The art of onboarding to a Web3 community is top of mind as Decent DAO continues to grow with talented contributors. We are continuously strategizing and tailoring our industry-leading onboarding experience to meet the needs of builders.

For prospective DAO contributors, we ask ourselves:

• Is joining the Decent Discord server a seamless process?

• Does the Discord onboarding experience effectively convey our vision and mission as an on-chain venture studio?

• Is our server structured in a way that optimizes builder communication?

• Do potential Decent contributors feel they are joining a world-class venture studio and contributor-friendly organization?

• Do potential Decent contributors have an easy way to learn about and apply for opportunities?

We’re actively pursuing these goals. But let’s shift our perspective here. Instead of explaining how we develop your onboarding, we’d like to offer advice on how we think you, the “wandering builder,” could onboard yourself to any Web3 community and cultivate a fulfilling career.

Take these steps when joining a Discord or any online community:

1). Learn about the organization and what they’re building (via documentation, website, etc.).

• Making a concerted effort to review a project’s mission and details is critical for making a lasting and meaningful connection with the community. Web3 relies more on quality social interaction and proof of work than just a resume.

  • Understanding the community from the start positions you to quickly become an onboarding asset in your own right (i.e., supporting conversations with future new members).

2). Introduce yourself in a courteous fashion.

• Not every community has an introduction channel. In such cases, presenting yourself in a warm and friendly manner goes a long way. Web3 is anon, hectic, and filled with shills. An intentional, enthusiastic greeting makes the most positive impact.

  • In your introduction, focus on how you heard of the community, what attracts you to it, and what value you can bring.

  • Note: Private messaging or spamming your resume in chats isn’t the best approach. Be patient and considerate.

3). Immerse yourself in the community.

• This is how you begin showcasing your skills and adding value. Whether commenting on progress, asking questions, or reacting to official announcements, the goal is to display a builder mindset and offer constructive input. Make your interactions count.

• Quality conversations are a pillar of quality building. In Web3, where communications are open and decentralized, conversations require a higher standard; be considerate of people’s time and how it may impact other builders in the community.

4). Identify opportunities.

• Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the community, find a pulse on the development status of its current projects. This includes reading through Github, Discord conversations, or other socials such as Twitter or Telegram. It’s a way to coordinate your next steps, e.g., taking on unresolved tasks or sourcing tasks that the team may have missed.

• Ask yourself, “How can I add value here?”

  • As a reminder, being a builder in Web3 is not unique to being a smart contract engineer or full-stack developer. As a venture studio, we know that creatives (branders, designers, UI/UXers, content creators), product managers, operations managers, researchers, and community leaders are all builders.

  • In Web3, you have the power to forge your own path.

5). Figure out how to apply.

• By this point, you will have made connections, found your niche, and shown the community that you care.

• Each community has its own unique application and onboarding process. Respectfully complete the application process as defined by the community team.

6). Stay active (if compatible roles or tasks aren’t currently available).

• Software development is notoriously slow—diligence is vital for Web3 communities and DAOs on the cutting edge of innovation and change. Focus on compounding quality builder energy.

• Create your own work. Now that you’ve connected with a community and its projects, you have the context you need to carve out new opportunities.

Here are more ways to contribute to a DAO:

• Explore bounty programs.

  • Open bounties are a great way to quickly pick up work. Note that many of the rules above apply here. Determine the most effective and accommodating way to communicate with the team managing the bounties.

• Volunteer for everything you can.

  • All DAOs and projects in this space need builder talent. Raise your hand to show you’re a go-to person who is ready to take on an extra task. Even if the hat doesn’t fit perfectly, trying it on conveys a community-first mindset.

  • This doesn’t promote “working for free.” It communicates that you are willing to contribute. Making yourself consistently available for tasks will help you stand out when incentives are considered.

• Join ambassador programs and other community initiatives.

  • Community leaders look for members with leadership potential. If there’s an ambassador or level-up system, join it. If there isn’t, it can be built.

• Focus on quality and consistency when performing any task.

  • Determine what the team’s feedback cycles are like.

• Look beyond large projects (Polygon, Avalanche, Polkadot, etc.).

  • Larger, more established communities have thick competition for positions and contributions. These communities aren’t impossible to break into but will require time and persistence. Smaller communities have more growth potential, therefore providing a higher return on your time invested.

Onboarding to communities and scouting out work is the springboard for your Web3 career success. It’s a graceful digital dance from one community to the next. Review the biggest takeaways:

• Be human as you explore open communities. Navigating decentralized communities demands a level of decency.

• Take the time to learn and connect with a community and its projects to determine how your skills align.

• Grow yourself into a position where you can create your own work.

Builders come in all types, with varied skills and backgrounds. You, the wandering builder, have the opportunity to create value regardless of your repertoire. Responsibly and respectfully integrating yourself with communities is the primary step toward becoming a valuable player in this evolving ecosystem.

Co-authored by Jonny Ringo, decent_nat, and the rest of the team.