GM - this is The Snapshot, edition #86.
Welcome to the new subscribers this week - we are now at 2,024 subscribers!
I write about NFTs/crypto, and solopreneurship in web3.
This is what I’ve got for you this week:
This Week In NFT/Crypto World - Mr Beast Backed Creator League Cancelled
Sponsored Post - Lil Nouns New Funding For Marketing & Developers
Notable Sales - XCOPY, Beeple, Dmitri Cherniak, Snowfro
Thought Piece - Newsletter advice after writing solo for 85 weeks
For sponsorship enquires, please DM me on Twitter.
Disclaimer: The content covered in this newsletter is not to be considered as investment advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only.
Have a great day,
B
This Week In NFT/Crypto World - Mr Beast Backed Creator League Cancelled
Creator E-sports League backed by Mr Beast is cancelled after NFT backlash
The Creator League was supposed to be an experiment in "creator led, fan-controlled Esports" - but they made a mistake: they tried to sell the passes as NFTs.
So vociferous was the anti-NFT sentiment amongst many of the fans that the team released this statement which puts the idea on ice.
They even felt they had to say "THE CREATOR LEAGUE IS NOT AN NFT PROJECT AND WE HAVE NEVER SOLD TOKENS" - which is factually untrue!
But it shows how poorly NFTs are perceived in the broader market.
Organisationally, it shows there is an educational effort required to make sure everyone is on the same page BEFORE launching.
It's a shame. I liked the idea.
Casio launches G-SHOCK in the metaverse
Casio has partnered with Polygon to bring to market virtual watches for avatars.
Since 1983 they have sold more than 100M devices and they now want to create super digital fans who can co-create with them.
Key details:
1. Casio will begin rolling out the NFTs this month via its official website
2. Initial claim window available for users who have a Casio ID from September 23-26
3. Public mint to follow from September 26-29
4. FREE
Conclusion: Polygon keeps crushing on the BD side and it’s cool to see more iconic brands enter with a free mint to prioritise getting NFTs into the hands of holders.
Skull of Luci receives 50 ETH loan on Arcade
The NFT Lending Market continues to demonstrate its willingness to lend against fine digital art at high LTVs.
A piece from Sam Spratt's Skulls of Luci collection - which most recently had a sale for 90 ETH ($147,000) - received a loan of 50 ETH ($82,000).
This was for a term of 2 months at 20% APY This was facilitated by Arcade who have become accustomed to these big ticket loans on their platform.
MoMa & LACMA artist Keith Haring to sell NFTs at Christie’s
The famous artist Keith Haring's digital creations previously only viewable by floppy disc will be auctioned as NFTs at Christie's.
The estimates range from $220k - $500k per piece.
Haring died at 31 in 1990.
His era-defining pop art can be found in the MoMa and LACMA.
Fine digital art continues to thrive!
Sponsored Post - Lil Nouns New Funding For Marketing & Developers
Lil Nouns DAO is back with a series of funding opportunities for you to win up to 0.15 ETH + a Lil Noun NFT.
For this round Lil Nouns DAO is looking for art, video, design, webpages, social campaigns, and whatever other cool stuff you can think of that best showcases Lil Nouns.
This is a retroactive funding opportunity, meaning you need to submit a finished project so that Lil Nouns holders can vote to decide on who wins the funding.
There is also a developer funding round going live soon for our more technically minded enthusiasts.
If you are curious about contributing to a cutting-edge DAO and getting paid to bring your ideas to life check out this funding round for more details.
Notable Sales - XCOPY, Beeple, Dmitri Cherniak, Snowfro
XCOPY, Bangers and Crash - 19 ETH ($31,000)
Beeple, Politics is Bullshit - 59 ETH ($96,000)
Dmitri Cherniak, Ringers - 35 ETH ($57,000)
Chromie Squiggle, Fuzzy - 13.75 ETH ($22,000)
Thought Piece - Newsletter advice after writing solo for 85 weeks
I have written this newsletter for 86 weeks in a row and scaled the BCheque Media company up to more than $5k per month in multi-month deals.
Here are some common pieces of advice I find myself repeating to those who are starting their internet solopreneurship journey. .
Write what you enjoy: When you write about topics you're passionate about, your enthusiasm shines through. A passion-driven approach will sustain your motivation, especially when you're writing solo. Readers can sense your authenticity and are more likely to be drawn to you because they know you genuinely like what you are writing about.
Be consistent: Consistency is key in building and maintaining a loyal readership. When readers know they can expect content from you at regular intervals, they're more likely to return and engage with your content. You are also more likely to get into the routines of readers, as they will carve out time for your publication.
Improve incrementally over time: Instead of aiming for drastic changes or perfection from the start, focus on gradual improvements. By improving your product little by little, you ensure steady growth and prevent feeling overwhelmed. Each week, identify one aspect you'd like to improve and work on it. Over time, these small adjustments accumulate into substantial progress.
Recommend trusted writers who recommend you back: Building a community is essential in the world of content creation. When you uplift and recommend other trustworthy writers, you not only provide value to your readers but also create a support system for yourself. Mutual recommendations can help expand your reach, as your content gets introduced to new audiences who trust the recommendations of their favourite writers.
Optimise for long term sponsors instead of one-off sponsors: Securing long-term sponsorship deals provides a steady source of income and builds stronger relationships with sponsors. These partnerships are mutually beneficial, with both parties growing and evolving together. What is more, continuously seeking one-off sponsorships is time-consuming (you will never know until you try how long it takes to get deals over the line AND then have to do it all over again the next week).
Do not give up: Writing solo for an extended period can be challenging, with moments of doubt and burnout. When I feel tired, I remember the commitment I have made to my readers: they are expecting me to produce. Stay committed, lean on your support system, and remember that the trajectory is not a straight line up only even for great writers. In the times of moderate, fast, and explosive growth - enjoy the process and be patient & humble.
Have a great day,
B
Disclaimer: The content covered in this newsletter is not to be considered as investment advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only.
I hold some of the NFTs mentioned in these newsletters