This round of cyclical attention is everything, with unique stories and support from Generation Z becoming key

Author: milian

Compiled by: Shenchao TechFlow

The facts are simple: the best ideas don't always win—gaining attention is key.

The success or failure of a project depends on its ability to attract, inspire, and leave a lasting impression on people. Ultimately, success relies not only on innovation but also on the story being told and the strength of its dissemination. Polymarket is not the first crypto prediction market; Augur launched back in 2015. Uniswap is also not the first decentralized exchange; EtherDelta achieved that in 2017. What about OpenSea? RareBits was ahead of the market in 2018. The point is clear: while first-mover advantage is important, it is not the decisive factor. Execution, narrative ability, and timing are the real keys. Of course, an excellent user experience is also indispensable. This article explores how to drive the survival and development of crypto projects through marketing, not just technology. I will analyze founder-led marketing, team-driven strategies, the cultural dynamics of Generation Z, and the influence of Meme studies, discussing how projects can stand out in a competitive environment.

Founder-Led Marketing

This is something we all understand now. In this field, the voice of the founder often determines the project's image. Leaders like Vitalik, Anatoly, Mert, Keone, and CZ are adept at this. The ability of founders to clearly express their vision, engage authentically with the community, and tell compelling stories is often more important than a strong technical foundation.

Why? Because the connection between people is key. Audiences are more easily moved by genuine expressions rather than carefully packaged promotions. A friendly and charismatic founder can turn an idea into a movement, transforming followers into loyal supporters. People follow not the logo, but the person behind it.

This is not just about technical expertise; it’s about humanity. Founders who establish emotional connections with their audience by sharing insights, ideas, and daily lives become the core of the project. They are not just leaders; they are storytellers.

Team-Driven Momentum

While the founder sets the tone, the team's role is to amplify and disseminate that message. Engaged team members can provide new perspectives, making the project's value easier to understand. Teams that encourage creativity and open discussion are more likely to attract and retain users.

Recently, I noticed that the @OmniFDN and @EclipseFND teams have excelled in this regard. They have attracted many builders in the crypto space by sharing profound educational content about marketing and business development. At the same time, they have published thought-provoking content that resonates with the broader crypto community, effectively expanding their influence. Special thanks to @0xMatt1, @grahamfergs, and @akachacolate for their impressive contributions.

Team diversity can create a multiplier effect by connecting different communities and reaching new audiences. For example, although the Milady and Pudgy Penguins communities are culturally very different, a great team can link these independent groups together, driving growth and interaction.

I find that many team members on Twitter only talk about how great their project is. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it limits their influence. To expand their impact and attract more attention, they could diversify their content. Share insightful, educational, or entertaining content to engage a broader audience, not just the specific niche of the project. Discuss industry trends, share personal insights, or explore topics unrelated to work to keep the content vibrant and appealing. Use X Analytics to identify the content that resonates most with the audience and further amplify it.

Become the protagonist of your unique story. As your audience grows and their interest in your content increases, they will naturally become curious about the project you are building.

The definition of a protagonist lies not in the importance of their role but in the change they bring. What resonates most is the impact you create and the journey you share.

The Perspective of Generation Z

A salute to the mysteries of Milady, 21e8, Urbit, Kinode, and others.

Let’s talk about Generation Z—my generation. We are becoming an emerging force in the crypto space, and we have our own set of rules. For us, authenticity, humor, and relevance are more important than traditional corporate promotions. Polished, serious marketing approaches don’t work; we value fresh memes, unique brand identities, and transparent, direct communication. If you want to grab our attention, you must communicate in a language we understand.

We can easily spot inauthentic expressions and cannot tolerate boring or outdated content. Brands that dare to use humor, bold narratives, and open interactions tend to succeed more. It’s not about perfection; it’s about relatability. Make us laugh or resonate with our culture, and you will stand out.

We have been through a lot, growing up in meme culture. We know what creative content looks like. To stay relevant, projects need to understand what we like: the visual effects of movies, the music we listen to, the memes that make us laugh, and the emojis we use. To connect with us, you need to be at the forefront of culture.

We all appreciate Teamspeak's efforts in this regard… you know what I mean.

Don’t think you can take shortcuts. If you rely on tools like ChatGPT to communicate with Generation Z, you will ultimately fall behind the times. A poorly made meme can embarrass us and potentially drive us away.

The core language of Generation Z lies in meme studies, which is key to connecting with this digital-native generation.

Meme Studies: The Language of Generation Z

Slides from @BasedBeffJezos

Meme studies are not just about humor; they are a powerful cultural force. Great projects leverage meme studies to simplify complex concepts, making them easy to share and hard to forget. When a project masters meme studies, it means they know how to amplify their influence.

Meme studies can create a snowball effect. Once mastered, people will share and adapt your content for fun and value. It’s not just about motivation; it’s about enjoying the fun, which is why communities thrive.

Meme studies are not just about "memes" like Wojak or Pepe. They manifest in animations, visual effects, and writing styles. Meme studies are the music that builds hype for your important announcements, the fonts and color schemes that make your brand instantly recognizable. They are the subtle wording in your tweets that people can’t help but repeat. They are the handmade merchandise that people genuinely want to show off—like socks, Muay Thai shorts, or hoods. Meme studies are everywhere. We live in an era where humanity, technology, capital, and memes evolve together. Meme studies are trends, and people love trends.

Evoke emotions.

Meme studies can make traditionally boring things incredibly cool. Special thanks to @bioprotocol for their outstanding contributions to making DeSci resonate emotionally.

If science can change the world, why hasn’t it done so?—@bioprotocol

Hire top GFX and VFX designers. Collaborate with excellent editors. Combine memes with high-quality production. Capture the spirit of the times.

Make your stuff cool.

Here’s the reality: the hardest game in the crypto space is gaining attention. Even if you create something amazing, if no one notices, it can easily get lost in the sea of information.

Successful projects do not just rely on their excellence—they connect with people. In this rapidly changing field, your story and community support are key.