Project Catalyst and Cardano Ecosystem Marketing Campaign

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

William Shelton

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Anthony Leon: Account manager at Coinbound (aleon@coinbound.io)

Ty Smith: Founder & CEO at Coinbound

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

12

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

No

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

Leverage the Coinbound.io team for partnerships with top-tier media outlets. Implement influencer marketing and paid advertising strategies to amplify Cardano's visibility to new investors and devs.

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

Yes

[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.”

The only dependency is onboarding the projects to market them

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

Yes

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

To guarantee transparency and inclusivity within the community, in-depth reports will be meticulously crafted following each advertising campaign. These reports will offer detailed insights into the campaign's objectives, strategies deployed, and resulting outcomes, coupled with analytics data extracted from the platforms utilized. The coinbound.io team will spearhead the monthly reporting process, maintaining a dedicated team to fulfill these obligations, thereby ensuring thorough reporting and consistent communication with both the Project Catalyst team and the community at large.

The strategies employed will be meticulously documented, encompassing various aspects such as audience targeting methodologies and comprehensive analyses of campaign performances. Furthermore, we will distill best practices and invaluable lessons learned into actionable insights, thereby enabling continuous improvement and refinement of future campaigns.

Active community engagement will remain a top priority, facilitated through feedback sessions and regular updates. This approach will cultivate a collaborative environment conducive to knowledge sharing and collective growth within the community, thereby fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment among its members.

[METADATA] Horizons

Marketing

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The proposed solution is an Advertising Campaign with coonhound.io to increase visibility to protocols for governance, decentralization, security and more. It will also provide visbility to top Cardano Project Catalyst Proposals and top Ecosystem Projects which includes dApps, interoperability (bridges), decentralized finance (refi), meme coins (husky, sneak), NFTS, and infrastructure in the Cardano Community with coinbound.io, Cardano Curation and William Shelton/Start-up Rutgers University Advisory Board: The team will even seek to use coinbound.io's listing services to get projects listed on tier 1 exchanges. By partnering with Coinbound.io, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in blockchain and cryptocurrency, our aim is to execute a comprehensive and impactful campaign strategy.

Selection Criteria: Our selection process will be rigorous and meticulous, ensuring that only the most promising and impactful projects are featured. We will prioritize projects that have achieved significant development milestones and have fully functional products within the Cardano ecosystem. Key criteria for selection include technological innovation, scalability potential, community engagement, market viability, and alignment with Cardano's core principles. Additionally, community input will play a vital role in the selection process, with the final curated list determined through a transparent and democratic community vote.

Methodology: To identify the top protocals, projects that need exchange listing services, Cardano Project Catalyst proposals and ecosystem projects, we will conduct an extensive review of initiatives within the Cardano ecosystem. This process will involve the development of objective metrics and criteria to assess each project's merit. The Cardano curation team, in collaboration with Coinbound.io, will meticulously evaluate each project based on the established criteria. Furthermore, community engagement will be encouraged throughout the process, with the community playing a pivotal role in determining the final curated list through a voting mechanism.

Examples of Potential Selection Criteria:

1. Innovative Technology: Projects must demonstrate innovative technological solutions that have the potential to significantly impact and advance the Cardano ecosystem. For example, projects leveraging unique consensus mechanisms, novel smart contract architectures, or cutting-edge privacy protocols may be considered particularly innovative and deserving of recognition.
2. Completed Milestones: Projects that have achieved significant development milestones will be prioritized. These milestones may include the successful completion of development phases, the integration of projects with existing infrastructure, or the launch of mainnet products. For instance, projects that have deployed functional decentralized applications (dApps) or established interoperability bridges with other blockchain networks may demonstrate a high level of progress and development.
3. Scalability: Scalability is a critical factor in determining the long-term viability and sustainability of projects within the Cardano ecosystem. Selected projects must demonstrate the ability to scale effectively to accommodate increased usage and demand. For example, projects that have implemented scalable consensus algorithms or optimized network throughput to support a growing user base may be considered highly scalable.
4. Community Engagement: Active and engaged communities are essential for the success of projects within the Cardano ecosystem. Projects with robust community engagement, including regular updates, transparent communication, and active participation in community events, will be favored. For example, projects that have established vibrant online communities through social media engagement, developer meetups, or community-driven initiatives may demonstrate strong community support.

Execution: Once everything has been selected, we will embark on an extensive advertising campaign to promote these projects and increase their visibility within the web3 and crypto community. Our campaign strategy will leverage a combination of digital marketing channels, influencer collaborations, targeted advertising, and community engagement initiatives to maximize reach and impact.

Examples of Execution Strategies:

PPC Campaign Management

PPC & paid advertising management designed to increase brand visibility, engagement, and conversions through targeted advertising campaigns on platforms such as Brave, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and Meta.

Scope of this work includes:

• PPC Strategy Development: Creation of a comprehensive advertising strategy tailored to meet the marketing objectives.
• Multiple ad campaigns, each optimized to different KPIs. Multiple ad groups per campaign. Multiple ad variations per ad group.
• PPC Campaign Setup and Management: Configuration and ongoing management of advertising campaigns on Brave, LinkedIn, Twitter (X) and Meta.
• Including tracking pixel installation and configuration for advanced analytics reporting via Google Analytics, Looker Studio, or similar.
• Audience Targeting and Segmentation: Development of target audience profiles based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
• Creative Development: Design and production of engaging ad creatives as needed for ad campaigns (images, ad copy, etc.).
• Copywriting: Crafting compelling ad copy that resonates with the target audience.
• Budget Management: Allocation and optimization of the advertising budget to maximize ROI.
• Optimization: Weekly optimization to increase performance and ROI and drop ineffective ad variations.
• Analytics and Reporting: Weekly reporting on campaign performance, insights, and recommendations for improvement.

KPIs Reported:

• CPA (Cost per Acquisition)
• Conversions
• ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)
• CPC (Cost per Click)

Other Metrics Reported:

• Impressions
• Clicks
• Ad spend

Relevant Case Studies:

Influencer, KOL, & Media Marketing

During the engagement, Coinbound will source influencers, KOLs, or media opportunities that are aligned with the growth goals of projectcatalyst.io and cardano ecosystem as awhole to attract new developers, investros and users into their growing projects to showcase why cardano is undervalued by showing all it has to offer

Taken into account for media sourcing includes:

• Campaign goals
• Target audience
• Brand and audience-alignment
• Allocated budget

Media opportunities may include, but aren't limited to:

• TikTok Videos
• YouTube Videos
• Podcasts
• Newsletters
• Twitter Influencer Content
• Paid Publisher Content, such as:
• Press Releases
• Sponsored Articles
• Banner Advertisements

Sample Content can be found here: https://coinbound.coveragebook.com/b/e1274a47bbe08469

Before moving forward with any third-party media opportunities, Coinbound will present the opportunities to community for approval. Coinbound will present the media, why we feel they are a good fit, any associated costs, and any other relevant information needed for decision-making.

Typical Campaign Outline:

• Discuss and set criteria for target media
• Outreach to these media to get them on board
• Present the options to projectcatalyst.io to make the decision on which to activate
• Manage the coordination of the engagement and content creation/distribution
• Daily communication on Slack or Telegram
• Reporting as each media piece goes live

Relavent Case Study:

• Solana Meme Coin raised 22.5x their influencer marketing spend (with no other outside marketing)

Earned Media & PR

Coinbound’s PR team has secured placements in leading publications both within and outside of the Web3 sphere. Our clients have been featured in top media including podcasts, newsletters, Twitter Spaces, articles, and thought leadership pieces.

Our PR process is designed to elicit the most powerful go-to-market messaging for your brand and get it picked up by major media outlets.

First, We sit down and craft a meticulously designed strategy to accentuate each projects strongest value propositions. This includes:

• Value proposition discovery
• Messaging refinement
• Go to market pitch strategy development

We then identify media sources covering similar projects and get you coverage from them. This includes:

• Journalists
• YouTubers
• Podcasts
• Newsletters
• Speaking Opportunities (based on preferences of each project)
• Editorial Opportunities

Finally, We coordinate the entire coverage process and follow through until coverage is complete. Including:

• Interview scheduling
• Media introduction
• Media training
• Ghostwriting

Deliverables to be conducted by our team include:

• Research, identification, pitching, and inviting of top players in the Web3 space.
• Including:
• Top journalists from Tier 1-2 media outlets such as: CoinTelegraph, CoinDesk, Decrypt, TechCrunch, Blockworks, Forbes, Business insider, Entrepreneur, Benzinga, and similar.
• Influencers covering similar projects with significant audiences
• Social groups focused on similar projects
• Writing and sharing pitches to be sent to the groups mentioned above
• Sourcing and pitching thought-leadership editorial opportunities
• Writing and issuing of official press releases as needed (+$2,000 per release for distribution)

Some places we’ve secured coverage:

• CoinTelegraph
• CoinDesk
• Decrypt
• TechCrunch
• Blockworks
• CoinMarketCap
• Binance
• Entrepreneur
• Forbes
• Cheddar
• NFT Now
• Hypemoon
• Seeking Alpha
• TradeSanta
• AMBCrypto
• CoinGecko
• KTLA
• LA Weekly
• DailyCoin
• BeInCrypto
• Benzinga
• CryptoPotato
• NFT NYC
• Inc.com
• The Capital
• + 100s more

Telegram and/or Discord Community Management (only if project needs it)

Our team will design, schedule, and conduct AMAs, polls, FAQs, and similar engagement-boosting activities focused on growing and exciting a passionate community.

Our community management team is highly skilled in researching the complexities of client’s projects, understanding what questions community members may have, and helping create a community that members trust and are excited to participate in.

Coinbound will produce reports outlining audience and engagement growth.

Deliverables:

• Scheduling and coordination of engagement-boost events such as:
• AMAs
• FAQs
• Polls
• Strategy calls to create and implement a custom, client-specific strategy
• Removing and prevention of spam and FUD
• <5 minute response time to community questions
• Monthly reports outlining growth by key performance indicators such as user and engagement growth

Relevant case studies:

• Coinbound increased Galaxy Arena’s community membership by 699%.
• Coinbound increased Metamoose NFT’s community engagement rate from 7.14% to 60%.
• Coinbound increased Lil Heroes’ community average messages per day from 2,000 to 3,600.
• We increased Wilder World's Discord from 100 members to 20,000 members.
• We increased Kart Racing League's Discord by 11,000 new members in the first month.
• We increased Generative Dungeon's Discord by 9,000 new members in the first month.

Twitter Management

Twitter is one of the most crucial aspects of community engagement for Web3-focused organizations. Coinbound’s social media team is highly effective at building and executing community and profile-building strategies.

During the onboarding process, our team will conduct a deep dive into the branding, messaging, and overarching strategy needed to accomplish our Twitter goals. Weekly calls will discuss key learnings and analytics from the previous week’s account performance. Additionally, a telegram channel will be set up to communicate between these weekly update calls.

Our team utilizes industry-leading social media analytics tools to understand and report on what type of content resonates best with your audience, and builds a constantly-iterating strategy around this data.

A standard plan would include 14-21 tweets per week. This includes a blend of evergreen and timely content, sharing any relevant content created on other platforms during our cooperation, and interaction with key influencers and relevant conversations to your value proposition.

Coinbound will build out a fully fleshed out and highly engaging content calendar that brings your brand to life and engages your audience. Including content like:

• Product and company updates
• “Build-in-public”-style content
• Giveaways
• Polls
• Contests
• Twitter Spaces
• Collaborations
• Engagements

Deliverables:

• Creation of a robust Twitter strategy customized to your goals
• Creation of tweets and associated graphics
• Engagement with relevant and important influential Twitter accounts
• Monthly performance and growth reports

Relevant Case Studies:

• Nexo: +500% engagement growth in first 3 months
• CoinStats: +700% engagement growth in first 3 months
• Ethermail: 0 -> 3500 followers in first month
• Permission.io: +375% engagement growth in first 3 months
• Tradetomato: +680% engagement growth in first month

Comprehensive Search Engine Optimization (only if project needs it)

Coinbound’s SEO team has helped a large number of Web3 clients earn more organic traffic through a combination of extensive keyword and competitor research, carefully crafted pieces of blog content written by expert cryptocurrency writers, and ongoing link building.

We've found that Web3 companies that prioritize SEO often find it becomes their competitive advantage.

The SEO content created is designed to attract extremely relevant and engaged visitors to your site organically while converting them in the most frictionless way possible. Additionally, the in-depth audit, analysis, analytics, and consultation our SEO team provides sets up our client’s sites for the greatest chance of success.

Deliverables by month

• Month 1
• Onboarding
• Our Head of SEO will discuss our communities goals, explain timelines, deliverables, communication methods, and next steps.
• Baseline report
• Then we will take baseline metrics of our top projects within the communities current rankings and status (It's all uphill from here!)
• Technical audit and SEO strategy & insights report
• We'll identify any issues with that might be preventing you from ranking well and tell you how to fix them.
• Content strategy report
• Our SEO team will design a highly strategic content plan to take the site to the next level of organic traffic
• SEO blog content
• SEO articles created by our team to be published to your blog
• Link building:
• We start boosting your site's ability to rank by building strategic backlinks from authoritative sites!
• 5 backlinks

• Month 2
• Monthly report
• A detailed report of performance, insights from our SEO team, and next steps to improve your rankings based on month 1 data.
• SEO blog content
• SEO articles created by our team to be published to your blog
• Link building:
• Authority-boosting backlinks continue!

Communication:

• Weekly strategy and progress calls
• Ongoing communication during working hours via Slack or Telegram
• Monthly reporting

Relevant Case Studies:

• On average, content provided by Coinbound receives over 60x more organic traffic than that of our clients’ in-house teams.
• We increased CoinStat's organic visibility by 1020% and got them ranked on the first page of Google for 12 new target keywords.
• In 3 months, we took SoulSwap’s new site and ranked it on the first page of Google for 18 of their preferred keywords and increased organic visibility by 350%.
• In 3 months, we increased RockWallet's Domain Ranking by 19 points
• In 1 month, we helped Coygo secure 43 new backlinks and rank on the first page for an additional 12 preferred keywords.
• In 3 months, we increased Versify's organic visibility by 325%.
• In 6 months, we increased Stack Browser's Domain Ranking by 25 points and increased average monthly organic visits by 11,274.
• In 9 months, we helped NFT Lately secure 1.9k backlinks and rank #1 for their top keyword “NFT Newsletter” and receive an additional 14k organic visits per month.
• In their first month with Coinbound, we increased Topper by Uphold's Domain Ranking by 10 points.
• The proof is in the pudding: Coinbound ranks #1-2 for “Crypto Marketing Agency”, "Web3 Marketing Agency", and many similar keywords.

Fractional CMO (service provided by coinbound, a limited amount of interested project within the community that needs marketing help will be able to utilize this service)

Fixed cost that the community will have access to from day 1 to end of project in month 12

Some things a Fractional CMO can be used for:

• Strategy
• Analytics Reporting
• Branding
• Paid Ads Set Up
• Pinpointing audience
• Social recommendations
• Content
• SEO
• Earned Media
• Possible influencers/KOLs
• Product Launches
• Sourcing conferences/networking events
• Personal brand/Thought leadership
• Newsletter development
• Marketing budgets
• KPI/goal setting + tracking
• Competitor analysis
• Podcasting
• Blog writing + topics

More relevant cases studies:

Conclusion: In conclusion, this advertising campaign aims to significantly increase the level of awareness and interest in the Cardano Project Catalyst proposals, protocals and ecosystem projects. By leveraging Coinbound.io's expertise in digital marketing and community engagement, we aim to showcase the most promising and impactful projects within the Cardano ecosystem. Through a combination of strategic advertising, influencer collaborations, and community engagement initiatives, we are confident that this campaign will drive positive outcomes and foster growth within the Cardano community.

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

The positive impact of this project on the wider Cardano community can be substantial and multifaceted:

1. Increased Visibility and Awareness: By promoting the top protocols, Cardano Project Catalyst proposals and ecosystem projects, the campaign will enhance their visibility within the crypto community. This increased exposure can attract more users, developers, investors, and stakeholders to the Cardano ecosystem, fostering growth and adoption.
2. Community Engagement: The campaign will facilitate active community engagement by involving community members in the selection process and encouraging participation in various activities such as voting, AMAs, polls, and discussions. This engagement will strengthen the sense of community ownership and involvement in the development of the Cardano ecosystem.
3. Support for Innovation: By highlighting innovative projects with novel technological solutions, the campaign will support and incentivize further innovation within the Cardano ecosystem. This can lead to the development of groundbreaking applications, protocols, and infrastructure that contribute to the advancement of blockchain technology.
4. Market Viability: Promoting projects with demonstrated market viability and scalability potential can attract more attention from investors and potential partners. This can lead to increased investment, funding opportunities, and collaborations, further fueling the growth and development of the Cardano ecosystem.
5. Economic Growth: The success of the featured projects can contribute to the overall economic growth of the Cardano ecosystem by creating new job opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship, and stimulating economic activity within the community.

Measuring Impact: To measure the impact of the project, both quantitative and qualitative metrics will be utilized:

Quantitative Metrics:

• Increase in website traffic, social media engagement, and community participation metrics such as the number of active users, new members, comments, likes, shares, and retweets.
• Growth in project token value, market capitalization, trading volume, and liquidity on decentralized exchanges.
• Number of new partnerships, collaborations, and integrations with other projects or platforms within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Increase in the number of transactions, dApp usage, and value locked in decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms built on Cardano.

Qualitative Metrics:

• Community sentiment analysis based on feedback, comments, and discussions on social media channels, forums, and community platforms.
• Perception of the Cardano ecosystem within the broader crypto community and traditional media outlets.
• User satisfaction and feedback from stakeholders such as developers, investors, users, and partners.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities: The outputs and opportunities resulting from the project will be shared with the Cardano community through various channels:

1. Community Updates: Regular updates, progress reports, and insights will be shared with the Cardano community through official communication channels such as blogs, newsletters, social media posts, and community forums.
2. Events and Workshops: Virtual and in-person events, workshops, webinars, and conferences will be organized to showcase the achievements, milestones, and opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem.
3. Collaborations with Influencers and Media: Collaborations with influencers, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and media outlets will be leveraged to amplify the reach and impact of the project and disseminate information to a broader audience.
4. Partnership Announcements: Partnerships with industry stakeholders, organizations, and institutions will be announced and highlighted to demonstrate the growing ecosystem and the opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Overall, by effectively measuring impact and sharing outputs and opportunities, this project aims to contribute to the growth, development, and success of the Cardano ecosystem while fostering a vibrant and engaged community.

[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?

Eligibility Requirements:

• Proven Track Record: Each applicant must have a demonstrated track record of at least 2 years in their respective area of business.

1. Since 2018, we’ve helped over 775 happy clients. From startups just beginning their journey to $1B+ market cap companies.
2. https://coinbound.io/case-studies/
3. Over 180 pieces of coverage and multiple sold out collections
4. We secured over 180 pieces of media for Gala’s projects. Gala’s multiple NFT initiatives generated millions in sales.

• Minimum Revenue Generation: Applicants, either individually or as part of a consortium, must generate at least $5 million in revenue annually.

1. Coinbound.io financials can be provided during interview stage if needed
2. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/coinbound/480307167
3. About
4. Headquarters: United States
5. Website
6. www.coinbound.io
7. Revenue
8. $5 Million or more in revenue per year (has varied between bull and bear cycles of crypto)
9. 2.46 million in profit per year
10. Industry: Advertising and Marketing

• Preference for New Applicants: Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received funding from Catalyst.

1. Coinbound.io has not received any previous funding from catalyst.
2. William Shelton has received F8 funding from catalyst
3. Cardano Curation has not received any previous funding from catalyst (has received grants from intersect)

• Matching Funding or In-Kind Contributions: Applicants intending to match funding or make in-kind contributions should clearly state so in their project scope and budget section.

1. Coinbound.io will not be matching funding

• Governance of Collaborations: The collaboration between the applicant and its partners must be governed by terms agreed upon by all parties involved.

1. The partnership agreement can be found here:
2. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yiB27fhBcPac2HodPu1zC46nkTLqaEqeCJTlmU0AUpk/edit?usp=sharing

• Appointment of Lead Partner: In cases where applications involve multiple partners, one applicant must be appointed as the lead partner, confirmed by submission of powers of attorney signed by legally empowered signatories representing all individual applicants.

1. The partnership agreement can be found here:
2. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yiB27fhBcPac2HodPu1zC46nkTLqaEqeCJTlmU0AUpk/edit?usp=sharing

• Confirmation of Collaborations: Collaborations must be confirmed by the applicant for review by the panel before the Fund 12 vote. Failure to confirm collaborations may result in ineligibility.

1. This will be achieved during the interview stage

• Allocation of Subcontracting Costs: Up to 30% of the grant amount can be allocated to subcontracting costs, including resources or services provided by businesses previously funded by Catalyst.

1. Only subcontracting that will be done will be the influencer marketing (variable cost depending on selection of influencers)
2. List of influencers can be found in the [SOLUTION] section

• Compliance with Fund 12 Rules: All proposals must comply with the Fund 12 rules and the grant agreement between Catalyst FC and the winning applicants.

1. Compliant

• Delivery Plan Duration: Funding may only be granted to proposals with a delivery plan of no more than 12 months.

1. Project duration is 12 months in length

Coinbound capabilities and qualifications:

Coinbound has quickly become the premier digital marketing agency for Web3 brands. Coinbound employs proven and effective strategies that help build excitement, awareness, and growth for blockchain-related companies. Over the years, Coinbound has played an important role in growing industry- leading brands like Gala, Immutable, Tron, Cosmos, eToro, Sui, OKX, Nexo, and more. Coinbound hosts the world’s most popular Web3 Marketing Podcast (Crypto Marketing with Ty Smith) and Web3 Marketing Newsletter (The Web3 Marketing Newsletter) and our Web3 marketing insights have been featured in places like CoinTelegraph, Blockworks, Cheddar, NFT NYC, Entrepreneur, Ad Age, Decrypt, and more.

Our capability to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability stems from our extensive experience, proven track record, and commitment to excellence in the field of digital marketing, particularly within the Web3 space. Here's why we believe we are best suited to deliver this project:

1. Proven Track Record: With over six years of experience since our founding in 2018, Coinbound has established itself as a premier digital marketing agency for Web3 brands. We have a demonstrated track record of successfully growing industry-leading blockchain-related companies such as Gala, Immutable, Tron, Cosmos, eToro, Sui, OKX, Nexo, and more. Our portfolio speaks for itself, showcasing our ability to deliver results for clients across various sectors within the blockchain industry.
2. Expertise and Thought Leadership: Our founder, Ty Smith, has dedicated himself to understanding what it takes to grow a Web3 company. Through our Web3 Marketing Podcast and Web3 Marketing Newsletter, we share valuable insights, strategies, and best practices with the community. Our expertise and thought leadership in Web3 marketing have been recognized and featured in top-tier media outlets such as CoinTelegraph, Blockworks, Cheddar, NFT NYC, Entrepreneur, Ad Age, Decrypt, and more.
3. Proven Strategies and Effective Execution: We employ proven and effective strategies that help build excitement, awareness, and growth for blockchain-related companies. Our team of experts is adept at crafting customized marketing campaigns tailored to the unique needs and goals of each client. From PPC campaigns and influencer marketing to SEO, PR, and community management, we leverage a diverse range of tactics to achieve our clients' objectives.
4. Transparent and Accountable Practices: At Coinbound, transparency and accountability are core values that guide our operations. We adhere to strict ethical standards and best practices in managing client funds and executing marketing campaigns. Our team maintains open communication channels with clients, providing regular updates, progress reports, and performance metrics to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
5. Client Satisfaction and Trust: Our success is measured by the satisfaction and trust of our clients. We prioritize client satisfaction above all else, striving to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results on every project. Our long-standing relationships with clients and numerous testimonials attest to the trust and confidence they have in our ability to deliver results.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will conduct thorough research, analysis, and planning to ensure that our strategies align with the objectives of the project. We will leverage our expertise, industry insights, and past experiences to develop a comprehensive project plan that outlines the scope, timeline, budget, and key deliverables. Additionally, we will engage with stakeholders, gather feedback, and iterate on our approach to ensure its effectiveness and feasibility in achieving the project's goals.

In terms of managing funds properly, we have established processes and protocols in place to ensure financial accountability and transparency. Our financial management practices include:

• Budget Planning and Allocation: We work closely with clients to develop detailed budget plans that outline the allocation of funds across various marketing channels and activities.
• Expense Tracking and Reporting: We maintain meticulous records of all expenses incurred during the project and provide regular financial reports to clients, detailing how funds are being utilized.
• Vendor and Supplier Management: We carefully vet and select vendors and suppliers based on their reputation, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that funds are allocated to trustworthy partners.
• Compliance and Legal Standards: We adhere to all relevant compliance and legal standards governing financial transactions, ensuring that funds are managed in accordance with industry regulations and best practices.

Overall, our existing capabilities, track record of success, and commitment to transparency and accountability make us well-suited to deliver this project with the highest levels of trust and accountability.

https://coinbound.io/about/

Cardano Curation capabilities:

Cardano Curation has consistently showcased its adeptness at crafting captivating content that deeply resonates with the community, fostering meaningful interactions, and driving engagement across various social media platforms. Their content strategy is strategically designed to deliver a blend of informative and entertaining content that not only educates but also entertains and inspires Cardano enthusiasts. This approach significantly contributes to the growth and vibrancy of the Cardano community by keeping members informed, entertained, and engaged.

Being recognized and included in the Intersect's Inclusion and Accessibility Open Space Grant is a testament to Cardano Curation's credibility and reputation within the community. It validates their efforts in championing diversity and accessibility, as well as their ability to collaborate effectively with other stakeholders to drive positive change.

William Shelton Capabilities:

William Shelton, a recipient and winner of Fund 8, has consistently exhibited integrity and reliability in delivering high-quality results to enhance the reputation of Cardano and its funded projects. With a proven track record of diligently reporting progress and meeting project requirements, William is well-equipped to lead this endeavor. His responsibilities in previous projects included sourcing equipment, coordinating logistics, and establishing partnerships with various stakeholders, demonstrating his capability to execute operations efficiently. The success of his past projects, exemplified in Fund 8 Project ID: 800159, attests to his trustworthiness and ability to deliver results.

Linked Here: https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/62367

Has completed an F8 Documentary Film that can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNl8UYbARU8

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

Milestone 1: Project Planning and Strategy Development (Months 1-3)

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Detailed advertising strategy developed, outlining platforms, audience targeting, and KPIs.
2. Finalized selection criteria for project curation, incorporating community feedback.
3. Initial list of potential projects identified based on selection criteria.
4. Agreement finalized with Coinbound.io, detailing scope of work and timeline.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Advertising strategy document completed and approved by stakeholders.
2. Selection criteria document finalized and shared with the Cardano community for feedback.
3. Preliminary project list compiled and presented to stakeholders for review.
4. Agreement with Coinbound.io signed and scope of work agreed upon.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Documentation of finalized advertising strategy.
2. Feedback received from the Cardano community on selection criteria.
3. Presentation materials or documentation showcasing preliminary project list.
4. Signed agreement and communication confirming collaboration with Coinbound.io.

Milestone 2: Campaign Implementation Initiation (Months 4-5)

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Advertising campaigns set up on selected platforms, including Brave, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Meta.
2. Influencer outreach initiated, with agreements in place for content creation and distribution.
3. PR outreach commenced, with pitches sent to targeted media outlets and journalists.
4. Initial community engagement channels established on Telegram and/or Discord.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Advertising campaigns configured and live on selected platforms.
2. Influencer agreements finalized and content creation underway.
3. PR pitches sent to targeted media outlets, with confirmation of receipt.
4. Telegram and/or Discord channels created and initial engagement activities planned.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Screenshots or access to live advertising campaigns on selected platforms.
2. Documentation of influencer agreements and content creation schedules.
3. Copies of PR pitches and confirmation of receipt from media outlets.
4. Links to Telegram and/or Discord channels with evidence of initial engagement activities.

Milestone 3: Mid-Campaign Assessment and Optimization (Months 6-7)

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Mid-campaign assessment report produced, highlighting performance metrics and insights.
2. Adjustments made to advertising campaigns based on performance data and feedback.
3. Continued engagement with influencers and media outlets to maximize coverage and impact.
4. Expansion of community engagement activities based on feedback and engagement metrics.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Mid-campaign assessment report submitted, with analysis of performance metrics and insights.
2. Documentation of adjustments made to advertising campaigns based on performance data.
3. Ongoing communication with influencers and media outlets, providing updates on campaign progress.
4. Evidence of expanded community engagement activities, demonstrating increased participation.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Mid-campaign assessment report shared, including insights and recommendations for optimization.
2. Documentation of adjustments made to advertising campaigns with explanations for changes.
3. Correspondence with influencers and media outlets providing updates on campaign progress.
4. Documentation of expanded community engagement activities with evidence of increased participation.

Milestone 4: Continued Campaign Execution and Collaboration (Months 8-9)

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Continued monitoring and optimization of advertising campaigns for maximum impact.
2. Ongoing collaboration with influencers and media outlets to maintain momentum and coverage.
3. Further expansion of community engagement activities to sustain interest and participation.
4. Regular communication and updates provided to stakeholders on campaign progress.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Documentation of ongoing monitoring and optimization efforts for advertising campaigns.
2. Continued engagement with influencers and media outlets, with updates on campaign progress.
3. Evidence of expanded community engagement activities and sustained participation.
4. Regular reports and updates shared with stakeholders on campaign execution and outcomes.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Reports documenting ongoing monitoring and optimization of advertising campaigns.
2. Correspondence with influencers and media outlets demonstrating continued collaboration.
3. Documentation of expanded community engagement activities and sustained participation.
4. Regular communication and updates provided to stakeholders on campaign progress.

Milestone 5: Evaluation and Adjustment (Months 10-11)

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Final campaign evaluation report compiled, summarizing overall performance and outcomes.
2. Assessment of ROI for advertising spend, influencer collaborations, and PR efforts conducted.
3. Review of community feedback and engagement metrics to inform future strategies.
4. Identification of lessons learned and recommendations for future campaign iterations.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Final campaign evaluation report submitted, including analysis of performance metrics and outcomes.
2. ROI assessment conducted for advertising spend, influencer collaborations, and PR efforts.
3. Review of community feedback and engagement metrics documented, with insights and recommendations.
4. Lessons learned and recommendations for future campaigns compiled and shared with stakeholders.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Final campaign evaluation report provided, summarizing performance metrics and outcomes.
2. ROI assessment documentation demonstrating the effectiveness of advertising spend and collaborations.
3. Review of community feedback and engagement metrics with insights and recommendations.
4. Summary of lessons learned and recommendations for future campaigns presented to stakeholders.

Final Milestone: Project Close-Out and Reflection (Month 12)

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Final project close-out report and video created, documenting campaign journey and outcomes.
2. Reflection session conducted with project team and stakeholders to discuss successes, challenges, and learnings.
3. Documentation of key takeaways and recommendations for future campaign iterations.
4. Submission of all required documentation and deliverables for project completion and closure.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Final project close-out report and video submitted, providing comprehensive summary of campaign journey and outcomes.
2. Reflection session conducted with stakeholders, capturing insights and learnings from campaign execution.
3. Documentation of key takeaways and recommendations for future campaign iterations compiled and shared.
4. All required documentation and deliverables submitted for project completion and closure.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Final project close-out report and video shared, summarizing campaign journey and outcomes.
2. Documentation of reflection session outcomes, including insights and learnings.
3. Summary of key takeaways and recommendations provided, outlining actionable insights for future campaigns.
4. Confirmation of submission of all required documentation and deliverables for project completion and closure.

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

Team 1 (coinbound's team):

Anthony Leon

• Account Manager at Coinbound: Anthony manages client accounts at Coinbound, ensuring that their needs are met and that projects are executed smoothly. He serves as the main point of contact for clients, addressing any concerns they may have and facilitating effective communication between clients and the Coinbound team.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-anthonyleon/

Ty Smith

• Founder & CEO at Coinbound: Ty is the visionary leader behind Coinbound, responsible for setting the company's overall direction and strategy. As CEO, he oversees all aspects of the business, from business development and client relations to team management and marketing initiatives. Ty's role involves driving growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring that Coinbound remains at the forefront of digital marketing in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-smith/

Plus 35 other employees

Team 2 (Cardano Curation's team):

Caleb Montiel

• In just under four months, Caleb's efforts with Cardano Curation have led to remarkable organic growth, with over 2,000 new followers gained on various platforms. Impressively, our content has garnered over 400K impressions and received more than 100K views across all channels. This achievement underscores Caleb's dedication and skill in engaging and expanding our audience within the Cardano community.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-montiel-953752301/

Team 3 (William's team):

William Shelton:

• Project lead, Fund 8 Winner and Completed Project ID: 800159
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpshelton/
• Responsible for all aspects of project operations and communications

Plus 2 other members of the corporation

Advisory Board:

Jeffery Sisco, MBA

• Professor: Rutgers Business School
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreysisco/

Danilo Parmegiani

• Executive Director of Legion of Good Will in the USA
• United Nations representative
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danilo-parmegiani-aa075a40/

Gary Minkoff

• Professor: Rutgers Business School
• Former Mayor of Highland Park, New Jersey
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyminkoff/

Edward Laporte:

• Professor: Rutgers Business School
• Executive Director New Jersey Office of Faith Based Initiatives at State of New Jersey
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-laporte-6b599213/

Gilbert Morris

• National Ambassador to the Bahamas - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morrismedici/

Raphaele Chappe

• Defi Economist, director of R&D at DeVol
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaele-chappe-07431a1/

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

PPC Campaign Management

1. Strategy Development: ₳61,667
2. Campaign Setup and Management: ₳92,500
3. Audience Targeting and Segmentation: ₳92,500
4. Creative Development: ₳61,667
5. Copywriting: ₳61,667
6. Budget Management: ₳92,500
7. Optimization: ₳92,500
8. Analytics and Reporting: ₳61,667
9. Total: ₳616,667

Influencer, KOL, & Media Marketing

1. Media Opportunities Sourcing: ₳61,667
2. Content Creation and Distribution: ₳215,833
3. Total: ₳277,500

Earned Media & PR

1. Value Proposition Discovery: ₳30,833
2. Messaging Refinement: ₳30,833
3. Media Identification and Pitching: ₳92,500
4. Editorial Opportunities Sourcing: ₳46,250
5. Press Releases (if applicable): ₳46,250
6. Total: ₳246,667

Telegram and/or Discord Community Management

1. Engagement-Boost Events: ₳18,333
2. Strategy Calls: ₳18,333
3. Monthly Reports: ₳9,167
4. Total: ₳45,833

Twitter Management

1. Twitter Strategy Development: ₳9,167
2. Content Creation: ₳18,333
3. Engagement with Influential Accounts: ₳9,167
4. Monthly Reporting: ₳9,167
5. Total: ₳45,833

Comprehensive Search Engine Optimization

1. Onboarding and Technical Audit: ₳9,167
2. Content Strategy and Creation: ₳21,417
3. Link Building: ₳21,417
4. Monthly Reporting: ₳9,167
5. Total: ₳61,167

Fractional CMO (if needed)

• Fixed Cost for Fractional CMO Services: ₳139,667

Adjusted Grand Total: ₳1,233,333

What Will Be Achieved:

Web3 Advertising Campaign with Coinbound.io:

• Promotion through leading Web3 media outlets, influencer collaborations, and targeted social media campaigns.
• Sponsored content, display ads, and targeted ads on relevant platforms.

PPC Campaign Management:

• Comprehensive PPC strategy development and management on platforms like Brave, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Meta.
• Audience targeting, creative development, budget management, and analytics reporting.

Influencer, KOL, & Media Marketing:

• Collaboration with key influencers, KOLs, and media outlets for content creation.
• Leveraging influencers for TikTok videos, YouTube features, podcasts, and sponsored articles.

Earned Media & PR:

• Securing media coverage in leading Web3 publications, podcasts, and thought leadership platforms.
• PR strategy development, media outreach, content creation, and coverage coordination.

Telegram and/or Discord Community Management:

• Engaging and growing Telegram and Discord communities through AMAs, polls, FAQs, and community events.
• Spam prevention, moderation, and monthly reporting on community growth and engagement.

Twitter Management:

• Crafting and executing a Twitter strategy with engaging content, influencer engagement, and analytics reporting.

Fractional CMO:

• Providing strategic guidance and oversight across all marketing initiatives, including strategy development, analytics reporting, branding, KPI tracking, and competitor analysis, with guidance on SEO.

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

The cost of the project represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem due to several factors:

1. Expertise and Specialization: The costs outlined for services such as PPC campaign management, influencer marketing, PR, community management, and Twitter management reflect the expertise and specialization required in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. Coinbound.io, as a leading digital marketing agency in this niche, possesses the knowledge and experience necessary to effectively promote Cardano projects to the target audience.
2. Quality and Impact: By investing in professional marketing and advertising services, the Cardano ecosystem ensures that the top Project Catalyst proposals, protocols and ecosystem projects receive high-quality promotion. This can lead to increased visibility, engagement, and adoption, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of these projects.
3. Competitive Advantage: In the competitive landscape of the blockchain industry, it's essential for projects to stand out and differentiate themselves. The costs associated with this advertising campaign enable Cardano projects to gain a competitive advantage by effectively reaching their target audience and positioning themselves as leaders within the ecosystem.
4. Long-term Benefits: While the initial costs may seem significant, the long-term benefits of increased visibility and awareness can far outweigh the investment. By attracting more users, developers, investors, and partners to the Cardano ecosystem, these projects can drive innovation, liquidity, and value creation over time.
5. Industry Standards: The costs outlined in the project are in line with industry standards for digital marketing services, particularly within the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector. These rates reflect the level of expertise, effort, and resources required to execute a successful marketing campaign in this specialized field.
6. Leading to Tier-1 Exchange Listings: By partnering with Coinbound.io, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in blockchain and cryptocurrency, the advertising campaign aims to increase the visibility of Cardano project
7. Added Capital and Increased Profit for Existing Projects: Through strategic marketing and promotion, the campaign can attract new investors to Cardano projects featured in the campaign. This influx of capital can provide these projects with the resources needed to further develop their products, expand their user base, and increase their profitability. As a result, existing investors may see an increase in the value of their holdings, thus generating a positive ROI for their initial investment.
8. Attracting New Developers and Investors: The comprehensive advertising campaign can serve as a catalyst for attracting new developers and investors to the Cardano ecosystem. By showcasing the innovative projects and opportunities within Cardano, the campaign can inspire talented developers to contribute to the ecosystem and investors to support promising ventures. This influx of talent and capital can fuel further innovation and growth within the Cardano community.
9. Migration of Top Crypto Projects to Cardano: As the Cardano ecosystem continues to evolve and demonstrate its potential for scalability, security, and decentralization, it becomes an increasingly attractive destination for developers and investors. The advertising campaign can highlight the unique features and advantages of Cardano, encouraging users and projects from other blockchain platforms to migrate or integrate with Cardano. This migration can strengthen the Cardano ecosystem and solidify its position as a leading blockchain platform in the crypto space.

Overall, the value for money lies in the potential impact and return on investment (ROI) that these marketing efforts can generate for the Cardano ecosystem. By effectively promoting top projects and attracting more participants to the ecosystem, the costs incurred contribute to the long-term growth and success of Cardano as a leading blockchain platform.