Darkcoin Promotion Initiatives

[Minotaur]

Now that we are close to open source we should get ready to start actively promoting Darkcoin. I have discussed extensively with fernando the interest I have in helping in this area, as I am sure many others will like to help too. I know the Darkcoin Foundation is getting organized and we will soon have a formal channel to implement these ideas, but now seems as good a time as any to start brainstorming.

Idea 1:

My first idea is to create a target list of relevant companies and/or individuals in the crypto world to whom we would like to present Darkcoin/Darksend, the features and benefits of our solution and the philosophy behind our movement. This target list will be built through online research and using tools like Hoovers(I have access) and Linked in. Companies like GoCoin and Bitpay, will be included along with many mid sized crypto companies and all executives involved.

The idea consist in preparing a package of information that answers the following questions:

• What is Darkcoin?
• Who is behind Darkcoin?
  
• What are the competitive advantages of Darkcoin when compared to other crypto currencies?
• Darkcoin Features and Benefits?
• Maybe a Darkcoin/Darksend infographic and some illustrations.
  
• Instructions on how to test Darksend and see it in action.

Once, we have the content ready that we want to share with the world I will make sure we present it in a clean professional way using the Darkcoin stationery we worked on on the Branding thread. I will also like to produce some hard copies of this material to be sent out to corporate offices of some of the crypto companies we find to be relevant to our cause.

In the electronic version of the information package we may include a wallet.dat and a link to download the wallet when the mail is directed to specific individuals advising them that they can claim 5DRK that we would Darksend to them so they can test the wallet and see the Darksend process in action. I am hoping with this initiative to create awareness and have some important people look into Darkcoin in more detail.

This project will have a few stages:

Stage 1) Planning. This is where we are now and feedback from active members is expected.

Stage 2) Building the target list. These are the people we want to attract as investors/supporters. We will initially send the information but we may later actually put in some phone calls and arrange some meetings. Send in active members that may be on their territories to pitch Darkcoin live or even fly for a meeting if its relevant enough.

Stage 3) Preparing the promotion material. This may include a Darkcoin corporate profile, presentations, videos, user guides, infographics and the like. This is going to be a continues effort and should happen concurrently as we build our target list. Nevertheless, we need a first version of our information package to launch the campaign.


Stage4) Deploying the campaign. We may designate responsible members for specific territories and follow up and meet regularly to gauge progress. Our objectives are to:

• Create Darkcoin awareness.
  
• Get our coin added to new services (payment processors, exchanges, etc.).
  
• Attract new investors.
• Get validation of our solution/code from relevant members of the crypto community.

As we are right now on the planning stage, please provide feedback and present your view so we can come up with the best strategy.

Propulsion, Kai, tungfa, eltito, fernando. David, TsuyokuNaritai , moli, raze, vertoe,
AjM, pbleak, eduffield, flare, splawik21, yidakee, fra55, TanteStefana, chaeplin, thelonecrouton, Coins101, AlexGR elbereth

I just tagged some active members to get the discussion going please advice all interested members to participate and offer their view.

 

[fernando]

As we have discussed, I fully agree to do this is an organized way.

Aside of the tools you've mentioned, I'll only add that we should set up a CRM to keep track of everything. It is important that we keep the knowledge somewhere because people come and go more frequently than in a company. Also, there will be private data about the organizations we contact and we need to keep that safe and accessible only to those who need access.

This should be focused on payment processors and exchanges. Merchants are a different beast and I think that we need to work first on the others, especially payment processors. These days I've been doing some tests with the ones we have now, and we need much more than that if we want adoption. Also, this should not include 'dubious' players. This is about privacy, not illegal activities. We can't stop certain things from happening, but we can't chase them.

 

[David]

Great stuff! One phrase I'm trying to reiterate these days is "financial privacy." It's not even about anonymity per se...we simply want our finances to be private, as they should be...and go from there...

 

[splawik21]

Minotaur good idea. It occus a lot of sweat but it worth it.
I think that once open source will come out there will be much info around so ppl will pass info by themselves doing good addvertise for tech of drk.
I am here and will support this idea in a way I can afford me + my real life which became very time consuming.
Btw. Sorry for my simple english

 

[tungfa]

Great
I totally agree.

ll the PR Releases we are doing in the moment, are just PR Releases (obviously)
but we need exactly this (and we should have done that from the beginning (as an introduction)
Who
what
where
How
what we offer you

with this we can really approach new investors and generally interesting people to DRK

This has to be personalize as much as possible, as with this we can really start a conversation with
Max Keiser
or some Investment Fund guy
or a celebrity ... (just spinning off here a bit)

it is all about getting them engaged into a conversation with us, and if they do, well we nearly got them !

 

[RenegadeMan]

Tremendous to see this initiative underway. I'm down in Australia and have been invested in DRK since around March (bought in near the top but have never lost faith and have continually added to my holdings over time). I'd be pleased to work with others down here. I know Ignition75 is here somewhere so will try and get in touch with him.

I'm an experienced corporate IT guy who has worked on many large scale IT roll-outs. Much of my work is related to the higher level pre-project business planning and change management, but I also have first hand experience at being "on the floor" on the day a new system is implemented and dealing with the thousands of user issue/challenges that naturally arise. So I know a lot about project management, implementation phases, roll-back planning, ITSM and systems interdependency (not to mention the vagaries of early tech adoption and all the doubters you have to sell to, especially after go live causes pain).

You've put some very good points in your initial posting Minotaur. And Fernando I especially like your call for a CRM. In fact I was about to write something similar. The very key to seeing successful trial by all those parties that have been nominated is a well coordinated effort to support them in getting the wallet installed, being able to see their 5 DRK in there and performing a Darksend. Many of them will already be well versed in Qt wallets so will not need too much hand holding, but others will not. If we're to catch hold of a big fish personality who suddenly takes an interest, one can imagine how easily they could just give up if they can't get it working or readily get help.

A few other important points off the top of my head are:

1, Need to brief everyone on the BCT ANN DRK thread with continual updates on who has been invited to partake in the trial. The worst thing would be for one of these people to come onto that thread with a noob question or comment and be treated with disdain (as many newcomers often are). We won't necessarily know when a BCT account on there is one of these people but we need to remind everyone that they're likely to be on there at some point and to be friendly and helpful.

2. Need to appoint a team of experienced wallet/Darksend contact personnel who can be there to provide help and assistance to the trial people.

3. Need to have a simple cheat sheet that shows them how to make a Darksend transaction then attempt to trace funds via the block explorer (i.e. steps, URLs, etc).

4. Need to ensure the trial people are well versed in what Twitter #tags to use if they decide to tweet about their DRK experiences (one tweet from a major name could be game changing).

Thanks. Exciting times.

 

[strix]

Good points all. I would like to expand a bit on Fernando's excellent point that, "Also, this should not include 'dubious' players. This is about privacy, not illegal activities. We can't stop certain things from happening, but we can't chase them." The fact of the matter is that we can chase them, but probably shouldn't--at least not overtly. A less obvious, and hence potentially more serious problem concerns the phrase "'dubious' players." Fernando is clearly equating the terms dubious and illegal; and the potential negative ramifications of overtly courting this crowd should be obvious. DRK will certainly be labeled "the coin of pedophiles and terrorists," and we need to make sure we can counter with; "If privacy is outlawed, only outlaws will have privacy." (Yes, you can quote me on that one. ;-)

The problem that I allude to is that many players in the business community see "dubious" in much larger terms than simple illegality. Many would include pornography and gambling under that term, and not want to be associated with anything linked to such "social vices." Please understand, I am not attempting to be a moralist here. (I may be one, but that is not my point.;-) I have observed things on the BTC ANN thread that I know would drive off many whom I know would be big adopters if properly introduced. I do not expect that we can (or even should) change that.

What I do suggest is that the marketing material be of such a nature that a third grade teacher could leave it on her classroom desk without fear of recrimination. We can trivialize the fact that most eighth-graders can access porn on the Internet, but that won't help attract their parents to DRK. Telling them that they can donate to any political, religious, or charitable cause without fear of recrimination, and maintain their privacy, just might. (They might also realize they can buy porn with it, but don't rub their faces in it.)

People will have no problem deciding what to spend money on when they realize they can do so in complete privacy, but there are those who will balk if the options are made too stark. When the objection is raised that this is the coin of gamblers and pornographers, the response should be along the lines of; "If the steps you take to maintain your privacy aren't used by gamblers and pornographers, or for that matter terrorists and pedophiles; they certainly aren't strong enough to protect you!"

TLDR--Take the highest road possible and don't market to low-hanging fruit, it will fall into our basket of its own accord. It is the high-minded, moral (wealthy) intelligentsia that we need to shake down.

Just food for thought...

 

[Tesquenure]

i can help if need, for french parts.
I Try to have Darkcoin in wikipedia french (not win at this time)
And with duffette.wordpress.com

 

[RenegadeMan]

Good points all. I would like to expand a bit on Fernando's excellent point that, "Also, this should not include 'dubious' players. This is about privacy, not illegal activities. We can't stop certain things from happening, but we can't chase them." The fact of the matter is that we can chase them, but probably shouldn't--at least not overtly. A less obvious, and hence potentially more serious problem concerns the phrase "'dubious' players." Fernando is clearly equating the terms dubious and illegal; and the potential negative ramifications of overtly courting this crowd should be obvious. DRK will certainly be labeled "the coin of pedophiles and terrorists," and we need to make sure we can counter with; "If privacy is outlawed, only outlaws will have privacy." (Yes, you can quote me on that one. ;-)

The problem that I allude to is that many players in the business community see "dubious" in much larger terms than simple illegality. Many would include pornography and gambling under that term, and not want to be associated with anything linked to such "social vices." Please understand, I am not attempting to be a moralist here. (I may be one, but that is not my point.;-) I have observed things on the BTC ANN thread that I know would drive off many whom I know would be big adopters if properly introduced. I do not expect that we can (or even should) change that.

What I do suggest is that the marketing material be of such a nature that a third grade teacher could leave it on her classroom desk without fear of recrimination. We can trivialize the fact that most eighth-graders can access porn on the Internet, but that won't help attract their parents to DRK. Telling them that they can donate to any political, religious, or charitable cause without fear of recrimination, and maintain their privacy, just might. (They might also realize they can buy porn with it, but don't rub their faces in it.)

People will have no problem deciding what to spend money on when they realize they can do so in complete privacy, but there are those who will balk if the options are made too stark. When the objection is raised that this is the coin of gamblers and pornographers, the response should be along the lines of; "If the steps you take to maintain your privacy aren't used by gamblers and pornographers, or for that matter terrorists and pedophiles; they certainly aren't strong enough to protect you!"

TLDR--Take the highest road possible and don't market to low-hanging fruit, it will fall into our basket of its own accord. It is the high-minded, moral (wealthy) intelligentsia that we need to shake down.

Just food for thought...

This is a very well thought through and considered posting strix. I'd just like to congratulate you on your ability to articulate the nature of the fine line we all need to walk around Darkcoin's privacy and anonymity, what it means, why it's important to democracy and freedom and how it needs to be positioned to ensure the right motives for Darkcoin's creation and establishment are understood. We all need to be very aware that Darkcoin could end up with a very bad reputation very rapidly if the concepts are not articulated on a sound basis and we're too flippant about the likely uses of this technology by criminals.

Down here in Australia (as is happening in many parts of the world right now) we are in the grip of almost mass public and media hysteria about the so called Islamic State breakout and terrorism. In the past week we've had a massive police operation that has caught radicalised Islamists planning to behead an innocent member of the public in the centre of Sydney's business district and in the past 48 hours a crazed radicalised teenager turned up at a police station to be interviewed by police, pulled two knives and attacked these policemen who had no idea what was coming, critically injuring one and then getting himself shot dead in the process by the other policeman who managed to get his gun out and stop the frenzied attack, whilst having his arm severely slashed. Police across the country are now on full alert the minute someone walks in the door of their station ready for mortal combat. The whole thing has ratcheted anti-Muslim sentiment up to levels not seen since 9/11 and a lot of Australians are now at boiling point ready to go ballistic about this complete crap that's going on and the unbelievable attack on our values and way of life.

My point is that, in this current atmosphere of extreme fear and loathing, if you were doing something seen to be even ever so slightly offering some sort of facility terrorists can use you're going to get cast as a villain via the knee-jerk anger and lynch mob mentality. We have to be ready to be able to explain why it's so imperative financial privacy is maintained and that Darkcoin is there to tackle the over excesses of big brother, to give us all a fighting chance of limiting the continued erosion of freedom. I know many on here will think this of little consequence and that Darkcoin is what it is and if terrorists want to use it, so be it we can't stop them. Well that's entirely true, but what I'm talking about here is public perception and reputation management. Just like the issues around free speech, we need to have great clarity on why it's imperative that anyone can choose to transact business privately on Darkcoin. We need to talk about this non-stop and continually call people's attention to the higher ideals of what privacy affords citizens and why it is just so important. If Darkcoin suddenly gets some mainstream coverage and was associated with some incident where it looks like terrorists used it to move funds, we will have all the spook agencies and policing forces of the world suddenly investigating what this is and what it's about. The price of Darkcoin will likely go through the roof at that point but the Spanish Inquisition style of attention we'll attract will be extreme too. This is the risk we're carrying developing and promoting technology/currency such as this in this climate of such extreme fear and misunderstanding by everyday citizens of the Orwellian rout they're being subjected to.

I'm very keen to ensure we maintain a very professional image with the outbound marketing that completely avoids highlighting the attractiveness of Darkcoin for gambling and pornography sites. Those businesses will already know how it can be used, we don't need to be actively targeting them. Where we'll do really well is with high-net-worth individuals and organisations (especially the 3-letter spooks) that need to move funds anonymously. Once people from these demographics realise what's been built and how dependable it is, it will take off like wildfire. The criminals will have been in there long before, but that's not for us to manage, monitor or attempt to influence.

I think this phrase you've coined "If privacy is outlawed, only outlaws will have privacy" is central to the message. Thanks.

RenegadeMan

 

[strix]

Thank you RenegadeMan; you warm my heart. I was a bit concerned that I might be chastised for my "prudish" concerns, but you hit the nail on the head, and your words bear repeating:

"Just like the issues around free speech, we need to have great clarity on why it's imperative that anyone can choose to transact business privately on Darkcoin. We need to talk about this non-stop and continually call people's attention to the higher ideals of what privacy affords citizens and why it is just so important. If Darkcoin suddenly gets some mainstream coverage and was associated with some incident where it looks like terrorists used it to move funds, we will have all the spook agencies and policing forces of the world suddenly investigating what this is and what it's about. The price of Darkcoin will likely go through the roof at that point but the Spanish Inquisition style of attention we'll attract will be extreme too. This is the risk we're carrying developing and promoting technology/currency such as this in this climate of such extreme fear and misunderstanding by everyday citizens of the Orwellian rout they're being subjected to.

I'm very keen to ensure we maintain a very professional image with the outbound marketing that completely avoids highlighting the attractiveness of Darkcoin for gambling and pornography sites. Those businesses will already know how it can be used, we don't need to be actively targeting them. Where we'll do really well is with high-net-worth individuals and organisations (especially the 3-letter spooks) that need to move funds anonymously. Once people from these demographics realise what's been built and how dependable it is, it will take off like wildfire. The criminals will have been in there long before, but that's not for us to manage, monitor or attempt to influence." --RenegadeMan

We need to do what we can to upgrade the image presented on the BTC ANN thread. I have no doubt that many pastors, priests, rabbis, and immams share "dirty jokes," but they don't do it in public venues... If they are wise.

We cannot and should not censure, but we can set a good example, encourage, and not respond in kind. IMHO

 

[GreyGhost]

Don't forget that Evan Duffield’s Darkcoin White Paper states: “Darkcoin is the first privacy centric cryptographic currency based on Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin,” so we do not need to reinvent the wheel, we have our e-Cash already.

Alas, "eCash" is trademarked so we could go with crypto-cash, a privacy centric currency, a simple electronic medium of exchange, convertible to fiat money. What I'd like to see is a lawyer who'd be able to start with The Coinage Act of April 2, 1792 and prepare a pre-emptive defense. Funny thing about it is that if someone counterfeits or debase the dollar he or she "shall suffer death." (section 19 of coinage act of 1792) Today's central banks are debasing fiat money in the pace never seen before and are therefore guilty for the crimes punishable by death.

Sooner or later, the Financial Crime Cartel will use all its might masqueraded as the government, and try to crush crypto currencies. When this happens we'd have to be calm and ready.

 

[TsuyokuNaritai]

I think this phrase you've coined "If privacy is outlawed, only outlaws will have privacy" is central to the message.
RenegadeMan

It's by Philip Zimmermann.

 

[fernando]

Hey guys, great discussion going on! Forgive my brevity, I'm on business trip typing in the phone. Just quick update:

• CRM is already working. Minotaur is already in contact with a payment processor and we'll use that project to help configure the app.
• Soon we'll have a place in the new website to introduce leads. Even if you are not up to do outreach yourselves, please start thinking about companies and people that should be contacted whose contact data you have. We'll need you to introduce those!

 

[strix]

It's by Philip Zimmermann.

Thank you, and by all means give PZ the credit! When it came to me as I was writing the post, I was thinking of the saying related to guns and thought "Wow, why hasn't anyone appropriated this for privacy?" I would like to say; "great minds think alike," but need to acknowledge that I have read much by PZ over the years and probably read this by him at some point.

The fact that it can be attributed to Phil Zimmermann, makes it much more powerful than if our literature was quoting me. I can now be much more bullish about using it, and suggest this quote find its way into the public persona of DRK. It will have the affect of linking Phil's name with DRK--and that would be a VERY good thing in terms of marketing!

Btw, Phillip Zimmermann, and anyone associated with him or Silent Circle, NEED to be on our mailing list. Any positive comment by him, directly addressing DRK would be of more general marketing value than the recent positive security analysis. That is important, but will go over the general users head.

So maybe I should say; "Even small minds can seem great, if they learn from great ones!" ;-)

 

[kaspermertz]

What about getting Darkcoin listed on CCEDK, they offers Darkcoin/Fiat payments?
I got the connection to make it happen.

Best Regards

Kasper Larsen, true believer in Darkcoin.

 

[vertoe]

What about getting Darkcoin listed on CCEDK, they offers Darkcoin/Fiat payments?
I got the connection to make it happen.

Best Regards

Kasper Larsen, true believer in Darkcoin.

Well let me know what you need to make it happen!?

 

[kaspermertz]

Well let me know what you need to make it happen!?

I am sorry for the late response, had an accident with my leg.
Well the developer of CCEDK got a criteria sheet of ten questions and I was wondering, if someone from the community could help me answer those questions?

Best regards

Kasper Larsen

 

[acidburn]

Post them up and we will help.

 

[kaspermertz]

Post them up and we will help.

Criteria set for choosing altcoin to be added to CCEDK exchange.


Altcoin information


Established when, lowest and highest listing on coinmarketcap.

And present listing.


L

Amount of registered users, amount of active users in community and will they be able to contribute proactively?



Short description of altcoin in question with 5 strong selling points.



Why would being added to CCEDK make a difference?

What points make future co operation stand out as uniqe?



What other exchanges are already offering the altcoin?

List also here which ones

Are offering which Fiat currencies.



What media connections are used for publishing to insure getting noticed?

Which ones do you have a strong relationship with?



What amount of users is expected to join CCEDK with a future listing?

Like what unique users connected to altcoin are expected to register within first month?








Are you willing to invest an amount of your currency to CCEDK?

If so, how much?




Are you ready to pay in your altcoin to be listed?

We ask here the equivalent to minimum 4 BTC in your coin in question.




What "secrets" could a future co operation bring to the table.

Synergy based activities, assets etc. added with a listing.




What amount of merchants are to date connected with altcoin.

Will these merchants be possible to connect with CCEDK as fiat exchange.

 

[TsuyokuNaritai]

Hi, how is this progressing and how can we all help?

 

[flare]

This has already been addressed by fernando and Minotaur - questionaire was sent back yesterday.

 

[tungfa]

we need more writers if anybody wants to help !!

please step up and support and we can supply Minotaur and fernando with the needed writing !!

 

[darkmonk]

I'm happy to do some writing while my wrist heals and I can't "work" (you know, slave away like everyone else). Send me a PM letting me know what I'm making, and ideally who I'm targeting and I'll get you some fine fine werdz. they'll even be on a page.

 

[tungfa]

I'm happy to do some writing while my wrist heals and I can't "work" (you know, slave away like everyone else). Send me a PM letting me know what I'm making, and ideally who I'm targeting and I'll get you some fine fine werdz. they'll even be on a page.

no payment here, sorry, volunteer basis only !!
(like all of us)

 

[darkmonk]

That's fine. I'll take a crack at it in between doing some Android development in the coming days.

 

[tungfa]

That's fine. I'll take a crack at it in between doing some Android development in the coming days.

that would be very cool !!
tx man , keep me posted please

 

[darkmonk]

That wasn't hard.

***
What is Darkcoin?
Darkcoin is an anonymous, open source cryptocurrency designed for privacy and instant transaction confirmation.

Sounds exactly like Bitcoin.
Similar, but it has two distinguishing features:
(1) Transactions are currently under 20 seconds, making retail and storefront application possible (it can take up to 1 hour for Bitcoin transactions to confirm). Instantaneous transactions are currently in development.
(2) Because it can be anonymized, transactions can either be public (useful for legally binding contracts), or private (useful for personal spending. The world doesn't care how much you spent at Veggie Grill when you took your girlfriend out for lunch last week, but you bet that we care that you're upholding your contractual obligations).

Wait … how can transactions be instantaneous with the blockchain technology? Doesn't the network have to confirm transactions?

Yes, the network confirms transactions in an identical manner as Bitcoin (using a slightly different hashing algorithm – X11), however this is the second tier of transaction confirmation. The first tier is a “masternode” network that verifies against double-spending and confirms transactions – they don't appear on the blockchain until the transaction has gone through the hashing algorithm (the second tier of computation, aka “mining”)

Who made Darkcoin?
Evan Duffield – a software developer since 15 years old, he has a professional background in finance, economics, and machine learning. Development for Darkcoin has become his full-time project.


Anonymous? Doesn't that mean criminals are going to use it?
Criminals will use whatever the most convenient currency is for their work – currently, most criminal transactions are in USD because it's the most widely accepted currency in the world. “When privacy becomes outlawed, only criminals will have privacy.” ~ Paul Zimmerman

By the same token, is it the world's business how you spend your money? Does the desire for privacy with your finances make you criminal?


How do I try this out?
You can download the wallet at (include darkcoin . io link here - got an error trying to post it because I am new to the forum) - installation instructions are there for all operating systems. Mobile wallets are currently in development by third party developers.

****
See? I told you. Werdz on a page.

 

[acidburn]

That looks great.

 

[elgringo]

Like it would prefer you add that transactions will be about 20 seconds, (bold part)

Sounds exactly like Bitcoin.
Similar, but it has two distinguishing features:
(1) Transactions are instantaneous, (under 20 seconds) making retail and storefront application possible (it can take up to 1 hour for Bitcoin transactions to confirm)

 

[r-ando]

Off the top of my head you forgot masternode payments are currently the equivalent of approximately 30% yearly dividend. And the other upcoming features that have been officially announced...