You are a Web3 builder challenging for the $200k prize pool in the HyperHack. You also would not mind a share of the Spotlight Campaign $7500 prize pool. So ‘wen marketing’? Now it is time to make the most of your $500 marketing credits and build an initial community and user base.
This post gives you a set of specific growth strategies you can copy or adapt. Many brilliant developers are not sure how to approach marketing. That is completely normal. These ideas are designed to give you a structured template or just a starting point.
Use these steps exactly as written or get creative and put your own twist on them. And remember, you are free to use the $500 however you want. Any creative marketing tactic is fair game.
I. Foundation: Define Growth Goals and Core Metrics
Before spending anything, get clear on what success looks like.
Set Clear Objectives
Do you want more dApp testers, Twitter followers, DAO voters, or product feedback? Pick one or two core goals and let them guide all your actions.
Identify Target Audiences
Are you speaking to developers, early users, Metis fans, or curious crypto explorers? Your content should meet them where they are.
II. User Acquisition: Low-Cost, High-Impact Plays
Your $500 is enough to bring in users fast. Focus on plays that drive visibility and measurable results.
Quest Campaigns (TaskOn, Magic Square, Zealy)
These platforms let you reward users for completing actions like following your Twitter, testing your dApp, or joining your Telegram. TaskOn and Magic Square are partners of HyperHack so we highly recommend them and they will be fast to support you if you run into any issues.
Quest Playbook:
- Choose your platform
- Add 5 to 7 simple engaging tasks
- Tasks can be interacting with your key tweets, joining socials, onchain interactions, promoting your project etc
- Set aside $100 to $150 in rewards
- Promote across Twitter and the Hyperion Forum
Twitter Ads for Targeted Growth
Twitter is where your early users live. Whether you are building for devs, degen traders, or DAO voters, this is where they spend time. Use part of your budget to get in front of them.
You have two options:
- Boost Promote a tweet:
Pick a tweet with a strong call to action. Major announcements and creative marketing tweets can be boosted. It should explain your value clearly and include a link to your dApp, quest board, or community.
Use the built-in Promote Boost feature.
Boost Tweet Playbook:
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Click the Promote button in the right hand corner of the tweet
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Select one country to target
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Select a specific age range (for example, 18 to 45)
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Start with a $10 boost over 24 hours and assess results
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Track analytics and iterate
- Create a sponsored Ad campaign
This gives you deeper targeting options. You can reach people based on who they follow and what keywords they engage with. This approach works if you are looking for a precise type of people to connect with. For example Web3 AI developers or AI product testers.
Sponsored Ad Playbook:
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Use Twitter’s Ads Manager
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Select your preferred targeting options (location, demographics, keywords, interests etc)
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Run a few $10 Ads over 24 hours and wait until you have a decent performing Ad before you scale up the spending
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High performing Ads in crypto in general can have something like a Cost Per Click (CPC) of $0.5 and engagement rates of 5%+. However, this varies largely depending on your specific demographic targeting.
Short Video Content
Spend around $100 on a 10-20 second trailer that shows off your product, vision, or vibe.
Video Playbook:
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Keep it short and energetic
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Include exciting background music, key words, product screenshots, clips of your UX etc
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Post it on Twitter and pin it
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Boost the tweet to reach more people
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You can create the video yourself if you have basic editing skills
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Hire a third party for around $100
If you need help finding someone, reach out to the Metis team for recommendations. Check this Forum post for more video creation tips.
It does not have to be a video either. You could create GIFs, memes, tutorials, infographics, or other visual content that quickly communicates your value and grabs attention. This type of content gives a strong first impression and helps convert curious visitors into active users.
III. Engagement and Retention: Keep Users Coming Back
Initial traction is important. Long-term loyalty is what wins.
Host a Twitter Space AMA
Host one or more casual Spaces AMA on Twitter. Consider offering $50 to $100 in prizes to listeners who ask great questions or a random winner in a lucky draw to increase attendee numbers.
AMA Spaces Playbook:
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Promote the Space 3-7 days before
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Connect with Metis influencers, ecosystem players, the main account to see if they will share it or join
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Use the opportunity to tell you and the projects story, get early user feedback, be personal
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Run a Q+A
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Give listeners call to actions like test your product or join socials
Join a Hyperion Vibe Session
Every Spotlight team must join one. This is your live moment with the Metis community.
Vibe Session Playbook:
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Keep your pitch under 20 minutes
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Share your screen and show the product/website/anything you have
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Keep it interactive by asking the DevRel team questions to make sure they are on the same page and understanding your pitch
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Monitor the youtube live chat and answer any questions that pop up live
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End with clear calls to action like test this app or join our group
This is your first impression for many in the ecosystem. Make it count.
Stay Active in the Hyperion Forum
Use the HyperHack section of the Hyperion Forum to share progress updates, ask for feedback, and connect with other builders. This is your space to be visible and build momentum.
Final Advice: Copy What Works and Make It Yours
Feel free to copy these playbooks directly. That is what they are here for. But do not be afraid to go off script and build your own version. If you team are not confident with marketing then we strongly recommend you consider bringing in a marketer.
Don’t know one? Share your project and needs in the Marketing Guild and connect with marketers here.
You are building something great. Now show the world. Get creative and make your $500 marketing credit count!
