"Cardano - A beginner's guide" in German language

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

This book fills the gap by providing a comprehensive, easy-to-understand book about Cardano in German, making the technology accessible to German-speaking beginners and promoting broader adoption.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

For the successful completion of my project I'm relying on my network of distribution partners and a printing company I have worked with for over 10 years:

• The printing company specializing in high-quality non-fiction books, providing the perfect presentation. The production is sustainable and regional, which strengthens trust in the project.
• The book will receive an ISBN number from my publishing house. It is being considered to establish a new publishing brand to better promote the book.
• My publishing infrastructure enables targeted marketing and distribution of the book, including the creation of a unique brand.
• The book will be listed in the Verzeichnis lieferbarer Bücher (VLB) and distributed through my partners (KNV, LIBRI, Umbreit) in physical bookstores and online platforms like Amazon.
• Distribution in Austria and Switzerland will be managed either directly or through a yet-to-be-selected partner specializing in European non-fiction book distribution

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The book contents will be made open source for everyone to read for free in an online format.

The actual layout-files send to the printing company for the book production will likely not made open-source, since they produced just for printing and the value is limited for the general public.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Perception:

The core issue is the lack of beginner-friendly books about Cardano in German. Many German-speaking newcomers lack accessible resources to understand Cardano and its blockchain technology.

Approach:

I decided to write this book to fill this information gap and make Cardano accessible to German-speaking beginners. Using simple language and clear explanations, it makes complex topics understandable.

Target Audience:

My project targets German-speaking beginners in cryptocurrencies who are interested in Cardano but have little prior knowledge.

Proof of Impact:

I will review sales after six months to assess how many copies have been sold. Since titles are often taken on commission, it will take time to get accurate sales figures. Additionally, I will collect reviews to evaluate reader feedback.

Uniqueness:

This book is unique as it is the first comprehensive, easily understandable work about Cardano in German. It will help German-speaking beginners better understand the technology and its applications, ultimately promoting Cardano's acceptance and use. This is important for Cardano as it contributes to global spread and inclusion.

Preliminary Table of Contents:

Introduction to Cardano:

• Overview and History
• It's relationship to other Crypto-Currencies and its unique proposion
• Future roadmap

Blockchain Technology Basics:

• Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
• Bitcoin, Ethereum and the new generation of Crypto-Currencies

Cardano Architecture:

• eUTXO
• Consensus Protocol
• Nodes and Infrastructure

Wallet Usage:

• Purchase and Trading of ADA
• Wallet selection and Setup
• Connecting to dApps
• Security 101

Staking and Delegation:

• Basics and Benefits
• Comparison to other mechanisms

Smart Contracts, NFTs and dApps:

• Introduction and Examples
• DeFi
• NFTs & Real World Tokenization

Cardano Ecosystem:

• Projects and Partnerships
• Popular Applications
• Partner Chains
• Digital Identity
• Future Development

Governance:

• On-Chain Governance
• dReps
• Intersect

Philosophy:

• The financial operating system of the world
• Reclaiming financial freedom & identity

Regulation and Legal Aspects:

• Legal Framework

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The project will positively impact the broader Cardano community by enhancing the understanding and application of Cardano technology among German speakers. By providing resources in German, we enable more individuals to engage with and realize the potential of Cardano, fostering technological education and supporting the adoption of Cardano as a leading blockchain platform. This initiative not only strengthens the community by creating access to information and educational opportunities but also contributes to Cardano's global spread and acceptance.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

My ability to carry out this project with high levels of trust and accountability is supported by over ten years of experience in the publishing industry and more than 40 successfully published titles.

My profound knowledge of the German-speaking book market, combined with my expertise in communication and distribution, enables me to deliver a high-quality result. Additionally, I have an established network that ensures the distribution of my books both in physical bookstores and online.

While my professional experience has mostly been with architecture-related books, I'm confident that I can transfer a great portion of that knowledge to this field. I've been actively following the crypto space, especially the Cardano ecosystem, for quite some time now, and I believe I can bring value to the table by leveraging my professional knowledge in this area. I also believe that books made in high-quality fashion (and not just cheaply printed softcovers) can reach a different audience than previous publications.

For the content, there are already good English-language publications that can serve as a solid foundation for a German-language introductory book. But I'm planning to give some additional perspective and focus more on the philosophical side, the upcoming on-chain governance, and the challenges in a fast-changing world.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Concept and Content Development

Goal: Complete creation and approval of the content concept and outline of the book.

Deadline: Within the second month of project initiation.

Outcome: A detailed table of contents and comprehensive structure of the book

Manuscript Completion

Goal: Complete the writing of the manuscript, including all chapters and supplementary materials such as graphics and tables.

Deadline: By the end of the fourth month.

Outcome: A fully edited manuscript ready for layout.

Layout and prepress

Goal: Creation of a layout, execution of proofreading, and preparation of a print-ready file.

Deadline: By the end of the sixth month.

Outcome: A print-ready book file that can be sent to the printer.

Printing and Production

Goal: Printing and binding of the first edition of the book.

Deadline: Within one month after the manuscript completion.

Outcome: Finished printed copies of the book, ready for distribution.

Marketing and Distribution

Goal: Launch of the book in the market through targeted marketing campaigns and establishment of distribution channels.

Deadline: By the beginning of the eighth month

Outcome: The book is available through various channels and reaches the target audience via specific marketing efforts.

Ensure availability in the book market

The book should be actively distributed on the German book market for a minimum of two years after its launch, which will be accompanied by press releases and reviews. This extended distribution period is intended to ensure that the book reaches a wide audience and has a lasting impact. The goal is for the book to contribute significantly to educational efforts in its field, providing valuable knowledge and insights to readers over an extended period.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Christian Zilisch:

https://de.linkedin.com/in/christian-zilisch-898207170

As the Managing Director and Co-founder of the Deutscher Architektur Verlag, I am personally taking charge of this challenging project. I will handle the conception as well as the content and graphic design of the book and initiate the printing preparations. With my experience in the publishing industry and my expertise in technical publications, I aim to design this book to be both informative and accessible. It will be placed not only in the German book market, but I will also take care of the marketing and distribution in the German-speaking region to ensure that this important topic reaches a wide audience.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Although the usual hourly rate in Germany for project management in book creation and editorial work would be at least 85 Euro, this project has set a reduced hourly rate of 50 Euro per hour. This adjustment allows for the reduction of the overall project costs while still providing the necessary resources to produce and market the book with high quality. By lowering the hourly rate, financial resources are used more strategically, particularly to ensure high printing quality and effective distribution and marketing measures, which are crucial for the success of the book

1.Concept Development

• Duration: Approx. 2 months
• Cost: 19,200 ADA
• Description: This phase involves developing the fundamental concept of the book, including defining the topics and structure, as well as research.

2. Content Implementation

• Duration: 2 months
• Cost: 19,200 ADA
• Description: In this stage, content is written based on the developed concept and prepared for further processing.

3. Layout, Typesetting, and Print Preparation

• Duration: 1 month
• Cost: 9,600 ADA
• Description: Designing the layout and typesetting of the book, including preparing all files for printing.

4. Distribution and Marketing Preparation

• Duration: 1 month
• Cost: 9,600 ADA
• Description: Planning and preparing marketing and distribution strategies to successfully launch the book.

5. Printing

• Cost: 27,000 ADA
• Description: High-quality printing of the book in hardcover format with thread stitching, embossing, and about 112 pages, printed on sustainable, high-quality paper in size 22x28 cm. Edition: 1,000 copies.

6. Distribution and Marketing Implementation

• Duration: 1 month
• Cost: 9,600 ADA
• Description: Active implementation of distribution and marketing strategies to promote and sell the book.

Total Cost: 94,200 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The costs associated with this book project represent excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem, especially considering the strategic investment in high-quality design and effective marketing. The decision to use professional design and premium materials is aimed at enhancing the book's appeal and perceived value, which is crucial for attracting and retaining readers. High-quality book design has been proven to significantly boost readers' trust and interest, which is important for sales success .

The cost structure was carefully calculated to be economical while still achieving high-quality outcomes. The hourly rate of 50 Euro, though below the typical freelance rate of 85 Euro in Germany, was chosen to keep the project budget-friendly while still ensuring high-quality execution. This cost adjustment allows for the financial resources to be strategically allocated to high-quality printing and effective distribution and marketing efforts, which are essential for the book's success in a competitive market.

In addition to direct book sales, the project can indirectly contribute to value creation within the Cardano ecosystem by spreading knowledge and interest in Cardano and encouraging readers to engage more deeply with the underlying technology and its applications. This educational contribution can have long-term positive effects on the entire community by promoting understanding and acceptance of Cardano as a leading blockchain platform.