10 Kekmandments As the NFT market heats up again, you’re going to see a lot of silly/wild sales. Some will make you smile, others will make you wonder how on earth that got so much attention while your own work feels overlooked. Sure, part of it is reach, part of it is aesthetics. But a big part is just how markets work. Narratives, hype, FOMO, timing. I’ve been around since 2021, and over time I’ve picked up a few things that I keep reminding myself of. So here are my 10 commandments for artists, shared in the hope they’ll help (or at least reassure) a few of you too: 1. Create to create, not to sell. Sales are nice, but they’re just the cherry on top. What really matters is making the work, being part of this era of art, and leaving your mark on this moment in time. 2. Have another source of income. You can’t create freely if paying rent depends on your next mint selling out. A day job or side gig isn’t a lack of commitment, it’s proof of it. Juggling work, art, and life is no small thing. 3. Collectors aren’t ATMs. Treat them like people. Don’t follow someone and then slide into their DMs with a sales pitch. It’s the fastest way to get muted (and yes, word travels). 4. Support other artists. Buy their work if you can, but even if you can’t, share it, like it, talk about it. Be that friend who always shows up. 5. Appreciate friends that show up. The person who likes all your tweets but has never bought anything? They matter too, and maybe even more. Recognition and respect is not just meant for buyers. 6. Keep evolving. Your style might be perfected. It might even have made you great money. But it’s healthy (and interesting) to change things up once in a while. 7. Learn and share. If you see something that makes you go “how the hell did they do that?”, ask! Most artists are happy to talk shop if you approach with genuine curiosity. 8. Kill the imposter syndrome. You don’t need sales or likes to call yourself an artist. Do you like your work? Would you collect it? That’s the baseline. 9. Take breaks. You don’t have to post every day. Just try not to disappear for an entire bear market and return only when things get hot. People notice. 10. Own your mistakes. We all mess up. We say/do things we regret. Being an artist and a marketing machine at the same time isn’t easy. Acknowledge your mistakes, learn, move on. Final thoughts: The market will do what it does. You can’t control hype cycles, timing, or what catches fire, or which influential eyes look your way. What you can control is how you show up: as an artist, as a community member, and as a human being. That’s the part that lasts longer than any pump. Cheers! Surprise Gift: If you made it till the end, here's a FREE mint for you (while supply lasts) - something that stays in your wallet as a reminder of the 10 Kekmandments. Spread the love. Gn 🤍 @TransientLabs