Advice from a PR Professional on Learning the Crypto and Blockchain Space
And it doesn’t involve picking a few cryptocurrencies and HODLling…yet
If you’re in tech PR, you’re on the front lines when it comes to telling stories that make the products, companies and brands you represent more accessible to your audiences. A month ago today, I embarked on a new journey representing a mix of crypto and blockchain companies. As a PR professional in an increasingly hot space, I feel responsible for telling stories that help all different types of people make sense of the jargon and understand the value of the technology. No pressure…
Figuring out where to start, I asked around the office for advice, resources, anything I could get my hands on. And one of my coworkers shared these words of encouragement with me: “It’s like getting off a chair lift. You just have to stand up.” Aside from the fact that I’m terrible at skiing, I knew what had to be done.
Whether the learning curve feels too steep, you’re a pro trying to stay up on the latest or you’re trying to get smart about a new industry, here are the top three things that have helped me navigate this rapidly changing and fascinating world.
- Do your homework: listen
Instead of desperately searching the internet with queries like “sitting in bitcoin,” “blockchain easily explained,” “cryptokitties price,” “best way to engage crypto community” (those aren’t verbatim searches in my Chrome history), start with podcasts and do your reading from there. Even if you consider yourself a visual learner, there’s something about listening to a dialogue, especially in Q&A format, that really helps things click.
The best podcast I’ve found so far is Unchained. Somehow, host Laura Shin can unpack the most complex industry topics. Here are a few episodes I listened to early on (you know, 20 days ago) that got me this far:
How to Explain Cryptocurrencies And Blockchain To The Average Person
Crypto 101: Everything You Need To Know About Bitcoin, Ethereum, Blockchains, ICOs, And More
2. Talk it out and ask questions
This is the “standing up” part of the chair lift analogy. Now that you’ve tuned in and you’re processing all of this, you likely have questions, some that might seem elementary. But if you’ve done your research, chances are they’re perfectly legitimate and maybe even good. Start having conversations with friends, family, colleagues and clients, and don’t be afraid to ask those questions. A lot of people shy away from discussions because they’re afraid to be wrong, but it’s the only way to keep building. Don’t get in your own way.
If you can get a “that’s a good question” from your client and explain how you think blockchain is going to change the way we live to your parent, you are on to something.
3. Be patient
Learning something new takes time, particularly in an industry that’s changing quickly. The mountain awaits. Know that you’ll encounter things on a regular basis that will challenge what you’ve already learned and that’s OK. Hit the slopes!
