Web3 represents a major shift in the way the internet operates, where users have greater control over their data and online identity, and where information and value can be exchanged in a decentralized, open, and secure way. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of Web3 community building. To build a community in Web3, it is crucial to understand the culture, language, and platforms used by the audience. We will delve into the important strategies that can be employed to grow and engage your community. Understanding these key aspects will help you build a strong community in Web3.

What does Web3 mean?

Before we dive deeper into Web3 community building. Let’s first ask a question which might be on your mind right now: What is Web3 actually? The definition of Web3 lacks consensus, with opinions ranging on what it exactly encompasses. Despite this disagreement, however, it is widely acknowledged that Web3 represents a major shift in the way the internet operates. Web3 is a vision for the future of the internet where users have greater control over their data and online identity, and where information and value can be exchanged in a decentralized, open, and secure way. By harnessing the power of decentralized technologies like blockchain and peer-to-peer networks, Web3 aims to create a more equitable distribution of power and control over the internet, moving away from the current centralized web (Web 2.0), where a small number of large companies dominate much of the flow of information and the online economy. With Web3, users can interact and transact with each other without the need for intermediaries, creating a more open, transparent, and equitable internet.

Know your audience

Now that we have a better understanding of what Web3 means, let’s dive into some of the most important aspects surrounding Web3 community building, starting with our target audience.

If you want to successfully build a community in Web3, you need to have a clear understanding of the culture. People who dabble around in the cryptoverse on a day-to-day basis often refer to themselves as ‘degens’. Us degens have our own slang, customs, memes, and overall vibe. For example, one of the biggest memes in Web3 is ‘GM’, and is found in every Web3 community. GM means “good morning” and is used to greet one another and promote positivity and camaraderie. Furthermore, saying GM symbolizes the idea of being early and that a bright future awaits us.

Besides GM, commonly-used terms are “WAGMI” (we are going to make it), frens, diamond hands, whales, and the infamous HODL (the result of a typo of HOLD). This is just the tip of the iceberg. The Web3 culture runs deep and consist of many sub-cultures. You need to spend some time among the degens, HODLers, and GM’ers to understand their language and culture. We are not in Web2 anymore.

Social platforms

It’s important that you make good use of the social platforms to grow and engage your community. The Web3 audience is mainly active on Twitter, Discord and Telegram, and can nowadays also be found on TikTok and Reddit.

The best way to attract an audience and get eyes on your project is through Twitter. It’s important that you get noticed by the people that are within your specific Web3 niche. Post frequently, speak at AMAs on Twitter spaces, cross-collaborate with projects within your niche and comment on their posts, be active. From here, you can direct them to private community platforms such as Discord and Telegram where you will engage with your new members and build a strong community.

Collaborations

One great way to grow your community is by connecting and collaborating with other projects within your Web3 niche. The Web3 space is a very cooperative and supportive ecosystem and thrives on the interconnectivity between projects. Collaborations can help to increase the visibility and reach of both parties, and can facilitate the building of new relationships and long-term partnerships.

There are tons of creative ways to collaborate with other projects. Some of the most common ways that can be applied to all Web3 projects regardless of your niche are to run giveaway campaigns together, hosting Twitter Spaces and granting rewards to the other’s Discord community. Collaborations can be an extremely useful strategy to grow your community, especially in the early growth stages. It can be quite tough to grow a community when you’re just starting out since you can’t leverage the community’s network effect yet. A few well-executed collaborations with legitimate projects can kick-start momentum of which you can continue to build.

Incentives and rewards

When building a community, it’s important to offer value to your audience. This could be in the form of educational content, early or exclusive access to your product, or simply by creating a fun space where people love to hang out and interact with like-minded individuals. By offering value to your audience, you’ll encourage them to engage and participate in your community.

It’s also important that you show that you can provide value to your community before asking something from them. First give before you ask. In the Web3 space, this is commonly done by giveaways. Early community members often get rewarded by getting cryptocurrency tokens or NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). Giveaways such as this that are reserved for community members encourage early participation and will make your community more involved and invested with your project. Giveaways can be a useful community-building tool, but it’s important to not overdo it. Use them strategically and effectively. Make sure that it giveaways don’t overshadow the core premise of the project you are building.

Communication

Finally, to build a strong, resilient, and long-lasting community, open and honest communication with members is crucial. Consistently share updates, whether good or bad, to demonstrate transparency, a core principle of Web3. By doing so, you can establish trust and ensure that everyone is informed of the reasons behind certain decisions. It’s important to resist the temptation to make flashy promises and announcements to generate hype, as this often backfires. Instead, aim to underpromise and overdeliver, which will contribute to your community’s satisfaction and growth in the long run.

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About the Author: Roel Theuniszen

Roel is the Community manager at Lucky Kat Studios and is building the Community for Cosmocadia: A community-based farming game on the Sui blockchain.

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