# The Partnerships Shortcut: "Build First, Ask Later" Approach

*The Optimism Show EP40, Project of the Week, and what we learn Building an Onchain Media Company...*

By [Optimism Show](https://insights.optimism.show) · 2025-03-12

business, partnerships, crypto, blockchain, optimism, podcast

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[Listen Podcast 👉](https://pods.media/the-optimism-show/the-smart-way-to-establish-partnerships?referrer=0x7BeC1f3285B83D273d640369282283B233e43786)

### Build First, Ask Later (Reverse Pitch)

Instead of pitching partnerships to meme coins, Tim **created staking vaults for them inside PoolTogether without their permission, then shared it with the projects**. Once they saw it working, they had no reason to say no to a partnership.

🔹 Find a project you'd like to collaborate with

🔹 Build a simple thing for them, a basic version of the partnership, or a simple integration with your project (eg. we use the comics)

### Find the ‘Fastest Responder’

Tim doesn’t waste time emailing support or sending cold DMs -- he makes friends with **1-3 most active people in the community chat** of the project he'd like to partner with. These people then connect him to everyone he needs.

### Piggyback on Existing Incentives

Tim convinced meme coin projects to integrate with PoolTogether **by framing it as _free engagement and community retention_** -- the exact things they cared about.

🔹 **Identify what your target partner is trying to accomplish** (ex: more TVL, more liquidity, better retention).

🔹 Frame your proposal as a **way to make their job easier or more successful** \-- not something new they have to think about. Ties close to the "Build First, Ask Later"

### Self-Sustaining Partnerships

**Instead of one-off token incentives**, Tim structured PoolTogether vaults so **meme coin holders continuously receive rewards** -- keeping the partnership self-sustainable.

🔹 Create incentives that keep both sides winning over time.

🔹 Make the partnership **improve user experience** so they naturally promote it themselves.

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[Subscribe](https://insights.optimism.show/memberships)

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Project of the Week ⭐
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Product Clank | $PRO
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![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1c4f6448600b796bec2cfc362a403612.png)

[Listen 👉](https://pods.media/the-optimism-show/meme-coins-for-product-virality-bootstrapping?referrer=0x7BeC1f3285B83D273d640369282283B233e43786)

Unlike traditional launch platforms (like Product Hunt), Product Clank **bakes in financial incentives for discovery and distribution** -- turning startup growth into a participatory, gamified ecosystem.

🔹 **Helps Builders Thrive** → Connects builders with the right people, resources, and tools at every stage: before, during, and after launch.

🔹 **Automated Token Launch for Each Product** → Every listed product gets a tradable token.

🔹 **Bridging Speculators & Builders** → Converts **speculation into real product distribution**, leveraging **memecoin mechanics for product adoption**.

![](https://paragraph.xyz/editor/callout/warning-icon.png)

You can check $PRO Product Clank on:

[DexScreener](https://dexscreener.com/base/0x8062cd29068074bc5b138dbee0caec2984f1b817) | [Website](https://www.productclank.com/) | [Farcaster](https://warpcast.com/productclank) | [Twitter](https://x.com/productclank)

_DISCLAIMER: This is not financial advice. Projects carry risks. Always do your own research (DYOR)._

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Building an Onchain Media Company
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**3 Things We Did**  
🔹 Teaming up with Product Clank to get more eyes on quality builders  
🔹 Launching a weekly partnerships series  
🔹 Mapped out a clear, step-by-step growth plan to implement in the next month

**2 Things We’re Thinking About**  
🔹 Turning [@farlands](https://warpcast.com/farlands) comics into something community-run, kinda like a DAO but fun  
🔹 Launching a Farcaster media project with other creators

**1 Thing We Learned**  
🔹 Prioritize clear communication and collaborative growth

![](https://paragraph.xyz/editor/callout/tip-icon.png)

**Follow Optimism Show on** [**Farcaster**](https://warpcast.com/~/channel/optimismshow) **and** [**Twitter**](https://x.com/TheOptimismShow)**.**

Follow @farlands (comics) on [Farcaster](https://warpcast.com/farlands) and [Twitter.](https://x.com/FarlandsProject)

Send us a message at [@vittoriocappelli](https://warpcast.com/vittoriocappelli), [@thekris](https://warpcast.com/thekris), or on Optimism Show's Twitter.

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*Originally published on [Optimism Show](https://insights.optimism.show/the-partnerships-shortcut-build-first,-ask-later-approach)*