How do you keep Web3 users coming back?

We shouldn't reinvent the wheel when it comes to incentivizing and rewarding users in Web3. The key is to gamify the experience of interacting with your ecosystem, encouraging users to engage meaningfully with your platform or DApps. However, simply offering tokens (and NFTs) through airdrops and similar methods is becoming unsustainable. These approaches attract "airdrop farmers" solely interested in short-term profit. Ecosystem managers and tokenomics advisors need to be cautious with such incentive programs. Instead of easily cashable rewards, focus on incentives that align with the long-term interests of your ecosystem and projects. Examples include gas subsidies, rebates, and lower slippage rates.

Incentives and rewards in the form of tokens are unsustainable. Here, you need to first focus on understanding your core user persona and work with it. Users come back because they form a habit and get pleasure / utility by doing so. If your project is only based on printing money it *will* fail (SBF tried with the FTT token, great retention on major KOLs - lol).

Retention in web3 is nothing different from web2. Make sure you incorporate these basic principles to support retention: - Daily tasks. Easy to perform, some non-tangible rewards like XP points or "reputation". - Quests. Engage users to perform key activities, offer incentives they can "touch" and/or spend. - Visit streaks. Give some rewards for logging in or connecting a wallet on a daily basis. The more consecutive days are there, the better the reward.

There are gonna be tons of way that you could "bribe" them especially if you already have a token... but that's expensive and not sustainable. You want to convert your users into die-hard fans. Think Harley Davidson... You want to create a brand that people will resonate with and deepen their emotional connection with it. Build a brand with a genuine community that is more than just the a product or service you're offering. Easier said than done - but once you nail it you've got superpower because then your community of users won't ditch you because someone else bribed them with higher value airdrop.

Offering incentives and rewards is an effective strategy, but I would say probably more so at the start when a project is trying to take off, rather than for retention. To still go ahead with this method will require a tailorship of these "incentives" to align with user actions that truly benefit not just the platform but also the community itself, i.e. being specific rewards that the users would feel give them a reason for being a part of the project. A great way to ensure the rewards are relevant and offer real value within your ecosystem is by continuously evolving and adapting your incentives to meet user needs and market trends, and iterating based on feedback and community listening.

Never assume that one guide is enough. Especially in Web3, where many services can have steep learning curves, it pays to have a consistent stream of guides to feed your audiences, across multiple channels. It's not enough to just have an FAQ on a product that you have, you'll have to proactively extend your educational efforts to as many channels as reasonably possible. If possible, create gamification systems like tutorials and demos with rewards. Or you can invest in short videos. You can even empower active members of your community to help out in informing the rest about your product.

Community-Led Workshops and Webinars: Host regular workshops, webinars, or online sessions dedicated to educating users about Web3 concepts, the project's technology, and its practical applications. Encourage interaction, Q&A sessions, and hands-on demonstrations to enhance understanding. Comprehensive Documentation and Tutorials: Create detailed, user-friendly documentation, tutorials, and guides that explain how to navigate your Web3 project.

Embrace all types of users. Initially, be aware that only users who resonate with your product will return. However, this doesn’t mean that your educational efforts should be limited to your existing user base but should also encompass occasional and non-users. Embracing this broader view is crucial when creating educational content. Provide content that describes your product in the most accessible manner, emphasizing user benefits rather than just technical specifications. This approach includes the entire range of potential user groups, not only in Web3 but also in Web2. In doing so, you not only nurture your current users but also attract new potential users who seek user-friendly content and guidance to understand your application.

As with any emerging wave, web3 included lots of novel concepts which does not make sense without the application. Learning by doing is required, which means there has to be an application that shows value and is less of a barrier for someone to try. If you think your product is alien, having a version that is easy to experiment and understand helps people to understand by doing rather than a bag of novel terminology

You can explore the concept of DAOs to empower the community in decision-making processes. Users can become part of the decision-making body through the acquisition of governance tokens, allowing them to propose and vote on platform improvements, features, or changes in rules. This not only fosters a sense of ownership but also ensures that users have a say in the direction of the platform. By integrating tokenomics and decentralized governance, you create a strong incentive for users to actively engage with your Web3 platform, collaborate with fellow community members, and contribute to its growth and evolution. This can lead to a more vibrant and committed user base, ultimately driving long-term success in the Web3 ecosystem.

The internet is the most utilized tool in human history. If we can't sell the excitement and potential of the third version of the internet, one that will immerse us in technology like never before, we're in the wrong industry. We are at a time where anything is possible. Where some of the most unique businesses and tools, some that would be consider sci-fi fantasy in recent memory, are coming to fruition. Find the fun and the crazy and the cool in this space and find people who share the same interest. Nothing brings people in Web3 together more than passion for being a part of the first group of true Web3 creators.

Community building is crucial, especially in Web3. The Web3 ethos promises a more democratic, engaging, interactive, and personalized approach, which represents a significant evolution from the Web2 paradigm. However, some Web3 communities tend to overlook the importance of putting their product at the forefront. Whether the product doesn’t align with the market or lacks a business model, the essence of why people gather in communities goes beyond mere socializing at a certain point. It’s important to understand that the product or service you offer keeps your users coming back.

Web3 added ownership and cocreation features so what a great opportunity to go beyond passive community management and make the members host of the community through active participation. Coordination is hard, of course, and there will be several people who will not act and prefer to be bystanders. That is ok too and perhaps a real sign of a healthy community as if you are able to make people pay repeat attention, you can also have a circular active group where active participants step up and down, remaining within.

Make it fun. That's the most important thing, even more important than rewards. Everyone is offering rewards, yet only a few offer engaging and fun user experiences. Yet that's the easiest way to stand out.

Avoid offering your users short-term gains solely for the hype. Building long-term value requires offering a solid product or service that users find valuable. Avoid pursuing user growth for its own sake. Focus on understanding your product and brand, and build relevant product experiences. While some users may appreciate your innovation, others might not. Build your community by engaging heavy, medium, and light users, and avoid overly emphasizing the heavy (loyal) users.

One underrated factor that's important to secure when it comes to delivering innovation is understanding what your potential and current users think is actual innovation. Looking into user behavior can be more difficult in Web3 since there's a lot more anonymity, and users tend to use multiple addresses, making it hard to track user preferences. Fortunately, solutions such as 0xScope exist to analyze blockchain behaviors of crypto addresses, distinguish real users from bots, and unearth observations about user behavior on the blockchain. Once you know better what they want, you can fine-tune your product to deliver real value.

If we have to use the web3, AI, it type of terms it means we are still on the way to PMF. What would be the version of what you are doing that you do not even have to say web3 or it does not have to be web3 users? unless there is no answer to it, perhaps the value fit is not there yet.

Fun, convenience and ability to listen better. In Web2 barely anyone functions well to complain replies to their marketing emails. Please fix such real process and dept issues. Another emerging trend: Wallet messaging is more effective than email messaging. Be specific: who all benefit and how, with numbers. It's great to talk about innovation but different tech leads or sector leads barely have innovation as their KPI. Allow and sponsor innovation to function well.

Ownership in web3 is not an add-on or nice-to-have but a hygiene factor. Here is the thing. Because it is expected, a deviation of disrespecting the data, money, and sovereignty would be a fatal brand issue and make the brand look scammy. It is normal in a web2 application that the brands own and custodise individuals' data, money, and values and people are accustomed to it and tolerate, (un)fortunately web3 companies need to be more scrupulous.

Web3's vulnerability to scams breeds caution. Even big names (Luna, FTX) haven't escaped. Building trust must be a constant focus, not an afterthought. Here's how projects can go beyond Smart Contract audits: 1. Proactively implementing robust security measures: This demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding user assets and preventing vulnerabilities. 2. Enforce transparency: Openly communicating any issues within the company fosters trust and allows users to make informed decisions. 3. Addressing external exploits: Publicly sharing insights on major security breaches within the broader Web3 landscape showcases the team's understanding of potential threats and their commitment to mitigating them within their own project.

A major factor in building trust and reputation in Web3 is delivering a solid sense of security for your users. In a field that puts the utmost importance on privacy and security, Web3 companies with no track record of compromised data have a key advantage over those who have experienced attacks. Hence, projecting the security of your platform to the public, and actually backing it up with proactive protective measures, can do wonders for the Web3 community's trust in your product.

To build trust and reputation, it’s crucial to build a brand with a long-term perspective. Offer authentic, problem-solving products or services that address your community’s needs. Be genuine with your community. Avoid making promises you cannot keep. Understand your community. Are they primarily Web3 users or from a Web2 background? Stay focused and concise. Don’t aim for short-term gains. Develop a solid business model. All these elements enhance your brand development. Brand building is about establishing trust and forging a reputation. It’s about what your community perceives in your offerings, care, and dedication.

When it comes to leveraging non-digital native brands within the web3 world (rather that be for an NFT project or a Metaverse destination or event) - think GLOBAL. This will help maximize your ROI and ensure greater resonance.

Welll,, To keep Web3 users hooked, sprinkle your platform with regular updates ??, foster a vibrant community for engagement ??,,,, and prioritize user-friendly experiences ??. Embrace decentralization to empower users and reward participation ??. Stay agile, adapt to evolving trends ??, and cultivate a sense of ownership and belonging ??. Continuous innovation and responsiveness will make your Web3 space a go-to destination in this dynamic digital landscape! ??

I have recently gotten the pleasure of working in Public Transport Systems in the City of Cape Town. These include AFC (Payment system for commuters / passengers), and also APTMS (management system for bus tracking, cameras, route real-time data and tracking.)

It should be all about the experience. It shouldn't matter if it is web2 or web3, if the end user is happy with the experience they will come back. It is why iPhone & Android devices supplanted Nokia phones. If you are building a web3 project and depending on the fact that it is web3 as to why people will use it, but the experience sucks, what's the point?

Offer ongoing rewards or incentives for participation, like tokens or NFTs. Foster community and build relationships between users through social features. Continuously add new content and features to keep the experience fresh. Make sure the core utility of your project is valuable to users in their daily lives. Listen to user feedback and make improvements based on what they want. Provide great support and help documentation so users can easily troubleshoot. Build trust and transparency by being ethical and communicating plans for the future. Make the UI intuitive and easy to use, minimizing friction for users. Leverage email, social media and notifications to re-engage inactive users.