Tag: nft

Finding an NFT artist is easily one of the most important steps of your entire NFT launch strategy. 

Why?

Because when you find the right NFT artist, it means that your art will look amazing, tell the story of your brand, and enhance the growth of your project – all without ever breaking the bank.

But finding an NFT artist isn’t as easy as it sounds… 

You see, the NFT industry is still in its earliest stages, so to navigate the waters, you need to know exactly what to look for and exactly what to ask. 

In this insider guide, we’ll take you step-by-step through everything you need to know about finding an NFT artist, so you can launch a project that is built for explosive growth  

Why you need a professional NFT artist

Truth be told, in the super early stages of NFTs, you probably could have gotten away with good-to-average artwork. 

After all, NFTs were so new back then. There wasn’t a lot of competition out there and no one really knew what they were doing. 

But in the past year, this has completely changed. The market has matured exponentially. 

Now, if you want your NFT project to blow up, your art needs to look legit. 

This means that not only does the art need to be professional, but it needs to be aligned with your goals. It needs to communicate the story of your brand and create a genuine emotional connection with your community. 

That’s why finding a professional NFT artist for your project isn’t optional – it’s mandatory. 

Freelance NFT artist vs. in-house

When looking for an NFT artist, you might be wondering if you should work with a freelancer, or if you should hire someone full-time. 

Well, the truth is, that for most projects, a freelancer is absolutely the best way to go.

Here’s why…

While having a full-time NFT artist on your team has its advantages, the fact is that once your project launches, you might not need the artist for much more additional work. 

That’s why the majority of NFT projects choose to hire a freelancer. It’s significantly more cost-effective and efficient for the project as a whole. 

What if you already have an in-house graphic designer?

Your business might already have a design team which pumps out creatives daily – can they handle your NFT project?

Well, this depends on the graphic designer and their experience – not only with NFTs, but with your community and brand as a whole.

If your graphic designer has experience creating NFTs, or they are extremely passionate about learning, then keeping your NFT art in-house is a great option! In-house typically means better oversight and communication for your project as a whole.

But if your graphic designer isn’t confident in their ability to create NFT art, or they don’t seem really motivated to learn how to do it, it’s probably best to hire someone else. 

How to find an NFT artist

When looking for an NFT artist, there are four platforms that we recommend. 

The best NFT artist platforms

• Dribbble
• Behance
• Fiverr
• Upwork

All of these sites are fairly similar. They are platforms that connect business owners with freelancers. Whether you are looking for a freelance writer, coder, or graphic designer, these platforms will have you covered.

We recommend starting your search with Dribbble – it’s become sort of the de facto marketplace for NFT artists. 

But having said that, Behance, Fiverr, and Upwork are also loaded with extremely talented NFT artists. Simply search for ‘NFT artist’ and start browsing through the profiles to find an artist that you like!

You can also set up an ‘ad’ on each platform which means the artists will pitch you as to why they are the best fit for your project. Beware though, doing this means that you might be overwhelmed with a ton of lower-quality artists spamming you for work. 

Honorary mention for Twitter & IG

Twitter and IG are best known as social media platforms. They each have decent search options that can help you find a great NFT artist.

To get started, open either app and simply type ‘NFT artist’ in the search bar. 

The platform will then show you a list of people that have ‘NFT artist’ in their profile name. 

It should be noted that the platforms will start by giving you the most popular results for a given search – this means NFT artists that have higher follower counts. Higher follower counts most likely mean higher prices and limited availability. But if you want the best, this can be a great way to find some impressive talent. 

What to look for in an NFT artist

Finding an NFT artist is basically the same process as looking for a freelance graphic designer.

You want to find someone who has the right style, experience, availability, and passion, while making sure that their rates are on par with your budget. 

Let’s break down some of the most important questions to ask yourself when looking for an NFT artist. 

#1 – Do you like their style?

Most artists have their own styles that they excel in. But it’s important to remember that outside of their particular niche, their talents might not be as strong.

For example, Andy Warhol is a legendary artist that revolutionized 20th-century pop art, but you wouldn’t have hired him to paint an ultra-realistic landscape picture, would you?

Similarly, your NFT artist needs to match the style that you are going for.

The easiest way to do this is to know what you are looking for. What style are you going for with your NFT art? What is the vibe of your current brand? Are there other NFT projects that have similar styles that interest you? 

Once you know what you want, it will be easier to identify an artist that can help you. 

#2 – Is their style unique?

Liking the artists’ style is not enough – you have to also make sure that their style is unique.

For example, it’s common in the NFT world to see projects launching that are basically carbon copies of previously successful launches. 

That’s why you see so many ‘pixelated’ profile projects (inspired by Crypto Punks) and ‘ape’ themed projects (inspired by BAYC). Everyone is just trying to ride the wave.

But those days are ending quickly. To truly stand out, you don’t want to ride off another project. You want to bring something unique to the table that will truly resonate with your audience. 

#3 – Are they in your budget?

Like just about anything when it comes to freelancing (especially with graphic design) you will see that there is an enormous disparity in the rates that NFT artists charge. 

You will find some artists who charge next to nothing (~$10 for a project), other artists who charge expensive hourly rates ($200USD+ per hour), and everything in between. 

Like most things in life, when it comes to an NFT artist, you typically get what you pay for. 

This is why many of the most in-demand NFT artists charge so much – because the big NFT brands are willing to spend whatever it takes for great artwork. 

Having said that, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg if you can’t afford it. Since the space is so new, some new artists have little experience and are looking for their first gig. If these artists have a decent portfolio of graphic design work and they are excited about getting hired for an NFT project, they might be worth rolling the dice on. 

#4 – Have they done previous work with NFTs?

It’s important to remember that while deals are to be found with new artists, the best-case scenario is to find an artist who has experience working with NFT jobs before yours.

#5 – How is their communication?

So once you’ve identified a few potential artists, it’s time to reach out to them. 

This part is crucial.

Why?

Because it doesn’t matter how great of an artist they are – if their communication isn’t great, the project will be a nightmare. 

So take the time to speak with the artists. How engaged are they? How good is their communication? Do they seem interested in the project?

The more enthusiasm they have, the more value they will bring to your NFT project. 

#6 – What are their revision policies?

When it comes to revisions, different artists will have different policies. 

In an ideal world, you would have unlimited revisions and edits. 

But this isn’t usually the case.

Make sure that the artist clearly communicates their revision policies with you and that the same policies are included in the contract. 

#7 – What is their workflow like?

While a smooth workflow isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, it’s extremely nice to have. 

Ask them what their workflow is like and what the project timeline will look like. The more detailed their answer, the better their workflow probably is. 

If they don’t have a defined workflow, don’t panic. Yes, it’s a bit of a red flag, but this can be overcome. Simply make sure to establish a workflow with them. When will the first draft be due? How will the creatives be delivered? How long do you have to give the artist revision requests? 

Final thoughts on how to find an NFT artist

Finding the perfect NFT artist for your project might be time-consuming, but the juice is totally worth the squeeze. By following our step by step guide, you’ll be able to find an NFT artist that can create an amazing aesthetic for your campaign, without ever breaking the bank.

If you are considering launching an NFT project of your own, be sure to reach out to First Page today and also check out our NFT marketing services. The call is totally free, and we’ll show you how we’ll take your project to the top of your industry. 

Do you want to know what uber-successful NFT projects like Invisible Friends, Doodles, and Moonbirds all have in common?

(Aside from that they all sold tens of millions of dollars worth of NFTs…)

Well, these projects didn’t just get lucky. 

Nope. These projects made millions in sales in mere minutes because they all understood one crucial thing… 

All of these projects knew that to sell out an NFT project in 2022 you need an EPIC marketing strategy that tackles both Web2 AND Web3. 

In this article, we’ll give you a peek into the marketing strategies of the best NFT projects from around the world. We’ll also give you an insider look into the best platforms to market your NFT project, so you can take your project, and your community, to the moon and beyond.

What is an NFT?

NFT stands for ‘non-fungible token’.

Simply put, a non-fungible token is a piece of code that gives you proof of ownership over a digital asset. 

NFTs can be art, profile pictures, access to communities, a receipt for the purchase of a physical t-shirt, a deed to a house, and anything in between. 

The real magic of NFTs is their transparency, self-executing contracts, and ability to create immense value for their owners. 

You can learn more about NFTs in our complete guide. 

Should you hire an NFT marketing agency for your NFT project?

Just like everything in the world of business, the bigger your team, and the more expertise they have, the higher your chances are for success. 

For this reason, most of the top NFT projects in the world have chosen to partner with a top-notch NFT agency. 

NFT agencies like First Page have experience building strong communities, increasing crucial exposure, and converting cold leads into blazing hot superfans of your NFT project. 

But on the other hand, if you don’t have the resources to hire an NFT marketing agency, then you’ll need to come up with an internal strategy yourself. 

This is exactly what this article will help you with. 

We recommend taking everything slowly – don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. Start by identifying a handful of NFT marketing platforms that you know well or that you can quickly learn, and focus relentlessly on those. As your project builds and you begin to generate more hype, you can then look into expanding your team, hiring freelancers, or working with an agency. 

Web3 marketing vs Web2 marketing

Web3 is changing the internet as we know it.

Built on the blockchain, and catapulted by Ethereum, Web3 is going to introduce a new internet to the world – one built on crypto, digital wallets, and enhanced privacy and security.

But while Web3 is revolutionizing technology, it’s a slow process, and we are only in the early stages. While many NFT enthusiasts are active on Web3, 99% of internet users around the world are still best reached via Web2.  

This means that to successfully launch your NFT project, you will need an NFT marketing strategy that combines the best of Web2 and Web3. 

The Best Web3 NFT marketing strategies

Let’s take a deep dive into some of the best Web3 NFT marketing strategies so you can see how some of the best NFT projects are exploding their following (and their sales). 

Have a unique roadmap

In the NFT-world, your roadmap is the equivalent of your business model. 

But as opposed to the traditional business models (which aren’t published), your roadmap should be live on your website, and be transparent for all who want to see it. 

Roadmaps aren’t a ‘should-have’ for your NFT project – they are 100% a ‘must-have’.

NFT enthusiasts will want to know the details of your project. How is the timeline? What can they expect before after the mint? What parts of your project will be launched, and what stages of funding? 

The more detailed, interesting, and unique your roadmap is, the more hype you can expect to follow your project. 

Provide great utility and value

Unless you have a world-renowned artist or brand that you are collaborating with, your NFT project will live or die by the value that it brings to your audience. 

Start by focusing on your community. What are the strengths of your community? What are the interests of your community? How can you provide value to your community?

One of the best ways to generate ideas for your community is by visiting other NFT communities. Join their Discord server, check out the various channels, and write down the pros and cons of each community until you have a strong idea of what to execute. 

Host AMAs

Usually done on Discord, an AMA (‘ask me anything’) is a great way to create strong bonds with your community. 

Airdrops / Bounties / Giveaways / Whitelists

One of the easiest ways to grow your community is by motivating your current community to spread the word about your project.  

And the best way to do this? Rewards!

Discord allows you to easily track your members’ recruitment efforts. You can create a list of rewards based on activity and recruitment – the more people a member brings to your community, the more they will be rewarded.

This can be done with Airdrops, bounties, giveaways, or by offering whitelist access to your mint. 

The best Web2 marketing strategies 

While Web3 is all the rage right now, the truth is that Web2 is still the web as the world knows it. Heck, even the most avid Web enthusiasts still use Web2 on a daily basis. 

That’s why Web2 marketing is the most important aspect of your NFT marketing strategy. This is how you bring your project to completely new audiences around the globe, and at scale. 

Get on Twitter!

Here’s a good rule of thumb for NFT projects – if you aren’t on Twitter, then you basically do not exist. 

It’s true. Twitter is the center of the NFT-universe. It’s where NFT-legends are made and NFT-failures meet their doom. 

This is because of the NFT crowd on Twitter. They are loud, enthusiastic, and they LOVE NFTs.

Which is exactly why you need to be on Twitter. If your project is truly great, it’s very likely that the NFT crowd will notice it, therefore bringing more attention to your overall campaign. 

Go with SEO

When it comes to your NFT-marketing-checklist, SEO absolutely needs to be on the top. By investing in quality SEO for your website, you’ll ensure that your website is at the top of Google’s rankings, and that no impersonators will rip off potential community members. 

At a minimum, you need to make sure to structure your website for Google Search, get your website published on online directories, publish high quality pages and blog posts, optimize your site for mobile, and to register your NFT website with GMB (Google my Business).

By doing this, you’ll give your website the best chance to rank highly on Google. 

PR is always your friend

Be sure to reach out to a few publications on websites that have overlapping interests with your community to see if they will publish an article about your project. 

But don’t just try the world’s biggest NFT/crypto sites – they are too oversaturated.

Instead, try and find niche sites. They are easier to get exposure on and can also convert much better.  

Email marketing reigns supreme

Let’s be honest… Discord isn’t always a great user experience. It can move super fast, and lots of information can get lost in the mix.

The best way to offset this? Send emails! Emails have much higher engagement rates than social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and they can also increase your overall conversion rates. 

It should be noted that this only applies to you if you already have a list that is associated with your NFT drop. Never, ever, ever buy an email list. 

Go for gold on Reddit

Reddit marketing is great because the user base can be extremely engaged, and marketing on Reddit can be free!

Simply visit some of the most popular NFT subreddits such as r/OpenSea, r/NFTs, and r/NFTsMarketplace. 

IMPORTANT! Be sure that you follow the rules of each subreddit. For instance, on r/OpenSea you can promote NFT giveaways, but on r/NFTsMarketplace you cannot. If you break the rules of a subreddit, it won’t be a good look for your NFT project as a whole. 

PPC for NFTs?

While Google has implemented restrictions on crypto-related advertising (NFTs included), platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are cool with crypto ads, and are effective ways to increase awareness for your NFT project. 

But be careful – advertising with platforms like Facebook can get expensive, especially if you aren’t sure what you are doing. We always recommend hiring a professional agency to help you strategize and execute your Facebook and Instagram ads. 

Quora – an oldie but a goodie

Marketing on Quora is much more powerful than many people think – especially when it comes to NFT marketing. 

Try to search through popular Quora threads about NFTs and be sure to provide immense value with any answers that you provide. If you do that, then it’s totally acceptable to insert small plugs about your NFT project. 

Influencer marketing

While Influencer marketing can be extremely powerful, the truth is that it’s trickier than it looks, especially in the NFT industry.

We recommend creating a list of influencers that you’d like to work with, and then cross-checking their engagement to make sure their influence is as strong as it seems to be. You can do this with an ‘eyeball’ test, or you can run their Twitter profiles through premium software like SparkToro. 

Final thoughts on NFT marketing

Just like starting any business, your NFT project needs a sound marketing strategy. The more thorough your strategy and the better it’s executed, the more likely your project will get in front of the right audience and become the next legendary NFT collection!

If you wish to learn more about the best marketing strategies for your NFT project, be sure to reach out to one of our Digital Strategists. You can also review our NFT marketing services.

So you’ve been hearing a lot about the NFT-revolution, and you might be thinking to yourself…

“You know what… I want some of that blockchain-jpg-NFT-goodness that Twitter has been raving about.”

Well, if that’s the case, then this article is just for you.

Because to begin your own adventure into blockchain, you are going to need an NFT wallet.

And there are a LOT to choose from.

This article will break down why you need an NFT wallet, what to look for in an NFT wallet, and our picks for the 5 best NFT wallets (each wallet is for a different use case).

Why do I need an NFT wallet? 

Your NFT wallet (or otherwise known as your crypto wallet) is your gateway to the world of Web3. 

It’s what will allow you to securely connect to the blockchain, or transfer crypto, mint NFTs, and safely store them or sell them at a later point in time. 

Without your crypto/NFT wallet – none of this is possible.

Types of wallets for NFTs

It’s important to know that while there are many types of crypto wallets, not all of them can store your valuable NFTs.

For instance, the Trezor wallet has gained huge popularity over the past few years. But while it can securely transfer and hold many types of crypto, Trezor wallets are not ERC-721 (Non-fungible token standard) compatible. 

Let’s break down two types of wallets. 

Hot wallets (aka, soft wallets) 

Two names – same type of wallet. 

‘Hot’ – because it’s connected to the internet and permanently lives online.

‘Soft’ – because it is a software program. 

Hot wallets are the most common types of NFT wallets out there. Think MetaMask, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Binance, and more. 

These are both custodial and non-custodial platforms that allow their users to safely store their NFTs in a way that is extremely convenient. 

Cold wallets (aka, hard wallets)

‘Cold’ – because it’s not permanently connected to the internet.

‘Hard’ – because it’s an actual piece of hardware.

Hard wallets have exploded in popularity, with brands like Ledger and Trezor leading the charge. 

And the most important thing to know about hard wallets? Because they are not permanently connected to the internet, it means that they are significantly safer and more secure than their soft wallet counterparts. 

WARNING

It’s important to remember that the NFT and crypto space is like the Wild West. There’s an unprecedented gold rush and the infrastructure to support it is still pretty underdeveloped. 

This means that hackers are having an absolute field day stealing people’s hard-earned NFTs and crypto.

Here’s how to make sure you don’t become a victim.

Do not click any suspicious links (especially from Twitter and Discord)

I cannot emphasize this enough – do NOT click on any links you are unsure of.

ESPECIALLY if you are getting a DM on Discord, Twitter, Instagram, or Telegram offering you a free NFT or something along those lines.

Often, these links contain malicious codes that are designed to open up access to your wallet. 

For this reason, you are strongly encouraged to…

Keep your NFTs on a cold wallet

So here’s the deal…

If you are just getting started in the world of NFTs, and you are only planning on spending a bit of money=, you don’t need a cold wallet. 

You can participate in Web3 with only a hot wallet – they are much simpler and cheaper, and they offer a significantly better user experience. 

But having said that, when it comes to safety, cold wallets are lightyears ahead. 

We’ll discuss this a bit more in our breakdown. 

NFT Wallet #1 – MetaMask

Type of wallet: Hot wallet

Perfect for: Crypto beginners/intermediates 

Supports: Ethereum based NFTs

Cost: Free

MetaMask has taken the NFT-world by storm this year, and has quickly become the gold standard of NFT wallets around the world. 

Supported by the majority of NFT marketplaces, MetaMask is truly an incredible piece of software and boasts over 21 million active monthly users. 

Pros of MetaMask NFT Wallet

✅ Ease of use

✅ Widely available

✅ Can connect with hardware wallets

✅ Available on browser, smartphone, and tablet

Cons of MetaMask NFT Wallet

❌ Can’t showcase NFTs

❌ Average security

NFT Wallet #2 – Coinbase Wallet

Type of wallet: Hot wallet

Perfect for: Beginners/Anyone who already owns crypto on Coinbase

Supports: Ethereum

Cost: Free

Boasting nearly 60 million users, Coinbase is the largest crypto exchange platform in the world, and to celebrate, it has recently come out with a crypto wallet of its own.

And guess what – that wallet can absolutely hold NFTs.

Pros of Coinbase wallet

✅ You can recoup lost or stolen assets

✅ Great UX

✅ 2-factor authentication

✅ Can connect with hard wallet

Cons of Coinbase wallet

❌ Centralized

❌ Compromised security

NFT Wallet #3 – Crypto.com

Type of wallet: Hot wallet

Perfect for: Beginners/Anyone who already owns crypto on Crypto.com

Supports: Ethereum

Cost: Free

Crypto.com is one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, and because of their aggressive sponsorship deals in sports (like Hockey, Soccer, and the NBA) they are growing rapidly. 

They have also released a hot wallet of their own – one that can hold an impressive amount of cryptocurrencies, as well as NFTs stored on Ethereum.

Pros of Crypto.com wallet

✅ Super simple to use

✅ No NFT transaction fees

✅ Can buy NFTs with debit/credit cards

Cons of Crypto.com wallet

❌ Centralized

❌ Hot wallet security 

NFT Wallet #4 – Phantom Wallet

Type of wallet: Hot wallet

Perfect for: People looking to buy and trade Solana NFTs

Supports: Solana

Cost: Free

Boasting extremely fast transaction speed and significantly cheaper gas fees, Solana is living up to its hype as the possible ‘Ethereum Killer’. 

In fact, OpenSea has just announced that it is now supporting Solana (on top of Ethereum) which will help the mass adoption of SOL NFTs worldwide.

And the best Solana NFT wallet is absolutely the Phantom wallet. 

Pros of Phantom wallet

✅ Has an NFT gallery 

✅ Available on multiple browsers and mobile

✅ Supports hardware wallets

✅ Non-custodial wallet

Cons of Phantom wallet

❌ Only supports Solana

❌ Is a new wallet/company

Wallet #5 – MetaMask + Ledger

Type of wallet: Hot wallet / cold wallet combo

Perfect for: People looking for ultimate security with their NFTs

Supports: Ethereum

Cost: $70 – $180 USD

So as you can see we have emphasized the importance of using a hot wallet that allows integration with a cold wallet.

This gives you the perfect combination of accessibility + security. 

Pros of MetaMask + Ledger wallet combo

✅ Top-notch security

✅ Less fear of hackers

✅ You own your private keys

Cons of MetaMask + Ledger wallet combo

❌ More work 

❌ More money

❌ More gas fees

Final thoughts on the best NFT wallets

While it might feel a bit intimidating, getting into the NFT-world is an exciting step into Web3. With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to easily identify which NFT wallet is best for you so you can start investing in some blockchain-jpg-goodness of your own.

And if you are thinking of starting your own NFT project, or are interested in taking your business into Web3 and beyond, be sure to reach out to a First Page digital strategist today. The consultation is completely free, and they will come up with a bespoke plan for how to take your business to the top of your niche

Disclaimer – this article is meant to educate and entertain, but it is not financial advice. Please always be sure to do your own research.

The most popular Web3 wallet on the market, MetaMask is one of the simplest, and safest, ways to buy, store, and sell NFTs. 

But while setting your wallet up might seem easy-peasy, the truth is that crypto wallets are new territory for most people. The process isn’t necessarily confusing, but it is certainly different. 

But don’t worry, we got your back.  

This detailed, step-by-step guide was written just for you. Look at these words as a beautiful, soft, guiding light that will gently hold your hand and direct you throughout the entire wallet-setup process.

And we guarantee – once you are finished setting up your MetaMask – you’ll be able to journey into the exhilarating world of Web3 like an absolute boss. 

(Also we highly recommend sticking around until the end of the article where we cover some CRUCIAL tips for keeping your crypto and NFTs safe from hackers). 

Wait… What is MetaMask?

Simply put, MetaMask is a Web3 hot wallet where you can store Ethereum and Ethereum-based tokens. 

This means not only can you send Ethereum back and forth, but you can buy meme coins from platforms like Pancake and Uniswap, and (most importantly) you can mint and sell NFTs from platforms like OpenSea. 

MetaMask also supports tokens on other blockchains such as Polygon, Avalanche, Binance Smart Chain, and more. MetaMask allows users to connect to more than 3,700 different decentralized applications and Web 3 services.

What is a hot wallet?

MetaMask is a hot wallet (otherwise known as a ‘soft wallet’). 

A hot wallet is a Web3 wallet that lives online – typically in the form of a browser extension or an app on your mobile phone. 

Here’s some things to know about hot wallets…

• Hot wallets live on the internet
• Hot wallets are typically used to buy and sell NFTs 
• Hot wallets are extremely convenient
• But because of this convenience, they are also considered to be the least secure wallet-option (but they are still secure if you use them correctly)

What is a cold wallet?

Cold wallets (otherwise known as ‘hard wallets’) live OFFline, and are the preferred wallet for hardcore crypto enthusiasts. 

In essence, they are basically a fancy USB stick, but they are SUPER secure. 

You may have heard of Ledger, but there are other companies like Trezor, Ellipal, and D’CENT that also offer cold wallets. 

Here’s the important bits to know about cold wallets.

• Cold wallets live offline
• Cold wallets are typically used by crypto holders who want to safely store large amounts of coinage
• Cold wallets are significantly less convenient (think of them like a vault)
• But they are far and away the most secure option for storing tokens

What is a custodial wallet?

The final type of Web3 wallet is a custodial wallet (often referred to as ‘Bitcoin Banks’). 

Here’s some custodial wallet knowledge for you…

• Custodial wallets are usually popular crypto websites and exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Gemini
• Custodial wallets don’t give you access to your seed phrase – instead, the platform owns and has control over it – this makes it easier to reactivate your account if you lose your login information
• But because of this, hardcore crypto-enthusiasts absolutely despise custodial wallets as they believe it contradicts the entire principle of crypto

How to set up your MetaMask wallet (takes ~5 min)

Step #1 – Download MetaMask

While MetaMask is available on your phone, we recommend downloading it on your browser as it delivers a more seamless, and secure, experience.

MetaMask is compatible with multiple browsers, including Chrome, Brave, Firefox and Edge. 

We recommend using Chrome (the best) or Brave (a close second but a bit buggy sometimes).

BE SURE to use this link https://metamask.io/download/. 

And anytime you are on MetaMask, make sure the URL is https://metamask.io.

Step #2 – Create your wallet

You will now be prompted to create your wallet. You will have 2 options…

Import wallet – This is if you already have an existing MetaMask wallet and want to transfer it over to a new one. If you are reading this article, then this probably isn’t what you are looking for. 

Create a wallet- If you have never created a MetaMask account before, then this is the option you will choose  

Step #3 – Create a password

Now it’s time to create a password

Please, I beg of you…

Do not make your password your pet’s name in all lowercase. Do not use the same password you use for your email, bank, and Facebook. Crypto is the Wild West – there are a lot of bandits out there trying to steal your digital-gold. Don’t let them win. 

Make a secure password – the longer, weirder, and more impossible to remember, the better. 

Step #4 – Get your secret recovery phrase (aka, seed phrase) 

Next, you will be prompted to set a secret recovery phrase (otherwise referred to as a seed phrase). 

Your secret recovery phrase comprises 12 random words. Think of it as a backup plan – in the situation that you lose your password, or your laptop or phone gets stolen, you are good to go because of your seed phrase. 

The order of the words is extremely important – when you store the phrase, make sure that it’s in the correct order. 

But here’s the deal…

I cannot emphasize enough how important this part of the process is.

Why?

Well, remember when we broke down what a custodial wallet is? In a custodial wallet, your secret recovery phrase is kept by the platform (Coinbase, Binance, etc). This means that if you lose your password or seed phrase, you can hit up their customer support to get your account unlocked. 

But that’s not the way it works with MetaMask.

You see, MetaMask is a hot wallet, and it’s NON-custodial. This means they have no access to your password, and they have no access to your secret recovery phrase. 

This means that if you lose both, you are going to be permanently locked out of your own MetaMask account. 

Here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen…

How to keep your secret recovery phrase safe

There’s only one way to keep your MetaMask password and seed phrase safe and sound. 

You’ll have to write it down on a physical piece of paper and store it somewhere safe. 

I know, it’s hilariously ironic. We are moving ferociously into the digital future where digital assets are now stored on the digital blockchain, yet the safest way to store your secret recovery phrase is to write it down with a Bic pen and file it in a dusty old binder at the bottom of your computer desk. 

But this is the way that is recommended across the web, and if you are getting into crypto and NFTs, you are going to have multiple secret recovery phrases for multiple accounts, so it’s good to designate an area in your house where you will write, and keep, the physical backups of these crucial secret recovery phrases. 

Another option is to pay for a password protector like LastPass or 1Password – but technically online vaults like this still store their information via the cloud, so if these companies were to ever get hacked you could be compromised. 

Step #5 – Confirm your secret recovery phrase

Once you have your secret recovery phrase carefully written down on a few pieces of paper and stored in multiple locations in your home, you can now confirm your phrase.

Remember, the order of the words is just as important as the actual words themselves. 

Step #6 – Accessing MetaMask + Understanding your address

To access MetaMask at any point in time, simply click on the extension in the top right-hand corner of your browser.

Now that your wallet is all set up, you can take a look at your Ethereum address.

Think of your Ethereum address as your home address. In the way that your home address is where your mail is sent, your Ethereum address is where your tokens get sent. Anytime you want to have crypto sent to you, or want to buy an NFT, this is the address you’ll need. 

To see your complete Ethereum address, click the three dots in the top right-hand corner and click ‘View Account on Etherscan’. You will find your 42-character Ethereum address at the top. 

To copy your Ethereum address so you can share it, simply hover over ‘Account 1’ and click – the address will automatically copy. 

Step #7 – Sending crypto to your MetaMask

To buy NFTs with your MetaMask account, you’ll need to make sure there’s funds in there to cover the costs. 

The best way to do this is by buying Ethereum in MetaMask or sending it from another wallet. 

To buy Ethereum in MetaMask, click the ‘Buy’ button, and you can purchase Ethereum with a debit or credit card using Wyre or Transak. 

To send Ethereum to your MetaMask from another account, simply copy your MetaMask address and send the Ether from the other wallet. 

Final safety measures

Remember – crypto is filled with hackers, scammers, and straight-up bad people who are on the hunt for your tokens. 

Always remember to…

✅ Store your seed phrase and password OFFLINE – preferably in multiple locations, and somewhere that is safe and that you will remember

✅ If you connect your MetaMask to a platform, whenever you are finished, ALWAYS disconnect after. You can do this by clicking the green ‘Connected’ button in the top left of the MetaMask extension, then clicking the three dots, then clicking ‘Disconnect this account’

✅ Be extremely careful of the links that you click – especially on Twitter, Discord, and Telegram. Always quadruple check the domain of the link, and if you aren’t sure, it’s always better to just not click on it

✅ Connect your MetaMask to a hard wallet like Ledger and store all of the tokens there that you can

✅ Be aware of MetaMask support links – many of them are fake. Always double-check the URLs and email addresses before giving out any information

✅ MetaMask will NEVER ask you for your seed phrase – in fact, no one will. Never share it.

Final thoughts on setting up MetaMask

While setting up your MetaMask wallet might seem intimidating at first, like all things crypto, you just gotta dive right into it. 

Once you do, you’ll learn very quickly. 

And if you make a few missteps along the way – just embrace it! It’s part of the process of being an early Web-adopter. But by getting ahead of the game now, you’ll be miles ahead of everyone else when Web3 becomes more popular in the mainstream.

If you have any questions about pivoting into Web3 for your business or are you are interested in setting up your first NFT campaign, be sure to reach out to one of our Web3 Digital Strategists. They’ll help you through any questions you have and will create a bespoke blueprint for how to take you to the top of your niche.

Disclaimer – this article is meant to educate and entertain, but it is not financial advice. Please always be sure to do your own research. 

When the internet first started to gain traction in the mid-90s, most people were basically using it for email, online forums, and the occasional bulletin board.

Frankly, we couldn’t really imagine using it for much else. 

But as adoption increased and the overall technology improved, the internet ended up integrating itself into every single facet of our lives, in ways we never could have envisioned.

Well, believe it or not, blockchain and NFTs are at a very similar point in their own history. 

You see, most people that are aware of NFTs really only understand them as a piece of digital art or a digital collectible.

When the reality is that NFTs are going to be so much more than that.

Just in the way the internet changed the world we live in, blockchain technology and NFTs are about to take everything we know and turn it completely upside down.

Here’s a look at how NFTs will change some of the biggest industries in the world around us.

#1 – NFTs in the Event Industry

If there is one industry that will start adopting NFTs sooner than others, it’s likely to be the events industry. 

Here’s why…

Improved validity

This one is pretty simple.

Forged tickets are a problem for both users and event coordinators. 

Because of the enhanced security and verification of blockchain, NFTs help provide an easy solution to this problem. Tickets sold as NFTs are more easily identified and easier to authenticate on the secondary market. 

Certifications

If the event you are going to gives you some sort of certification, this could also be transferred to you as an NFT.

By making the certification an NFT (and coupling it with the actual ticket itself) it would make it easier for future prospects to ensure the certification’s validity. 

Your event-digital-wallet

We discussed in detail how digital wallets are going to define Web3 – and events will be a huge part of your wallet. 

Here’s why…

Eventually, you will be able to organize your digital wallet into different categories. This means you will be able to showcase a ‘trail’ of events that you have attended – both in the digital and physical world. 

This means that you can show someone your digital wallet, and they will see the events you have attended over the course of the year or even your life.

Whether it’s an SEO conference, a Manchester United match, a Kanye West concert, or a TedTalk, all of these experiences can be showcased and stored in one concise location (your digital wallet). 

This is extremely important for something that NFTs will help empower – enhanced digital self-expression. Showcasing the interests, events, and experiences you have had on your digital wallet will help people connect in new and interesting ways.

Tickets as collector’s items

Concert tickets are already resold as collector’s items – so why not in the digital world as well?

As opposed to tickets now, which are easily forged or replicated, having tickets stored on the blockchain means you can easily verify their authenticity.

#2 – NFTs in the Sports Industry

Similar to the events industry, sports can benefit from using NFTs for tickets. 

But there are also other interesting ways that NFTs can help innovate the sports industry…

Authenticity

Not just for event tickets, but for all memorabilia. 

How do you know if that Boston Red Sox jersey isn’t a knockoff?

How do you know if that signed Michael Jordan card was ACTUALLY signed by him?

NFTs will help with authenticity across the board.

Fan tokens

Fan tokens are a new concept, but in theory, they could allow fans to have a say in certain decisions their favorite sports franchises make.

It’s sort of like a DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) – but one that is more focused on access, voting rights, and exclusivity.

Let’s create a hypothetical example…

Let’s say Mark Cuban’s NBA Team (The Dallas Mavericks) issues 10,000 NFTs. Each NFT costs $1,000 USD to mint and would be charged $1000 additionally annually. The Mavericks would also include a commission in the smart contract, saying that they would get a 15% commission on any re-sells on the open market.

In return, the NFT-owners get to be a part of a highly exclusive group with real utility. They can vote on things like new jersey designs and colors, player events, and more. They would also get 20% off any Dallas memorabilia for life, 1 free ticket per season, and have access to NFT-only AMAs with their favorite players.

For a sports fan, is the epitome of a win-win situation. 

The fan wins because they get to interact with their favorite team, and be a part of the process. Plus the NFT is an exclusive digital asset that will absolutely appreciate in value.

And the Dallas Mavericks win because they just secured a way to generate recurring revenue of 10 million USD (not to mention whatever commissions they make on the open market) at a very low overhead.

Win. Win.

#3 – NFTs in Real Estate

You may have heard about all of the digital real estate that is selling in places like The Sandbox and Decentraland – heck, it only costs $600K USD to be Snoop Dogg’s digital-neighbor.

But NFTs will also transform real estate IRL (in real life) as well.

Purchasing real estate

“Florida man buys a new home with cryptocurrency.“

It’s a true story. And that home was bought as an NFT.

This means that the title of the home (along with other related ownership and purchase documents) has been turned into NFTs, which means they will be stored on the blockchain network – a system that is more secure than current alternatives.

Fractional property ownership 

Did you know that you can take an NFT that you own and divide it into smaller fractions?

We are already seeing fractionalized NFTs in the art world, but where it gets really interesting is in real estate. 

In essence, property owners will be able to sell fractions of their property to investors by issuing tokens on the blockchain. Investors then hold their tokens and because of the smart contract in place, they will receive automated rental income, as well as a profit split upon sale. 

As with all things blockchain, there are many advantages to this – mainly that there is no middle man to pay off, and making real estate investing more inclusive by lowering the bar to entry. 

#4 – NFTs in Music 

If there is one industry that NFTs will absolutely revolutionize, it’s the music industry. 

This is an industry that is primed for a new wave of ideas – ones that empower artists AND their supporters.

NFT music platforms

Independent artists today can use platforms like SoundCloud to gain free exposure and Spotify to get royalties every time someone streams one of their songs. 

But SoundCloud doesn’t pay, and streaming royalties from Spotify and Apple are infamously low.

Now, platforms like Serenade and Royal are changing the game by offering artists a new way to engage with fans and monetize their music. These platforms will help empower artists by giving them new ways to create revenue from their art.

Music royalties

The most ground-breaking thing that NFTs bring to the table is their smart contracts.

For example, artists can sell fractions of their songs, and in the smart contract, ensure that the new owner is now getting a percentage of streaming royalties for that song in perpetuity.

We are already seeing this done by major artists like Nas, Diplo, and Steve Aoki. 

Music as an investment

What’s really interesting is when you start to tie all of this together and think about where this will bring the scene as a whole.

Right now, as fans of artists, we have the option of supporting them by buying their merchandise, streaming their music, or maybe even sending them a ‘thank you’ tip on Paypal.

But music as NFTs will change the game – they will give fans a bit more skin in the game. 

For example, if you find an up-and-coming artist that you truly believe in, you can ‘invest’ in them by buying a portion of one of their songs. This cash immediately helps the artist, and in return, you get a small percentage of ownership in one of their works.

Then, if that artist were to make it big further down the line, and that song was to be streamed millions of times, you could end up making a decent payday on your investment. 

This by itself is huge and has the potential to revolutionize the entire way we look at the relationships between fans and creators. Instead of it being one-sided, blockchain allows both sides of the party to have a sense of ownership in the entire process.

Closing thoughts on NFTs in different industries

While NFTs are only in their infancy and much of this is speculative – it’s all pretty cool, isn’t it?

We are entering an entirely new era of the internet and it will be utterly fascinating to see how different companies innovate with this new technology. We’ve only begun to scrape the surface.

If you are thinking of starting an NFT project of your own or your brand wants to dip its toes into the Web3-waters, be sure to reach out to a First Page digital strategist today and learn more about our NFT marketing service offerings.

Disclaimer – this article is meant to educate and entertain, but it is not financial advice. Please always be sure to do your own research.

“NFTs are just marketing’s latest idiot magnet”

This is the title of a popular article published on MarketingWeek, and it’s an interesting insight into the global perception of NFTs right now. 

Because while Fortune 500 companies, notable celebrities, visionary entrepreneurs, and 32% of The Philippines all believe that NFTs are the future… the truth is that not everyone is sold on them.

And while there is great reason to be skeptical about buying jpegs for millions of dollars, the truth is that this doesn’t properly showcase why NFTs are so valuable.

The REAL value of NFTs is about other crucial aspects such as access, royalties, utilities, digital ownership, smart contracts, and so much more.

These are the real reasons NFTs have so much potential – and they are largely underreported on. Even the writer of the MarketingWeek article failed to mention any of these aspects – even once!

So, now that we are here, let’s set the record straight.  In this article, I’ll show you exactly why NFTs are valuable – and I’ll break it down into 3 distinct stages. 

Each stage will build upon the last, so you can see exactly how NFTs are in fact revolutionizing the way we look at ownership and community – not only in the digital world, but the physical world as well.  

Stage 1 of NFT Value – Status & ownership

Stage 1 is what 99% of people think NFTs actually are – some sort of digital art that rich people buy.

And truth be told, they aren’t completely wrong!

Most NFTs that have been bought or sold are some form of digital art that offer no real utility or function – many of which are art or something culturally significant.  

Here are some examples…

Example #1 – Beeple

On March 11th 2021, digital-artist Beeple sold his NFT ‘Everydays: The First 5000 Days’ for a jaw-dropping 69 million USD.

This was an unprecedented amount of money for a work of digital art, and it helped catapult NFTs into the mainstream across the world.  

Example #2 – Crypto Punks

Launched in 2017, Crypto Punks is one of the OGs of the NFT world. There are 10,000 pieces in the collection – each of which is a computer-generated, 24 x 24 pixel, profile picture. 

They were originally offered at prices ranging from $1 to $34 USD. 

Now? The collection has exploded. 

There have been over 2.6 billion USD in trading volume, and the most expensive Punk was auctioned off for over $24 million USD in February of this year. They are now considered to be one of the most important (digital) collector’s items in the world. 

Example #3 – The First Tweet

Jack Dorsey, former CEO of Twitter, published the first tweet in March of 2006. 

Because of Blockchain technology, Dorsey was able to ‘mint’ the tweet as an NFT and put it up for auction. 

It sold a few days later for 2.9 million USD.

Stage 1 explained

So why would someone pay so much money for an NFTs that is basically the equivalent of a line of code? Something that could easily be copied on every computer around the world with a simple right-click?

Status

This is a fundamental aspect to understand not only about NFTs, but humans as a whole. We are driven by the crafting of our own self-image, and we make purchases to elevate our status in the eyes of others. 

It’s the same reason people spend tens of thousands of dollars on Chanel purses, or Rolex watches, or millions of dollars on sports cars and works of art. 

Verified Ownership

Blockchain technology creates a transparent ledger for a digital asset. This means that its entire purchase history is stored on the blockchain, meaning that we can verify exactly who owns what.

So regardless of the fact that anyone can right-click the digital asset, only one person in the world actually owns the digital asset.  

This transparency also makes it easier for the original buyer to sell or trade the asset later down the line, as there is less likelihood of fraud. 

Stage 2 of NFT value – Access & community

So while all NFTs give you a sense of status/self-expression as well as verified digital ownership, more and more NFTs are creating epic communities – both in the digital world and the real world.

In fact, it’s become the rule of thumb for any new NFT project – community is EVERYTHING. 

For example, most NFTs also come with access to a private Discord server – there will be a public channel in the server, and a private one, only accessible to NFT holders. 

But many NFTs go much further than that…

Example #1 – Bored Apes Yacht Club (BAYC)

Bored Apes changed the NFT game with their next-level commitment to their community. 

All BAYC holders get a lifetime membership to the Apes-only club which includes exclusive access to club events and yacht parties that have been held across Miami, New York, Hong Kong and more. They are also opening a lounge in Miami that only NFT holders will be able to enter. 

The community also has exclusive access to future-NFT drops, a puzzle with a grand prize of 5 Ethereum ($15,000 USD), and much more.

This focus on their community is why they have attracted so many celebrities including Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Steph Curry.   

Example #2 – Unusual Whales

I don’t just want to highlight the biggest projects – it’s also important to evaluate NFT projects that aren’t as well-known.

Unusual Whales is an NFT collection that is tied to a premium community of stock investors. The community offers a range of tools that help people invest better. An annual subscription to the community typically costs $384 USD per year. 

Unless, you own an Unusual Whale NFT.

Unusual Whale NFT holders get lifetime access to the paid community, and (of course) because they own the digital asset, they can sell, trade, or flip it at a later point in time (something they cannot do with a normal subscription). 

Example #3 – Doge Pound

Doge Pound is a community of passionate gamers and dog lovers who are on a mission to help dogs across the globe. In fact, they are currently using funds from their NFTs to build the largest dog-rescue shelter in East Africa. 

The community is tied together by a collection of 10,000 NFTs which also includes access to conferences, P2E games, gaming events, and more. 

Example #4 – VeeFriends

In terms of the scale of utility, very few NFTs can compare to VeeFriends. 

Started by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, VeeFriends is a collection of 10,255 unique NFTs. Many holders get access to Gary himself, including hangout times, dinners, Zoom meetings, and even tennis games. 

But most importantly, ALL NFT holders get exclusive access to VeeCon – an annual conference for creators and entrepreneurs that features speakers such as Snoop Dogg, Charli D’Amelio, Beeple, Logan Paul, and much more. 

If you don’t own a VeeFriends NFT, then you can’t go to VeeCon – simple as that. 

Stage 2 explained

The proof is in the pudding. Human beings have always wanted to be a part of something, and NFTs are allowing us to do this in newer and more interesting ways. 

And because NFT-holders own a piece of the action, they are more incentivized than ever to help grow, and engage with, their NFT-community. 

Stage 3 – Smart Contracts

Building upon the previous 2 Stages, Stage 3 is all about one thing – utility with smart contracts.

Smart contracts exist on the Ethereum blockchain – they are embedded into the code of the NFT and are 100% self-executing, transparent, and irreversible. 

Smart contracts are arguably the most important piece of value that NFTs offer – and this goes for businesses, creators, AND the fans/community. 

Here are some epic examples of utility and smart contracts in NFTs. 

Example #1 – CyberKongz

One of the most influential NFT projects to date, CyberKongz has a smart contract in place that benefits both the brand, and the holders, through something called ‘staking’.

Staking works like a certificate of deposit at a bank – you deposit a token and get your APY for that deposit over a period of time. For every day you hold your NFT you get 10 ‘Banana’ tokens. Banana tokens have varied in price – they have been as high as $100 USD, but are currently hovering around $15 USD.

For holders of a CyberKongz NFT, this adds up VERY fast. 

This has led to the CyberKongz collection exploding – the cheapest NFT is currently $250,000 USD on OpenSea. 

Example #2 – Justin Aversano

A portrait photographer, Justin Aversano sold a collection of 100 NFTs in 5 months, netting him over $130,000 USD in sales. 

But before selling, Aversano did something crucial – in his smart contract, he included a 10% royalty for all future transactions. 

This means that every time one of his NFTs is resold, he gets 10% of the action.

Since selling out, his collection has been traded for over 12 million USD, which has netted him an additional 1.2 million dollars in royalties. 

Example #3 – Nas 

In January of 2022, American hip hop artist Nas sold 50% ownership of 2 of his songs – ‘Ultra Black’ and ‘Rare’. The songs were sold as 1,870 unique NFTs, and split into different ownership percentages depending on the NFT purchased – sometimes as low as .01%. 

So why would anyone want to purchase a fraction of a fraction of a song?

Because in the smart contract, owners of the collection collect royalties every time the song is streamed. And to top it off, certain NFTs in the collection give owners up to 21% royalties every time an NFT is resold. 

AND, certain NFTs in the collection give owners up to 21% earned royalties for every single resell. 

Stage 3 explained

No single aspect of NFTs is necessarily unique. In fact, many of these things exist in other parts of the digital or physical world. 

But when you start to piece it all together, the value of NFTs, blockchain, digital ownership, and smart contracts is undeniable, and you can see where all of this is headed. 

Final thoughts

If you are still here, it hopefully means that you see the true value in NFTs for businesses, creators, communities, and fans, across the internet. 

The revolution is still in its infancy, but it’s moving forward ferociously, and will soon be a part of our everyday lives. 

If you are thinking about starting an NFT for your business, you should know it isn’t always easy. It requires precise planning and flawless execution. If you are interested in getting your NFT to the moon, be sure to reach out to First Page today. Our digital strategists will give you a blueprint of how we can create a next-level community for your business and brand. 

Disclaimer – this article is meant to educate and entertain, but it is not financial advice. Please always be sure to do your own research.