The Power of Current Roadmaps
Within NFT Collections in the Licensed and New IP space, there is a trend that has befallen the industry. An information stalemate.
As with all other articles on this blog, the following is a matter of opinion. Hopefully well thought out opinion, but opinion nevertheless.
The following isn’t about any particular project, it applies to most in the current space.
NFT holders are unhappy. Roadmap items are slipping, changing their intent, aren’t what they thought they were or are downright changed.
Catchups are held or not, questions are respectfully evaded, patience is requested, silent external pressures are present and invisible to all but the presenters.
Something needs to change in how information is conveyed and maintained. Projects frankly need to do better.
There is 2 sides to the situation
Customers: They want to know everything that is being currently worked on and will be delivered in the future. They will then make their own decisions based on the the information presented and whether they believe what is being said. The type of customer determines the level of patience and the types of information they wish to know. See previous article for different types of customers in this space.
The Project: The project wishes to present iron clad information, ideas that may happen and potentially profit off of speculation (even if they will never admit it).
It is understandable in any other space than the unregulated wasteland that is web3. A middle-ground of information currency must be found.
The Dilemma
Businesses don’t like telegraphing their moves. This is of course for business reasons and is a hangover from a shareholder > Business and Competitor > Business point of view.
They want to maintain consumer confidence, and deliver a consistent and tightly managed product.
With so many places for Web3 customers to place their liquidity, customers get upset when timelines aren’t met or roadmap items are seemingly shrugged off when mentioned.
NFT holders can be fickle and they are entitled to be so. Many have been mistreated by rugged projects. They aren’t here to play games. They can’t because they have learned if they do, it ends badly.
The Solution
- Face the music. Provide some updates, answer questions in Discord work better on genuine consumer confidence. NFT holder experience of rugging events usually involved long periods of silence.
- If a Q and A has off limit areas state that first. Better yet, set a theme for each gathering. This will allow different types of customers to get what they want.
- Projects need to maintain accurate documents with the currency of the items they have announced.
- If a roadmap or whitepaper changes update the central record. Don’t rely on customers to have listened/watched an AMA.
- Projects need to clearly state any utility of an asset they release and dispel myths. The days of gaining an advantage off of community speculated utility are numbered. If there is possible utility provide some detail, if there isn’t, state that too.
- Projects need an FAQ and relevant documents, that are meticulously maintained and allow anyone to be notified of updates. Alpha or changes dropped all over the place is inefficient and puts the most passionate advocates of a project at an advantage, (think insider information). New FAQs should be added on a regular basis, in response to community confusion or concern.
