Anyone who has mingled in the crypto world knows that KOL (Key Opinion Leader) is a role that is both desirable and elusive. Who doesn't want to be that influential figure that everyone responds to? A single tweet can launch a project, and a simple 'buy' can set the tone. However, reality is harsh: truly influential KOLs are rare, and most are just fleeting 'promoters'. So the question arises—what exactly is a KOL? How should one go about gaining 'influence'?
KOL is not shouted out; it's demonstrated.
Let me conclude: the core of KOL is not how many followers you have or how many 'buy buy buy' posts you've made, but whether you can convince others. The crypto world is an emotional market, swaying between rises and falls, and everyone wants to find a 'beacon' to guide them. That 'beacon' relies on sincerity and ability.
Every time you say 'this coin is worth buying', ask yourself: Do you genuinely believe this is a good position, or do you just want to 'dump it'—passing the risk to trend-followers while you cash out? The former is the essence of a KOL, while the latter is merely a speculator. True KOLs do not rely on one or two calls to turn things around; they rely on long-term sincere output, proving their judgment withstands the test of time.
Sincerity + Ability = Influence
Where does influence come from? It's simple, two words: sincerity and ability.
Sincerity: You must be worthy of those who follow you. Every time you share analysis or recommend a target, it's not to exploit others, but because you genuinely believe this is an opportunity. The crypto world lacks smart people; it lacks honest people. Those who can persist without deceiving, without riding the trend, and without being 'the one left holding the bag' are already halfway to winning.
Ability: It's not enough to be sincere; you also need real skills. Understanding trends, breaking down projects, seizing opportunities—this kind of judgment is not developed overnight. KOLs do not rely on luck but on consistent strength validated by the market.
For example, suppose there’s a KOL who shouted 'BTC will break 100,000' at the peak of the 2021 bull market, and then vanished when the market crashed. Such people may be popular for a moment, but they won't last long. In contrast, those who can calmly analyze in a bear market and accurately buy the dip during lows—even if no one is listening at the time—will be remembered in time.
Why is influence a scarce resource?
The reasoning is simple; sustaining this 'sincerity + ability' is incredibly difficult. Especially in the fast-changing crypto world, temptations are everywhere. Today you might miss a surge due to sincerity, and tomorrow you could be criticized for sticking to your principles. Not to mention the consistent output over the years—analyzing projects, reviewing trends, and maintaining your original intention in the face of skepticism; ordinary people would be exhausted long ago.
But precisely because it's difficult, it becomes scarce. Those who can persist become like gold sifted from sand, naturally shining. Influence is not built through marketing; it is accumulated over time through reputation.
Want to be a KOL? First, ask yourself these three things.
Are you brave enough to publicly review every call? Admit when you're wrong and clarify why when you're right. Transparency is the first step to trust.
Can you resist the urge to follow the crowd? Trends may be hot, but if they don't suit you, don't force it; it's better to be niche but reliable.
Are you willing to spend years refining yourself? Influence is not a crash course; it's a marathon.
Influence is a byproduct, not a goal.
Finally, for those who want to be KOLs in the crypto world, remember one thing: don't pursue 'influence' as a goal. Treat it as a byproduct—when you share sincerely, analyze diligently, and accumulate steadily, influence will naturally come. The crypto world lacks loud voices; it lacks trustworthy ones.
So, the next time you want to post and shout 'buy', stop and ask yourself: Is this a sincere recommendation, or just trying to 'dump' it? The answer determines whether you are a KOL or just a passerby.
Of course, at one point, KOL was not a good term. There was a time when expressing respect for someone meant calling them 'KOL' and their whole family: so aim to be a truly influential person. My friend.
