history will impact Web3 and how you can prepare for these changes. Tune in today to learn more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:04] A look at the timeline of the Elon Musk-Twitter saga.
- [00:27] What stands out about this story when it comes to the blockchain?
- [00:55] Our take on Musk’s master plan to decentralize Twitter.
- [02:02] What Musk’s proposed ‘super app’, X, will mean for users.
- [03:11] How decentralization will promote more “free speech.”
- [03:37] Why this is a good example of taking something from Web2 to Web3.
- [03:50] Understanding why Musk wanted to back out of the deal.
Tweetables:
“Web3 is the core of this entire application because [it seems like the argument] is always against centralization. They want to be able to create something that is decentralized.” — @willxlee [0:01:11]
“This [deal] will also be a really good example of taking something from Web2 to Web3 and it’s going to be a nice map for people to follow in the future.” — @ericosiu [0:03:37]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about the idea of diversifying your bags and making better risk assessments. A foundational rule that we can all follow is to be clear on the projects you choose to align with. Once you do this, it is easier to hold true to the art and artists that you believe in. There is no need to try and invest in all the different things that are out there!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:07] Different roles in a community through the evolution of a project.
- [00:30] Staying realistic and clear on what type of project you are involved with.
- [01:26] Making genuine investments in art, and reaping the benefits.
- [02:20] Why you don't have to understand and invest in everything?
Tweetables:
“I think that it is really important for anyone participating in trading to actually understand the type of project that they are investing into and why they are doing it.” — @willxlee [0:00:30]
“You really don't need to hold that many assets in the long term.” — @ericosiu [0:00:30]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Today, we get into the role of storytelling in NFTs. Tuning in, listeners will hear Will talk about why stories are a little overhyped in the space right now, but also why they will continue to be utilized in order to generate interest in different products and projects.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:10] The recent emergence of the Renga project.
- [00:32] Why storytelling is probably not very significant but still necessary.
- [01:07] How stories impact all of us in different ways.
- [01:21] The stories that already exist for popular NFT characters.
Tweetables:
“I personally don't think there is much to storytelling in NFTs. I don't it's a meta that will stick, but rather a fad, to be completely honest with you.” — @willxlee [0:00:32]
“If you don't do storytelling, how do you give character and life to your IP? You can't.” — @willxlee [0:00:50]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Renga artist dirtyrobot
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
For today's episode, we briefly discuss Apple's decision to allow devs to implement NFTs at a 30% cut. For us, this is something exciting and we feel really bullish about what this will do to the marketplace. Tune in to hear about why complaining is futile, and how things might pan out.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:08] What Apple's decision means for the current gaming landscape.
- [01:02] Angles that Apple is working and why their actions make sense.
- [01:30] Why do we feel really bullish about this move from Apple?
Tweetables:
“You're playing in their ecosystem. If you don't like the rules, don't play the game over there. Stop complaining.” — @ericosiu [0:01:24]
“We won't be saying the crypto long term, we won't be saying NFTs long term. This is just going to be a part of the internet.” — @ericosiu [0:01:50]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
On today's show, we talk about the reality of traders in the NFT space. In light of the constant movement and shifting in our communities, it is important to remain focused on what is important and under your control. Tune in to hear why long-term investing is better than trading, and how to evaluate communities and founders based on their products.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:12] Separating others' actions from your project and vision.
- [01:20] Remaining focused on what is actually within your control.
- [02:00] Examples of exciting things that NFT CEOs are doing right now!
- [02:41] Why long-term investors are generally more successful than traders.
- [03:10] How products reflect theethics of founders and their teams.
Tweetables:
“If people are deciding to exit an ecosystem, it's not necessarily because of you, or anything you have done yourself, or your project or vision. [It’s] more so a reflection of who they are and how they view NFTs in general.” — @willxlee [0:00:21]
“You can't really control what other people do. They are going to do whatever they want to do. What you can control is the information you put into your mind. You can control your own mindset.” — @ericosiu [0:01:22]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
In this episode, we break down some of our thoughts and approaches to managing community sentiment. Drawing on some recent experiences with launching new products, Will and Eric share some of the ideas that could be useful for you in making sure your community stays strong and on track with its ideals. Tune in to hear it all.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:12] Lessons from Will's recent launch.
- [00:54] Avoiding emotional reactions and accepting certain losses.
- [01:40] Allowing the community a lot of freedom up to a specific point.
- [02:30] Acknowledging where energy and focus have been directed.
- [02:51] The realization that certain community members will never be satisfied.
- [03:40] Why a seat at the table has to be earned by developing skills.
- [04:09] The need to kick out community members who do not adhere to the rules.
Tweetables:
“I knew that reacting based on emotions would always lead to no good.” — @willxlee [0:00:54]
“Structurally speaking, it's not about the product, it's not about the vision. It's about our communication.” — @willxlee [0:01:22]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Today on the show we discuss Art Basel, an art show in Miami that has grown tremendously in the past few years. We break down some of the satellite events that you can expect to see there, why it’s an excellent opportunity to network for anyone in the Web3 and NFT space, along with our tips for making the most of your time there!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: What We're Doing For Art Basel*.
- [00:04] An overview of Art Basel, and art show in Miami.
- [00:49] What you can expect when you attend Art Basel.
- [00:59] Some of the incredible events you can find at Art Basel.
- [01:54] What makes these events worthwhile.
- [02:36] Our tips on how to make the most out of Art Basel.
- [04:45] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Art Basel has basically become like a spectacle in the last couple of years where it's not really about Art Basel anymore. It's really about the satellite events.” — @ericosiu [0:00:14]
“Post-event me is always thankful that I made the decision to go to these events.” — @wilxlee [0:02:14]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Art Basel Miami Beach
World of Women
Veefriends
Doodles
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
In today's episode, we look back at The Littles' recent launch (and what made it successful)! Will shares some of his reflections on expectations, reception, the stressful elements, and more, so make sure to tune in to hear all about this momentous occasion!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:31] The success of the launch and Will's reflection on what enabled this.
- [00:17] Looking at the atmosphere the day before the launch.
- [02:35] Big expectations and a good reception!
- [02:52] The issue that Will had with one of the developers ghosting at the last minute.
- [03:41] How stress impacts the actions of employees before a launch.
- [05:28] Looking at the game's reception within the community.
- [06:31] Managing the damage that is done by bad actors.
Tweetables:
“It was a really successful launch, I would say; really successful by many different means.” — @willxlee [0:00:31]
“We just need to recognize that traders will always be traders, and we need to respect that.” — @willxlee [0:06:31]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Dealing with negativity and hateful attacks can have a lasting impact. Not just on your day or your mental health, but also on your perspective. In today’s episode, we discuss how to deal with negative actors who are attacking projects and how to maintain a balanced perspective as the founder or leader of your project.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:33] Why Founders need to have some distance from their community.
- [01:49] The importance of discerning constructive feedback from purely negative attacks.
- [02:03] How to use surveys for constructive feedback.
- [03:55] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“As a founder, your job is to steer the ship to the promised land. And your job is to be able to see things 10 steps out. But if you are caught in the weeds of things, you get consumed by this negativity and this spiral that really gets you nowhere.” — @wilxlee [0:00:44]
“I really recommend sending a survey maybe once a month, or once every quarter just to say, ‘hey, how likely are you to recommend this community to someone else?’” — @ericosiu [0:02:03]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Your mindset can have a profound impact on your life and your business. In today’s episode, Wil and Eric share their strategies for fostering a positive outlook and maintaining a balanced perspective. From meditation to spending time in nature, learn why getting away from your screen is essential for recharging and being an effective leader!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] The profound impact that your mindset has on your life and your business.
- [00:30] How Eric cultivates a mindset that keeps him moving forward.
- [02:05] Why recharging is so important as a leader.
- [03:09] How to identify things that recharge you.
- [04:37] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Often my best ideas come when I'm not around my computer.” — @ericosiu [0:01:08]
“Identify things that recharge you.” — @wilxlee [0:03:12]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The current NFT landscape and the broader global economy are facing a lot of challenges and uncertainty. And in a down market such as this one, it can be difficult to maintain your motivation. Tune in as we discuss our strategies for keeping your NFT team motivated, from the power of optimism to having an inspiring vision for your product!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Why it’s tough to stay motivated in a down market.
- [00:21] How The Littles team is maintaining their motivation in the current NFT landscape.
- [01:22] Why communication is so important within a company.
- [02:51] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Being able to have a very clear mission of what it is that you're trying to achieve, would help rally people behind you.” — @wilxlee [0:00:42]
“You have to stay consistent with your communication. You're really communicating enough when you feel like you're being annoying.” — @ericosiu [0:02:27]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
NFTs are currently experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. After being an exciting new trend, NFTs now need to find their long-term purpose in the broader online landscape. Tune in as we discuss the transition from NFT 1.0 to NFT 2.0, the state of the current NFT landscape, and why NFTs are in a promising phase of renewal and discovery.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:15] Wil’s thoughts on the current NFT landscape.
- [00:18] The concept of NFT 1.0 and NFT 2.0.
- [01:12] Eric’s thoughts on the current NFT landscape.
- [02:13] The current feeling of uncertainty in the economy and the NFT market.
- [03:15] Why NFTs need to build better business models.
- [04:11] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“We're in a space of renewal and discovery. We're in a phase of the current existing audience, really reframing what NFTs truly mean.” — @wilxlee [0:00:48]
“Oftentimes, there's going to be exuberance, and people become irrational.” — @ericosiu [0:01:13]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Intellectual Property (IP) can be an incredibly valuable asset. Just look at the immense success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which would not have been possible without the studio’s extensive IP ownership. Today on the show we delve into what it takes to build world-class IP and how to build a business model around it. Tune in to hear what Wil is focusing on for The Littles’s IP, why storytelling is so important, and why it takes decades to build world-class IP!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:05] An overview of what constitutes intellectual property (IP).
- [00:33] Wil’s approach to building IP for The Littles.
- [01:18] Why character, world-building, and storyline are so important for compelling IP.
- [02:09] Examples of successful IPs in the NFT world.
- [02:32] Why it takes decades to build world-class IP.
- [04:11] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“The way we approach building The Littles’s IP is really focused on the lore and the storyline of it. Because ultimately, with any franchise like Marvel and whatnot, we're really attracted to the story of the heroes, how we relate to them.” — @wilxlee [0:00:34]
“My take on this is that if you're going to try to build world-class IP, understand that it's not going to take a decade, it's going to take decades to do it.” — @ericosiu [0:02:32]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
VeeFriends
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
One of the most popular launch options for NFTs is free minting, but is it the right choice for you? In today’s episode, we unpack the good and bad sides of free minting. We share what we’ve learned from doing free mint launches and why free minting is still a viable option despite its drawbacks. Tune in to learn more about the nuances of free minting and what we think of it!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:06] A quick high-level overview of free mint projects.
- [00:40] Why Wil is using free minting for his upcoming launch.
- [01:16] How free minting allows for freemiums and product-led growth.
- [01:57] The downsides of free minting.
- [02:44] Why Eric regrets doing a free mint in hindsight?
- [03:32] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“A free event is where you just pay the transaction costs. And then the founders decide what type of utility that you are going to get.” — @ericosiu [0:00:29]
“I think that in order for projects to decide whether to utilize freemium or not, they need to understand the strategy behind that.” — @wilxlee [0:00:46]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
CryptoPunks
goblintown
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
NFTs are more likely than not to seep into the mainstream and today, we voice our predictions on when that will be and how it will play out. We speculate about the role of big corporations in this shift and the light switch moment it will inspire.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:06] When we predict NFTs will go mainstream.
- [00:26] The unsustainable business model of NFTs as a speculative asset.
- [00:36] The role big corporations will play in the mainstream-ification of NFTs.
- [01:05] How we predict the shift to play out.
- [02:16] The likely light-switch moment that will come with NFTs going mainstream.
Tweetables:
“For [NFTs] to go more mainstream there are going to have to be more real-world brands that are continuing to jump into the space.” — @ericsui [0:01:42]
“When [NFTs do] go mainstream, it’s going to be like a light switch moment.” — @wilxlee [0:02:16]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Many creators and marketers in the NFT space are hyper-focused on the meta that’s in front of them right now, without simultaneously setting their eyes on the horizon. Without a long-term vision, projects are more likely to fall flat. In this episode, we talk about our ten-year goals for our respective brands and what it takes to build a project for the decades.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:18] Wil’s long-term vision for The Littles.
- [00:44] The Littles’ fundamental business model as an IP brand.
- [01:01] How Leveling Up Heroes intends to build for the decades.
- [02:11] The likelihood of projects failing without a long-term vision.
- [03:00] The biggest flaw of creation.
Tweetables:
“The actions that we’re taking [are] to build for the ten-year outlook, not for the one-year outlook.” — @ericsui [0:02:04]
“A big portion of people that are in this space creating NFTs are really focused on the meta that’s in front of them right now and building the meta that is happening, whereas they’re not really zooming out to see the grand picture of what this could be like.” — @wilxlee [0:03:02]
“The biggest flaw of creation and building anything is if you don’t have a long enough horizon for the project.” — @wilxlee [0:03:20]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Ego and entitlement are rife in the Web3 space, as we all run the risk of falling prey to the echo chamber effect. In this episode, we look at how entitlement manifests in the space, how to sift out the ego, and why it’s important to work with people with integrity. Tune in to find out how to measure your success in terms of metrics rather than arbitrary complaints, and avoid getting sucked into the world of entitlement.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:13] How entitlement manifests in the NFT space.
- [01:16] The importance of working with people with integrity.
- [02:22] How to sift out the ego and work with people who are humble, hungry, and smart.
- [02:50] The unfortunate amount of ego in the Web3 space.
- [03:21] How entitlement is bred in the Web3 space and how to avoid it.
- [05:00] How to manage Web3 community entitlement.
- [06:34] Why it’s important to monitor metrics, not complaints.
Tweetables:
“The majority of people who come in with a huge ego are unfortunately coming in from Web3.” — @ericsui [0:02:52]
“Entitlement from community is really rife and really prevailing.” — @wilxlee [0:05:47]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The NFT space can be wildly unforgiving and, in this episode, we examine why that is, how it manifests, and what you can do to deal with the excess demands. Tune in to find out how to manage the relentless expectations and minimize the impact while remaining steadfast in your mission.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:07] Why the NFT space is so unforgiving.
- [00:31] The impact of the excess demands in the space.
- [01:28] An example of the mental health effects of the relentless demands.
- [03:15] The importance of continuously resetting expectations.
- [03:36] Examples of unforgivingness in the NFT space.
- [04:00] The value of time blocking, as a leader.
Tweetables:
“This [NFT] space is definitely very unforgiving and for us to be able to set the right expectation and reset that expectation continuously is important.” — @wilxlee [0:03:16]
“If the leader’s mental and physical health is not good, the team’s probably not going to be as motivated and the community’s going to be worse off.” — @ericsui [0:04:24]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
If you want to set your business up for growth or potential restructuring further down the line, you’re going to need to take legal into account. Tune in to find out why, and why it’s essential to hire a lawyer specializing in your specific niche.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Today’s topics: the importance of Legal for NFTs.
- [00:14] Why it’s important to seek legal advice off the bat, specific to your project’s mission.
- [01:32] Why you need to hire specialist lawyers according to your niche.
Tweetables:
“Seeking legal help right up front is really important because, as you grow your business, you do not want to have legal be the handcuff that stops you from building your business and restructuring later on.” — @wilxlee [0:01:02]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been investigating Bored Ape Yacht Club’s (BAYC) parent company, Yuga Labs. Their crackdown is focusing on potential securities violations for the sale of Bored Ape NFTs as well as ApeCoin tokens. Tune in as we discuss the latest developments in this story, and what the outcomes mean for other NFT products!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: SEC cracking down on BAYC.
- [00:19] Will’s thoughts on the SEC’s interrogation of BAYC.
- [00:31] What other NFT producers can learn from this story?
- [01:01] Why regulations are important for guiding the NFT industry.
- [01:48] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“I'm definitely following along with this and see how it transpires very closely because that would dictate how we're building our project.” — @wilxlee [0:00:33]
“Regulation is what matters. People need guidance on this stuff, especially if you want institutional money.” — @ericosiu [0:01:02]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Bored Ape Yacht Club
Yuga Labs
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Animation is a notoriously labor-intensive process and making a quality feature-length animated film can take years. It also requires countless hours of training to become a competent animator. But what if you could bring the power of animation to anyone who has a smartphone? That is the vision behind immi.io; a revolutionary new platform that empowers users to become animators using only their facial expressions! In today’s episode you’ll hear from immi.io co-founder Josh Robbins about the creation of immi.io, how it works, and some of the exciting things they have planned. In our conversation, Josh tells the story of how they partnered with AGMI Studios to create this incredible new product, their unique marketing approach, and how they are attracting partnerships from prominent brands, entertainers, and gaming platforms. We also discuss what it was like growing up with Tony Robbins as a father and what Josh learned from him about creating possibilities and helping others. To learn about the exciting new possibilities in animation, and much more, make sure you tune in today!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing Josh Robbins, Founder of immi.io.
- [01:21] Learn about the animation tool, immi.io, and how it was founded.
- [03:41] The many ways that immi.io can be used in Creator Mode, from karaoke to real estate.
- [04:10] Learn about the streaming service that they will be launching next month.
- [05:36] What Josh expects from this technology in the long term.
- [06:36] The immersive world that Josh is building with his partners at AMGI studios.
- [07:59] Josh’s approach to marketing and how they are creating more awareness.
- [12:10] The concept of digital ownership and how it has been facilitated by Web3.
- [14:06] Josh’s predictions for the future worth of NFTs like Crypto Punks.
- [16:11] An overview of the brands that AMGI is currently working with.
- [16:42] The exciting potential partnerships between AMGI and entertainers like Coldplay and prominent K-Pop groups.
- [18:46] How AMGI is building community while also attracting brand deals with artists, musicians, and gaming studios.
- [20:08] How AMGI represents an evolution from traditional studios like Pixar.
- [22:15] What it was like for Josh growing up with Tony Robbins as his father.
- [24:42] What Josh’s father taught him about creating possibility.
- [26:03] The single act of kindness that shaped Tony’s outlook on life.
- [29:09] Find out what is in Josh’s learning stack and what he is consuming.
- [30:14] Hear about Josh’s current approach to investing.
- [31:54] Where you can find Josh and learn more about immi.io, AMGI Studios, and My Pet Hooligan.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Josh Jenkins-Robbins on LinkedIn
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
Wilson Lee on Twitter
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Single Grain
More venture capitalists are entering the NFT space. At the forefront are Doodles, BAYC, and Moonbirds, among others. During today’s conversation, Eric and Wil discuss the sometimes contested role of venture capital investment in NFT projects. Hear why the majority of people don’t like VCs entering the NFT space, and why ethos compatibility comes down to the parameters set by the founders of each Venture Capital firm. Eric and Wil discuss the importance of sourcing a value-add VC that will do more than just contribute funding, and acknowledge the role of VC in taking projects further than the community alone. Join us to hear more today!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:11] The money that venture capitalists have raised in the NFT space.
- [00:38] Why the majority of people don’t like VCs entering the NFT space.
- [00:50] Wil’s perspective that ethos compatibility comes down to the founders.
- [01:28] Concerns around a shifting ethos as a result of VC involvement.
- [02:27] Sourcing a value-add VC that will do more than contributing funding.
- [04:07] How VC can take projects further than the community alone.
Tweetables:
“The majority of people don’t really like VCs entering the NFT space or investing in their projects because they think that they’re not within their ethos. For me, I believe that this really comes down to the founders.” — @wilxlee [0:00:38]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Doodles
BAYC
Moonbirds
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
While many folks in the NFT space are opting to integrate a personal marketplace onto their websites. During today’s episode, Eric and Wil discuss what this means, where it is needed, and why you should only consider having one built if you need to have more control over the user experience. Tune in today to hear more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:06] What Eric and Wil mean by a ‘personal marketplace’.
- [00:30] Why Wil doesn’t see a need to have a personal marketplace unless there is high traffic?
- [00:50] How Eric approaches trading.
- [01:15] The primary benefit of a personal marketplace.
- [01:37] Why you should look at getting a personal marketplace if you need to have more control over the user experience.
Tweetables:
“Personally, I don’t really see a need for a personal marketplace unless there is really high traffic, its a great experience for your community, but how many people does it really serve? Does it really scratch an itch that is needed?” — @wilxlee [0:00:32]“With a personal marketplace, you are able to control the user experience more.” — @ericosiu [0:01:15]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Larva Labs
OneOf
Origin Protocol
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
With a plethora of tools on the market for NFT creators, it can be tough to know where to start. During today’s episode, Eric and Wil reveal which ones they have found most useful, from minting and owning podcasts, to design work and keeping abreast of the best-selling NFTs on the market. Hear where Eric turns when he wants to get more granular about his NFT research, and what Wil uses to optimize project management. You’ll also learn about the Rarity tool, and the NFT integrations built by Shopify that can change how you approach NFTs today. Thanks for tuning in!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:13] What uncut.fm does for podcast creators who want to mint NFTs.
- [01:10] How they use Figma for all design work, from creating a website to animated videos.
- [01:44] How Cryptoslam reveals the best-selling NFTs among other new tools they are building.
- [02:18] Why Eric uses Dune.com when he wants to get more granular with NFT information?
- [02:41] The customizable, interconnected web provided by Notion to optimize project management.
- [03:07] What Eric uses Rarity Tool for.
- [03:26] The bullish NFT integrations built by Shopify.
Tweetables:
“What Uncut.fm does is that they’re allowing podcast creators to automatically mint and sell NFTs. So basically, you can own this episode.” — @ericosiu [0:00:16]
“Shopify has actually built a lot of NFT integrations and they are very bullish.” — @wilxlee [0:03:26]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Uncut.fm
Figma
Cryptoslam
Dune
Notion
Rarity Tool
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Creating merch certainly seems like a foolproof way to generate profits, but that’s not always the case! Today, we are discussing how Wil actually lost money on the world-class merch he created with the Littles, and why profit was never part of the plan. We discuss how Wil sees the role of merch in the overall messaging for the Littles, in step with the philosophy that how you do one thing is how you do everything. Hear how merch can be used to show investors the quality of your work, why Wil doesn’t mind that merch is a loss leader in his business, and how he foresees long-term gain from short-term loss. Hear about Wil’s hands-on process of sourcing and manufacturing merch for the Littles, why he doesn’t recommend that for everyone, and what the process of custom-curating his Shopify experience was like. Thanks for tuning in!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:32] Wil’s thoughts on how he ended up losing money on the merch he created.
- [01:13] How Wil sees the role of merch in representing and marketing the Littles.
- [01:20] Why they have chosen to spend so much time investing in the details of the merch?
- [01:50] How he has applied the philosophy of ‘how you do one thing is how you do everything else’.
- [02:01] How high-quality merch is a perfect way to show investors the quality of their work.
- [02:39] Why Wil doesn’t mind merch being a loss leader.
- [03:16] How merch provides a tangible touchpoint for a digital brand.
- [03:32] The reality of loss leaders and potential long-term gain.
- [04:01] Wil’s hands-on process of manufacturing merch for the Littles.
- [04:31] Why he doesn’t recommend a hands-on process for everyone.
[04:48] The process of custom-curating his Shopify experience.
Tweetables:
“The way we see merch is not only as a way for people to rep our brand but also as a way for us to market our brand out there, which is the reason why we spend so much time and effort into every single tiny detail.” — @wilxlee [0:01:11]
“We get to, not only send this merch to our community members that love the entire experience, but also, send it to investors, send it to friends and family. This is a perfect way to show them the quality of our work.” — @wilxlee [0:01:53]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Welcome back! Today, we’re reflecting on our recent Leveling Up Live Event, and sharing some tips on conference creation with our listeners. Join us as Wil shares his experience of the conference as an attendee, telling us why he rates the live event as the best he has been to. Next, Eric unpacks the structure of the event, which is designed to facilitate networking and education far beyond what you can find online. Hear about the conference’s unique selling point, how the audience is curated, and why it can be so powerful to bring similarly positioned people together to share their struggles. Join us today to hear all this and more.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:25] What made the Leveling Up Live Event such a success?
- [00:50] The varied shapes that conferences take and why we are offering you a template today.
- [01:10] Wil’s experience of the recent event and why it was the best of its kind.
- [01:38] His feedback on the caliber of guests who are all seven figures and above.
- [02:12] Overall experience and attention to detail.
[02:40] Opportunities for networking and relationship building at the event. * [03:10] Constructive feedback on the event: the room was too big. * [03:38] How the conference is structured to facilitate networking and education. * [03:57] What Eric considers to be the conference’s unique selling point: connecting people of all different levels of experience. * [04:14] Curating the audience through an application process. * [04:50] The power of bringing similarly positioned people together to share their struggles.
[05:07] How the conference’s daily structure facilitated connections far beyond what you would find online. * [06:07] Why Eric would have left more room for networking on day two in hindsight. * [06:17] Survey feedback from attendees.
Tweetables:
“The unique selling point for us is, how do we connect people with, not only the up-and-comers, but people at the top of their game from a business, media, and marketing standpoint.” — @ericosiu [0:03:57]
“People who are at the same stage share the same struggles and challenges. It’s a lot easier to relate to people. We get it right away, and the conversation becomes a lot more meaningful and impactful.” — @wilxlee [0:04:48]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Leveling Up Mastermind Application
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Launching an NFT project is no easy feat, and there are many potential pitfalls along the way. That’s why, during today’s episode, we’re giving you the opportunity to learn from our mistakes! Tune in to hear our thoughts on choosing a market to launch into, investing in security, and going along with the meta. We also discuss what happens when you fail to fully buy into your vision from the beginning, and why having too many offers can be a point of confusion, rather than an easier sell. Finally, you’ll learn why we’ve come to value communication so highly, and why ultimately in a startup environment, timing is everything. Thanks for joining us!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:09] Why launching into a bear market during a poor macro environment was a terrible idea.
- [00:30] What happens when you fail to invest in security right from the get-go?
- [00:58] How going against the meta jeopardizes initial access to seed funding.
- [01:27] The perils of failing to own the vision from the get-go.
- [02:14] Why having too many offers can be a mistake that confuses customers.
- [02:56] Stepping up your communication to the highest tier for a messaging-sensitive market.
- [03:40] What it means to replace ‘ready, aim, fire’ with ‘ready, fire, aim’!
Tweetables:
“My whole thesis about NFT is that it’s not a product in itself, it helps elevate the product.” — @wilxlee [0:01:37]
“There’s so much noise in the marketplace, so many projects, and if you make your systems too complex, then people just zone out.” — @wilxlee [0:02:42]
“A lot of the time when it comes to startup success, timing is the number one factor that causes businesses to fail. It’s that important.” — @ericosiu [0:04:10]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The halcyon days of making a substantial amount of money from NFTs in the short term (and then being able to disappear) are largely behind us. As this industry continues to establish itself, it is becoming increasingly important to continually evolve your project and ensure that it is sustainable. In today’s conversation, we take a look at how the short-term and long-term profitability of NFTs have shifted, how this has affected our projects, and what we expect to see in the future. To learn more about how the world of NFTs is developing and how to evaluate your future profitability, make sure you tune in today!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] How the short-term and long-term profitability of NFTs have shifted.
- [00:33] Why the question of your profitability timeline is dependent on the goal of your project and your business model.
- [00:53] The Littles as an Intellectual Property brand and how it affects long-term profitability.
- [02:16] Some of the profitability challenges that you face as a SaaS product.
- [04:56] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“For The Littles, it's very different because we are creating an IP brand. You're not going to be able to touch people's hearts without having the right foundations. For us, we're laying the foundation by creating animation and that's a long-term investment.” — @willxlee [0:00:38]
“When I'm looking at an IP brand, it's really about laying the foundations.” — @willxlee [0:01:22]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that venture capitalists base their choices on founders, projects, and ideas. In reality, they’re more likely to make their decisions based on whether they feel that it’s an industry they should be investing in. Tune in as we discuss how investors approach companies and founders, what we’ve observed in our industry, and how to determine whether or not you should raise money for your project. We also delve into different case studies and evaluate where our own projects, like The Littles and Leveling Up Heroes, stand in the greater scheme of things. For all this, and much more, make sure you tune in today!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] An overview of some of the money that other projects have raised.
- [01:16] Why Will feels like they are finally close to raising capital for The Littles.
- [02:00] Why you need to be in the right industry to raise capital from venture capitalists.
- [03:07] How to ensure that you are delivering the best experience for your community.
- [03:34] Why finding the right venture capital partner is so important.
- [04:14] Will’s investment goals for The Littles.
- [04:24] Why you should let the market determine valuation.
- [05:31] An overview of how venture capital dynamics work.
- [06:51] Some of the reasons why you may not want to seek funding.
- [08:02] Why you should be selective when it comes to who you put on your board of directors.
- [10:38] How to be clear on why you are raising money.
- [10:54] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“It’s the first time in my career where I feel like we are close to being able to raise capital with The Littles, because we have a proven model, we have a great community, and I've been learning a lot more about it. It seems that this industry itself is primed for investment.” — @willxlee [0:01:43]
“I've learned from a top VC not to talk about valuation. It's really about the market. The market dictates valuation.” — @willxlee [0:04:25]
“They're looking for moonshots. They want things that could have multibillion-dollar outcomes.” — @ericosiu [0:05:46]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Moonbirds
Yuga Labs
Andreessen Horowitz
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The NFT market has been pretty tumultuous of late. With this in mind, Eric concluded that he needed to take a novel approach if he wanted to create a robust foundation for his latest NFT launch. Tuning in, you’ll hear Eric break down how he minted 12,345 NFTs in 19 minutes and how he deployed his execution strategy. Learn how Eric formed strong relationships in the Web3 community, its contribution to his latest launch, and the important role that collaboration played in the build-up to the event. We also discuss Eric’s business model, what it means to create education-focused NFTs, and why they are opting for a gradual growth model. Join us as we discuss the details of this latest launch and how to build community!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] An overview of how Eric laid the foundation for his latest NFT launch.
- [00:20] Why Eric decided to increase the amount of NFTs they would be minting.
- [00:55] How Eric used collaboration and free minting.
- [01:19] The role that Eric’s allowlist played in their process.
- [01:33] How they implemented the PREMINT tool for their launch.
- [01:49] The rapid pace at which Eric’s NFTs were minted and sold.
- [02:56] Insights into Eric’s business model and why he organized this launch.
- [03:58] Why Eric is taking a gradual approach to growth.
- [04:31] The importance of building community.
- [05:42] How to be creative with your offerings.
- [06:52] Understanding the value of interfacing with members of your community.
- [09:23] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“What we did leading up to it was we pushed really hard on collaborations and partnerships.” — @ericosiu [0:01:00]
“What's really cool and unique about you, Eric, is the fact that you have zero incentive to do a cash grab because this is not going to make you money in the short term. It's a testament to your conviction because, in order for this to work, you need to invest a lot of time and energy.” — @willxlee [0:04:31]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
PREMINT
Vee Friends
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Thinking about our business model is important because it determines how we are going to make money from each of our projects. Tune in as Will shares the three pillars that support his business plan for the Littles, and how they are unfolding in reality. We touch on where Will believes the best cases for gaming can be found, and the surprising place where the majority of revenue is generated for top IP brands. Hear us talk about the role of merch, what investors want to see, and how positive feedback has validated the vision that Will has for the Littles. Press play to hear all this and more today.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:26] What we mean by a business model: how your company is going to make money.
- [01:09] What Will considers the biggest flaw in the NFT space right now.
- [01:34] The three big pillars that the Littles’ business model is built on: animation, gaming, and merch.
- [01:51] How these three pillars stack on top of each other.
- [02:28] The surprising place where the majority of revenue is generated for top IP brands.
- [03:09] Why Will believes that the best use cases in the world of NFTs are within gaming.
- [03:28] How merch facilitates brand building.
- [04:08] The educational aspect of Leveling Up Heroes and what is behind the book.
- [05:02] What motivates dropping new characters into each gaming world.
- [05:58] What you need to do to bring in monthly recurring revenue.
- [06:32] What investors want to see.
- [07:45] How positive feedback has validated their vision.
- [08:38] Why merch is much more than just a logo on a shirt.
Tweetables:
“A business model is important because if you don’t have one, you don’t know how you’re going to be able to sustain paying for salaries and all the cool stuff you’re going to do.” — @ericsui [0:00:52]
“Over 80% of the revenue generated by the top IP brands, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Pokemon, is generated from merch.” — @willxlee [0:02:28]
“In order to bring monthly recurring revenue, you have to bring monthly recurring value.” — @ericsui [0:05:54]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
There is a new, fantastical universe to look forward to; a first of its kind! The MV3 Universe is the first ever film franchise birthed from an NFT collection, and today, we are joined by one of its co-founders, Roberto Nickson. Roberto is also the brains behind Metav3rse, and in our conversation, he gives us an account of what his life was like before he ventured into Web3. We speak about Ethereum as a ground-breaker, a passionate crusade against Web3 scammers, and the scandal surrounding the Instagram page @NFT, as well as choosing integrity over riches. Roberto has been at the forefront of building incredible online communities and, through a deep dive of MV3 and Metav3rse’s company structures, we get to see how he managed to achieve this. You’ll also learn about the liberation of AI, Roberto’s thesis behind IP franchises, the connection between blockchain and ownership, plus so much more! To find out why venture capital is crucial in the world of tech and why understanding human insecurity is a superpower, tune in today.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing Metav3rse Founder and MV3 Universe Cofounder, Roberto Nickson.
- [01:05] Roberto’s life before Web3.
- [02:08] When Roberto first heard about Web3 and his fascination with Ethereum.
- [03:23] Falling in love with the NFT community and crusading against online scammers.
- [04:48] A breakdown of Roberto’s decision to transition into Web3.
- [06:49] The scandal of @NFT.
- [08:23] How Roberto left millions on the table to do things the right way at Metav3rse.
- [09:33] Metav3rse’s business model.
- [11:07] Metav3rse’s one-person company structure as a model for success.
- [11:34] MV3’s company structure as a more realistic template.
- [12:16] What the MV3 Universe is and the thesis behind IP franchises.
- [13:43] Debating the liberation of AI.
- [15:13] Check out the MV3 Universe trailer and DOXXEDtv YouTube page in the links below!
- [15:57] Discussing the blockchain and ownership.
- [17:10] Why artists must create something of substance for NFT collectors to find value in it.
- [17:29] How seeking venture capital (VC) is a good way to ensure higher-quality projects.
- [17:55] The real problem with VC: intent.
- [18:50] Why VC money is necessary in the hyper-competitive world of tech.
- [20:35] Tips for fostering a great community.
- [21:10] Why your community cannot be bought; it has to be built organically.
- [21:42] How Roberto stays positive amidst all the negativity in his various communities.
- [22:48] A deeper understanding of human insecurity as an underrated superpower.
- [24:07] What the future holds for MV3.
- [26:22] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The MV3 Universe
MV3 Discord Chat
The Littles
Eric Siu on Twitter
Leveling Up Heroes
Single Grain
Leveling Up
Our very own Will has created the Littles, which promises to become the Mario of Web3. During today’s episode, he introduces us to three pillars that facilitate real utility within the crypto space, which have been built into the game. Hear why they have decided to focus on their core community first, before advertising beyond it, and why he doesn’t consider the game’s main aim to be monetization. Hear about how the platform can become an easy onramp for Web 2 companies, why DreamSpace provides a different way to think about utility, and more when you tune in today. Thanks for listening!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:10] How Will is executing his vision of creating the Mario of Web3.
- [00:40] What DreamSpace is: a resource hub for our community.
- [01:41] Three pillars that they focus on and how they provide real utility within the crypto space.
- [02:21] Eric’s sponsorship of his business building course.
- [03:13] The decision to focus on their core community first, before advertising beyond it.
- [04:02] Why it is not for monetization but is rather a resource hub.
- [04:54] How the platform can become an easy onramp for Web 2 companies.
- [05:25] Why DreamSpace provides a different way to think about what utility is.
- [05:44] An invitation to listeners to reach out with any resources they may have.
Tweetables:
“Our brand becomes a very easy onramp for people to access a legitimate family-friendly brand, so why not sponsor the Littles? Give them some freebies in order for us to send some goodwill to more than 5000 people.” — @willxlee [0:04:25]
“DreamSpace is a different way of thinking about what utility is, which seems cliched, but truly, this is a utility play.” — @ericsui [0:05:22]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Today we have our very own Wil Lee in the hot seat to answer questions about the Mario of Web3, The Littles. In this episode, Wil explains what The Littles is, what inspired it, and what it’s evolved into, shedding light on some of the project’s upcoming endeavors. We get insight into how The Littles procured impressive partnerships with the likes of Cool Cats and Time, and why they’ve chosen to launch a 1-Up arcade experience. Tune in to hear all about The Littles’ goals and marketing strategies, from high-quality merch to raising capital, and more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:42] The Littles’ upcoming NFT launch.
- [01:07] What The Littles is, what inspired it, and what it’s evolved into.
- [01:43] What it means to be “the Mario of Web3”.
- [02:34] The Littles’ current value.
- [03:03] The team structure of The Littles.
- [04:23] How generative art differs from traditional art.
- [04:57] What The Littles gained from their various partnerships.
- [07:19] How they procured their partnerships.
- [08:05] How The Littles landed Cool Cats as their official partner.
- [09:23] What Cool Cats gains from their partnership with The Littles.
- [10:16] How The Littles’ Time partnership is structured.
- [12:29] The goal of The Littles’ upcoming 1-Up arcade experience.
- [14:52] A glimpse inside the arcade.
- [16:01] The Littles’ upcoming Mint.
- [18:15] The marketing strategy behind the 1-Up arcade experience.
- [18:47] How The Littles use merch as a marketing tool.
- [21:29] How to approach the topic of users and revenue with investors.
- [23:46] The Littles’ current approach to raising capital.
- [24:50] Why raising capital often has negative connotations.
Tweetables:
“We have evolved into being the Mario of Web3.” — @wilxlee [0:01:32]
“When it comes down to generative art, it’s a very different trade than normal artists.” — @wilxlee [0:04:23]
“The entire process of us pitching to [partners] was not about what they can do for us, it was really about what we can do for them, their ecosystem, and how much work they need to put it. It became an irresistible offer for them.” — @wilxlee [0:07:37]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
The Littles on Twitter
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
OpenSea
Cool Cats
While creators once benefitted from royalty fees long after launching their work. Now, with Pseudo-Swap, royalties can easily be bypassed, and people are debating whether or not the fees are relevant to today’s landscape. Join us today as we discuss the critical questions that this conversation raises, and what we feel your focus should shift towards. We touch on decentralization, how it gets taken too far, and where you are most likely to find the answers you seek. Thanks for tuning in!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:26] How Pseudo-Swap has made it possible to bypass royalties and whether creator royalty fees are relevant.
- [00:51] The critical question of what your business model actually is.
- [01:20] Why the focus should not be on royalties, but rather how you curate your collectors.
- [02:44] How decentralization gets taken too far when the answer is more in the middle.
- [04:05] What happens when you focus on generating hype instead of creating a business plan.
- [04:15] What you should focus on instead: real business plans that have been proven to work.
Tweetables:
“As an artist in regular life, you’re not able to charge royalties for your painting, for your work, and whatnot. NFTs have allowed artists to sell their work online, and that itself is innovative and revolutionary within itself.” — @willxlee [0:00:50]
“The focus should not be on royalties, but rather how you curate your collectors. How do you connect with them? How do you tell your story? That should be the focus.” — @willxlee [0:01:20]
“When I forgo my long-term vision, everything I’m going to be doing is for the short term. What can I do to create hype? What can I do to one-up the other person? When you do that, there is no real business plan.” — @ericsui [0:03:52]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Sudoswap is a decentralized NFT marketplace with lower fees than other marketplaces where everything is done on chain and creators get 0% kickback. So, is Sudoswap the future model for NFT exchanges? We think it’s part of the future, but not the only future. Tune in today to hear our thoughts on this topic!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Today’s topic: is Sudoswap the future model for NFT exchanges?
- [00:15] Characteristics of OpenSea.
- [00:33] An overview of how Sudoswap works.
- [01:09] Statistics that show how Sudoswap has grown.
- [01:32] Our thoughts on the future of Sudoswap.
- [01:50] Different types of markets that exist for different types of collectors.
- [03:06] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Everything [on Sudoswap] is completely on chain so you can see all the data.” — @ericsui [0:00:55]
“I think that [Sudoswap] is the future model but it’s not going to be for all.” — @willxlee [0:01:31]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sudoswap
OpenSea
SuperRare
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
In 2017, crypto wasn’t getting any validation from celebrities, top-tier entrepreneurs, or public companies. Today, 40 of the Top 100 Public Companies have invested ~$6b into Web3! This is the future, and the time to get involved is now. Tune in today to hear why!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] The astounding fact that 40 of the Top 100 Public Companies Have Invested ~$6b Into Web3!
- [00:25] How the Web3 space has evolved over the past four years.
- [01:19] Why this time to participate in Web3 is now!
- [02:13] Company name changes that show the confidence in Web3.
- [02:28] The next step: government regulation.
- [03:07] Reframing the way we think about Web3.
- [03:46] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“[Web3] is the future, and it’s being validated by some of the smartest people in the world.” — @willxlee [0:00:52]
“When you rename your company from Square to Block and when you rename your company from Facebook to Meta, it’s showing some serious dollars going behind it.” — @ericsui [0:02:14]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Long, drawn-out, unnecessary meetings aren’t good for morale or productivity. So as a founder it’s vital that you learn how to run your NFT meetings like a pro! In this episode, we share what our team meetings consist of, how often we hold them, and the tools and resources that we have used to ensure that they are as efficient and effective as possible!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Today’s topic: Running your NFT team meetings like a pro!
- [00:29] EOS; the tool that will enhance your meeting-holding skills.
- [01:27] How to make meetings more efficient.
- [02:48] Two recommended resources; Traction and Scaling Up.
- [03:34] Targets and headlines that we discuss during our team meetings.
- [04:01] What the bulk of our meetings consist of.
- [04:34] Why we hold post-mortem meetings after a launch.
- [05:12] Don’t hold unnecessary meetings!
Tweetables:
“I enjoy creating, connecting the dots, looking into the future. What doesn’t give me energy is people management.” — @ericsui [0:02:32]
“The bulk of the meeting is on solving problems and talking about issues. You have to have trust in the meeting to be able to talk about these things.” — @ericsui [0:04:01]
“If you do not reflect and identify the areas of improvement then it’s very hard for you to know what to do in the future.” — @willxlee [0:04:50]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Traction
Scaling Up
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
If you aim to go far, not fast, you’ll need a solid team on your side. In this episode, we fill you in on what to look for in team members and how to find them! We get candid about the hiring mistakes we’ve made and how to avoid them and discuss the importance of value alignment within a team. If you’re wondering how to source talent in the Web3 space that best aligns with your vision, this episode is for you.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Today’s topic: Assembling your NFT team!
- [00:24] Hiring mistakes that we’ve made along the way.
- [01:05] What to do prior to hiring somebody.
- [01:49] Why hiring needs to be taken more seriously.
- [02:20] The hiring framework outlined in Who by Geoff Smart.
- [02:38] The downside of the self-select culture in Web3.
- [03:07] Tips for sourcing talent in the Web3 space.
- [04:01] The advantages of hiring specialists over generalists.
- [05:24] How to source specialists.
- [06:14] The importance of value alignment within a team.
- [07:34] The concept of vectors.
- [08:33] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“If you want to go far, you’ve got to go together. If you want to go fast, you go alone.” — @ericsui [0:00:13]
“You’re going to be able to have a superb product to showcase to your community and the public when you hire specialty versus generalist people.” — @willxlee [0:05:12]
“Ultimately, everyone on the team that you want to assemble shares the same values, shares the same vision, and rolls in sync.” — @willxlee [0:07:16]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Who by Geoff Smart
Dharmesh Shah on Aligning Vectors
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Getting your dream collabs may be more achievable than you think. In this episode, we list some of our key partners and break down the steps we took to establish these dream collaborations. It’s important to focus on the people that matter as you build relationships in the industry without drowning in unnecessary noise. Join us as we share our take on sales and partnerships as well as some tips and insights for landing your dream collabs.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Today’s topic: How to get your dream collaborations.
- [00:06] The importance of collabs in the world of Web3.
- [00:20] The collabs Will has established with The Littles.
- [00:43] Five steps to establishing your key partners and dream collabs.
- [02:58] The Dream 100 as outlined in The Ultimate Sales Machine.
- [03:19] Our take on sales and partnerships.
- [04:09] What to focus on as you slowly build up your relationships.
- [04:50] Motivation to stay in your lane and focus on the people that matter.
- [05:21] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“In the world of Web3, if you’re looking to launch an NFT project, it’s very collabs-focused which means it’s very relationship-driven.” — @ericsui [00:06]
“Write down your dream collabs. That has so much power to it because it really allows you to focus your vision.” — @willxlee [00:54]
“The way I think about sales or partnerships is it's not really a no until they tell you to scram.” — @ericsui [03:19]
“The people that matter will recognize the work that you do.” — @willxlee [04:50]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Defining the mission of any project is essential and, in this episode, we explain what that means by giving examples of the mission statements of our respective NFT projects. Tune in to find out why it’s so valuable to define your mission and where to look for inspiration!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: Defining the mission of your NFT project.
- [00:36] The mission of Leveling Up Heroes.
- [00:43] The advantages of having a mission.
- [01:34] The vision and mission of The Littles and the various vehicles for fulfilling them.
- [03:02] Our recommendation to google mission statements.
- [03:27] The time it takes to refine and embody your mission statement.
- [04:27] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“A mission will repel people and a mission will also bring people to you.” — @ericsui [0:00:44]
“The mission’s job is not to try to please everyone because if you please everyone you please no one.” — @ericsui [0:01:20]
“The mission can change over time because information changes.” — @ericsui [0:03:16]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
It’s one thing to have a great NFT, but if you don’t market it well, people won’t ever see it or buy it! So, in today’s episode, we're diving into our top pieces of advice for how to market your NFT project like a pro! We draw from our own experiences of what worked and what didn’t, and while we encourage you to learn from our mistakes, everybody is unique and it’s so important that you figure out the strategy that works best for you!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:27] An overview of the many tactics that you can use to market your NFT project like a pro.
- [00:51] The two main tactics we have used to market The Littles.
- [01:03] How to choose the marketing tactics that work for you.
- [02:16] Some of the mistakes we made with our initial launch.
- [03:57] The importance of not overhyping your marketing strategy.
- [05:23] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“With any of the strategies, you can’t go overboard, otherwise it turns into something that is negative.” — @willxlee [0:03:57]
“Integrity is everything.” — @willxlee [0:04:34]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Short-term pain, long-term gain! During this episode, we discuss long-term vs short-term thinking in Web3, and through the use of examples, we explain why the former is so much more beneficial than the latter as a business-building strategy.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [01:21] The problem with short-term thinking.
- [02:00] An example of what building a business based on short-term thinking looks like.
- [02:55] Factors that make The Littles a long-term project.
- [04:36] Why Jeff Bezos (love him or hate him) epitomizes long-term thinking.
- [05:51] Lessons from Charlie Munger, and a book recommendation if you’re interested in learning more.
- [07:01] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“Easy come, easy go. The ones who think long term are the ones who succeed.” — @ericsui [0:00:35]
“Having a long horizon is what’s going to pay off in the future.” — @willxlee [0:04:16]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Tao of Charlie Munger
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
We’ve left the first generation of NFTs behind, and in today’s episode we’re answering the question, “What is NFT 2.0?” NFT 2.0 is about loyalty, access, identity, engagement, and more! Tune in today to hear it all.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:16] What first-generation NFTs were like.
- [00:57] Defining NFT 2.0.
- [01:21] An explanation of the loyalty element of NFT 2.0.
- [02:29] Exploring the ‘freemium’ concept.
- [04:15] The greater degree of access that NFT 2.0 allows for.
- [05:15] How Will’s latest project has evolved into NFT 2.0.
- [07:21] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“NFT 2.0 means loyalty, access, identity, certainty, belonging, tangibility, engagement, and achievement.” — @willxlee [0:00:57]
“During times of down markets, there’s a lot of stressors, but the stressors build a lot of scar tissue.” — @ericsui [0:06:59]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Between the two of us, we know a thing or two about getting a project off the ground, and today we’re going to give you a broad overview of how to build an NFT project from scratch. We list the six steps required and explain how to identify your niche, make your mark, and assemble the perfect team! Consider this an introduction and stay tuned for future episodes where we examine each of the six steps in more detail!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:33] How to identify your niche.
- [01:38] Six steps to starting an NFT project from scratch.
- [01:49] What it means to identify your mark i.e. your mission.
- [02:45] Effective team assembly: who you need on your team.
- [03:50] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“There are so many different pillars of NFTs out there. Whether it’s collectible, whether it’s art, whether it’s gaming, you need to identify what type of mark and what type of hill you want to conquer.” — @willxlee [0:01:51]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
There is a very specific demographic monopolizing the Web3 space at the moment, and we’ve observed a distinct lack of professionalism. If you want to stand out in the space, make good impressions, and get hired, you’re going to have to adopt a degree of professionalism. In this episode, we explore what it means to be professional and how best to approach professionalism in the world of Web3! Tune in to discover where you might currently be lacking, and what you can do to become the ultimate professional and make real, lasting connections.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:09] Why it’s important to be professional in the world of Web3.
- [00:58] Why the bar is so low in the Web3 space.
- [01:11] What it means to be professional and how to approach professionalism in the Web3 space.
- [0:03:16] The three traits of the ideal team player: humility, hunger, and intelligence.
- [04:21] The professionalism Web3 is currently lacking.
- [04:43] How to be the ultimate professional.
- [05:06] The importance of having integrity and holding yourself to a higher standard.
- [07:03] Please don’t forget to share, rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
Tweetables:
“If you want to stand out from the other people and you want to get a job in the [Web3] space, you just have to be professional.” — @ericosiu [0:00:50]
“The ideal team player has three traits: they are humble, they are hungry, and they are smart.” — @ericosiu [0:03:16]
“Integrity is everything. It’s your reputation, it’s what you say, and what you do.” — @willxlee [0:05:11]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Ideal Team Player
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
There is a false dichotomy between Web2 and Web3, whereas, in reality, it isn’t (and cannot be) an us versus them situation. There is an overlap as the future of the internet unravels, and we’ve observed that there are characteristics of both that can comfortably live together and provide great value. We believe the true evolution comes with equilibrium and, in this episode, we examine the divisiveness and consider what needs to change in order to invite people into the Web3 space without judgment.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s topic: The Web2 vs Web3 Dichotomy.
- [00:36] The false dichotomy between Web2 and Web3 and the value we can glean from each.
- [02:12] What people in Web3 are really looking for, despite what they preach.
- [03:12] The evolution of Web2 and Web3 as the market finds an equilibrium between the two.
- [03:37] The divisive language keeping people out of the Web3 space.
- [04:15] The importance of reframing the definition of NFTs and community for the broader population.
Tweetables:
“Web2 versus Web3, it’s not about either or, but rather the market itself.” — @willxlee [0:03:12]
“In order for this industry to continue to evolve, we must reframe the definition of NFTs, community, and building together.” — @willxlee [0:04:20]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
There are plenty of other long and arduous podcasts out there about Web3, but we’ve decided to take a page from Marketing School and change the format of Creators of Web3. In this episode, we fill you in on what you can expect from now on, as we shrink our podcast into bite-sized daily episodes. Tune in to find out why we’ve decided to make this change, and how it will essentially serve you, the audience, better.
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:11] The format of Eric’s daily podcast, Marketing School.
- [00:30] Why we’re adopting the shorter daily format for Creators of Web3.
- [01:00] The benefits of creating regular content in bite-sized pieces.
- [02:05] What sets us apart from other podcasters and content creators in the space.
- [02:47] The various facets of the media company we’re building.
- [03:02] Why we’re building a moat around our brand.
- [03:42] Please don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast!
Tweetables:
“Being able to create content consistently and being able to distribute it on a daily is definitely going to help with our reach.” — @willxlee [0:01:00]
“It comes down to zigging where other people are zagging.” — @ericsui [0:01:52]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
In this episode, we talk about Gary Vee's Veefriends, a blockchain-based play on the old childhood game of UNO. Veefriends is the ultimate brand play. It's the best realization of a digital collectible to date- and it still has a lot of room to grow.
We also discuss why more people should be creating Cryptopunks (or similar NFTs) as not just a cool collectible, but as a brand-building asset.
Could the re-rise of CryptoPunks flip Apes? In this chatty episode, Wilson Lee and Eric Su cover some hot and popular topics! To start, Wil gives us a breakdown of his plans for his new free mint and, although he can’t share too many details, we learn that it is something you won’t want to miss! We learn more about how to market your free mint, whether you should make your advertising public, important strategies to create, and how to approach your customers in a way that will convert and keep them! We hear about reading the room, understanding the nuance of the market, the responsibilities of founders, earning compressions, and why it is important to build, train, and invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs! Plus, we learn about why to derisk yourself, how to manage to work on multiple platforms, and Minecraft’s new, public statement!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:30] Wil’s experience with Covid19.
- [01:14] An update on The Littles and Wil’s decisions/details around creating and sharing a free mint
- [03:20] A pivotal, and potentially disappointing, business decision made by Wil.
- [04:18] Comparing similar and unsuccessful cash-playing projects.
- [05:50] A look at marketing:approaching an allow list link and where to advertise it (if publicly).
- [07:10] The power of training and investing in entrepreneurs.
- [08:35] How and why to use Y Combinator!
- [11:18] A look at if the bottom is in right now, are we going to have a financial rally?
- [13:27] Understanding earning compressions.
- [14:51] Three responsibilities of founders: financing, having a vision, and recruiting.
- [15:35] A chat about Minecraft’s public statement prohibiting the use of NFTs.
- [16:40] Understanding platform risk (and why not rely on only one platform!).
- [18:15] A look at PROOF acquiring NFT engineering team Divergence.
- [20:22] Talent acquisition whilepreserving the crypto ecosystem.
- [21:05] Could the re-rise of CryptoPunks flip Apes? A look at their historical and relatable value.
Tweetables:
“The number one thing you can do right now is to protect your income and cover your costs.”— @ericsui [0:13:12]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Y Combinator
PROOF
THE SANDBOX
FTX
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
CryptoPunks
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Web3 and decentralized finance (DeFi) have tremendous potential, but there are key advancements that need to be made before widespread adoption can take place. In today’s episode, we meet up with Fabrice Cheng, Cofounder and CEO of Quadrata, a company that provides a safer experience for users through their innovative new NFT Passport. Learn how Quadrata automatically syncs identity, compliance, and reputation-based data across multiple blockchain networks and how this will support wider Web3 adoption, expand DeFi, and more! In our conversation, Fabrice shares how he first got into crypto, why he fell in love with Web3 technology, and the exciting announcement of Quadrata’s $7.5 million seed funding round. We also discuss the current bear market, the factors that contributed to it, and what you can expect going forward. Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Fabrice Cheng on the advancements that will take Web3 to the next level, the impact that Quadrata’s soulbound NFTs will have, and much more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:00] Introducing today’s guest, Fabrice Cheng, Cofounder and CEO at Quadrata.
- [00:33] The news of Quadrata’s recent $7.5 million seed round.
- [00:48] The challenges of raising money in the current crypto market.
- [02:58] An overview of Quadrata and how it is providing a safer experience for users through their NFT Passport.
- [06:05] A breakdown of why the Quadrata Passport is the equivalent of a soulbound NFT.
- [07:35] How Quadrata approaches issues around privacy and security.
- [10:18] The agencies and companies that would want to use this type of technology.
- [11:52] Some of the current use cases for Quadrata and what followers can look forward to.
- [17:52] Learn about Fabrice’s career as a software engineer and how he became interested in Web3, blockchain, and crypto.
- [20:50] Some of the obstacles that Fabrice has had to overcome in his career and how he has persevered through the volatility of the crypto market.
- [23:51] The current bear market and the factors that contributed to it.
- [28:22] What Will has learned from the volatility of the crypto market.
- [31:00] Fabrice shares his final thoughts and what he’s excited for in the Web3 space.
Tweetables:
“It’s a false sense of security that, in general, leads to those catastrophic, cascading failures.” — Fabrice Cheng [0:25:07]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Fabrice Cheng on LinkedIn
Fabrice Cheng on Twitter
Quadrata
Quadrata on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
The Littles
Leveling Up
Leveling Up Heroes
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
Today’s guest is one of the most influential voices in the crypto space right now. Known as Zeneca on Twitter and as Roy to the rest of the world, he is the founder of ZenAcademy and The 333 Club. During this episode, Roy shares what motivated him to fully immerse himself in the NFT space after a few years with one foot in the door, what ZenAcademy does, and where the idea for The 333 Club came from (plus a bit about the controversy that has surrounded it). We also discuss the biggest challenge that Roy has experienced as a founder, his thoughts about the future of NFTs, and why he is such a fan of Art Blocks!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:40] Roy (known as Zeneca on Twitter) shares the journey that led him to pursue a career in the crypto space.
- [02:53] Where the idea for ZenAcademy originated, what it is, and the process that Roy went through to create it.
- [07:13] How Roy’s minting approach worked.
- [08:22] Roy’s 333 Club, and the controversy that has surrounded it.
- [12:53] A story which highlights Roy’s powerful presence in the crypto space.
- [17:33] The biggest challenge that Roy has faced as a founder.
- [20:56] Why time management is such an essential skill for a founder, and the benefits of time blocking.
- [22:00] A book recommendation: The E-Myth Revisited.
- [24:58] Roy’s thoughts about the future of NFTs.
- [27:35] Projects that are capturing the most noise in the NFT market place currently.
- [27:53] The ultimate goal of NFTs.
- [28:21] How a project like The Littles can utilize NFTs.
- [31:08] Imagining a potential use case for NFTs.
- [32:37] Why Roy is a fan of Art Blocks.
- [38:18] Three of Roy’s favorite Art Blocks collections.
- [40:37] Don’t be too hard on yourself!
Tweetables:
“Time management is such an art.” — @willxlee [0:20:56]
“I am in a unique position because I get to chat to founders and people who are working on projects that the public doesn’t know about. Monday to Friday I’m always hearing about these amazing, amazing projects.” — @Zeneca_33 [0:25:06]
“The magic of NFTs is that you can do kind of anything with them.” — @Zeneca_33 [0:31:58]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Zeneca_33 on Twitter
ZenAcademy
Growth Everywhere
Single Grain
The Littles
Leveling Up Heroes
Eric Siu on Twitter
Eric Siu on Instagram
Wilson Lee on Twitter
Wilson Lee on Instagram
In many ways, the NFT world is still in such an early stage of development that there’s no real playbook that entrepreneurs or creators can follow for building their businesses, especially if they want to scale. Today on the show we get together with Will Weinraub, CEO and Co-Founder at OnChain Studios, to talk about how he originally created Cryptoys as a gift for his daughter, the strategies they’re using to scale their product, and some of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in the Web3 space today. Tuning in, you’ll learn about Cryptoys’ partnership with Mattel, how the world-famous toy company is leaning into innovation by embracing digital toys for kids, and why it’s so important to find the right partner to help you build your vision in the Web3 space. We also unpack why storytelling is an essential skill for entrepreneurs to master and reflect on recent developments in the crypto space, including the news that Solana will launch a new smartphone in 2023 and Doodles’ decision to appoint Pharrell Williams as their Chief Brand Officer. Tune in for key insights from one of the most passionate leaders in the Web3 space, and much more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [01:49] Get to know today’s guest, Will Weinraub CEO and Co-Founder at OnChain Studios.
- [05:21] How Will’s daughter inspired the creation of Cryptoys.
- [08:52] The three pillars that form the foundation of Will’s business strategy: toys, gaming, and entertainment.
- [09:36] Insights into how Cryptoys plans to scale.
- [11:44] How Cryptoys became connected with Mattel and why they are ideal partners.
- [14:28] The challenges of communicating an entirely new vision during a pitch meeting.
- [20:50] Why storytelling is one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can invest in.
- [23:13] Why good storytelling is the equivalent of good communication.
- [24:33] Will shares his approach to recruiting.
- [27:08] How to recruit and retain top talent in the Web3 space.
- [31:23] Our thoughts on some of the liquidations that have been happening in the crypto space.
- [33:48] Some of the exciting developments happening at Doodles, including their partnership with Pharrell Williams!
- [41:25] An overview of Shopify’s decision to add NFT gated features and what it means for the broader NFT culture.
- [47:24] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
- [47:25] Go to https://www.marketingschool.io to learn more!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
- Subscribe to our premium podcast (with tons of goodies!): https://www.marketingschool.io/pro
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
"The NFT World is getting more competitive every day, and you don't want to get left behind! Learn how to grow your NFT project: www.youtube.com/c/LevelingUpOfficial"
Connect with Us:
- Neilpatel.com
- Quick Sprout
- Growth Everywhere
- Single Grain
- Twitter @neilpatel
- Twitter @ericosiu
In this episode, learn what to expect in NFT.NYC and what are the hottest headlines in Web3 right now. We will be covering controversial topics such as the Coinbase’s Layoff, Celcius asset freeze, and Nansen Connect - a new messaging platform that is set to replace Discord in the world of NFT Community. So, if you need a few more reasons to dive into the world of NFTs and meet some interesting movers and shakers, or just want some updates on the latest news from the final frontier, this is definitely the episode for you!
- 00:00 - People are leaving Web3 — Should You?
- 02:00 - The Littles collab with American Eagle on NFT.NYC
- 06:55 - Leveling Up Heroes Big Event on NFT.NYC!
- 09:20 - Coinbase Laying off 18% of their workforce - Why?
- 12:35 - How did Brian Armstrong handle it?
- 14:00 - Goblin Town NFT Founders Get Doxxed
- 18:08 - Crypto Companies in Free Fall ft. The Celcius meltdown
- 23:18 - Cash flows will keep you in the game and fight another day
- 26:30 - Nansen Connect to rival Discord within the NFT Community
- 32:14 - Reaction: Tron’s USDD Stable Coin Slips From Dollar Peg Amid Crypto Market Crash - Decrypt.co
In light of the upcoming NFT.NYC Conference, we are using this episode to focus on why this event is so important, and why you should consider attending IRL! Also covered in this episode are the interesting topics of Goblintown's ascent, the latest on the crypto bill, and what it means to be a founder in the world of blockchain right now. Some of the ideas that we stress in our discussion are the importance of incremental progress over hasty, hype-based strategies, why NFTs are 'all about the vibes,’ and the entrance of big tech companies into the NFT game means for all of us! So, if you need a few more reasons to dive into the world of NFTs and meet some interesting movers and shakers, or just want some updates on the latest news from the final frontier, this is definitely the episode for you!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:50] Looking at general progress and the trends in the crypto space right now.
- [02:32] The long-term approach that is best suited to impactful work in crypto.
- [03:49] A little background to NFT.NYC and the difference of attending in-person.
- [08:43] Stiff competition for great events at the conference; how to represent your brand.
- [11:13] Approaches to partnerships and appearances at others' events.
- [13:03] A look at the new crypto bill; highlighting the important points around taxation and SEC regulation.
- [18:21] Thoughts on big tech making moves into the NFT space!
- [23:07] The looming rise of crypto-sponsorship and the signs that are already visible.
- [25:39] Goblintown's emergence and what this example shows us about the power of Twitter!
- [32:20] Assuming the typical founders' perspectives; staff cuts, expansion, and surviving the current climate.
- [35:40] Final thoughts on the builders' market, and utilizing this period for learning.
- [36:23] That is it for this episode! Remember to rate, review, and subscribe.
Tweetables:
“In this market, you don't get rewarded for any changes, you need to come off as being super polished, and being ready to go and hit the floor running.” — @willxlee [0:00:53]
“Think in decades; that allows us to center ourselves and align with why we are building what we are building and how we approach the different builds as well.” — @willxlee [0:02:36]
“What I found interesting with NFT.NYC was the side events, and the people, more so than going to the actual talks.” — @ericsui [0:05:30]
“I don't want to plan it out too much, because I want to let serendipity take over, and that's where the magic happens.” — @ericsui [0:07:12]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
NFT.NYC
Gary V
Beeple
Keith Grossman
Pussy Riot
Nadya Tolokonnikova
Original Protocol
The Littles
The market has been doing some crazy things lately, and it’s left a lot of people wondering about the future of Web3. Today on the show we take a closer look at significant developments in the space and share our reflections and key takeaways. To kick things off we discuss how A16z recently raised 4.5 billion dollars for their biggest Crypto Fund. We discuss why their decision to raise and invest such a substantial amount in the crypto industry is a huge vote of confidence that has allowed other VCs and investors to continue to invest in similar long term projects and why this is excellent timing for builders of Web3 products who are dedicated to building long-term projects with utility. Our conversation also focuses on the best tactics for a bear market, how to grow intellectual property with Web3 products, and some of the important long-term applications for NFTs, especially when it comes to branding and building relationships with customers. Tune in for fresh insights on the Web3 space, our thoughts on the latest developments, and more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [01:14] Our thoughts on the news this week and the fear and greed index.
- 02:14] What to focus on in a bear market.
- [03:22] Some of the prospects for real-life utility in crypto products.
- [05:58] How A16z recently raised 4.5 billion dollars for their biggest Crypto Fund, why it’s excellent timing, and why it’s good for builders of Web3 products.
- [08:36] An overview of STEPN, an Australian Solana phone app.
- [11:13] The prevalence of ponzi mechanics in Web3 and what comes after.
- [15:19] Insights into the exciting developments happening in crypto.
- [16:43] The important long-term applications for NFTs in branding and building relationships with customers.
- [17:58] How copyright infringement and delisting can happen in the Web3 space.
- [21:58] Building Intellectual Property (IP) in the Web3 space.
- [22:58] How Will plans to build the IP and branding for The Littles.
- [24:48] The relationship between IP, storytelling, and entrepreneurship.
- [29:27] What we’ve learned from Gary Vee and his deep understanding of value.
- [33:26] Hear about Will and Eric’s upcoming plans.
- [35:00] That is it for today, please take a picture of this, share it on social media, and let us know what you think!
Tweetables:
“And as you go through these challenges together, and when the tide goes back out again, and I think that's where you would be able to show your strength for your project.” — @willxlee [0:03:12]
“Exceptional leaders create exceptional outcomes. And that's what really matters at the end of the day, right?” —
In this episode, we are going to talk about The Bear Market, Soul-bound Tokens, Real-world NFT Utility, and more!