# 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...

**Published by:** [Optimism Show](https://insights.optimism.show/)
**Published on:** 2025-03-12
**Categories:** business, partnerships, crypto, blockchain, optimism, podcast
**URL:** https://insights.optimism.show/the-partnerships-shortcut-build-first%2C-ask-later-approach

## Content

Listen Podcast 👉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 IncentivesTim 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 PartnershipsInstead 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.SubscribeProject of the Week ⭐Product Clank | $PROListen 👉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.You can check $PRO Product Clank on: DexScreener | Website | Farcaster | Twitter DISCLAIMER: This is not financial advice. Projects carry risks. Always do your own research (DYOR).Building an Onchain Media Company3 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 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 growthFollow Optimism Show on Farcaster and Twitter. Follow @farlands (comics) on Farcaster and Twitter. Send us a message at @vittoriocappelli, @thekris, or on Optimism Show's Twitter.Subscribe

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