Networking for Resources

Hi frens,

I wondered why many entrepreneurs need to establish business connections. Can’t they just create a great product and rely on word of mouth to gain traction?

I also wondered why COSCUP encourages “40% listen to speeches, 60% make friends.” Can’t I just give a talk and discuss with the audience based on topics?

Surely I can. I’ve been doing so for years. It’s just that, networking is a great opportunity for product marketing or finding resources.

Besides, I’ve learned to build connections more naturally by making friends with those who share similar core values.

For example, I missed the first day of the Funding the Commons Taipei event but watched the livestream. On the second day, I didn’t attend any talks but spent most of my time connecting with friends.

Let’s look back how FAB DAO distributed funds from Gitcoin Grants 18, with “Grant is Great!” round. The cofounder of FAB DAO, mashbean.eth, shared the experience in English here and in Chinese there. I’d like to emphasize on this paragraph, which is missing from the English version:

Furthermore, based on the results of this participation, it is evident that this initiative did not reach a broader audience. Participants mainly consisted of DAO members and those familiar with Gitcoin. Despite "Blocktrend" being a well-known tech podcast in Taiwan, it did not attract more participants for fundraising support. This aligns with FAB DAO's previous experiences in nonprofit initiatives. Active participation requires robust community connections, and individuals decide to engage based on their interests, friends, and availability. The proportion of involvement from new members is relatively small, a phenomenon that both Gitcoin and GreenPill communities need to consider when organizing events.

Even those responsible for distributing funds need to establish more connections with those in need.

Your friend,

Denken