Let’s be real: the NFT space can be tough to crack. Making the jump from Web2 to Web3 can be seriously disorienting; First, there’s wrapping your head around NFTs as a technology and working through the “Why can’t I just screenshot it?” phase. And if that’s where you’re at, don’t feel embarrassed. Even experienced NFT enthusiasts can struggle to keep up with the ever-evolving landscape. The blockchain is still very much a new technology, and a lot of the rhetoric you see floating around the Web3 world is that anyone actively involved in it is “still early,” and that’s absolutely right.  

If you’re feeling lost, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. At nft now, we pride ourselves on bringing you the most up-to-date and relevant information possible to ensure you can navigate and thrive in Web3. With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of some of the best NFT learning resources and tools — from ourselves and others in the community —  to help you do just that. 

Getting started in NFTs

Like learning a new language, the first steps in learning about Web3 and NFTs are always the most difficult. They’re also some of the most rewarding. If you’ve heard about NFTs but don’t really get the concept, head over to our deep-dive on all things NFTs, NFTs Explained: A Must-Read Guide to All Things Non-Fungible. There, we cover everything from NFTs and cryptocurrency to how to buy them and the best ways to avoid scams and fraud in the space. 

Next, you’d do well to give yourself a bit of context. The blockchain and NFTs have a fascinating history, which is why we put together a timeline covering the beginnings and history of NFTs for you to get properly oriented. And finally, no NFT enthusiast can go without a proper understanding of the technology that forms the backbone of Web3, the blockchain. 

Once you’re well-equipped with the basics, it’s time to move on to other mediums: podcasts, Twitter Spaces, YouTube, Discord, and more. Let’s explore.

Podcasts and Twitter Spaces 

nft now podcast

With more than 70 episodes in season one, the nft now podcast (hosted by co-founders Matt Medved, Alejandro Navia and Sam Hysell) has hosted dozens of influential artists, builders, and stars who have graced the mic to discuss the ups and downs of the NFT ecosystem and new creative economy. In our endeavors to empower the creators of culture, we’ve been fortunate to spotlight the hearts and minds on the cutting edge of Web3 innovation. From uncovering historically significant projects from the past to outlining strategies for the future and dropping serious alpha from some of the most prominent names in the NFT space, it’s been a wild ride.

Keep an eye out for the launch of season two in the coming months. In the meantime, you can enjoy our Live From the Gateway series, which looks back at the inspiring panels from 2022’s The Gateway: A Web3 Metropolis.

Ryan Carson’s Daily Dose

Former COO of the immensely successful Moonbirds NFT project and founder of the 1.21 Gigawatts Fund, Ryan Carson, is a Web3 public figure who hosts Daily Dose. Listeners can tune in Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 ET to hear insightful commentary on the NFT space from a rotating selection of some of the most influential figures in the ecosystem. 

Rug Radio

One of the NFT space’s most well-known collectors, Farokh is a Web3 entrepreneur and founder of Rug Radio, the self-described decentralized Web3 media platform. Before getting into NFTs, Farokh made a name for himself as a social media expert, establishing himself as a prominent Web3 voice during the 2021 NFT boom. Rug Radio’s GM Web3 is a daily broadcast where experienced collectors and respected community members share ideas on the Web3 ecosystem, all while having a bit of a laugh and spreading the NFT space’s GM vibes. Catch it Monday to Friday at 10:30 a.m. ET. 

The NFT Morning Show

Another fantastic daily Twitter Space to tune into is the NFT Morning Show which runs Monday to Friday at 9:00 a.m. ET. Run by NFT Nick, Pio Vincenzo, and Sophisticated Art Speculator, the NFT Morning Show hones in a bit more on NFT trade talk instead of conducting interviews and is a must-listen for those interested in keeping an eye on how the market is moving. 

Not Financial Advice

Don’t forget to head over to the nft now Twitter account to check out our very own Twitter Space, Not Financial Advice, where we talk about the week’s top trades, the leading stories and topics dominating the NFT space, and tips and advice on how to stay safe in Web3. Give us a follow and stay up-to-date.

XYZ News

XYZ News is an excellent resource for people looking to learn about NFTs and have a good time in the process. The platform hosts several Twitter Spaces, including the IYKYK Show, hosted by the irreverent and knowledgeable NFTGirl and Belle_NFTs. The pair of welcoming voices encourage participation and learning in the NFT space to everyone (especially those from underrepresented communities), regardless of their level of familiarity with the blockchain. 

Burn After Minting

Lastly, we have a brand new Twitter Space, Burn After Minting, from Deadfellaz NFT project founder and CEO Betty. Listeners can tune in every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. PST to hear Betty chat with Web3 “friends and legends.” 

YouTube

Zenaca’s ZenAcademy

Long-time NFT thought leader Zeneca is an excellent resource for NFT newcomers and long-time traders alike. In 2021, Zeneca founded ZenAcademy, a fantastic Twitter handle and YouTube channel for anyone of any NFT-familiarity level to learn about Web3 (check out his handy-dandy resources page for a full rundown of what he’s offering). Zeneca (and his associated accounts) also run a handful of weekly Twitter spaces, including This Week In NFTs and Thankful Thursdays. Zeneca’s most recent project is ZenDaily, a daily Twitter space that focuses on Web3, NFTs, crypto, and blockchain tech but extends beyond that sphere to cover things like content creation, developments in AI, and more. 

The Proof Daily NFT Countdown

NFTstatistics.eth (also known as Punk 9059 on Twitter) runs the Proof Collective’s fantastic Proof Daily NFT Countdown on YouTube. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the NFT space, this daily rundown is a great way to get right into the thick of things, as it provides a bird’s eye view and a fair amount of granular detail regarding what’s going on in Web3. 

Each video follows a similar format, beginning with a quick market overview that assesses ETH volumes, NFT marketplace rankings, and floor prices before briefly covering the latest NFT projects and crypto tokens that should be on your radar and why. Don’t sleep on it. 

nft now

You know we have to plug our nft now YouTube channel. Check it out for tons of insightful interviews with the NFT community members who are creating, building, and doing all kinds of great things to drive the Web3 world forward. 

Tools for tracking collectors and trades

The NFT space moves fast. Like, frustratingly fast. Miss out on an NFT drop, and you could be missing out on the chance to own some incredible art, the potential to own a token that greatly (and we mean greatly) appreciates in value or both. FOMO isn’t just an acronym; it’s a real thing that can significantly affect the mental health of people trying to keep up with all things Web3. On top of that, the sheer amount of projects, collectors, and data to sort through can make NFTs feel overwhelming.

Thankfully, there are some great tools for tracking well-known NFT collectors, trades, and even individual NFT projects and the kinds of digital tokens that comprise them. Using these tools can make you a more informed NFT collector and trader and help you better manage your psychological health by utilizing your time in Web3 more effectively. 

If you’re looking to get a better handle on NFT rarity (the characteristics of NFT in a collection that stand out from the rest and make an NFT more valuable), then head on over to Rarity Sniper, rarity.tools, and icy.tools for a start. And if you want a heads-up on when projects are minting or when NFT whales (influential collectors) buy into a project (a tell-tale sign of its rise), check out Ninja Alerts, a service that notifies you when top traders buy, mint, or sell an NFT. Ninja Alerts allows users to identify specific contracts or wallet addresses and to keep close tabs on them. Ninja Alerts also dropped by the nft now Not Financial Advice Twitter space recently, give it a listen to see what they had to say. 

Discord

If you’ve never heard of Discord before, it’s a super useful text, voice, and video app often used like a forum/chat room by NFT projects to communicate with their communities (join ours here!). Some Discords are exclusive, available only to users who own a particular project’s NFTs, like Proof Collective. However, most of them are open to all, and this is something that individuals learning about crypto and NFTs for the first would be good to use to their advantage. 

One of the best Discords out there comes from an NFT community whose primary goal is to educate people in all things Web3 in a welcoming, inclusive, and friendly way: BFF. With a focus on empowering women and non-binary individuals with the tools that the blockchain can provide, BFF’s Discord features several channels where you can pose questions regarding all things Web3, including NFTs, wallets, DAOs, and investing. 

One of the best and most organic ways to learn about the space is to find an artist or an NFT project that appeals to you and join their Discord server. Active NFT communities are constantly taking on new members, so nobody will judge you for hanging out in the Discord and simply being curious and asking questions. This also serves as a great way to judge the vibe of a particular community and its associated project, as these Discord servers will always have representatives from the project who sit in administrative server roles. If they (or the broader community) aren’t welcoming, informative, encouraging, and transparent, take that for the red flag that it probably is and bounce. 

Further reading

Still hungry for more? In July 2022, we compiled and released our curated list of the top 100 NFT community members shaping the future of Web3. Selected by our editorial department alongside community nominations, the NFT100 is an unranked showcase informed by a blend of data points and editorial judgment to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the space’s diverse talents. If you’re going to check out anyone in the space, start with this list, where you’ll find the most innovative builders, innovators, tastemakers, and leaders the NFT ecosystem offers. We also put together a list of 10 artists and 13 collectors you should keep an eye on in 2023.

It’s important to remember that NFTs aren’t just art; art is just a single use case for NFT technology. The potential of NFTs to change nearly every industry that exists is tantalizing (with even the U.S. Air Force recently injecting $30 million into a strategic initiative to develop its blockchain capabilities), so make sure you check out our coverage of the five unique NFT use cases that will dominate 2023. 

With all of these tools and resources at your fingertips, we believe anyone can thrive in Web3.

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