Summary
Shad from Rare Minds walks through how crypto marketing has changed and why most teams are still stuck in old playbooks. He explains the Giga Method as a way to connect Web2-style rigor with Web3-native mechanics, so campaigns are built on real incentives and game design, not just hype. Throughout the conversation he pushes on three pillars: smart mechanism design, serious distribution, and ongoing education for both founders and marketers. He also calls out how noisy the market has become, why pure attention metrics are a trap, and how the industry is shifting toward revenue, business ownership, and long-term thinking instead of short-lived pump cycles.
Takeaways
— The Giga Method is a framework for connecting proven Web2 tactics with Web3-native mechanics.
— Mechanism design, not just messaging, often decides whether a crypto project works or fails.
— Distribution should be treated as table stakes, built into the product and strategy from day one.
— Chasing attention for its own sake is misleading; durable value and outcomes matter more.
— Marketers coming into crypto need structured education to understand mechanisms, not only narratives.
— Long time horizons and patience are critical for building anything meaningful in crypto.
— The space is maturing from “eyeballs and impressions” to a revenue and P&L-focused mindset.
— Building real relationships with talent creates an alumni network that compounds over time.
— Knowing the history of crypto cycles helps you avoid repeating old mistakes and fads.
— The next wave of crypto marketing will center on owning real businesses and cash flows, not just tokens.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction to Crypto Marketing and Rare Minds
(02:34) The Evolution of Rare Minds and the Giga Method
(05:28) The Importance of Education in Crypto Marketing
(08:11) Building Relationships and Alumni Networks
(11:09) Understanding the Giga Method
(13:59) Mechanisms, Narratives, and Distribution in Crypto
(17:04) Attention vs Value in Crypto Marketing
(19:44) The Role of Community and Hidden Gems
(22:38) Conclusion and Future of Crypto Marketing
(24:01) Founders’ Growth Strategies
(24:38) Research and Feedback in Web3
(25:58) Long-Term Growth and Patience in Crypto
(28:32) Learning from Crypto History
(29:36) The Importance of Mechanism Design
(32:19) Critique of Attention Metrics in Crypto
(39:20) Kaito’s Business Model and Market Dynamics
(43:26) The Revenue Meta and Industry Maturity

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