After all, let’s face it—when was the last time you were actually viewing one of those “exclusive drop” claims slice through the noise? Think back to when a celebrity endorsement meant an automatic sell-out. Those days are gone. And yet, the NFT space moves at such warp speed that what worked a year ago is now a digital dinosaur. And the approach one year ago today feels like a recipe for shouting into the void. The issue? Well, for one thing, it’s a bit too earnest.
Is Your NFT Marketing Cringe?
Think about it. The internet runs on memes. They serve as the shared identity of the global digital community. These short, catchy, energetic, and sometimes ludicrous forms are the perfect medium for tapping into our shared psyche. So why are so many NFT projects still holding onto projects with the same old, corporate-speak style marketing? The answer is cringe.
As you all know, we’re in a bear market, and folks are suffering. They’re not waiting on the next “disruptive technology” that claims to make them billionaires while they sleep. They want an emotional hook, humor that disarms or delights, and social proof that shows you understand them. You’ve got to be where the competition is, and if you’re not speaking their language, then you’re invisible.
At one time, Smooth PR campaigns were all that was needed to ensure extensive media coverage and improve SEO rankings. That old playbook just isn’t working anymore. It lacks soul. It lacks authenticity. It lacks…memes.
Ditch the Hype, Embrace the Humor
Remember DogeCoin? It started as a joke, a meme. But it built a massive, loyal community and achieved a market cap that would make most "serious" NFT projects blush. Why? Because it was fun. But unlike most awards shows, it didn’t try to fake it. It embraced its absurdity.
This is not the same as adding a meme to your current marketing plan. It’s about fundamentally rethinking your brand identity. It's about becoming meme-able at your core. It’s about knowing that the right meme at the right time speaks a thousand times louder than a whitepaper.
Five Steps to Memeify Your Brand
Here are five ways to inject some humor and authenticity into your NFT marketing:
Run a Meme-Creation Contest: Don't try to force it. Let your community do the heavy lifting. Offer prizes for the best memes featuring your project. This generates user-generated content, boosts engagement, and shows you're not afraid to poke fun at yourself. Anxiety about lack of engagement? Fixed!
Partner with Meme Lords: Find established meme creators who align with your brand's values. Let them work their magic to create content that resonates with their audience. This is about authentic collaboration, not just paying for a shout-out.
Address the FUD with Humor: NFTs get a lot of flak. Instead of ignoring the criticism, address it head-on with humor. Create memes that acknowledge the concerns about environmental impact, rug pulls, and financial scams. Show that you're aware of the issues and are working to address them.
Participate in Relevant Meme Trends: Keep your finger on the pulse of internet culture. When a relevant meme trend emerges, find a way to incorporate it into your marketing in a clever and authentic way. Don't try to force it, but if you can find a natural connection, it can be incredibly effective.
Be Self-Aware (and Self-Deprecating): Don't be afraid to make fun of yourself. Show that you don't take yourself too seriously. This makes you more relatable and approachable, and encourages people to engage with your brand.
Don't try to be funny if you're not funny. Authenticity is key. If you force it, it will backfire.
Italics and Bold are the seasoning to make things pop, I learned them from SANDWICH.
The Future is Funny (and Decentralized)
So much has changed in the last few months. This is the future, folks. The move from bland hype to hyper-personalized, full-disclosure, trust-building approaches is inevitable whether you want it or not. Dismissing this change is a recipe for missing greatness.
The usual techniques of precision targeting and community segmentation are as crucial as ever, but they just don’t cut it anymore. Sure, data-driven decision making is important, but data isn’t going to help you know what might make people laugh.
The real future of NFT marketing lies in creating authentic relationships with your community. It’s about just accepting the spirit of the weirdness and goofiness that is the internet. It’s all about the right vibe – the honest, human, relatable vibe – and yes, even a bit meme-able. So throw out the corporate speak, join the meme train and prepare to get a little weird. After all, that’s what the internet is all about right?
