Cryptocurrency marketing is critical for the growth and success of businesses in the industry. Come to think of it, a marketing plan is crucial in any industry. However, with over-saturation in the market, developing a good marketing strategy for ICOs and cryptocurrency initiatives is even more critical.
The cryptocurrency market has grown tremendously in the last few years, with thousands of new crypto businesses at every turn. As a result, entrepreneurs who plan to develop a crypto startup need to find a strategy to establish momentum in the face of stiff competition. In addition, if they wish to improve their brand, they should start by developing a digital marketing strategy.
Many individuals mistakenly believe that ICOs and cryptocurrencies are the same things. However, if an entrepreneur who is developing crypto assets wants to advertise their brand well, they must first understand the difference between the two. Only by doing so can they define the aim of their marketing. For example, do they want only to market their ICO? Or are they promoting their entire cryptocurrency brand?
What is an ICO?
An initial coin offering (ICO) is the cryptocurrency industry’s equivalent of an initial public offering (IPO). An ICO can be launched by a company looking to generate funding to build a new coin, app, or service.
Investors who participate in an initial coin offering will receive a new cryptocurrency token issued by the company. This token may have some utility connected to the company’s product or service or represent a stake in the company or project.
The fundamental advantage of ICOs is that they eliminate the need for intermediaries in the capital-raising process and establish direct links between the company and investors. Furthermore, the interests of both parties are linked. There are two main types of initial coin offerings: public and private.
Only a small number of investors can participate in private initial coin offerings. Private ICOs are typically limited to approved investors (financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals), with a minimum investment amount determined by the company.
On the other hand, public ICOs are a type of crowdfunding aimed at the general public. Since practically anybody can become an investor in a public offering, it is a democratized type of investing. Due to regulatory issues, however, private ICOs are becoming a more realistic option than public ones.
How to set up an ICO
An initial coin offering follows a complex procedure that requires extensive technology, finance, and law expertise. The basic idea behind ICOs is to use the decentralized networks of blockchain technology to raise funds in ways that align the interests of multiple stakeholders. The following are the steps required to set up an ICO:
1) Identification of Investment Targets
Every ICO begins with a company’s desire to raise funds. Next, the company determines the target audience for its fundraising campaign and compiles information about the company or project for potential investors.
2) Creation of Tokens
Token creation is the next phase in the initial coin offering process. Tokens are essentially blockchain representations of an asset or function. Tokens are both fungible and tradeable. Tokens are not to be confused with cryptocurrencies because they are simply adaptations of current cryptocurrencies. Unlike stocks, tokens do not often provide an equity stake in a business. Instead, most tokens offer their owners a stake in a company-created product or service.
Tokens are generated on specific blockchain systems. Token generation is very straightforward because a corporation is not required to build code from scratch, as is the case when creating a new coin. Instead, current blockchain platforms that operate existing cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, allow the tokens to be made with minor code changes.
3) Promotion Campaign
A company will often undertake a promotion campaign to attract new investors simultaneously. Campaigns are typically carried out online to reach the greatest number of investors. However, several prominent web platforms, including Facebook and Google, now prohibit the advertising of ICOs.
4) Initial Offering
Following the production of the tokens, they are made available to investors. The company can then utilize the ICO proceeds to create a new product or service, while investors can anticipate using the acquired tokens to benefit from them or wait for the tokens’ value to appreciate. The offering could be divided across many rounds.
The term “ICO” stands for “initial coin offering,” and the main event is a fundraiser designed to advance a project. Cryptocurrency, on the other hand, refers to a digital currency. Thanks to the similarities, the marketing techniques for both concepts are frequently the same.
Benefits of Launching an ICO
Initial coin offerings have numerous advantages for business owners who want to launch or grow their operations. For starters. once the process is broken down into smaller steps, starting a cryptocurrency for a project is pretty straightforward. In contrast, there are major entrance hurdles to IPOs and other fundraising models.
The following are some of the numerous benefits of initial coin offerings:
1) Anyone can Buy Tokens
A token launch is similar to the sale of digital assets. Token sales are not the same as equity sales in a large-scale initial public offering. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 imposes stringent requirements on initial public offerings.
Accredited investors with a net worth of more than $1 million are customarily barred from participating in IPOs. On the other hand, tokens sold in an initial coin offering (ICO) can be sold to anyone because most purchases are anonymous.
This is significant because just 3% of the adult population in the United States has a net worth of $1 million or more. It means that only 3% are eligible to invest in an IPO. However, 100% of the adult population in the United States is capable of investing in an ICO – a 33x increase in available financing.
2) Tokens are Sold Globally
An ICO allows international investors to invest in a new currency. In many cases, digital money transfers into project coin offerings are a global endeavor. For example, if an IPO account received hundreds of wire transactions in minutes, the assets would most certainly be frozen. On the other hand, token sales paid for with digital cryptocurrency are always available.
Furthermore, the United States accounts for less than 5% of the global population. Therefore, global international availability indicates a 20x increase in available capital.
3) Token Economy Liquidity Premium
When a token is sold in an ICO, it acquires value and exists freely in a global, 24-hour marketplace.
That is very different from the equity in an IPO. In other situations, it can take a decade for investments in IPOs to become exit-capable. Tokens, on the other hand, can be sold in minutes.
Whether users elect to utilize or sell their IPO tokens makes no difference. On the other hand, the difference between a decade and 10 minutes is 500,000x. Granted, the prospective gains from an IPO will be substantially greater in most circumstances over ten years.
With the same amount of funds, “shareholders” can participate in new ICOs thanks to the token economy liquidity premium. As a result, there is faster growth and significantly greater liquidity of funds.
4) Lower Barrier To Entry
Companies flock to Silicon Valley for many technology-driven IPOs. Wall Street is “the place to be” for comparing financial offerings. However, since token launches can take place anywhere in the world, the requirement is considerably reduced.
Successful entities can raise funding with ICOs from whoever and wherever they choose. The result eliminates the entry restrictions that traditionally limited success to specific geographic locations. In reality, Ethereum, one of the most successful ICOs of all time, has no physical presence anywhere.
5) Attractive Business Model
Massive digital giants like Facebook and Google offer precious, accessible products. Regardless, they are sometimes criticized for making billions while providing free services to early adopters.
The ICO launch concept provides a significantly more viable solution. Technology businesses and open-source projects can distribute their wealth through a currency offering. This technique also aids in aligning user bases that benefit from the company’s success.
For potential investors, the holy grail of opportunity is a business model that outperforms a “free” business model. Users who profit from being in the early stages of adoption provide an excellent incentive for ICO investment prospects.
6) Instant Buy-In
There are no barriers between coin buyers and sellers. Once a cryptocurrency is produced and launched, it can be sold on the crypto market right away.
The process of purchasing stock in an initial public offering can only be defined as labor-intensive. On the other hand, purchasing assets in an ICO is as simple as collecting the appropriate purchasing currency and waiting for the launch. The advantage is that it is a quick and efficient process for both businesses and people investing in them.
Top ICO & Cryptocurrency Marketing Strategies For 2023
1) Design a Website
Companies must design captivating websites that showcase their initiative and properly communicate their idea. They must give their website visitors a reason to invest in what they’re selling. They should also include the project’s staff and their relevant industry experience. Additionally, it would be beneficial to highlight whether they are affiliated with any projects with a strong community reputation since this will enhance trust and make people more willing to buy from them. They must also ensure that everything they accomplish is documented on the website. The website or any other interface they use to communicate about their project must be of the best quality. Their online presence is one of the most important factors that businesses must consider before starting a marketing campaign.
2) Create an Online Community
Creating a network of like-minded people is another important component that businesses must focus on before taking the stage to tell people about what they are doing. Creating groups or forums on internet platforms and gaining followers on social media channels such as Facebook are all part of growing an online crypto community. These phases could benefit businesses in two ways. To begin with, they will first be exposed to critiques and suggestions that will help them polish and shape their proposal before presenting it to a large audience. Secondly, numbers are significant; having a sizable number of online followers is always a positive sign when people search for business solutions online. Building this kind of community creates trust and improves a company’s online presence.
3) Create a Whitepaper
One of the first things crypto businesses must do is write a white paper. The white paper is a document containing information about their initiative. The document serves as a key entry point for investors who are interested in a company’s idea. This document serves as a good place for companies to lay out the specifics of what they are doing and the ambitions and goals they hope to attain. A good whitepaper should include a detailed description of the project, a timeline of the project, the target amount of funds required, valuable insights that pique interest, and key investors behind the project.
4) Create Compelling Business Plan
Another critical step is to prepare a compelling business strategy for investors. This should be in the form of a comprehensive presentation that should cover the main aspects of a company’s project and how it will function. The document is typically given to potential investors who want to learn more about what the company is doing and how they can get involved. It also outlines all possible project risks. Beyond that, it details how the company intends intend to address these risks and assists the company in obtaining funding from many sources.
5) Focus on Branding & Marketing
Companies should focus on branding and marketing to develop a robust internet presence. During this process, they must channel all their creative energy and develop innovative approaches to set their project apart from the crowd. They must create a separate name, logo, and design for their project to create a recognisable brand for the public. There are many marketing strategies that could be used to reach a bigger audience. These include social media, email campaigns, paid commercials, and so on.
6) Make Use of PR
One of the most successful ways to bring a company’s project in front of a large audience is through public relations (PR). Public relations agencies can assist companies in obtaining media attention for their project and developing contacts with various journalists who may write positively about them. As a result, it builds trust among investors and boosts the likelihood of the company’s idea being funded.
Companies can employ various additional marketing strategies, such as internet ads, bounty programs, or even sponsorships, but they must conduct thorough research before embarking on any campaign. It’s crucial to remember that marketing is a constantly changing process, and what works today might not work tomorrow. As a result, businesses must continue experimenting until they find the optimal combination for their project.
7) Participate in Events & Seminars
Participating in events is still one of the most prevalent and oldest startup marketing methods. Companies can attend several events and seminars to discuss their project. This will assist them in contacting possible investors, journalists, and anyone who may be interested in what they are doing. Hosting and attending events can also help to create confidence among those who attend these events. Soon enough, these people may begin investing in the company’s project.
8) Sponsor Events & Conferences
Sponsoring events and conferences associated with cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology is another excellent strategy for companies to market their crypto or ICO project. By doing so, companies can reach out to many people who are already interested in these technologies and may be interested in investing in their projects. In addition, companies can select events based on their industry, area, audience demographics, and so on.
9) Content Marketing
Content marketing is one of the most effective strategies to promote a cryptocurrency or ICO project. Quality content includes blog entries, articles, and videos that educate people about the project and its operation. From there, content can be disseminated through other channels such as social media, email newsletters, and so on to reach a larger audience.
10) Social Media Marketing
One of the most common ICO marketing tactics is social media marketing. Companies can sell their crypto assets and establish a strong brand in front of customers with the help of social media platforms. They can share all essential project updates with them directly, keeping them up to date on what the company is up to. Social media platforms also offer forums where people discuss various subjects connected to cryptocurrencies and ICOs. This gives a company additional exposure to spread the news about the project as widely as possible.
11) Be Active on Crypto Forums
Participating in cryptocurrency forums is another excellent strategy to promote an ICO. These forums are where people discuss various cryptocurrencies and related subjects. Companies can share a project with them and receive comments. These platforms are also excellent places to identify possible investors that are interested in what the company is doing.
12) Use Video Marketing
Another effective technique to reach out to potential investors and customers is through video marketing. Companies may easily explain their project and how it operates using videos. They can also share these videos on social media platforms to gain greater visibility. This helps in attracting more individuals to the initiative, allowing them to generate additional funding from various sources easily.
13) ICO Listing Sites
These websites are some of the top platforms for selling cryptocurrency initiatives. These websites assist businesses in gaining visibility among possible investors on a bigger scale. A company can publish all relevant facts about their project here, and others looking for these kinds of ventures will find them easily on these platforms. Listing sites can also assist them in bringing more clients to their ICO.
ICObench, CoinSchedule, TokenMarket, IcoCrystals, and Smith + Crown are some examples of ICO listing sites.
14) Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of the oldest but most effective methods of acquiring leads. Essentially, email marketing is where a business emails potential customers about their initiative to pique their interest. Companies can also provide a link to their website or whitepaper so that people can learn more about it, which will help them spread the word about their ICO, allowing them to easily acquire funds from various sources.
15) Airdrop Campaigns
An airdrop campaign occurs when a company distributes free tokens to those interested in their project. Airdropping is a great way to draw more people to the initiative. Furthermore, it helps a company to gather funding from various sources quickly. Companies can also utilize this strategy to boost the popularity of their ICO.
16) Podcasts
Podcasting is one of the most recent online marketing trends and could be an excellent approach for promoting an ICO. Companies can produce podcasts about various parts of their projects and distribute them to potential investors and customers. Doing so will give them a better grasp of the company’s project and make them more interested in it.
17) Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is yet another effective method of reaching out to potential customers and investors and works effortlessly by utilizing several social media channels. A company can approach influencers with a large following and ask them to promote their project on their social media accounts. Of course, influencers demand a price for their efforts. Nevertheless, this may be a worthwhile investment because it raises awareness of a company’s project among thousands of followers.
18) Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is an excellent method for generating leads for an ICO. This form of marketing helps businesses collaborate with other websites to promote their project in exchange for a commission on the revenue raised. In addition, it is an excellent way to spread the word about a project, allowing businesses to receive funding from a wide range of sources effortlessly.
19) SEO
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the act of optimizing a company’s website so that it appears higher in search engine rankings. Companies that succeed in ranking for keywords related to their industry have the potential to generate a large amount of organic traffic from search engines. They can then turn these leads into consumers via their website. They can also utilize SEO to make their ICO more visible to potential investors and customers.
20) Guest Posts
In exchange for a link to their website in the author area, companies post an article about their project on another website as a guest post. This is an excellent technique to spread the word about their project. Companies will need to identify websites with similar interests to theirs and inquire whether or not they welcome guest posts. If so, businesses should approach them and ask if they would be interested in publishing an article about their ICO campaign.
21) Reddit Marketing
Since many subreddits are focused on the general area of a project, Reddit marketing can be an excellent source for advertising a company’s ICO. A business can start a subreddit to post articles about their initiative, and people interested in similar topics will join. In addition, because Reddit is based on upvotes, more people will discover their ICO through the channel. These people may be encouraged to invest.
22) LinkedIn Networking
LinkedIn networking can be a great way to identify possible partners and investors. Companies can develop a LinkedIn company page and invite their staff to join to share information about their projects or startups with others in the same area. This enables them to communicate with other experts who are interested in doing business with them. After that, companies can start seeking people who might be interested in investing in their projects by posting information about their ICO campaign on their corporate page.
23) Direct Marketing
Direct mailing services are still effective as marketing tools. For example, companies send promotional materials such as flyers, stickers, pamphlets, and so on directly to their target audience via mailboxes. Alternatively, business representatives can hand these out physically at locations that their target audiences frequent.
24) Instant Messaging Apps
These apps have millions of active users, and businesses can utilize them for marketing their projects to a wide range of individuals. In addition, they can form groups or discussions about their project and invite others to join. Platforms like these are a terrific way to get more people interested in their idea.
25) Google Ads
Google Ads is an excellent strategy to market an ICO campaign because it allows businesses to publish advertisements on Google and millions of other websites that partner with Google. Companies can target potential investors and customers based on demographics such as geography, age, and interests and then display their advertisements.
26) Reputation Management
Reputation management entails managing a project reputation through branding efforts. Companies can accomplish this goal by producing positive information about their project and disseminating it on social media platforms and other websites. It will help others see their project positively, making them more willing to invest.
Conclusion
Since compliance with industry regulations is crucial, ICOs are still relatively new. In order for a potential client to invest in an ICO, it must meet specific criteria. To successfully advertise an ICO, businesses must take the time and undertake in-depth analysis to select a combination of ICO marketing methods that work for them. Finally, ICOs and cryptocurrency projects must stay current and maintain a community presence. Company representatives must attend meetings, handle phone calls, respond to questions, and build connections. With the right combination of strategies, a crypto company can ensure that its assets earn trust and gain traction in the market.