"Cryptocurrency Circle 'Posturing Revelation': How to Act Like a Well-Mannered Degen at Conferences?"

Author: DavideFi

Compiled by: 深潮TechFlow

I have attended many crypto conferences, and with the upcoming third #ETHCC, I decided to write a guide to help BD and Degens get the most out of #ETHCC and future conferences.

Guide to Becoming the King of Conferences:

1. Wear clothes that represent you

• If you represent a protocol, wear your best merchandise so you can be easily recognized and approached. If you are not a super fan of a company, don’t wear random merchandise from previous events.

1. Greet people wearing merchandise you recognize, "Are you from X?"

• We all want to meet users of our dapps and cherish these conversations. You can start by sharing your story about how and when you used my project. We all love to hear real user experiences. Elaborate on your story.

1. Remember faces, have memorable brief conversations, and greet them if you see them again!

• I love seeing the same cool people at multiple events, and if the vibe is good, I really enjoy hanging out with them. This way, I have built many lasting friendships, all made at the conference venue.

1. Create a Telegram group with friends to coordinate schedules and share invites and tickets. Don’t go solo.

• You should always ask those cool kids where they are going. By asking what the best events are, you can prioritize your many invites.

1. Build friendships that can share rAAVE tickets with you.

• Because you will feel FOMO (fear of missing out), and any friend with a ticket will go there and leave you behind that night. If you have an extra rAAVE ticket, treat it as an important favor that will come in handy someday.

1. Attend as many different events as possible.

• Each event has its own group of cool people to meet.

• Staying in one place too long means you will miss out on amazing people elsewhere.

• Don’t stay with friends too long. There are many people at the conference worth getting to know.

1. If you are looking for a job in Web3, find those you want to work for and try to connect with them at the event.

• Exchange contact information after you’ve made a good impression. Good people in real life are easier to trust and get job opportunities from.

1. Don’t ask for selfies together.

• Really don’t. But if you are a super fan and really want to be remembered, you can try asking after a long conversation. Don’t be the person who casually asks for a photo.

1. During happy hours, don’t start long conversations as soon as you introduce yourself!

• Understand that if you don’t get a response to your question within the first minute, you should stop pitching because we are trying to be friendly but might not be interested in you. Aim for the right target.

1. Be aware (but don’t be afraid) of people around you speaking another language.

• This is more common in Europe; if you notice someone surrounded by people speaking their language and not engaging with you, they might be relaxing with friends, so try again later.

1. Dinner is a trap

• Don’t be fooled by Michelin-starred dinners from VCs or potential partners (only true partners/chains are real). There’s nothing worse than being stuck at a table with 10 strangers listening to the host pitch while everyone outside is having fun.

1. Avoid registering for events with a GMAIL address

• Some events only accept a limited number of attendees, and if participants need to be selected, protocols using company emails (and women) are usually prioritized.

• If you are an ordinary user, consider purchasing a personalized email domain.

1. Always ask for alpha information

• There are many traders at the conference who are tired of hearing pitches. They want to recommend their projects, some of which are very cool and about to launch. Always ask anyone for insider information. I always ask, "What projects have you been following lately?"

1. Carry a power bank with you

• You might be out all day, and either your phone or your friends' phones might run out of battery. Always carry a power bank, and if possible, pack a USB-C and lightning cable in your bag so you and your friends can charge anytime.

1. Find accommodation between the conference venue and most side event locations

• Try to choose accommodation that is close to both the conference venue and side event locations so you can easily go back to rest or change clothes.

1. Don’t force yourself to remember names

• This is my weak point, but I really can’t remember hundreds of new names at every conference. Ask people for their X/Telegram and follow them; when you see them again but don’t remember, you can say, "Hey, buddy!"

• We are all anonymous, and names aren’t that important.

1. Travel with a half-empty bag

• You will get a lot of merchandise, and if you come with a bag already full, you might have to throw some things away.

• Leave space for new T-shirts and hoodies you pick up at the event. Make sure you have enough space for the return trip!

1. If you are a degen (speculator) and not representing any project, don’t feel like an imposter

• Among the audience at most events, 80% are infrastructure/VC people who want to pitch you something, and the rest are speculators like you and me.

• Introduce yourself as a speculator and quickly share your craziest stories; you will be surprised.

1. When asking someone for their Telegram, write something memorable in the first message**

• Don’t just send a random greeting emoji; that’s easy to forget. Instead, write something like, "Great to see you at the XXX event, enjoyed chatting about YYY."

1. If you are not approved to attend an event, don’t give up

• There are other ways to try to get in:

• Ask your friends if they know the organizers.

• If you have a group with sponsors, even better: DM in the group or directly ask a specific team member at the door.

1. If you are attending the event with developers (or other newcomers), apply for extra tickets for them

• Not everyone is used to the conference habit of registering for all events.

• Sign up your colleagues for those must-attend events, as they might not proactively register.

1. Choose your conference companions based on the experience you want

• Some of your regular friends might not be the best choice for spending time at the conference. Some may not like crowded places, while others might prefer going out for dinner instead of attending events. Spend time with like-minded people.