Showing up early on BitClout is not enough. It does not guarantee that you will be successful. Does it increase your chances? Absolutely. But there is no promise of success when users are on-boarded. Most people that are on the platform currently will more than likely not be here in a year. Look what this last dip down to $100 per $clout did to platform engagement and the overall community attitude. Many BitClout users do not possess the risk appetite needed to successfully invest in crypto or crypto based projects, whether that be investing their time, attention, or financial capital.
As the platform inevitably shakes out paper hands, it leaves us with another common refrain I hear within the existing community. That complaint? Small cap creators, new platform users and projects just starting out don’t have a chance to succeed on BitClout and they can’t get noticed because the whales control everything.
While whales do direct big capital flows on BitClout, they by no means run the show. I think a fair counter argument could be why don’t we make BitClout better so they don’t influence success as much? If the community prioritizes and makes onboarding easier, it will benefit everyone given the network effects of more users.
Before you think we are going down an Us vs Them path, let’s take a step off-chain for a second and appreciate that the rest of the world outside of BitClout works in a similar way. Whether you call them Big Tech, Big Gov, The Elite, or The Billionaires, unequal distribution of wealth is not a new or unique concept. Naturally, this platform isn’t any different, at least to start. Just because it’s decentralized and because we signed up early doesn’t mean everything’s gonna be egalitarian from the get go.
This platform, the whales and the BitClout community owe you nothing. In @Naval’s words, “No one is coming to save you.”
The early days of BitClout also skewed our perceptions of how investing and raising funds should happen on this platform. On day 10, it was 10x easier to secure funding than it is now on day 100. These unrealistic dynamics were bound to come to an end, which was likely also accelerated due to scammers sucking trust out of the community. We forget, as fun as it was, the early days of BitClout is not how investing or markets work. It would be nice if we still had @craig and @douglasss whaling into everyone, but those days are over. There is still plenty of $clout and investment available on the platform, but it’s not going to be handed out simply because people create an account or launch a project.
If you want people to invest into your creator coin or project, I know of two ways every user and project can increase their chances: deliver value and interact with the community. As simple as these concepts are, many people struggle with this.
First things first, figure out what value you can offer to your investors and to the community. Once you figure out what you can offer, go out of your way to deliver that on a consistent basis. The last part of that sentence is crucial, so I will repeat it. Go out of your way to deliver that on a consistent basis. Similarly, if you’re not gaining traction? Perhaps you don’t have any product market fit. Iterate. And iterate again.
If you are struggling to figure out what value you can offer, you can always offer your time. Everyone has time. There are plenty of projects that need help. It is also a great way to start networking and contributing to the BitClout community. Chances are it will expose you to more opportunities and ideas on how you can give back or deliver value.
With how small the BitClout community currently is, another great way to build your future and the community on the platform is by engaging thoughtfully on a daily basis. This does not mean commenting on every post you see. That is a great short term strategy to get exposure fast, but will only train people to scroll past your comments. People will quickly learn that when they see your profile picture or username on a thread that you aren’t adding anything of value to the conversation or community. You are only there to self-promote.
Engaging meaningfully with people in the community will undoubtedly create opportunities. You never know who is going to post that they are moving and need a newsletter spun up for the things they missed on the platform that day (shoutout @BitsTODAY). Every like, comment, diamond and reclout is a possible opportunity. This is hands down one of the most undervalued growth methods on BitClout.
A great example of what I am talking about is @ClayPerryMusic and his project @NachoAverage. Nacho Average is a 24/7 Zoom call that aims to bring the community together and provide a space for creators to share thoughts, ideas and hang out with each other. The project started at zero like everyone else. Clay did not get a whale to ape into @NachoAverage at project launch. Clay chose to show up everyday, literally, and put in the work. He discovered an amazing opportunity through the platform and used it to bring creators, big and small, together. The possibilities are endless when you show up and deliver everyday. Clay and @NachoAverage are one of many examples of starting at zero on the platform. Be like Clay.
An example on the BitClout development side of things is @tijn. Most known for his constant dev contributions and explanations of technical things for non-technical users, @tijn was never asked by the core dev team to contribute or help in any way. He sums it up perfectly by saying, “Nobody is stopping you from making a positive contribution. But they are not going to ask you either. So don’t wait around for that. Just start!!” (read the thread here). @tijn saw the need and opportunity to help the community and went for it.
I know that this is not the usual sentiment you see scrolling through your BitClout feed. It doesn’t echo the countless, “Buy the dip and hodl! We’re all going to be rich! We’re all so early and going to create the next big, great thing!” posts you’ve unmistakably seen. The truth of the matter is that these posts are great material to fill the successful mindset spank bank, but the reality is that it’s not true. Most people on the platform right now are not going to make anything of this opportunity. Those who will aren’t wasting time complaining or getting caught up in gambling games or petty drama. They are out there delivering value and adding to the community everyday.
I can assure you that those of you who show up everyday and deliver value to investors, followers and, most importantly, the community will win and make an impact on the community. If this sounds like a commitment you can make to yourself, you will be successful on BitClout. You will not be given a golden ticket, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying to build something great and make your mark on BitClout.
