How to get your next Web3 gig through networking

Written By Shirin Bucknam

(A 5-part guide for introverts, creatives, and ambitious witches) with examples.

By Dayana Aleksandrova 

I always joke that I carry the “gift” of networking. My grandmother was an absolute witch at it – people would bring her expensive bottles of whiskey and chocolates, furniture, and even do her landscaping for free… because she always helped others get what they want.

And this is your very first lesson about networking, witches. Networking is not social climbing. When done right, it’s not selfish or cringe. Networking is about creating a synergy between the people you meet so that they can easily achieve their goals. 

Today you’ll learn my top 5 proven strategies to use networking so you can get your next gig in the Web3 and crypto space. But it doesn’t end there… you can use these tips to grow your X account, get invited to speak on big stages, and find a team for your next entrepreneurial venture. 

Why listen to this witch?

In less than 11 months, I went from a newbie, not knowing what gas fees were, to speaking on big stages, including NFC Lisbon alongside industry legends Matt Medved and Beeple.

I recently served as the lead MC for ETH Bucharest and ETH Belgrade which resulted in landing four more opportunities to speak on stage this summer alone.

I also networked my way to a Content Manager position for a Layer 1 blockchain with zero prior DeFi experience (but a whole lot of transferable skills).

But it wasn’t too long ago that I didn’t know what gas fees were. My career in Web3 kicked off overnight and by chance. My partner Jay had dragged me to NFC Lisbon where chaos, creativity, and crypto talk swept me away from the world of Zuck-Zaddy-Instagram and threw me right into the epicenter of technology, innovation, and uh… dog memes. I was terrified and exhilarated at the same time.

My goal for you is to fully tap into the magic of networking so you can super-speed the course of your career and feel the confidence and joy in Web3, too. 

So let’s dive right in.

1. Give your “holy trinity” platforms a witchy makeover

Remember that episode of Sex and the City where Samantha meets Smith for the first time? Well… at the beginning, his name is actually Jerry Jerrod. Cringe. 

So Samantha decides to sprinkle her publicist dust and create the persona of Smith Jerrod - a cool, casual, charming young actor ready to take the New York social scene by storm.

Same here, lol. Before you kick off your Web3 networking journey, you need to upgrade your “holy trinity” Web3 platforms, meaning have a LinkedIn profile, an X account, and a portfolio that fits the vibe.

First of all, you want to inject specific keywords related to what you want to be doing into your profiles.

For example, my LinkedIn reads “Copywriter | Web3 | Blockchain | Event Speaker | Crypto Investor | Content Strategy | Course Creator.” These are the keywords that I want people to find me for on LinkedIn. 

Additionally, the opening of my “About” section on LinkedIn tells my network exactly what I’m looking for.

Do the same for X and don’t forget to tag the communities that you’re a member of because this will give you instant credibility. Bonus points if the art on your profile showcases what you do in action!

It helps to have your portfolio (whether you’re a speaker, writer, coder) and a short summary readily available for your new connections who are going to be bringing you leads.

This is mine. I built it for free on Notion in about 2 hours.

Now that you have this holy trinity in place, it’s time to spread the word.

2. Plant magical seeds

Now that you have your platforms reflecting how awesome you are and what you’re looking for, it’s time to start speaking to your network.

Write a post telling your connections that you’re looking for opportunities, which kind of opportunities, and what you bring to the table. Make sure to include creative - ideally, a photo of yourself in action.

Now, witches, I’m going to level with you. This can feel a bit intimidating. It can feel as if you’re desperate… but when written in a playful and casual way, it will have the opposite effect.

Here’s an example.

After I posted this to LinkedIn and X, people started hitting me up… This came from my friend Evelien who shared a really good lead (more on that later!).

Then, my friend Tyler reached out - he and I had met at a local meetup in Lisbon about a month prior.

I also had a DM from Nicole, a lovely girl my partner used to work with a year ago whom I ran into at an event the previous week.

Don’t worry if you don’t get a ton of replies right away. Very often, people would read the post and move on with their busy day, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t have in mind the seeds you just planted.

You want your network to be crystal-clear on what you want so they can refer opportunities to you.

3. Found a gig you like? Build a crumb trail!

My favorite approach to networking is two-fold. Yes, you want to share that “Here’s what I’m looking for…” post. But it doesn’t end there. You need to get proactive, witch.

Hop on your broomstick and scout the internet for opportunities that sound good. I personally like to check out Twitter, Discord, web3.career, Crypto Jobs List, the BeInCrypto jobs board, to name a few.

When you find a gig you want to apply for, go on LinkedIn and see who works there that you might know. Remember how I said I’d circle back to my friend Evelien’s message?

She had shared a job ad for a popular newsletter that I follow. So then I went on LinkedIn to build a crumb tail leading to someone I knew who worked for that project. And who should I see that works there - my girl Diana. 

So I hopped on X and messaged Diana…

I want you to notice, witches, that even though I’m approaching my contact for the purpose of landing a gig, I don’t sound stuffy or robotic. When you network, make sure to keep it casual. Don’t kiss a$$ and don’t be dry or boring.

Also, make sure you ask about how they’re doing; don’t just focus on what they can do for you. Turns out actually, that this friend of mine is going to the same event I’m going to later this year so I get to give her a hug in person, non-work related.

I always like to end conversations with “Let me know what I can do for you!” Because networking should always be a two-way street.

Earlier, we talked about planting seeds. It’s important to nourish your seeds into plants even when you get nothing in return. 

Let’s look at another example. A lovely girl that I met online works at a big crypto media publication. I had reached out on LinkedIn and told her that if they ever hire writers, I’d love to know.

Three weeks later, she shared a post from one of their Editors looking to fill a journalist role. So I asked her if it’s ok to list her as a referral and then messaged the Editor.

In a nutshell, I went through 2 rounds of interviews and a copy test, and they ultimately offered me a full-time job followed by a few weeks of training and a trial period.

Now, if you’re a nosy witch like I am, you’re probably thinking: “Did you accept, Dayana?! What happened?”

To close the loop on this story, the hiring process was wonderful, everyone was lovely but ultimately I turned down the full-time role because I’m not the 8-hours-per-day-at-a-desk type of witch.  

But the point is this: your application will carry 100 times more weight if someone from the team refers you. That’s because there’s existing trust and the referral contact is likely to know who would fit within the company culturally. 

In other words, your foot whole lower body will be in the door!

4. Become a matchmaker

One overlooked aspect of networking is that you need to create value for your contacts. I’m always running around introducing people. 

You know that famous line from How I Met Your Mother that goes “Haaave you met Ted?”

Yeah, this is what I do - literally. Or sometimes I’d say something like “Hey Chantelle, you must meet my friend Tom!” or “Claire, Andreea, you should be friends!”

And then I just walk away like that meme of the little girl who started a fire and peaced out grinning (but in a good way, of course!).

As I said at the beginning, networking is all about helping people get what they want. And in the process, you inevitably get what you want.

The simple psychological explanation behind networking is the law of reciprocity. When someone gives you a gift or does you a favor, you can’t help but feel like you owe them something in return. 

(This is why Trader Joe’s gives out cheese samples and Sephora gets us hooked on $150 perfumes packaged in potion-sized bottles.) 

It’s important that you help your connections get what they want in a way that is sincere. At times, you’ll do something for someone and get nothing in return – ever. And you need to be okay with that.

So open up that heart chakra and make some networking magic happen!

5. Join a coven

My final tip (for now) is to find your coven. I bet you already know this since you’re a member of Crypto Witch Club but if not… here’s what I mean.

Join as many communities for like-minded people as you can. And the options are endless, too! For example, there’s a DAO for just people named James(?!). There are a few core groups for women such as Crypto Witch Club, SheFi, Boys Club, and Crypto Girls Club.

There are communities for regens, degens, sci-gens… (I made this last one up just to trick you, lol). Find your people and start getting engaged. 

Check Discord daily and help members within the community. Organize a monthly masterclass to get exposure and give value. Volunteer to write, draw, or build something. 

Twitter has its “reply guys.” I want you to be the “value witch.” Spread your energy, plant your seeds, give in a genuine way, and opportunities shall rain on you in no time!

WANT MORE? 

We know money has magical powers. Crypto Witches harness our power through self custody, collective ownership, and financial independence. Join the club to connect with others also demystifying their financial future.

Dayana Aleksandrova is a copywriter, marketer, content creator, and event speaker in the Web3 space. She has been a freelance entrepreneur since 2017 and successfully scaled two businesses to six figures yearly. You can find her on LinkedIn, X, and her website or traveling around Europe as a digital nomad with her boyfriend Jay Rae.

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