As we move further into the new phase of the internet in Web3, ownership will be the main driving force. The “like” will be replaced by the “collect.”

Here are five ways why collecting will be more effective:

1. We have become numb to the thumb. Likes may bring some awareness, but their primary purpose is lackluster in the noise of our social feeds.

2. Evidence of support: To collect an article, video, image, etc., as evidence of support. By collecting either for a price or for free, we can prove ownership of what we believe in, support, and enjoy.

3. More control: Content creators can monetize their work directly from fans. Intermediaries no longer control payments and algorithms.

4. Advertise to social signals: The content collected provides a social signal of what you enjoy. Advertising to the content (instead of personal data) is less invasive.

5. Find your people: Communities of people who have collected the same content have something in common to discuss, share, and engage. Creators can build in public and receive direct feedback from their collectors.

What will this look like?

Mirror.xyz

One example is this blogging platform, Mirror.xyz.

Writers post their articles for free. If the reader enjoys the piece, it is collected and held in the reader’s wallet. The writer has the option for it to be collected for free or to sell it at a price. Limiting the number of copies available creates a demand, especially if it is a sought-after piece. The reader could then sell it on the secondary market and provide the author a royalty on the resale.

Wallet marketing

Your experience scrolling through social feeds or viewing videos will change if you pay for the content you enjoy. Plus, you can create different personas with wallets based on the type of content you collect.

One wallet could be for your interest in games, while another is for fashion. Companies will then focus their marketing efforts on the wallet instead of your address, age, or online movements.

Try it for yourself

We are slowly adding these concepts into our Web2 experiences. To understand and enjoy the benefits of a decentralized Web3 world, we must get out there to test and experiment.

Collect this article yourself! See how it works by clicking on the button below.

As you scroll through your feeds, pay attention to what you like. What would it take for you to buy that post for a few cents or even a few dollars/crypto? How will your online experience change?

That’s the fun part of this Web3 journey.

As we experience the new technology, we will move towards a decentralized experience where we are all rewarded. It is up to us to search out what is important and what brings us value.

We want quality over quantity. The number of likes, views, and clicks lacks substance. Our consumer behavior is moving away from disposable to sustainable. Clients and customers that understand our mission, trust our products and care about the people that built the business.

In the future, those businesses will start the conversation and form a place where a relationship can be built.

Main Street small business Think about the mom-and-pop store on Main Street. While the customers may come for that special blueberry muffin, they continue to return because they know the owners. They see their friends gather at tables around the cafe. They enjoy the connection and the friendly space.

A special meeting place Selling coffee and baked goods can be as simple as making it, advertising it for sale, and exchanging it for money from a hungry person. But it is more than that.

It is valuable because it was made with the finest ingredients and attention to detail. It is sold in a cafe where the decor is welcoming and clean.

The servers are friendly and welcoming. The owners chat with the customers and know everyone’s name. It is always busy, and there is a line out the door when that warm batch of muffins is first placed in the glass case.

Introducing the social token Cafe visitors can be rewarded and support this cafe through the power of tokens. They can be bought, sold, traded, and gifted. Because there is a limited amount, they can be in demand and thus bring more value to the owners.

This is community capitalism.

Think of the possibilities. Holders of the tokens could have access to that unique set of tables by the window. They may receive a free cup of coffee with their muffin. They could attend live VIP music events on Friday nights with other token holders.

When these token holders experience this special treatment, they tell others. They want their friends and family to experience all of this as well.

The longer you hold onto your token, the more benefits they bring. As the availability becomes more difficult to come by due to its popularity, the more demand and, thus, higher value.

Is it time to get started? It is easy to recommend your favorite small business. With social tokens, this will be magnified.

We are still very early with the mass adoption of digital wallets and accepting cryptocurrency as payment. But we do have experience with loyalty programs and memberships.

With social tokens you are creating the same type of loyalty program that encourages customers to return but with added value.

It will take some effort to establish and educate this new type of marketing into small business. Adding social tokens can be the next step into the Web3 world for early adopters who are ready.

*****

We help innovative entrepreneurs demystify Web 3 concepts such as NFTs and social tokens. Use these Web3 tools to create unique strategies to reward and retain loyal customers.

If you are content creator and are eager to learn in a supportive community environment, become a member of Tokens Square.

Transaction failed. Try again.

I entered my password again into a new Web3 platform I was trying out - failed. I refreshed the browser and clicked on that same damn button once more. Still nothing. Erg. Try again. Try again.

The only thing that didn't cause me to abandon the mission of that platform was my determination to figure it out. Why is this so complicated? I'm not afraid of diving into new technology, so I should be able to muscle through it.

But I keep thinking of many of you as I try one more time to connect that digital wallet, switch to a new blockchain network, or understand the help documents. You will probably go through this same aggravation, and I want to be available to help.

The world of beta testing

This Web3 world is a bit messy. Intelligent people are building products and services that will transform our lives.

You can't just do that on the first try.

These companies need us to test things out and let us know what worked and what needs to be fixed (or scrapped altogether).

As I pound the keyboard and click furiously on the mouse, I turn to support for help, and they are amazing. Because these new platforms are energetic to make improvements and solve problems, their support teams get back to you quickly with answers. If they don't, well, that's another story.

Teaching Others

As we move into the mass adoption of blockchain technology, we will need to help teach our friends, family, and neighbors to understand. It is like we are teaching our grandparents how to use an iPhone 13 when they finally figure out the flip phone.

We need patience and answers to a lot of questions.

Our Motivation

Why all of the headaches to understand now? Why not wait until it is tested, fixed, improved, and simple? Or ignore the movement and stick with what is familiar.

As a GenXer, we have seen how the internet has grown from the very early stages of Web1. We understand the thrill of the up and down cycles. For many early adopters, it is about jumping in now to build a solid foundation of understanding so that we can be ahead of the competition.

Blockchain technology gives us open, decentralized, and transparent data on which we can build our businesses. We will use the blockchain to store ownership records in art, music, health records, property titles, certifications, memberships, etc.

Our digital wallets will hold our assets and give us the power to share this data under our terms.

By starting now and trying these new platforms, we will give valuable feedback to the developers and guide them to create cutting-edge products and services that we can build our businesses on in the future.

Conclusion

At this point, it is all about small wins and patience. Keep an eye on the prize.

Web3 will allow us to take ownership of our intellectual property and data. We will reward and incentivize our superfans in our communities with tokens and run our businesses with blockchain technology.

To the incredible developers building products as we speak, I am excited to see how it will transform our lives. Get the marketing, sales, and support team ready; we all need help and encouragement!

In the meantime, we will continue to push that button over and over until we figure out how it works.

We help innovative entrepreneurs demystify Web 3 concepts such as NFTs and social tokens. Use these Web3 tools to create unique strategies to reward and retain loyal customers.

If you are content creator and are eager to learn in a supportive community environment, become a member of Tokens Square.

1. Create NFT

2. Mint NFT

3. Sell NFT.

Did he do it? What were his challenges? What is his advice to artists who want to do the same?

Creating an NFT was on Mathew's to-do list for at least six months, but he had no idea how to start, what to mint, and who could help. But once he started his journey of learning about Web3, things began to fall into place.

Why create an NFT?

Mathew Heggem is the founder of 10kCreators.com, a community of artists who learn how to improve their cash flow and maximize their financial position. When he learned about using NFTs to fund and support artists, he realized he had a lot of homework to do. If he created his own NFT, he would be able to speak from experience, thus making it easier to assist his clients interested in Web3.

But first, he needed to find some help and reached out to his network.

Connecting with HeyLayer

Mathew searched through his contacts and reconnected with Gary Riger, founder and CTO of HeyLayer.

HeyLayer is a platform where you can mint NFTs, manage them on their marketplace, and provide ease of purchase with either cryptocurrency or credit card. HeyLayer is also different from other platforms. They offer a simple and inexpensive minting process that secures NFTs on Bitcoin on the Stacks blockchain.

Mathew felt comfortable that this was a great place to start his first NFT project.

He's Hooked - Now What?

One of Mathew's strengths (and charm) is his relaxed and professional ability to lead others in thought-provoking conversations. Twitter Spaces was the perfect place to lead discussions around NFTs and Web3 for artists. He soon began to sweat as the virtual room filled with "experts" and left this first space thinking, "I better mint an NFT before this gets awkward"!

Wallet Stress

The first hurdle was getting over the worry about setting up a wallet. He had one a while ago but lost the paperwork with the passcode on it! Since he didn't want to repeat that same mistake, he was more diligent and thoughtful while opening a new Hiro wallet, the kind of wallet needed to transact on HeyLayer.

Buy First

As he embarked on the journey of minting his NFT, Mathew realized that he needed to understand the process of buying an NFT first. What motivates someone to purchase an NFT? How do they select that first piece of digital art minted on the blockchain? In the HeyLayer marketplace, an NFT of collaborative work between a human being and artificial intelligence caught his eye. He spent $19.46 for DALL-ELlama4.

What to Mint (Create)?

Mathew thought about making the artwork himself, but digital art isn't his forte as a choreographer. So, he looked around his home and chose one of his mother's paintings from her collection. He selected a large blue abstract acrylic painting called "Blue Compassion" and snapped eight photos of it.

The Details

Taking a photo is just one step; next, he needed to answer the following questions: Should it be a one-of-one minting or a complete collection? How would he describe the title & describe the work? How much should he price the NFTs? What about the rights to the piece or the percentages on the royalty splits? Buying his first NFT helped him determine the answers to some of these critical questions.

Pricing Dilemma

Mathew considered the price ranges within the HeyLayer marketplace and decided on a moderate starting point of $47 to keep the work affordable. But he also wanted to price it higher than the NFT he purchased because it was an original physical painting rather than computer generated.

The Collection

He decided to create 8 NFTs as a collection with three editions for each one. With several editions, multiple people could then own a single NFT. He spent time collaborating with his mother on the name and description of the pieces. The joint titling between the generations, art & tech, and this personal connection, coupled with its originality, help to set this NFT collection apart from others in the marketplace.

People are drawn to stories and meaning because it provides more value to the piece. A well-thought-out description will give more significant importance to the art, knowing that it would be on the blockchain forever.

The Marketing

Now that he has his first NFT collection ready and available for purchase, Mathew took to his social channels and community to talk about the work and his experience. He is proud to promote his mom as an artist and that her work is visible to new audiences.

His Advice

First, buy an NFT before you even start creating one. You need to understand the emotional experience of researching the artist and understanding their story; this will shape your story.

In Mathew's opinion, he says that minting a collection of NFTs is more effective than a "one and done ."People who resonate with your work will want to choose from a selection of offerings.

Create your profile on HeyLayer (or your platform of choice). Potential buyers will need to know who you are and your story.

Community is Key

The success of this journey was the support and guidance from others along the way. When he had questions or doubts, he knew who to reach out to and find the answers. His most important advice is to find a community where you feel comfortable asking for help. There are many ways to get distracted down different paths. Having an informed guide along the way is valuable.

Conclusion

For artists earning a living, it is challenging to market their work so their fans can support them financially. By using NFTs, you have another option available to sell your work and receive royalties. The most significant benefit is the proof of authenticity because it is permanently on the blockchain with full ownership transparency.

**If this is a journey you are interested in, Tokens Square can help you get started. Connect through LinkedIn, **Twitter or visit Tokens Square for more information.

PS. Shortly after writing this article, Mathew sold his first NFT!

Ok, true.

However, there is more to it if you explore a bit further.

Below are three misconceptions that I have come across when opening up the conversation to people new to the subject.

Misconception #1: Digital wallets are only for trading cryptocurrency

Yes, digital wallets hold cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and hundreds of other kinds of coins. But they can also contain membership subscriptions, concert tickets, artwork, videos, and songs. All of these digital assets are in the form of NFTs.

In conversations with people unfamiliar with digital wallets, I have discovered that the first thing that comes to mind is complex financial trading within the crypto markets. They have heard stories of friends or family that have made (or lost) a great deal of money in crypto.

But there is more to a digital wallet than simply buying and selling crypto.

A digital wallet will soon replace the username and password login. You will connect your wallet directly to websites. Inside your wallet, you will hold various digital assets that can give you access to experiences, memberships, and other types of utility.

A digital wallet is your key to unlocking your personalized internet.

Misconception #2: NFTs are just expensive jpeg pictures

The attention-grabbing headlines of images of pixelated animals that sell for thousands and thousands of dollars cause jealousy and outright confusion. Why would someone pay that amount for a jpeg only to see its value drop considerably as it has during this market downturn?

But if you go beyond the headlines and the hype, you will find extraordinary possibilities with the utility and ownership of an NFT.

One of the most significant benefits that the non-fungible tokens offer is the protection of the creator's intellectual property (just like a certificate of authentication) and can provide royalties to the creator that goes directly to them (and not an intermediary).

Smart contracts give specific instructions on the utility (or use) of an NFT. They can unlock memberships, special access, or privileges to the holder.

Some different types of NFTs include collectibles, games, digital real estate, music, fashion, video, and much more.

Misconception #3: The metaverse is just for gamers

Sure, the metaverse is a fun place for gamers to play in a virtual world. Is it just for kids or the young at heart that want to have fun? Or an opportunity for us to enhance our lives in a digital world with unlimited possibilities?

The metaverse will be a place where we will gather for business meetings, training, and presentations with people worldwide. You can collaborate over designs, explore operational scenarios, and go places together.

Instead of the hassles and high prices of attending concerts or sports events, you will soon enjoy the immersive experience in the comfort of your own home as an option.

Designers are creating extraordinary interior spaces, clothing for avatars, and 3D objects to discover in this virtual world. Brands will be selling their products in both the real and virtual worlds.

Conclusion

Explore beyond the headlines, the hype, and the misconceptions of digital wallets, NFTs, and the metaverse. Once you dig deeper, you will discover the practical and valuable applications this technology will bring us.

The possibilities are exciting to explore and discover.

Collecting data

A few years back, I sold the house I grew up in as a young child. My parents bought the house when it was only a year old, in a new neighborhood with a rich history.

Because my parents were diligent in maintaining the house, they saved all the warranties, receipts, and records in a notebook. Through the years, pages faded, and some documents became outdated.

When my parents moved out and I moved back in, I tried my best to keep up with the records. We added a shop, dealt with neighborhood water and power issues, and managed to keep up with replacing appliances and painting the exterior.

The pain of selling

When it was time to sell, I had this notebook full of information. But it was just paper. No one else had that information. I shared it with my realtor and started preparing the house for sale.

We handled all sorts of forms, questionnaires, inspections, and reporting.

I combed through the notebook for answers.

We racked our brains on dates and details.

The potential buyers had the pain of applying for loans.

We dealt with title companies.

In the end, it was a two-month process. Could all of this be easier?

Yes, now we are moving to a better solution.

A permanent record for anyone to review

A new company, BHR, is taking steps to help eliminate the stress and pain of buying and selling a home.

BHR will create an NFT of your property and place all the details on the blockchain.

This data belongs to the property owner, and with permission, the owner can share what they approve with realtors, title companies, utility providers, insurance agencies, and banks.

That giant notebook of paper can now be stored on the blockchain and easily accessed.

If the house is sold to a new owner, that NFT goes with the property… forever.

The possibilities

Lenders can access everything they need to process purchases, refinances, and lines of credit. Just thinking about the time saved can make all of us happy.

Title companies and real estate attorneys have information at their fingertips.

MLS (multiple listing services) can integrate with the BHR ecosystem to create a new way of listing properties for sale.

Add appraisal and inspection records after each occurrence. If property owners update their home NFT with improvements and repairs, the need for complete inspections later will be unnecessary.

Utility records could be reviewed and compared to other homes in the area to discover inefficiencies.

With all this data, the homeowner could keep it private. If a third party wanted to use the data for their business purposes, the homeowner would be able to monetize that permission.

Add photos, video, appliance purchases, remodeling projects, and repairs to the property’s NFT.

Commercial property owners could also benefit from the same detailed information.

Conclusion

Your property’s NFT replaces that binder and boxes of paper. By working together, integrators with the BHR ecosystem can automatically add information to the NFT, reducing the amount of work the homeowner would need to collect and research.

If you are curious about how this all works and to claim your own home’s NFT, visit BHR.fyi.

Start building the complete history of your property and save yourself time and effort later.

Social Media Examiner podcast started it off

I am driving back home with my daughter and trying to find a podcast that would interest both of us. We decided upon Social Media Examiner since we both can relate to the topics discussed and are interested in what we would learn next.

I listened, and throughout that podcast, I became more and more intrigued with the concept and knew I had to jump in now.

Mike Stelzner, the podcaster, interviewed Joe Pulizzi. They discussed the Web3 world, social tokens, and how businesses can start adapting to the new concepts.

Reward with social tokens

After the podcast, my daughter and I discussed all the possibilities within Web3. Here are the points that struck a chord the most:

1. Web3 gives content creators, artists, and business owners control. At any time, the big company platforms can shut down, change the rules or block anyone anytime. All those followers belong to the platform and not with the creators. Web3 changes that business model.

2. Memberships or ownerships are represented by social tokens or NFTs. These are directly tied to the individual and are transparent. Creating a one-of-a-kind piece of art is clearly defined by the person who made it. Knock-offs or copies can easily be discovered.

3. You can sell your token or NFT to someone else, thus creating more value for everyone. Plus, the new owner of the NFT or token won’t have to go through the hassle of finding the website, signing up, create a password and account. Their digital wallet automatically does that for you.

4. Web3 is here, and the excitement is building. I want to be an early adaptor. I don’t want to be late to the game and confused about how to start when everyone else is already there.

Buying $TILT

What did we do next? We bought $TILT coin as soon as we got home. It was interesting to see the power of incentives and rewards with the coins. Joe Pulizzi rewarded me with additional coins and has provided exclusive benefits and perks to those who own a certain amount of $TILT.

A benefit of owning $TILT is that as long as you hold it, you will receive rewards in the form of $RLY coin. Each time you get a $RLY reward, you should convert it to $TILT to continue supporting and receiving even more $RLY. In other words, reinvest your dividends.

Update: Rally along with many new Web3 projects struggled during the crypto winter. As a result, they were unable to survive past January 2023. As $TILT holders, we were given the option to bridge (cash) out or transfer our coins to Joe Pulizzi for future Web3 projects. Thankfully the amount of money I contributed wasn’t significant enough to cause too much stress. It was disappointing to see Rally fail, but I learned valuable lessons that will help me in the long run.

The opportunity

I see where Web3 is headed, and spreading the word has been challenging. The subject is deep and complicated.

My goal is to make it straightforward so that it is easy to be ahead of the crowd and not the one confused at the end.