2023: wins & lessons - what are yours?

No, an AI called Chatgpt didn't write my newsletter this week. But, in an upcoming newsletter, I do want to bring up the conversation about the future of creativity + AI. So, let's switch gears and talk about:

My wins and lessons in web3 with Chubbiverse

My biggest lesson: community is the best feedback loop

For the last 12 months, I've been in business mode with my NFT brand, Chubbiverse. The startup taught me many lessons on web3, memes, and community growth.?

A strong community is an active contributor. Vocal. Superfans. Active. They rally behind your brand and love sharing the brand's vision. This week, I saw new holders turn their NFTs into stories and Twitter profiles. NFTs are being used as profile pictures to say: "Hey, I'm part of this brand." This cultural phenomenon can be found in basketball fans wearing their fav team's jersey. Think about music fanatics wearing a tee of their fav band.?

In different point last year, vocal voices were getting upset and requesting more from the team. They wanted more transparency, privileged insights, communication, visibility, and virality. As a founder, they are asking a lot. I had thoughts like: "let me build" or "where is this sense of ownership/entitlement comes from?". I realised this tension is part of the process of a web3 brand, it's okay to maintain communication. Eventually, I found a middle ground that works for both of us. Regularly monthly updates was created.

When community members share their thoughts and vents. The team, including myself, had to put our egos aside and listen. As a result, they are motivated to see the brand succeed. Also, venting is another form of bonding. It's through bonding experience that strengthens ties.

TLDR: Communication is key for a healthy community to thrive. So it's okay to have frank conversations and share the 'struggles' and wins with the community. I often bring up in-jokes to giggle and build emotional ties.

My biggest win: get the ball rolling, just start?

This sounds cliche af, but I 100% believe I would have continued to grow my personal brand if I didn't get the ball rolling with Chubbiverse.

I was caught by surprise. What started as a creative experiment bought in a tsunami wave. I was chucked into the deep end of web3. Who knew that people love cute and derpy Chubbicorns. (link to the origin story)?

Every time you do something, whether it's new or experimental. Your level of skills and understanding will compound. Most importantly, the years of networking, marketing, branding, and creativity. It helped prepare me to leverage the tsunami opportunity.?

My reset: Focusing on my creative roots of video storytelling?

I used more buzzzzy words, haha. That's okay. Video is one of my superpowers, and 2022 was when my personal brand took a back seat. BUT the time of growing Chubbiverse allowed me to build other strengths. Even though I didn't post much, my DM was regularly a place where I talked to brands, peers, and friends about what was going on.?

Upon reflection, my personal brand is about exploring my curiosity and sharing what works/didn't work. Even writing this newsletter or making videos help me declutter and organise my learnings.?

I'm looking forward to going back to my creative roots. I'm looking forward to creating more videos. I've creating more space to think, create, and be inspired.

The 2023 trend: part-time creators

+ creativity is going through a growth spurt.

Maybe it's going to be all about AI this year. But I sense another major shift happening. My string-senses are tingling. It's astonishing how ChatGPT is revolutionising how we interact with AI. Within 5 days of its launch, over 1,000,000 folks tried ChatGPT and loved it.?

There will be more exploration about it in a future newsletter. I'm quietly mulling over it.?

Q&A with String

The best sources of content are found in the comments. Folks are dropping questions in the comments. Here are tips on:?

Starting YouTube?

Batch video editing (for busy professionals)?

String, I like to know more about Cute NFT

There's an index called CUTE15, where it features 15 cute NFT collections. It includes Chubbiverse, Lil Pudgy, Tubby Cats and more. Read more about it here.

Let me know in the comments and share you wins, goals for 2023 ??

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