“People are drawn to people, not companies. ‍

The greatest organizations are synonymous with their founders.“ – @jonwu_

What do all of these people have in common? 

They are all founders – yes. 

And they lead the marketing of their projects with their own personal brand. 

Because, you see, in today's competitive Web3 space, building a strong personal brand is crucial for the success of your project. Gone are the days when simply being first to market was enough. 

To truly stand out, you need to leverage the power of founder-led marketing and the founder funnel strategy.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the key steps to grow your X account to 10,000 followers and beyond while driving massive attention to your Web3 project. 

By following this blueprint, you'll be well on your way to:

• Establishing yourself as a thought leader
• Attracting supporters eager to join your mission
• Ensuring your crypto project gains the traction it deserves

Why Founder-Led Marketing Matters in Crypto

In the crypto world, trust is paramount. Potential supporters are bombarded with projects, many of which over-promise and under-deliver. Cutting through that noise requires more than a flashy website and generic marketing.

The most successful crypto founders put themselves front and center, letting their audience get to know the real person behind the project. This vulnerability and authenticity breed trust and loyalty that extends to their ventures.

Consider these powerful founder-led marketing statistics:

- 82% of consumers are more likely to trust a company whose founder is active and vocal on social media

- Brands led by high-profile founders grew 16% faster, according to the recent LinkedIn Study

- Brands with influential founder personal brands get 4X more media attention

As a crypto founder, your target audience is digitally-savvy and skeptical of faceless corporate marketing. 

They crave genuine connection and want to be part of a larger story. By weaving your personal narrative into your project, you give them something unique to rally behind.

The Founder Funnel Blueprint

So how exactly do you build a magnetic personal brand as a busy crypto founder? Follow this proven 10-step framework to grow your audience to 10K and beyond.

1. Embrace Radical Authenticity 

In an industry rife with hype and bold claims, authenticity is your greatest differentiator. Don't try to be something you're not or parrot what you think people want to hear. 

Instead, get radically honest about what drew you to crypto, the big problems you want to solve, and why this mission matters so much to you. Openly share your unique perspective and hard-won lessons. 

People can spot a phony from a mile away. But when you show up authentically, warts and all, you give people something real to connect to. 

Focus on the following:

• Share your founder origin story and the purpose behind your project
• Pull back the curtain and document your day-to-day journey 
• Openly discuss challenges, failures, and what you've learned
• Voice your unfiltered opinions on industry trends and news
• Infuse your unique personality and quirks into your content

2. Craft Your Contrarian Viewpoint (which is true to you)

The most compelling founder stories challenge the status quo. What unconventional belief do you hold about crypto and Web3 that goes against the grain? Don't be afraid to ruffle some feathers.

For example:

• Memecoins to dominate the market by 2026?
• The real power of blockchain is improving real-world industries, not just finance
• DAOs are the future of work and will replace traditional corporations
• The Metaverse is overhyped vaporware that won't reach mainstream adoption

Pick a spicy opinion you genuinely believe and build your content around it. 

Become known as the founder who's not afraid to say what others won't. 

This bold stance will make you magnetic to like-minded supporters.

3. Document, Don't Create

One of the biggest misconceptions that holds founders back from building a personal brand is thinking they need to spend hours creating original content from scratch. 

In reality, your most powerful content is simply documenting your existing journey.

As a founder, your day-to-day life is filled with brand-building moments. Your job is to get in the habit of capturing them. 

For example:

- Do a quick video update after an exciting partnership meeting 

- Write a short post on a problem you're wrestling with and ask for feedback

- Share a screenshot of a kind email from an early user

- Post a photo of your growing team celebrating a milestone

- Record a Spaces session riffing on your vision for the future

People don't want polished perfection. They want to see the real human behind the project. Focus more on consistently capturing authentic moments than obsessing over production quality.

4. Design Your Content Engine

With your power platform locked in, it's time to map out your content game plan. Don't worry, this doesn't need to be complicated. Brainstorm 3-5 core content themes aligned with your founder story and project.

For example, if you're building a DeFi protocol focused on financial inclusion, your content buckets could be:

- How traditional finance excludes the globally underserved

- Stories of how access to DeFi is changing lives 

- Interviews with DeFi thought leaders on financial access

- Updates on your project's development and milestones

- Your day-to-day journey and lessons as a mission-driven founder

Create a simple posting schedule you can realistically maintain, aiming to share at least once per day. Repurpose your best content across multiple formats to maximize reach.

For example, an in-depth blog post could become:

- 5 Twitter posts sharing the key points

- A Twitter Spaces session diving deeper into the topic

- A short video summarizing the main takeaways

- An email newsletter sent to your subscribers

- Snippets shared on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok

By developing a system for creating and repurposing content, you make building your brand infinitely more manageable.

5. Prioritize Conversations Over Broadcasts

The biggest mistake founders make in building an audience is trying to talk at people instead of with them. Focus on sparking meaningful conversations, not just racking up vanity metrics.

Respond to every comment and DM, making people feel heard and valued. Ask questions, solicit feedback, and create a dialogue. When you engage with your audience, they'll be far more likely to keep coming back and tell others about you.

Some engagement tips:

- End posts with a question to invite discussion

- Create Twitter polls on hot industry topics

- Host regular AMAs to let your audience pick your brain

- Shout out people who consistently interact with your content 

- Jump into other relevant conversations with value-adding insights

- Attend Twitter Spaces to share your knowledge and expand your network

Remember, each conversation is an opportunity to deepen trust and affinity. Look to provide value at every interaction, not make a quick sale.

6. Lead With Empathy and Education

In the same vein, avoid overly promotional content that puts your project above your audience's needs. Self-serving content is a quick way to turn people off and erode trust.

Instead, take an empathetic, education-first approach. Seek to deeply understand your audience's problems, dreams and knowledge gaps. Then create content that generously helps them.

Some ideas:

- Break down complex Web3 concepts into easy-to-learn guides

- Provide analysis on the latest crypto news and what it means for users

- Share Web3 how-tos and tutorials to ease beginners into the space

- Offer insider tips to help people navigate common challenges 

When you become a trusted resource providing massive free value, people will naturally want to support you. They'll be eager to check out your project because they know you have their best interests at heart.

7. Show, Don't Just Tell

Anyone can talk a big game about their project's potential. What sets you apart is demonstrating real progress and momentum. Whenever possible, reinforce your points with concrete proof.

Some examples:

- Share screenshots of your growing waitlist or pre-registrations

- Post a video demo of your platform's slick user experience 

- Interview happy beta users about how your project is improving their lives

- Reveal the high-profile partners and integrations you've secured

Seeing is believing. By consistently showing your work and the real-world results you're driving, you'll build unshakable credibility. Weave these trust-building elements into your content strategy.

8. Leverage Social Proof

In addition to first-hand proof, social proof is one of the most powerful trust accelerants at your disposal. Seeing other credible people endorse your project eases skepticism and makes fence-sitters eager to join the bandwagon.

Actively cultivate and showcase social proof in your content:

- Highlight press and content features from respected crypto publications

- Reshare positive tweets about your project from influential voices

- Post photos from conferences and events you're invited to speak at

- Record short video testimonials from advisors and partners

- Ask your network to tweet about why they believe in you and your mission

Aim to sprinkle social proof throughout your content calendar. A third-party endorsement often carries more weight than even your most compelling argument.

9. Seek Out Strategic Collaborations

Finally, you don't have to go it alone in building your personal brand. 

Collaborating with other trusted voices is an incredible way to expand your reach and borrow credibility.

Look for win-win partnership opportunities like:

- Co-hosting Twitter Spaces with other founders 

- Guesting on leading crypto podcasts and YouTube shows

- Authoring guest posts on popular industry blogs

- Contributing a quote to a relevant Twitter thread from an influencer

- Cross-promoting other reputable projects you believe in

Not only will collaborating with others introduce you to new audiences, but working with established players will elevate your own brand by association. Over time, aim to become a go-to expert whom other leaders seek out.

10. Attend and Co-Host Twitter Spaces

One of the most powerful ways to build your personal brand and expand your network is by participating in Twitter Spaces. These live audio conversations allow you to share your expertise, engage with your audience, and learn from other thought leaders in real-time.

- Regularly attend Spaces hosted by other founders, influencers, and projects in your niche

- Come prepared with thoughtful questions and valuable insights to share

- Don't just promote your own project - focus on adding genuine value to the discussion 

- Connect with other attendees and build relationships in the Spaces community

You can also take it a step further by hosting casual Spaces with your team, advisors, and industry friends. 

The plan here is simple: 

- Choose topics that align with your expertise and the project's mission

- Promote your upcoming Spaces to your audience and encourage them to invite others

- Keep the conversation engaged by asking questions, taking listener comments, and encouraging participation

- Experiment with different formats like AMAs, panel discussions, and educational deep dives

Don't overthink it - just show up regularly, share your unique perspective, and focus on building genuine connections.

Additional Tips for Crypto Founders Building a Personal Brand on Twitter

1. Master the Art of the Thread

Twitter threads are one of the most powerful tools for sharing in-depth insights and showcasing your expertise. A well-crafted thread can go viral and attract thousands of new followers.

When creating a thread, focus on a single overarching theme or narrative. Break your points into short, punchy tweets that are easy to digest. Use attention-grabbing hooks and cliffhangers to keep readers engaged.

Some thread ideas:

- Your crypto/Web3 predictions for the next 5 years

- Lessons learned from your biggest failures as a founder

- A step-by-step guide to a complex crypto concept

- The untold story of how you started your project

- A contrarian take on a hot industry topic

Aim to create at least one high-value thread per week. Pin your best ones to your profile for maximum visibility.

2. Leverage Twitter Lists

Twitter Lists are an underrated way to cut through the noise and engage with the right people.

Create private lists of key stakeholders, like:

- Potential partners and collaborators

- Target users and customers

- Investors and advisors

- Journalists and publications in your niche

- Fellow founders in your space

Regularly check these lists and look for opportunities to start conversations. 

Comment on their tweets, share their content, and DM them with personalized outreach. 

Building genuine relationships with these high-leverage individuals can open massive doors.

YOU CAN ALSO CREATE AN SOP AND PUT SOMEONE FROM YOUR TEAM ON THIS TASK (15-30 of daily engagements).

3. Jump on Trending Topics/News

Keep a pulse on the latest trending topics and hashtags in the crypto world. When appropriate, join the conversation and share your unique take. 

This could be as simple as:

- Sharing a quick reaction to breaking news

- Offering a fresh perspective on a controversial issue

- Predicting how a new development will impact your corner of Web3

- Explaining complex topics to educate the influx of new people 

By injecting your voice into trending conversations, you expose your brand to a wider audience actively searching for those topics. Just be sure you have something genuinely valuable to add beyond the echo chamber.

4. Experiment with Different Formats

While threads and text posts should be your bread and butter on X, mixing in different content formats keeps things fresh and engaging.

Experiment with:

- Short video clips sharing hot takes or project updates

- Eye-catching visuals and infographics 

- Memes and GIFs that show your personality

- Voice tweets for more intimate reflections

- Twitter polls to gather quick feedback and insights

Different people prefer to consume content in different ways. By offering a range of formats, you cater to a wider variety of learning styles and preferences. Just make sure the format fits the message.

5. Collaborate with Your Team

As a founder, you don't have to shoulder the burden of content creation alone. Empower your team members to contribute their own unique voices and perspectives.

For example:

- Have your CTO share technical deep dives on your project's architecture 

- Let your community manager post user success stories

- Get your designers to share behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process

- Encourage your whole team to engage with your audience in the comments

The more your team gets involved, the more well-rounded and authentic your brand will feel. Just be sure to establish clear guidelines to keep your messaging aligned.

6. Play the Long Game

Finally, remember that building a lasting personal brand is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is not to chase fleeting virality, but to build enduring trust and credibility with the right people. 

Focus on consistently showing up, adding value, and deepening relationships. The compounding effects of this approach will serve you for years to come, both in your current project and whatever you pursue next.

Enjoy the journey and know that every small interaction is building towards something greater. Stay true to yourself, keep learning and growing, and trust the process.

And remember, your personal brand is so much bigger than any one platform or metric. It's the sum total of every impact you make, every person you inspire, and every positive ripple you send out into the world. 

By consistently showing up as your authentic self and driving your mission forward, you're creating a legacy that will extend far beyond Twitter. You're building a reputation as a visionary leader driving the future of Web3.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep pushing through the inevitable obstacles and doubts. And keep holding true to the vision that called you to this work in the first place.

BONUS #1: Tweet Templates

BONUS #2: AI Writing Guidelines 

Phase 1: Research & Preparation (10%)

Market Research

• Twemex: Leverage for discovering viral posts in your niche (X search on steroids)
  
• Reference Collection: Gather similar past posts to inform your strategy.
  
• Top-Performing Content Analysis: Study successful content for structure and style.
  
• Save Examples: Use these as training material for AI models.
  

Information Gathering

• Collect project updates, market data, and announcements.
• Identify taggable accounts like @Google, @solana to extend reach.

Phase 2: AI-Assisted Generation (80%)

Guiding the AI

• Provide clear context and goals to guide AI output.
• Use relevant data and examples for a targeted response.
• Generate 3 options for each post
• Engage in chain prompting: Iterate for refined results.

Hook Creation (Most Critical)

Focus 80% of your effort here. A strong hook sets the stage for engagement.

1. Attention Grab
   
   • Market Stats: Example: "AI market expected to hit $X by 2030."
   • Big Names: Tag major players to catch attention.
   • Surprising Facts: Start with eye-catching data or stats.
2. Hook Formula
   
   • Problem or Opportunity: Present an issue or chance for growth your audience cares about.
   • Unique Angle: Offer a new compelling solution.
   • Emotional Trigger: Spark curiosity, fear or excitement.
   • Call to Action: Invite followers to learn more.
   • FOMO: Play with sense of urgency.

Phase 3: Human Refinement (10%)

Content Review

• Read Aloud: Ensure content makes sense and doesn’t have logical gaps.
• Refine Hook: If buried, bring strong stats to the forefront.
• Simplify Language: Make content accessible to broader audience.
• Verify Tags: Double-check that @mentions are correct (no leading @).
• Data Validation: Verify all facts and details for precision.

Best Practices

Writing Style

• Simplicity is Key: Make the content easy-to-consume.
• Keep it Short: Short & medium sentences only.
• Ensure Smooth Transitions Between Posts: Use phrases that naturally guide the reader:
  
  • “Here’s why…”
  • “Here’s how you can…”
  • “Lemme explain”
  • “Here’s what you need to know…”
  • “Let's take a closer look at…”
• Show Clear Value: Demonstrate the tangible value and benefits content provides to your audience
• Use Emotional or Exciting Language to engage readers emotionally
• Sound Like a Human: write like you are speaking to a friend to make the content pop
• Treat Content Like a Puzzle: Rearrange for best flow and impact.
• Lead with Data: Strong market stats should come before partnership announcements.

Technical Guidelines

• No @mentions at the start: Ensure the hook doesn’t begin with tags or use an emoji prefix for necessary @mentions at the start.
• Emojis: Occasional on-brand emojis. Limit to 2-3 per post.

Content Structure

1. Hook
   
   • Start with market impact data.
   • Highlight a problem or opportunity.
   • Offer a solution preview.
2. Body Content
   
   • Ensure a clear, logical flow.
   • Focus on one key point per tweet.
   • Emphasize unique aspects of the project.
   • Include supporting stats for credibility.
3. Call to Action
   
   • End with an Invitation to read more
   • Highlight actionable insights or investment opportunities.
   • Create a sense of urgency (FOMO).

Quality Checklist

• Hook grabs attention within the first 2 seconds.
• Technical terms are explained clearly.‍
• Statistics are accurate and up to date.‍
• Tags are properly formatted.
• Content has a logical flow
• Call to action is clear and compelling.‍
• Easy-to-read.‍
• Free of unnecessary jargon.‍
• Links and tags are functional.‍
• No orphaned @mentions.