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Crypto Ambassador Programs for Viral Growth

19.06.2024
Vlad Svitanko
19 min
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In the rapidly evolving landscape of web3, the ability to capture and retain user attention is more critical than ever. As the blockchain space becomes increasingly saturated with innovative ideas and projects, distinguishing your product amidst the noise is essential.

This is where web3 ambassador programs come into play. By leveraging the enthusiasm and knowledge of dedicated community members, these programs help amplify narratives and build an engaged, informed user base that drives your project towards its milestones.

This article delves into the evolution of crypto ambassador programs, offers an insider’s look at their key features, provides a step-by-step guide on launching one, and presents a case study on the successful Injective’s Ninja Master Ambassador Program, a DeFi-centric Layer 1 blockchain that has been successfully running its ambassador initiative for over one year today, entering investment portfolios of more than 46,000 unique wallets.

LFG!
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How It All Started & Goes Today

The concept of a crypto ambassador program began to take shape in the early years of blockchain technology emerging to power P2P (peer-to-peer) value transfers.

It was the time when increasingly more crypto enthusiasts would realize that supporting the projects building out the new Internet infrastructure and stacking their coins would yield high both short and long term. Many delivered and keep delivering on these expectations.

First ambassador programs were purely community-driven (web3, let alone web3 marketing wasn’t a thing quite yet back), early adopters were eager to spread the word about this cool new network— be it Dash, Stellar, or Dogecoin — taking down borders and disrupting the accepted practices of custody of funds.
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Early Blockchain Word-Spreading Initiatives

You had to set up an entirely new blockchain network just to launch a memecoin back then, which the $DOGE case is. A largely obsolete technology but a MIGHTY community with the unique ethos of the first-ever memeable coin.

Fun fact

The paradigm shifted from third parties like banks having the final say over your funds to self-custody wallets.
On-chain ambassador programs — closer to the ones we know today — entered the stage around 2015, when the Ethereum blockchain launched, allowing entrepreneurs to launch self-executing smart contracts and build entire applications on-chain.

Advent of Smart Contracts & Blockchain-Powered Products

Timeline

Web3 growth strategies involving ambassador programs started gaining traction around 2015, coinciding with the maturation of the crypto ecosystem.
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Smart-contract-capable blockchains also enabled retail investors to hold a direct stake (intermediary-free) in projects they believed in with fungible tokens.

The very possibility that we all almost take for granted today.

Project tokens gave the crypto realm even more hype thanks to a strong feeling of ownership and belonging in what you spend efforts supporting.
Suddenly, there were not only blockchains to gain communities, but hundreds of fledgling undertakings built on top of them, and each needed a galvanized following to self-validate and keep running.
Now it was founders first, who’d plan out and run ambassador programs to promote their projects, then pass the ball to their supporters to broadcast the value prop with a detailed list of tasks, not the other way around.
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The Polkadot blockchain inviting crypto enthusiasts to join their ambassador program in 2019.
Voluntary shilling work evolved into project-run programs.

The web3 space was still very nescient and demand was consistently higher than supply.

People were pumped to join any blockchain ambassador program, learn about the next generation of online services powered by blockchain these programs intended to promote, and spread the word to ultimately secure an opportunity to earn something from the founding team, like a share of tokens, which became known as airdrop in crypto.

An airdrop wasn’t a certainty for each project running an ambassador program though. Teams often decided on the go whether they wanted to drop something to their community or not depending on the traction, and specifics were never advertised. Each new airdrop by a trending project would generate massive excitement and coverage for the team that did it.
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Some projects intentionally never mentioned any token distributions to their community or communicated vaguely to create strategic ambiguity.

When they did announce an airdrop, crypto Twitter (X) would rave about this generous move, bolstering respect and trust for their product.
The Uniswap DEX unexpectedly announced their $UNI airdrop in September 2020.
As time went by, airdrop distributions by web3 platforms to their ambassadors and community became a given because supporters expect a return on all the buzz they generate for projects.
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The Zerion DeFi wallet’s Ambassador Program’s page almost explicitly mentioning that outstanding ambassadors will get their fair share.

Building Community with Ambassadors Today

Today, web3 users are increasingly more discerning about what they want to pay attention to.

Whole social media accounts and websites like Coinlaunch and, quite literally cryptoambassadorprograms.com, are starting to snipe for the best blockchain ambassador program opportunities as early as possible.

The on-chain landscape is saturated with ideas and projects, and only those who craft engaging incentive activities around their product’s functionality — educating about its utility and teaching to leverage it — to give enthusiasts hope through perceived value, only such projects climb to the top.

The best tech can remain sidelined without an army to spotlight it.

This is where blockchain ambassador programs shine: amplifying your narrative, attracting an engaged community that knows how to use your product and where to apply it, and multiplying its perceived value until you arrive at your roadmapped milestones.

A well-structured ambassador program will get you there.

Web3 Ambassador Program: Under the Hood Look

A robust crypto ambassador program can greatly benefit the community by offering trustworthy information, aiding newcomers, and nurturing a welcoming environment.

For the project, ambassadors act as an influential arm of the team, expanding its presence and sway in the crypto world.

Main Goals

The core goals of a blockchain ambassador program are centered on three essential elements: growing a community, promoting knowledge, and advancing the project’s reach.

Selected for their passion, comprehensive understanding, and strong commitment, ambassadors serve as the reps of the community for the undertaking.

Their responsibilities include:
  • promoting the initiative
  • explaining its standout attributes to newcomers,
  • and encouraging mass adoption through natural, community-driven endeavors.
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The Zerion website showcases the crypto wallet’s ambassador program and target groups in June 2024.
Ambassadors are the beating heart of a project's community, often forming the first line of contact and creating a ripple effect that broadens the project's reach.

Ambassador Selection Process & Program Structure

Crypto ambassador programs usually follow a clear process to choose and welcome community representatives.
During the selection, candidates apply or get nominated, demonstrating their knowledge of the blockchain-powered project, their ability to communicate effectively, and their strategies for spreading the word in their circles.
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Once chosen, ambassadors are usually trained, given materials, and special insights into the project’s progress. Coordination of the crypto ambassador program mainly takes place on the project’s Discord server.

Ambassadors start with roles that reflect their current contributions and can advance as they submit work and become more familiar with the product.

People with specific skills are often recognized with roles matching their specialty, like Dev or Writer.
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Ambassador Duties

Crypto ambassadors have a range of duties that mirror the dynamic nature of community support. Their activities include:

Social Media Engagement

Ambassadors regularly post updates, news, and informative content on different social platforms, helping to shape a reliable and favorable image of the project.

Here’s an Injective ambassador posting about an event the Injective team would participate in.
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Educational Activities

They are key in informing the community about the project’s tech, applications, and distinct aspects through webinars, blog articles, or forum discussions.

Event Representation

Ambassadors often attend industry events, fostering connections, drawing new members, and boosting the project’s reputation.

Router Protocol’s Dev Ambassadors hosting a workshop:
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Community Feedback

They act as a bridge for community feedback to the team, fostering openness and aiding the project’s alignment with community preferences.

Ambassador Advantages

Being part of a web3 ambassador program brings several perks:

Early Alpha

Ambassadors get first-hand updates, features, or news about token releases, keeping them ahead of the curve to inform others.

Building Connections

They gain valuable connections by attending events and forums, meeting peers and experts in the crypto field.

Skill Improvement

The role helps ambassadors improve their communication, marketing, and leadership abilities, aiding their growth.

Rewards

Programs often reward ambassadors with incentives or tokens, acknowledging their contributions.

Challenges & Strategies

Despite their advantages, crypto ambassador programs face challenges like managing a varied ambassador team, ensuring uniform messaging, and resolving conflicts.
Finding the right mix of independence and direction is key to their success.

Diversity Management

A systematic method is needed to handle ambassadors from various cultures and locations effectively.

Uniform Messaging

Ambassadors must align with the project’s core messages. This requires clear rules and ongoing updates and training.

Conflict Resolution

Setting up definite protocols for resolving disputes is vital for smooth operation within the ambassador community and with the project team.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Web3 Ambassador Program

Step 1: Assess Community Health

Before launching an ambassador program, assess the current state of your community. Identify the most active channels, member engagement levels, and areas needing improvement.

Step 2: Research Best Practices

Study successful ambassador programs to understand their structure and strategies. Look for commonalities such as detailed application processes, onboarding documentation, and clear reward mechanisms.

The most recent amazing examples are Injective’s (L1 blockchain), Canto’s (L1 blockchain), Reveel’s (multi-chain & multi-wallet account solution), and Gagarin Launchpad’s.

Step 3: Launch Thoughtfully

Design a clear and engaging landing page for the program.

Simplify the application process to reduce friction and ensure a robust tracking system for managing applications.

Step 4: Design Reward Mechanisms

Create a goal-oriented reward system to maintain excitement and motivation among ambassadors. Consider a tiered token reward pool for task completions and consistent engagement.

Step 5: Create a Comprehensive Playbook

Develop a detailed playbook covering the program’s mission, structure, tasks, rewards, and best practices.

Leverage specialized platforms like Zealy, Galxe, TaskOn, ⚡️claimr, and others to bring structure and uniformity to your tasks and distribute them most effectively.

Regular updates and communication are essential to keep ambassadors aligned and informed.

Case Study: The Ninja Masters Ambassador Program

The Injective blockchain's Ninja Masters Ambassador Program has significantly impacted both the activity on the blockchain and its community's growth.

Injective Growth Since Program Launch

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Word has it that you have to have a product/concept that actually delivers convincing utility and solves real problems when you finally gain your initial community in web3.

In dissecting Injective’s success we wouldn’t like to take away the spotlight from the blockchain’s dev and marketing teams doing a tremendous job putting together a super fast DeFi-centric blockchain ecosystem.

So Kudos to Eric Chen (CEO), Albert Chon (CTO), Julie Lee (CMO), and the team!

Our goal here is to underscore how the Ninja Masters Ambassador Program amplified the Injective crew’s efforts and supercharged the community around the infrastructure they’re growing.

Now, let’s take a peek and analyze at the 4 months following the program’s launch.

TVL Booms

Starting at $213 million in February, and growing to $265 in March, the total value locked (TVL) on Injective reached over $495 million by July 2023, showcasing significant growth in user engagement and financial activity.

Token Is Eagerly Staked

The number of $INJ stakers grew by 22% in just one month following the program’s introduction, indicating increased trust in Injective’s native asset within the community.

Trading Volume on Key DEX Booms

Around the time when Injective’s ambassador program launched in February 2023, the chain's key DEX, Helix, became one of the fastest-growing decentralized exchanges in crypto and entered the top 10 DEXs, according to CoinMarketCap, attesting to the chain's growing popularity.

Its trading volume jumped to $286 million in February, reaching a peak daily trading volume of $85 million.

By June 2023, Injective’s Helix achieved yet another impressive milestone, surpassing an impressive $10 billion in cumulative trading volume, solidifying its position as a top 10 DEX.
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Tx Volume Spikes

  • In February, Injective processed over 170 million on-chain transactions.
  • In March 2023 it rose to 189 million.
  • The June 2023 tx volume pumped to 243 million.

Community Flourishes

Since its launch, over 200,000 ambassadors (by April 2024), or "Ninjas," have joined the program, contributing to a more engaged and active following.

These indicators demonstrate the program's effectiveness in driving significant growth and fostering a vibrant, engaged community around the Injective blockchain.

Program Structure

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The Ninja Masters Ambassador Program consists of five rankings:
  • Ninja
  • Warrior
  • Knight
  • Lord
  • Master
Each rank offers increasing rewards and responsibilities, encouraging continuous engagement and contribution.
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Tasks and Contributions

Ambassadors can contribute in various ways, such as:

  • Content Creation
Writing blogs, producing videos, and creating educational material to spread awareness about Injective.

  • Social Media Engagement
Promoting Injective on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by sharing updates, engaging with community posts, and participating in discussions.

  • Technical Development
Contributing to the development of the Injective ecosystem by writing code, developing dApps, or providing technical support.

  • Meme Creation
Designing and sharing memes that highlight Injective’s features and benefits in a fun and engaging way.

  • Community Management
Organizing and managing local and online community events, moderating forums, and providing support to new members.

High-quality contributions are rewarded with points that help ambassadors level up their rank.

Rewards and Incentives

The program offers a wide range of rewards, including:

  • Exclusive Giveaways and Merchandise
Participants can receive branded merchandise and participate in special giveaways.

  • Early Access to Projects
Ambassadors gain early access to new projects and features within the Injective ecosystem, allowing them to test and provide feedback before public release.

  • $INJ Token Rewards
Higher-ranking ambassadors (Knights and above) receive INJ token rewards, which can be used within the Injective ecosystem or traded on the market.
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  • Future Airdrops and Special
Perks Ambassadors are eligible for future airdrops of new tokens and other special perks as a recognition of their contributions and loyalty to the Injective community.
Higher ranks unlock additional benefits and opportunities for ambassadors.
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Want Ambassadors But Don’t Know How?

Crypto ambassador programs have gone from grassroots efforts to strategic powerhouses that drive blockchain projects forward. These programs tap into the passion and expertise of dedicated supporters, amplifying reach, boosting community engagement, and driving adoption.

Take Injective's Ninja Masters Ambassador Program, for instance. With clear goals, strong support, and incentives, Injective has seen a surge in growth — spiking metrics like TVL and tx volume — while building a dynamic and loyal community. This shows how a well-run ambassador program can put a project on the map and create a committed user base.

In the ever-evolving web3 world, community-driven growth is crucial, and ambassador programs are a game-changer for that.

These programs will only gain more relevance to web3 growth strategies as the crypto space evolves.

Bottom Line

Let’s talk so you can leverage community enthusiasm to ensure your blockchain-powered project gains momentum and is understood and embraced in web3.
For example, the application form for the ambassador program of Polyhedra, a blockchain protocol providing scalable interoperability, asks applicants to share:

  • what motivates them to become their ambassador

  • how much time they can commit

  • references from other projects

  • if they’re currently involved in other programs
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