Time-based tokens, i.e., KOLs tokenizing their time, have recently resurfaced. Although various attempts have been made in the past, none have taken hold yet.

Instead of time, I have always wanted to optimize reach. LinkedIn, X, provides this ability, but the barrier is too low, resulting in a lot of spam, making them unusable.

Here is an idea for a platform that allows serious people to reach others.

A famous person (KOL) connects his X (or LinkedIn) to the platform, verifying who they are. He then sets a price for people to message him, say 1 or 0.1 BNB.

Anyone can message him/her by paying that amount first. If the KOL does not respond within 5 days, 50% of the paid amount is returned to the requester. There is still a cost to the requestor, which deters spamming and encourages them to write the message effectively.

The KOLs are incentivized to respond. They get paid 50% more.

Defaults based on my personal preference:

  • Max message length should be limited to 2000 characters, roughly a two-pager.

  • No images. No attachments. (No virus downloads)

The requester can include his contact info in the message. If the KOL contacts them directly, he (and the platform) gets paid 50% less.

If the KOL wishes, he can reply with his contact info, and then the conversation can continue on a free messaging app.

The platform charges a 10% fee for all transactions. Payment-wise, the requestor pays crypto to the platform, which then splits 90% to the KOL’s provided address. 

No new token is needed.

No time-based tokens.

Hopefully, there is enough demand for such a platform to make it a sustainable business.

This might be a good way for KOLs or professional consultants to get paid for their responses.

I would use a platform like this. I will donate the crypto I receive to a charity. This helps filter out only serious people to reach me. I may move the conversation off the platform when the other party has something serious to offer, return the payment, or even give a bounty (for security tips, etc). I will then be able to open up my DM to everyone and adjust the price over time based on how unpopular I am.

This model doesn't solve all problems. Not to be arrogant, I'd imagine many scammers will be willing to pay 1 BNB to reach me.

YZiLabs may invest in a project that develops a good MVP using BNB/BSC as the primary payment option. It should take a few days/week of coding and a security review. I will be a first user, provided the platform is secure enough.

X, Linkedin, or Square could build this as a feature, but big companies move slow. Might be faster with a new site.

Just an idea for the weekend.