Meme Insider
In the fast-paced world of blockchain and meme tokens, where trends can explode overnight, one piece of advice stands out from the Solana Incubator team. A recent tweet from the Solana Incubator highlights a "golden rule" learned by pioneers like Anatoly Yakovenko, Jacob Creech, and Chase Barker in the chain's early days: the best marketing, developer relations (dev rel), and business development (BD) all stem from simply talking to your users.
The tweet features a video interview with Dan Paul, who dives deeper into this philosophy. Let's break down what he shared and how it applies directly to meme token creators and blockchain practitioners today.
The Power of User Engagement in Solana's Ecosystem
Dan emphasizes that founders should prioritize conversations with their users, especially "power users" and "brand ambassadors." These are the folks who are most invested—whether they're early adopters, high-volume traders, or vocal community members. By listening to their feedback and taking it seriously, projects can iterate faster and build loyalty.
He notes, "It can be noisy at times when folks are blowing up your DMs or you're grinding away in Discord or Telegram chats." But that's exactly where the magic happens. For new projects in the Solana ecosystem, engaging with these users helps refine products and turns them into advocates who spread the word organically.
This approach was crucial in Solana's infancy. Dan recalls how the team could "talk to every developer on Solana just about," with direct DMs and feedback loops. Developers were their customers, and by addressing pain points—like what they loved, hated, or wanted improved—the team built a robust platform.
Applying This to Meme Tokens: Community as Your Superpower
Meme tokens on Solana, like many viral hits we've seen, thrive on community hype. But sustaining that momentum requires more than just memes and pumps. Think about it: a meme token's value often comes from its cultural resonance and holder engagement. By talking to your users, you can:
Identify Pain Points Early: Are holders frustrated with liquidity issues or want more utilities? Direct feedback helps fix these before they become deal-breakers.
Scale Through Ambassadors: Happy power users become your marketing army. As Dan puts it, making one vocal person feel heard can "translate to them telling however many other people or a hundred other folks."
Boost Dev Rel and BD: For meme projects integrating tech like NFTs or DeFi elements, user input guides development. It also opens doors to partnerships when your community vouches for you.
In the meme space, where competition is fierce, this user-first mindset separates fleeting pumps from lasting ecosystems. Projects like Bonk or Dogwifhat have leveraged strong communities, often through active Discord and Twitter interactions.
Lessons from Solana Pioneers for Today's Builders
Dan's advice isn't just nostalgic—it's actionable. If you're launching a meme token or building on Solana:
Set Up Feedback Channels: Use Telegram, Discord, or even AMAs on X to chat regularly.
Prioritize Power Users: Track who's most active (e.g., via transaction data) and reach out personally.
Act on Input: Show users their feedback matters by implementing changes and communicating updates.
As Solana continues to dominate the meme token scene with its speed and low fees, remembering this golden rule can help your project stand out. After all, in crypto, your users aren't just customers—they're co-creators.
For the full video and more insights, check out the original tweet here. What's your take on community engagement in meme tokens? Share in the comments below!
