Over the past couple of years a new blockchain technology has emerged called Non-fungible tokens, non fungible is a term used here to describe a digital token that cannot be copied, subdivided or substituted for something else. NFTs exist in their initial created state, and it will remain the same forever, along with its token data permanently recorded on a blockchain.
Non Fungible Tokens paved the way for a new kind of digital asset, one which can never be compromised. This new technology fueled many ideas about digital copyrights and authentication, even down to replacing username and password for logging to services like Netflix or Amazon . During 2021 the search term “What is an NFT?” was in the top 10 globally most searched terms. Also during 2021, the market for NFT grew to over $50 billion.
NFTs are unique digital tokens, like assets that can be minted, and later sold or traded on blockchains such as Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, etc. Many platforms now exist to trade NFTs such as Opensea, Rariable and MagicEden.
The journey of the NFT starts with Minting, a term borrowed from the traditional currency business of making new coins to replace old ones, just like The Royal Mint in the UK makes new pennies and pounds, that process is called Minting, so the term migrated over to the digital world.
NFT Minting is its creation, the point at which the relative blockchain records a transaction of the mint. It is at this point the NFT exists and can never be deleted; it is non-fungible.
NFT markets have grown so much that major social media companies like Reddit have entire collections, companies such as Twitter allow their users to use NFTs as profile pictures. Facebook has also made public their plans to integrate NFTs into Instagram.
NFTs are here to stay. It's a new technology like Bitcoin was in 2009, NFT is just at the beginning of its ramp up phase. As more brands like Gucci, Adidas, Nike develop virtual clothing for metaverse projects. Pretty soon our digital avatars will be better dressed than us.
What is a NFT Drop Calendar?
It's about data, the latest information and how to get it is the power play used today. NFT Calendar gives you just that. First mover advantage in gathering all the data about upcoming NFT projects. It is the most important part, how you use that data depends on your objectives.
So, if NFTs are created by creators, artists, fashion houses etc obtaining the information of when a particular NFT collection drop is happening is very lucrative information. Many NFT drops have happened and we read about them after the event, knowing before the drop event may have presented an opportunity to get in on the action or at least be aware of it so you don't fall prey to minting frenzy.
NFT Calendar is all about data. We give you the data of when the NFT drops are happening, who is doing them, where to find out more information. That is our sole function to inform visitors of the NFT drops. A starting point to gathering data.
Presenting you with the data about a particular NFT project, enabling you to make educated informed decisions. The alternative, which is so common, is rushing in at the last minute trying to mint an NFT during the frenzy. We believe it's better to be informed and prepared beforehand.
The different types of NFT Drops.
As the development of NFT technology has happened, creators and artists have been creative about the different methods of selling NFTs and how to maximise profits and create frenzy.
Here are a few methods used in NFT drops.
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Get in line and wait, a simple first come, first server approach also my personal favourite. In this method users who visit the official mint website during the time of drop will be able to get an NFT. Once sold out it's over, a simple approach and fair for all. Anyone who missed the drop can purchase on the secondary markets like Opensea.
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Mint and Burn or Open edition drops, this is similar to first come first serve and has a timeframe of a few days or weeks, along with an added action of burning any non-minted NFTs.
Burning NFTs basically means any NFT that is not minted in the given timeframe can never be minted. Example, say the creator has set a maximum limit of 10,000 NFTs in the drop to be minted over 5 days, if only 8,000 are minted in the given timeframe the remaining 2,000 will be permanently disabled from minting in the smart contract.
A process called burning, again another term borrowed from the traditional currency markets like when The Royal Mint literally burns old damaged bank notes in a furnace.
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Dutch Auction, a classic auction used in traditional auction houses for decades, the price drops over a set period of time until a buyer makes a bid. A classic art selling approach used in many NFT drops.
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English Auction, similar approach is used in websites like ebay and auction houses. Price starts low and has a set time for the auction to run, people make bids with the highest bid winning as long as it is above the reserve price.
Most large collections like Cool Cats, Azuki, Bored Apes have followed the first come first serve, get in line approach to NFT drops. However as NFT communities grow special access is sometimes given to members known as whitelisting.
Whitelsing is when the creators of a collection give early access or a lower price to people who qualify. It is very common practice in order to build loyalty to NFT projects and create a frenzy about a new NFT drop. If you have a captive audience your NFT drop will have greater success. Whitelisting often requires members to perform functions like share posts on social media and invite people to join the community. The greater the community the greater the frenzy and excitement which translates to greater profits and more potential for the future NFT project development.
Whichever style of NFT drop the creators have chosen does not matter, as long as you are informed and prepared for it in advance.
NFT Calendar : How to use it to find NFT Drops.
The navigation of NFT Calendar is easy, on page load at the very top of the page we have featured NFT drops, pay special attention to these as creators have actively promoted these collections. Featured collections tend to have more traction, as the creators are actively marketing their projects.
Further down we have listings sorted in date descending order with today's NFT drops at the top with the drop date clearly visible.
Clicking on a NFT collection drop will open a more detailed page view with full description and video if one has been added by the creator, along with the project's official links.
NFT drop Listings are added everyday by creators. We audit and check each listing to ensure the project exists and has social media links. Low quality projects are rejected by our team. It is important to visit the NFT projects website and socials to better understand the project's roadmap and future plans. The more information you have the better decisions you can make.
Don't Get Scammed in the NFT Market
This does happen and it is not good, but there will always be scammers, fake collections, even fake websites with fake smart contracts. They exist and have scammed many people who were just not properly prepared.
There is only one tip we can give here….Ready
Always Follow Official Links
That's it, one thing that will stop you from getting scammed is to know in advance where the official links are from official twitter account to website and discord channels, have them bookmarked and make sure your familiar with the sites so you know what to expect if someone copies the site, you will not go it as you have the official links bookmarked.
There is another type of scam called a Rug Pull. This is done by creators who launched a project with amazing art and a roadmap created a community and whitelist and after the mint just did not even deliver anything. They took the mint funds and disappeared. Closed the social, deleted everything and goodbye.
Avoiding these can be a little more tricky, minting from NFT creators who have done previous projects is a safer mint.
What to Look for in an NFT Drop
Successful NFT launches have some things in common
- Community, either on Twitter or Discord some NFT projects don't have a discord but they will all have a twitter channel.
- Roadmap, whilst roadmaps change all the time, it is important that the project has one that will demonstrate the creator's ability to think beyond the NFT drop.
- Websites are also a must have they need to show you the project details.
- Utility is something that is talked about in NFT projects. It's like owning the NFT will give you access to events and members perks.
- Artwork, a big reason why people buy NFTs is still for the art and that is important having nice artwork will make the project standout.
- Brands like Gucci, Adidas, Nike are obvious winners however lesser known brands like artists, musicians, socialites will also make a project popular.
NFT Blockchains
There are many blockchains that support NFT technology the most popular and premium one is ethereum but there are others such as Poylgon, Solana, in fact the list keeps on growing.
When it comes to NFTs it's better to stick with the popular blockchains. The reason is that your NFTs will appeal to a wider audience when you come to selling. More NFT platforms like Opensea exist for the popular chains. The most popular in order are Ethererum, Polygon and then Solana.
Upcoming NFT drop and launches
No matter what your interest in NFT drops to flip, invest, own the art or something else. Having the data and information is the single most important factor. NFT Calendar is a valuable tool for sourcing data.
