The web3 wave is shaking up the power structure of the freelance digital landscape. What does it entail? How will it benefit us? What knowledge tools do we need to learn to surf swiftly through its ocean?
You've come to the right place to seek answers. But, all humility aside, this is a web3 freelance guide you've been searching for.
How Web3 benefits freelancers
What is web3?
How Web3 works:
How to get started
How you can make $$$ with web3
Learning web3 resources
Before we jump into what web3 entails, let’s put the ball in your court. Why should you dedicate precious time to learning and incorporating web3 into your life? What are some of the benefits you can get? There are massive benefits. But let’s first dig into three main ones that any freelancer, no matter what profession, can use to their advantage:
Yes, these benefits can easily change how you manage your payments and even generate revenue. You might be excited to give them a try but still have one crucial question in your mind: what the hell is web3 anyway?
Let's turn that perplexed gaze into a comprehensive side smirk. Here's a straightforward web timeline to quickly understand how the web has evolved.
The transition from web2 to web3 attempts to solve a critical web2 issue. And that is that content generators and freelancers still rely on big-shot companies like YouTube, Spotify, Google, and Facebook to publish and share their creations with the world. These companies make colossal profits from their followers and popularity, but they are not being distributed fairly. For example, last year, Spotify made $7.8 billion, but artists only got a small share. In fact, for 1000 streams, they only got $3.80.
Web3 attempts to solve this issue by decentralizing money, networks & platforms, and ownership through new tools, resources, and concepts. This means that content generators or freelancers can finally stop relying on these platforms and gain more control over their content and profits. In addition, web3 eliminates the middle man so that you can start selling directly to consumers. This 2020 tweet pretty much sums this concept up in three lines. Sounds idyllic! But there's a whole process behind it. So let's get more insight into it.
In an attempt to build a new decentralized internet, Web3 uses blockchains, NFTS, and cryptocurrencies created and owned by users. These Web3 concepts are:
It starts with a Blockchain, a digital ledger that helps record transactions and track assets across many computers. To understand this concept, we can split the term into two parts. First, each transaction is recorded as a "block" of data. As these "blocks" connect, they become inseparable and form a "chain" of immutable data.
Who keeps the blockchain functioning? The people- the users. We're talking about node operators, developers, and miners. These new identities form a mutually beneficial network ecosystem that keeps blockchain alive.
So…. the next question is if web3 doesn't depend on big platforms, where does all of this action take place? Well, through decentralized apps, DApps are the ones responsible for driving web3. They run on a blockchain network of computers, preventing one authority from monopolizing ownership.
Every Dapp is powered by a token: a digitally native and programmable code that lives on a blockchain. These are stored inside crypto wallets: digital payment systems where users receive, keep funds, and purchase online and in-store from their computers.
Step 1: Opt for a cryptocurrency exchange to buy and sell tokens. The most accessible currencies for beginners are Coinbase, Gemini, BlockFi, and Binance. More advanced freelancers can look into decentralized exchanges such as SushiSwap - these are harder to use but have lower exchange fees.
Step 2: Create a token wallet to store your digital coins, NFTs, and other purchased tokens. Additionally, your wallet will be your gateway into web3. Like a Google account, your wallet allows you to log in to almost any web3 platform. For example, check out Metamask, Coinbase Wallet, or Rainbow.
Freelancers can use web3 in different ways depending on their profession or specialty.
It’s especially beneficial if you are a content creator. The good news is that many freelancers are creators and don’t even know it. We’re talking about creating art, design, writing, video, or even music.
If you decide to move your fantastic work from web2 into web3, you could find ways to generate more significant profits and avoid commission fees from platforms like Spotify. How? By selling your content as an NFTs through dApps in exchange for bitcoin. You don’t have to depend on a middle man. You’ll be able to monetize your articles, art, songs, and creations using intermediary-free apps. This could be a great way to fill up your crypto wallet for the first time.
That’s just the first taste of web3. Here are some how-to, inspirational success stories, learning resources, and tools, depending on your freelance profession, you can use to your advantage:
You can sell your article as NFT, charge a subscription fee for accessing your NFT articles or generate content for web3 startups. There are a lot of DApps you can start using to create your own platform and upload your content: Mirror, Sigle, Scriptarnica, Minds(for podcasts), and Bit Clout (the new web3 Twitter), or try accessing Web3 content creator job offers. Some writers that couldn’t find their way in the saturated web2 market have thrived in the web2. For example, Emily Segal raised 25 ETH (more than $50,000) within 24 hours for her novel Burn Alpha.
If we got your attention, you could learn about it in depth by reading this guide: A beginner's guide to Mirror, and the best monetization Blogging Guide (for web2 too).
There's an increasing demand for designing user-friendly Web3 app experiences. So why not give it a try? Of course, you’ll have to start learning how to use tools like Sketch, Lunacy, and Figma. Some of them are already common in your field. But you’ll also need to incorporate knowledge on the metaverse, but there are plenty of resources out there- just take a look at design case studies, web3 design principles guide, templates, and a page exclusively for web3 design news and trends.
There will be fashionable avatars in the metaverse and you could be the one to design and illustrate them and get paid for it. How? By creating and designing your own NFT avatars and wearables (digital fashion outfits) for metaverse projects such as Sensorium or Decentraland.
Old-school fashion brands already want to jump on this trend. For example, Dolce & Gabanna and Tommy Hilfiger will form part of the first Metaverse Fashion Show. Some NFT projects have already had important success if you're an illustrator, like Cryptopunks, the first-ever NFT avatar that sold at $24 million.
You’ll need to update your skills and knowledge on web3 if you want to be a part of this universe. We recommend you read guides like the ultimate avatar guide and how to create wearables. Regarding programs, fashion designers can start looking at Clo3d or Marvelous designer to learn to develop wearable collections. As a reference, right now, the top NFT fashion brands are:: The Fabricant and ouroboros.
When we talk about the metaverse universe, we’re talking about constructions, houses, buildings, and other beautiful places that people can walk in and out of. These will be designed for metaverse companies like Sandbox, Cryptovoxels, and Descentraland.
So of course- architects and designers will be on-demand. Actually, they are already being solicited to work on projects and it’s generating big profits. This market already grew by 700%, generating $500 million in profits last year. Some of the most popular metaverse projects are Zaha-Hadid’s., Metaverse architects, and Illusor.
If this sounds like your next big move we’ve got some resources in our web3 goodie bag. You can learn about it in our Workshops, Architecting the Metaverse, and watch this explainer video. You’ll also need to learn about these best 3D visualization tools: V-ray, Twin motion, and Enscape 3d.
We have already given you a specific example of how Spotify makes enormous profits from artists. That’s why renowned artists, like Hip-hop legend Nas, have already given the web3 world a try. In fact, he was the first artist to sell royalty rights to fans as NFTs.
Artists can use web3 to simplify the process of tracking, collecting, and distribution and get a more significant percentage of royalties. How? By generating song tokens and uploading their songs through apps like Royal or OpenSea.
You'll need more information, so take a look at these guides: Web3 tools for artists, What is Royal NFT marketplace?. Watch this tutorial video to learn to sell music NFT.
We already talked about how freelancers can earn money, but we also want to share a list of resources to win cash in the web3 world:
Before we leave you off to venture into the web3 jungle, here are some useful resources. If you want to read and learn more about web3, you can save some valuable resources in your to-read list.
Many digital prophets say that the next stop in this fast digital train is the web3 world. Is it the last chance to hop on it? Is this true? We leave that up to your criteria, but meanwhile, we want to equip you with the best tools, resources, and in-depth guide.
If Web3 happens to be the next destination, then trust us, you'll be traveling first class.
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