We recently sat down with Apurv, co-founder of Intract, and dove into the intricate art of scaling user acquisition while also retaining loyal community members.

Spoiler alert: throwing a few airdrops around and calling it a day is not it.

Ready to learn how Intract has become one of the go-to platforms for user acquisition and engagement in web3? Let’s get into it! 🔥

1. Cutting Through the Noise: Why Community Matters More Than Ever

Intract has become a leader in the web3 quest space, now with over 5 million active users, but what really stands out is how genuine their approach feels. From the beginning, they’ve been intentional about building genuine communities of web3 enthusiasts, steering clear of inflated, bot-filled numbers. “We’ve worked hard to keep our space as authentic as possible, with minimal bots and Sybil actors,” Apurv shared.

Here’s the thing: even in the best communities, user interest eventually drops off. So, how do you keep your audience engaged without bleeding resources dry? According to Apurv, it’s all about creating incentives that feel earned, not just handed out.

2. Are Quests Still Relevant? Yes, But Here’s How to Make Them Work

One hot topic we touched on was the continued relevance of quests as a growth tool. Critics say they just attract airdrop hunters looking for quick gains. While there’s truth to that, Apurv thinks it’s all about how you structure them.

Quests can still be a great way to get your first 100, 500, or even 1,000 users. The key? Start with education. 

• The first few quests should be about teaching new users how to interact with your protocol. This gives them a reason to stick around beyond just the rewards.

• As you grow, transition to on-chain actions, getting users to make real transactions or interact with your dApp in meaningful ways.

• Once you have an established base, switch to advocacy-based quests: think user-generated content, referrals, and partnerships.

“Quests are great for DeFi protocols because they attract the type of users who already have experience in the space,” Apurv explained. But it’s crucial to keep evolving your quest design to keep engagement high and attract the right kind of users. You don’t want to be stuck in the same cycle, attracting the same types of users without growth.

3. Mastering the Funnel: How to Turn Quest Participants into Active Users

The conversation turned to one of the most complex topics in web3 marketing: conversions. What’s the point of bringing users through the door if they’re not sticking around?

So, what’s the secret sauce for turning curious participants into long-term active users? Know your user personas and cater your messaging to them. If you’re attracting new users unfamiliar with your protocol, make sure your landing page clearly explains who you are and what value you bring. Make it dead simple for them to get started - no one wants to navigate a maze just to figure out what you’re offering.

And most importantly: support is everything. Whether it’s a live agent in your Discord or an interactive FAQ, the quicker you can answer questions, the more likely you are to convert curious visitors into active users.

4. Cracking the Micro-Influencer Code

If you’ve ever struggled with influencer partnerships, this one’s for you. One of the unique aspects of Intract’s growth strategy is its focus on micro-influencers. These are people who run Telegram groups, host alpha chats, or lead small communities on X. They might not have massive followings, but they have highly engaged audiences that trust them.

“Micro-influencers are the unsung heroes of web3,” said Apurv. He shared that these creators aren’t motivated by big paychecks. They genuinely care about educating their communities and sharing opportunities they believe in. The way you approach them matters makes the difference between having them as collaborators and turning them into real project advocates. By tapping  into this network, you’re looking at some of the highest conversion rates in the industry.

5. What Gets You 50% Conversions? Airdrops. What Keeps Them There? Real Value.

Airdrops have brought  people running since 2020, but as Apurv highlighted in our interview, attracting users is only half the battle - retaining them is where the real work begins. He suggested projects leverage Intract to pair airdrop-driven campaigns with meaningful community engagement, ensuring that new users stick around for more than just the free tokens.

“The data speaks for itself: conversion rates can hit as high as 50% if you have an active airdrop or points program,” the co-founder shared. “But without long-term value, those users will leave as soon as the rewards dry up.”

6. Ecosystem Partnerships: The Growth Hack That Will Never Die

When it comes to growth, most of the time it might not even be about reinventing the wheel - it’s in most cases all about partnering with the right ecosystems. Intract saw a massive uptick in engagement when it partnered with big names like Polygon for their zkEVM campaign and Linear Finance for a ‘DeFi push’.

“When you’re integrated with a well-known ecosystem, you’re instantly visible to a wider audience of active users, influencers, and other projects,” the co-founder noted. This kind of visibility is hard to get from solo campaigns. If you’re a growing project, aligning with larger players in the space is one of the smartest moves you can make.

The Bottom Line? Make Your Quests Work For You! 🔥

Whether you’re using quests, airdrops, or partnerships, the end goal for your project is user retention. Structure your campaigns thoughtfully, engage with your community authentically, and always focus on long-term value.

Want more insights on how to optimize your growth strategy?

Check out the full episode with Intract’s co-founder and subscribe to the Growth Stories newsletter for more tips on growing your web3 project!

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