Kanpai Pandas & Discord: Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Revenue - Part 2
TL;DR: The Kanpai Pandas community's strong engagement is a result of its unique approach to recruitment, the utilization of voice chat, the fostering of a distinct and open community culture, a strong focus on implementing community feedback, and continuous innovation. The community's approach is unconventional, but their success serves as a testament to their methods.
Welcome back to the second part of our deep dive into the dynamic community of the Kanpai Pandas. In the first installment of this series, we explored the impressive engagement rates, the resilience of the community during challenging times, and their innovative fusion of digital interaction and real-world events. We also touched on their initial struggles and their eventual triumph, a testament to their perseverance and the power of community. Today, we are going to unravel another integral aspect of their success: team building. We will delve into how the Kanpai Pandas constructed a strong, cohesive team, a critical component in driving their extraordinary engagement rates and solidifying their place in the digital community space.
Harnessing Talent from Within
One unique strategy Kanpai Pandas implemented is their approach to recruitment. Rather than looking outwards, they turned to their already active and engaged community for talent. Zelt and J Byrd, who are now core members of the team, started out as enthusiastic community participants. Recognizing their dedication and activity within the community, they were recruited after a year, transforming from active community members to essential pillars of the team. This approach not only fostered a sense of continuity but also strengthened the internal bonds within the community.
The Power of Voice Chat
The incorporation of voice chat has proven to be a game-changer for the Kanpai Pandas in terms of engagement on Discord. Particularly during events, voice chat and live streaming have played a significant role in fostering a real-time, interactive environment. Since the community's inception, these voice-enabled features have been heavily utilized, providing a platform for vibrant discussion and shared experiences. An example of their dedication is how members would wake up at 3 am to watch World Cup games together. This use of voice chat has enabled an immersive, collective experience, thereby enhancing the sense of community and engagement within the group.
Fostering a Unique Community Culture
The culture within the Kanpai Pandas community stands out as distinctly unconventional and unfiltered. Rather than enforcing strict behavioral norms, they have chosen to let members express themselves freely, even to the point of ribbing each other. The atmosphere is relaxed and open, promoting a sense of camaraderie and togetherness. A prime example is the term 'wetard' which new members learn from the founders as soon as they join the server. This symbolizes the community's unique way of breaking the ice and ensuring everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves.
However, they maintain a keen awareness that this culture is not for everyone, and that's okay. They have created an environment where humor and light-hearted ribbing are the norm, where people can 'shitpost' without fear of backlash, and where tolerance and acceptance are key. The result is a community culture that, while unconventional, resonates deeply with those who choose to stick around. This distinct culture has undoubtedly contributed to the strong engagement and tight-knit community that is Kanpai Pandas.
Valuing Community Feedback
The Kanpai Pandas community places great emphasis on the voices and opinions of its members. They actively seek out feedback and, crucially, take steps to implement suggested changes. A significant example of this is the inception of their prop tech, which originated from a community member's idea. As they were brainstorming for a fantasy football league and considering adding a jersey to the panda, a spark was ignited. This concept eventually morphed into the 'Panda Labs,' where users can alter any traits on their NFT pandas. By actively valuing and acting upon community feedback, they have fostered a sense of involvement and ownership among members, bolstering their strong community engagement.
The Spirit of Innovation
Innovation is at the heart of the Kanpai Pandas community, and it plays an integral role in maintaining member engagement. They understand that people love unique and exciting features, so they constantly push the boundaries of what's possible. Their innovative prop algorithm, which allows members to change the traits and metadata of their NFT pandas, exemplifies this. With this feature, their pandas can don different jerseys and undergo metadata alterations, adding a new level of customization and personalization to the NFT experience. This spirit of innovation, however, isn't an isolated process; it goes hand in hand with community feedback. They believe that the most impactful features often originate from the community and should be developed collaboratively, combining innovative thinking with a deep understanding of their community's needs and desires.