Followers Aren’t Everything: What Really Matters to Web3 Startup Investors

A client of ours recently shared some surprising feedback they received from a potential investor. The investor said, "We wouldn't consider investing in a Web3 company unless they had 5,000+ followers." At first glance, this might seem reasonable—especially in a space like Web3, where the community is often vocal and active online. But this kind of thinking is more aligned with the “Crypto Bro” mentality than with the fundamentals of building a sustainable business.

While vanity metrics like follower counts might look good on paper, they don't translate to what truly matters for growth: early adopters, paying clients, product-market fit, and driving the velocity of the business.

Let’s break down why a high follower count doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to scale, and what investors—and founders—should really focus on to build a successful Web3 startup.

The Allure of Vanity Metrics: Why They're Not Enough

In the world of social media, follower counts often become a shorthand for success. After all, a large following can indicate that your brand is generating buzz, drawing attention, and creating a community around your vision. For many investors, these numbers can be enticing—giving them a sense that there’s demand for your product or service.

But here’s the thing: vanity metrics don’t provide insights into your business’s real value or potential. They don't tell you if those followers are engaging with your brand, whether they’re likely to convert into paying customers, or if they even understand what you’re offering. And while it’s true that a large social following can lend credibility to your brand, it’s not a guarantee that your startup is positioned for long-term success.

What’s far more important is understanding your audience’s needs, engaging them with valuable content, and creating pathways for them to take the next step—whether that’s booking a meeting, trying a demo, or making a purchase.

The Metrics That Matter: Engagement, Discovery and Conversion

At DeStor RevOps, we focus on the metrics that truly matter for Web3 startups. Here’s what we believe should be prioritized over follower counts:

• Customer & Community Engagement: Are your followers engaging with your content? Engagement metrics—likes, comments, shares, and time spent on site—give you a clearer picture of whether your message is resonating with potential customers. It’s far better to have a smaller, highly engaged audience than a large but passive one.
• Discovery Process: Building a following is one thing, but guiding that audience into a discovery process is where the magic happens. Your website should be designed to meet the visitor where they are in their journey, offering insights, expertise, and resources that encourage them to learn more. This means having clear calls to action, such as “Book a Meeting” or “Try a Free Demo.” This process is critical for nurturing interest into genuine opportunities.
• Conversion Rate: Ultimately, the success of a Web3 startup comes down to how effectively you can turn interest into action. Are people visiting your website booking meetings? Are they signing up for a free trial? Are they signing up for your newsletter? Are they engaging with your sales team? A high conversion rate shows that your product or service is resonating with potential customers, and that your marketing and sales efforts are aligned with their needs.
• Product-Market Fit: Finding product-market fit is the holy grail for any startup. This isn’t about having the most followers; it’s about proving that there’s a market demand for your solution and that your product meets that demand effectively. It’s the difference between having a crowd of people who like your posts and having a core group of paying customers who believe in your solution.
  
  

Why a Customer-Centric Website is Key

Many Web3 startups make the mistake of focusing their websites on their technology rather than their customers. But if you want to attract the right investors and early adopters, your site should start with what your customers are trying to achieve. This means designing your website and content strategy around their pain points, their goals, and how your solution can help them succeed.

For example: A prospective client lands on your website. They aren’t looking for a tech deep dive; they’re looking for answers to their challenges. They want to know why your solution is better, how it can save them time or money, and what makes your team uniquely qualified to solve their problem. By focusing on these customer-centric elements, you not only engage potential buyers but also build trust and credibility.

This is where quality content, thought leadership, and expertise come into play. Offering blog posts, case studies, and resources that speak to the needs of your audience encourages them to invest their time in a discovery process—ultimately leading them to book a meeting with your team.

Removing Friction: The Key to Conversions 

Even if you have an engaged audience and a content-rich website, it’s crucial that the path to booking a meeting or signing up for a demo is as frictionless as possible. Too often, startups lose potential customers because the process of connecting with the team is cumbersome or unclear. At DeStor RevOps, we ensure that your website is optimized for a seamless user experience. This means:

• Clear and Visible CTAs: Your calls to action should be impossible to miss and easy to act on. Whether it’s “Book a Demo,” “Talk to an Expert,” or “Start a Free Trial,” make sure the next step is clear.
• Streamlined Forms: Don’t ask for more information than you need. A simple form that lets prospects quickly schedule a meeting can dramatically increase your conversion rates.
• Automated Follow-Ups: Use RevOps tools like HubSpot to automate follow-up emails and nurture sequences, ensuring that prospects stay engaged and informed throughout the discovery process.

By focusing on these elements, you create a pathway that turns curiosity into conversations, and conversations into conversions.

Don't Leave Money on the Table: Work with Experts Who Understand Growth

In the world of Web3, it’s easy to get caught up in vanity metrics and focus on follower counts. But to build a sustainable, scalable business, you need to go beyond surface-level engagement. You need to create systems that attract the right audience, guide them through a discovery process, and convert them into long-term customers. This is the kind of strategy that turns early interest into meaningful results.

At DeStor RevOps, we’ve successfully worked with startups, founders, and early-stage Web3 projects to build valuable growth engines that do just that. Our approach helps you engage your audience in a way that builds trust, accelerates conversions, and proves to investors that you have what it takes to scale.

If you’re ready to focus on what really matters and build a growth strategy that goes beyond the numbers, reach out to DeStor RevOps today. Let’s work together to create a frictionless experience for your prospects, convert curiosity into conversations, and turn every interaction into an opportunity for growth.