From: thepipeline_xyz
The cryptocurrency industry, often perceived as a “Wild West,” offers unique opportunities and careers within blockchain communities for individuals, even those without traditional academic backgrounds or extensive resumes [02:08:08] [20:11:00]. Success in this space often hinges on authenticity, community engagement, and a willingness to learn and adapt [02:09:50] [20:26:00].
A Non-Traditional Path to Crypto Success
Pancakes_BR, a notable figure on crypto Twitter known for his “wholesome vibes,” exemplifies how one can forge a successful career in crypto without a conventional resume or university degree [00:59:00] [05:06:00] [20:16:00]. His journey highlights the emphasis the crypto space places on what an individual can deliver, rather than their credentials [20:37:00].
From Music Industry to Crypto Twitter
Pancakes_BR found crypto in 2017 while working in the music industry, managing artists since he was 18 [02:54:00] [02:57:00]. He initially observed from a distance, buying and losing money, eventually deciding to travel after a bad trading experience [03:07:00] [03:21:00].
In 2021, he jokingly created the “Pancakes_BR” Twitter account with the persona of being the “worst trader possible” [03:59:00] [04:06:00]. This persona evolved into him simply being himself – genuine, honest, and not engaging in online fights [01:40:00] [01:53:00] [02:03:00]. He saw this approach as a “growth hack” to networking in the space, particularly given the demand for marketing and business development (BD) professionals in 2021 [01:57:00] [04:57:00].
Building a Network and Gaining Trust
Recognizing he lacked a traditional resume and degree, Pancakes_BR strategically built his Twitter account to network his way into a job [05:08:00] [05:15:00].
He became deeply involved in crypto communities, notably joining Grug Hub, which he describes as “the highest Alpha group chat on Twitter” [05:33:00] [05:37:00]. He focused on building relationships by being himself, despite having no “Alpha” or technical abilities [06:03:00] [06:07:00].
A crucial decision was to refuse paid “shills” (promotions) even when he was financially struggling [06:22:00] [06:27:00]. He intuitively felt this would be better for his long-term reputation [06:30:00] [06:33:00]. This choice, combined with a lucky NFT sale, allowed him to attend conferences, meet people in real life, and build trust [07:07:00] [07:10:00] [14:15:00].
The value of trust
“If people trust you in this space the opportunities are unlimited.” [02:59:00]
He attributes his career shift to being “very, very good at” buying a token only for its price to go straight down [13:35:00]. Realizing he wasn’t suited for trading, he focused on finding ways to contribute to companies [13:50:00] [13:59:00].
Landing a Job and Sustaining a Career
His first job in crypto came from a “serious tweet” asking for employment, which was retweeted by a prominent account [07:47:00] [14:55:00]. This led to an offer from IDEX, a company he praises for their support, especially during a period of severe illness [07:57:00] [08:17:00] [15:31:00].
The Power of Networking
Knowing anonymous but respected individuals in person, as well as company representatives, builds significant trust and opens doors to opportunities beyond what can be achieved by simply hiring a random person from the timeline [14:17:17] [14:27:00].
Getting job offers even during a bear market reinforced his belief in the longevity of his career in crypto [16:47:00] [16:51:00].
Advice for Newcomers to Crypto Jobs
For those looking to enter the crypto job market without traditional credentials, Pancakes_BR offers several key pieces of advice:
1. Engage Authentically and Consistently
- Be Yourself (within reason): If you are naturally funny or can play a unique character, leverage that [36:17:00]. Otherwise, be genuine, kind, and empathetic [36:34:00]. Avoid being abrasive [36:27:00].
- Stay Light-Hearted: Don’t take things too seriously [36:43:00].
- Emotional Control: This is a huge advantage in crypto, whether for trading or networking [36:50:00]. Avoid getting “tilted” or engaging in arguments [37:19:00].
- Show Up Every Day: Consistent engagement is crucial [37:26:00] [37:52:00].
- Engage with Your Community: Reply to comments on your posts and respond to every DM for as long as it’s scalable [40:05:00] [40:10:00] [40:40:00]. This builds engagement and loyalty [40:44:00] [41:18:00].
- Reply to Important People: Engage with larger accounts and influential figures [41:39:00].
2. Prioritize Reputation Over Quick Gains
- Avoid Paid Shills: Turning down paid promotions, even when in need of money, preserves reputation and leads to better long-term opportunities [06:27:00] [41:50:00] [42:01:00].
- Long-Term Thinking: Focus on building a sustainable presence rather than short-term financial wins [42:28:00] [42:30:00].
3. Be Willing to Learn and Contribute
- Self-Teach: If you lack skills, find ways to teach yourself to be useful [38:57:00] [39:09:00].
- Start Small: Opportunities like being a community manager for a Discord server or helping in Telegram groups can lead to learning and further opportunities [39:40:00] [44:15:00].
- Give Value for Free: Offering help without immediately asking for something in return can open doors [41:50:00].
- Embrace Imposter Syndrome: It’s natural to feel like you don’t know enough, but this provides an opportunity to learn and gain skills from the inside [39:25:00] [39:36:00].
Practical Twitter Growth Tips
- Make most of your timeline your own tweets; don’t retweet too much [38:02:00] [38:07:00].
- Engage in “reply guying” – consistently replying to others’ tweets, especially prominent accounts [38:27:00] [38:29:00].
The Importance of Community and Authenticity in Crypto
The crypto job market deeply values community and authenticity. Companies often prefer to hire individuals who are genuinely part of the community and understand its culture [27:06:00] [31:07:00].
Understanding the Culture
Companies that understand and engage with the “fun meme culture” of crypto, rather than being overly corporate or tourist-like, are more likely to succeed [26:14:00] [26:52:00].
Reading the room, understanding the collective sentiment, and showing empathy are vital [31:57:00] [32:32:00]. When teams are genuinely part of the community, expressing these feelings comes naturally [33:19:00] [33:22:00].
The concept of crypto-native hires is crucial [29:11:00]. Founders and teams who have spent time in the community, garnered trust, and know the “thought leaders” and general user sentiment have a significantly higher chance of success [30:17:00] [30:44:00].
Avoiding Tribalism
Despite the “PVP” (player versus player) nature of some interactions, the crypto space overall should foster a “we’re all on the same team” mindset, especially when trying to achieve wider adoption and positive outcomes [50:46:00] [51:07:00] [51:19:00]. Infighting and tribalism, particularly during a bear market, can be detrimental [53:44:00] [53:51:00].
Ultimately, showing up every day, building a network, and being genuine are foundational elements for navigating the crypto job market successfully, even without traditional credentials [45:56:00] [46:00:00].