Marketing 101 for Startups: Token Launches, Memes, Reaching Devs & More
Marketing 101 for Startups: Token Launches, Memes, Reaching Devs & More  
Podcast: a16z crypto show
Published On: Thu May 22 2025
Description: with @kimbatronic @amandatylerj @clairekartWelcome to web3 with a16z. Since our show covers both tech trends and company building, today’s topic is all about marketing — including differences between marketing in crypto and traditional tech.The conversation shares a candid look at what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to building reputation and community, attracting developers, hiring teams and agencies, launching tokens, raising founder profiles, and more.Our experts are:... Amanda Tyler, who was most recently Head of Marketing at the Optimism Foundation (and was formerly at Polygon, Coinbase, and Google);... Claire Kart, Chief Marketing Officer at Aztec (who previously was at Risc Zero and SoFi);... in conversation with Kim Milosevich, CMO at a16z crypto (who was formerly VP of Comms at Coinbase, and who has spent decades in tech at a16z, Skype, Yahoo, and elsewhere).Timestamps(0:00) Introduction(1:41) The Role of Marketers(4:52) Tech Marketing vs. Crypto Marketing(6:34) Understanding the Core Audience(10:56) Marketing for Ethereum and Layer 2 Projects(16:09) The Role of Community Managers and Developer Relations(25:21) Token Launch Strategies(34:42) Building Founders' Profiles (Without Being Cringe)(38:53) How to Support Founders(40:55) When to Hire (43:05) Consultants vs. Agencies(46:08) Structuring a Marketing Team(48:27) Finding and Hiring Talent(50:36) Building an Editorial Content Operation(53:39) International Marketing Strategies(56:41) The Role of Events(1:01:48) Memes and Crypto Culture (1:04:57) ConclusionAs a reminder, none of the content should be taken as investment, business, legal, or tax advice; please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information, including a link to a list of our investments. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.