#58 The Least Boring Weekend Newsletter

Good Morning readers! ☕

Hope your weekend plans are all set!📺 

There will be no changes in the holidays. 🤔 

The White House is crafting an executive order that will direct federal agencies to regulate cryptocurrency "as a matter of national security." 🔒 

The national security memorandum would charge parts of the government with analyzing digital assets and developing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).        

Almund's newsletter will let you in on all kinds of tips for D2C brands and much much more. 

Alright, so let's get right to it! 

This newsletter is going to dive into :

 🚏 How will the metaverse change customer experience?

🌏 Patrón turns to a DTC spirits marketplace to release its first NFT

👌How To Win When Networking Professionally

📜 Top reads for this week

👩🏻‍💼 Plenty of jobs awaiting you!

So, scroll down already to THE VERY END & read up on what's yet to come your way!

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D2C x METAVERSE 

How will the metaverse change customer experience?

What impact will the metaverse have on customer service?

The metaverse, as we all know, is here to stay. It has already altered the customer experience in some way. 

But, how do you think it'll affect things? everything virtual? Imagine that. Do you want to meet some interesting new people in a virtual coffee shop? You'll be sitting at home, sipping your brew,☕️  but you'll be wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset to experience the café and chat with your new friends as a cartoon avatar. 👽 

Because your avatar will be measured for all of your key characteristics, from inner leg to collar size, the virtual fitting will be a precise process. (every single thing) 

These are just a handful of the experiences of the metaverse (there is more to it?)🥳, the massive virtual reality network that the computer sector is building, will enable. The metaverse is a virtual environment where you can exist as an avatar, character, or player. It provides an immersive virtual world or allows virtual experiences to be superimposed on the real world.🌎

To develop a positive image of the metaverse, Doug Stephens says we must appeal to our "better angels.👼 " Jonathan Manzi, co-founder, and CEO of blockchain provider Beyond Protocol envision an autonomous, yet democratic, decentralized, and enabling virtual reality. 

Manzi is enthralled by the possibility of creating a better experience than what Web 2.0 now offers, which has been eclipsed by the dysfunctionality of several social media📺  platforms. According to him, the metaverse will be a part of Web 3.0, the next stage of internet evolution.

This will make use of blockchain technology to create the truly egalitarian, participatory internet that its creators envisioned.

The metaverse, on the other hand, promises a plethora of experiences that might substantially improve consumers' lives for those prepared to put up with it. So, are you up for a virtual coffee date? Wearing a headset? ☕ 

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How To Win When Networking Professionally

A lot goes into networking professionally, especially when it comes to networking to build a DTC business from the ground up. While we’re working relentlessly to make better connections to build this community for all our fellow DTC-enthusiasts, we thought of ending this week by sharing our insight on the same! 

It’s tempting to make virtual connections on professional platforms with people, ever-ready to connect, who aren’t even related to the industry just to have a substantial follower count—we get it. With figures playing a major role in how a business is perceived online, this method is too easy, too alluring to turn away from. But can prove to be very detrimental to the business in the longer run. Let’s talk about why a professional network with the right kind can benefit you. 

👉🏼 Potential for growth

When you build a network with people of coherent interest (*cough* all-things-DTC *cough*), the sky’s the limit to the growth opportunities you can get from within the network itself, regardless of its size.

With everyone involved in the DTC space, one way or the other, you get personal access to decision-makers, DTC marketers, industry experts, CMOs, and many more! The possibilities to collaborate and work together on something new (or better) are endless. 

👉🏼 Mutual benefits

The DTC industry sure doesn’t run on charity. With each business working on keeping its ship🚢  afloat, networking with the right kind of people can allow you to work on projects and collaborations or partake in partnerships with other businesses which can prove to be beneficial to the involved parties. 💃 

👉🏼 A wider, relevant audience

With everyone involved in different aspects of the DTC space, your network can help you get access to a wider audience that is relevant to your business. Every connection can help get your next post or message to reach their extended network, allowing you maximum exposure.📪 

👉🏼 Steep learning curve

Learning from other businesses is a great tactic when you’re growing your own. With the perception of social media as a platform changing, many businesses take pride in being candid and transparent about their processes, problems, insights, and downfalls on social media platforms. 

Networking with different businesses gives you a sneak peek into their processes, helping you learn quicker and grow better. 

We’re sure that we aren’t even close to covering all the benefits of professional networking as a business. It can truly pave the way for your DTC brand to reach the top.🔝

So, let’s help you out!

We’ve learned from the industry’s finest, read through hours of tips, got to know numerous hacks to network better as a DTC business. And now, we’ve put it all together for you! 

🎯  Always Lead With A Goal

While it may sound too selfish or business-oriented to lead your request to connect or network with a mutual goal, it is a lot more effective. This helps you cut straight to the chase, wasting no time for you or the person listening to the request. It also helps you appear a lot more professional and put-together.  👭 

When the person knows the mutual benefits they might enjoy owing to this connection with you, they would be that much more proactive when conversing with you in the future. 

 💏Work On Developing Each Relationship

Networking as a DTC business is not at all about selling; you need to work to develop relationships with other business owners, CMOs, marketers, or other industry experts for them to lead to sales, recommendations, referrals, and word-of-mouth publicity. But it all begins with you forming a professional relationship/connection with them. (Start building your connections soon👭) 

Meeting new people at an event (virtual or in-person), exchanging information, and having a great conversation are the first steps to take. Being equally useful to them, then, helps build trust over time. 

 👔 Attend Business Networking Events

Attending business meetings and events is a sure-shot way of building your professional network. Overflowing with people associated with a range of companies, from small businesses to big corporations, everyone here is eager to meet new people, network📡 , and make the most of the opportunity. So, if events make you feel a little blue, don’t you worry! Don’t hesitate to show up for the event and let others guide you until you get a hang of how these networking events work. 

 📡  Use Networking Platforms

Professional networking platforms have proven to be useful in building professional networks for businesses across the world for years, especially since the outbreak in 2020. You can send personalized connection messages, network requests, and send cold pitches to businesses across the globe at any point of the day. 

As a DTC business starting and building a new network, you can exploit these platforms for maximum benefits. 

👥 Join Groups - Virtual Or Otherwise

Joining groups can bring you in contact with numerous people that may or may not be related to your industry but can sure help your business grow. These groups don’t necessarily need to be related to the DTC industry; it can be a recreational activity for you to be a part of such a group, attend their meetings, partake in discussions, and be a part of their events. This opens you up to a wider audience to network with. 

📞 Attend Conferences

Unlike groups, it would be beneficial if the conferences you attend were about the DTC industry. Spending time with fellow DTC-enthusiasts and industry experts at a conference and the after-party can give you enough time to make useful connections for your business. 

🙋 Ask For Suggestions

One of the ultimate benefits of networking, as stated above, is access to an extended audience through the connections you make.  With a handful of connections, you can reach 100-200 more people. So, you can begin small and ask your existing contacts and business partners if they’d like to recommend a professional for you to network with. 

👣 Make Efforts To Follow Up

To establish rapport with another working professional, you have to make efforts to keep the relationship going. Try to find some opportunities to reconnect with the members of your network at least once a year. You can stay in touch virtually throughout the year to ensure you don’t lose touch. 

🏃 Cut Straight To The Chase

If you’re networking with a new business owner, chances are they wish to connect with you as much as you do; if you’re networking with an established business owner, they’ve been where you are. Being straight with them about your goals with the connection and being bold about what you’re seeking is only going to make them appreciate your presence more. 

👉  Know Your Worth

Networking is a two-way street; if a potential connection isn’t reciprocating your efforts, it’s time you sever the ties completely. Regardless of where you stand as a DTC business, knowing what you’re worth and investing time in people interested in you is essential. 

Ah, there you have it! Those are our 10 hot tips when looking to build a professional network in the DTC industry. Now get networking!

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WHAT’S COOKING, HUH?

Patrón turns to a DTC spirits marketplace to release its first NFT

Patrón has partnered with BlockBar.com to launch its first non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace for booze and spirits🍷 , which claims to be the world's first direct-to-consumer NFT marketplace.

With its limited-edition Chairman's Reserve, Patrón Spirits Co. enters the NFT arena, joining a growing trend of businesses embracing digital commerce.

The limited-edition tequila will be sold only on BlockBar.com, which bills itself as the world's first and largest non-traditional marketplace for high-end or uncommon spirits and wines.😯

After purchasing the NFT from BlockBar, the buyer has the option of keeping the NFT while the actual bottle is stored in a safe location in Singapore ( We got nothing to worry about) or burning the NFT in return for the physical bottle.🍼

As proof of ownership, a certificate of authenticity is stored on the blockchain, while the encrypted version is safely stored by BlockBar. The buyer can trade or sell the NFT without worrying about its legitimacy.

“Brands and consumers face various obstacles in the spirits industry. Some of which include access, communication, storage, and authenticity. Our goal was to find a way for NFTs to solve a real problem in an industry. Utilizing blockchain technologies, BlockBar.com enables consumers to connect directly with brands and address many of the obstacles in the industry," said BlockBar co-founder Dov Falic 

Patrón's entry into the market is indicative of a growing trend. As of press time, the patron bottle costs 1.5 Ethereum, which works out to about $2,200. They are also available for purchase with a credit card. On April 1, 2022, you'll be able to redeem your BlockBar points. ( Let's redeem it💪) 

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TOP READS FOR THIS WEEK

🌏 Bokksu bags $22M Series A at a $100M valuation to deliver traditional Asian groceries to your home 

🎤 Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Lingerie Brand Raises $125 Million In Series C Funding After Opening First Retail Store 

👩 Digital Brands Group buys women's apparel brand Sundry for $34 million in cash plus $7.5 million in stock

🌎 Propy launches the NFT platform in the US, allowing the real-world property to be bought as an NFT. 

🎥 TikTok begins testing support for paid subscriptions.

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In need of a  job? We’ve got plenty awaiting you!

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CHOOSE SUCCESS below and have a great week! ‘Get that D2C business runnin’.