Snapchat and Rarible may seem like unrelated topics at first glance, but they both share a common thread - the value of attention and the ability to capture a specific audience. In the case of Snapchat, messaging became a valuable commodity because it received massive amounts of attention from users. This attention was driven by the desire for human interaction and the convenience of having a messaging service always accessible on smartphones.

Snapchat and Rarible may seem like unrelated topics at first glance, but they both share a common thread - the value of attention and the ability to capture a specific audience. In the case of Snapchat, messaging became a valuable commodity because it received massive amounts of attention from users. This attention was driven by the desire for human interaction and the convenience of having a messaging service always accessible on smartphones.

The challenge for messaging services in the United States was the prevalence of free text messaging. It was difficult to convince people to change their established habits and workflows. However, WhatsApp was able to overcome this challenge by offering free text messaging at a time when smartphones were becoming popular. The improvement outweighed the cost of change, and WhatsApp quickly became the fastest-growing social network.

Snapchat took a different approach to capture attention by introducing disappearing messages and user-generated "stories." Disappearing messages appealed to teens who wanted privacy and freedom of expression without the fear of surveillance. Stories, on the other hand, provided a more passive and immersive experience, encouraging users to spend more time on the app. Snapchat understood the importance of occupying users' available time on mobile devices, where intent is often absent.

Rarible, an NFT marketplace, also understands the value of attention. NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have gained popularity in recent years as a way to tokenize and sell digital assets. Rarible recognized the potential of NFTs as a means of capturing attention and created a platform where artists and creators could monetize their work. By providing an alternative marketplace for digital assets, Rarible tapped into an underserved market and expanded the potential for monetization.

Both Snapchat and Rarible leveraged their user bases and brand recognition to introduce new features and revenue streams. Snapchat's "Discover" feature allowed for more content consumption and natural advertising opportunities. Rarible capitalized on the popularity of NFTs by offering sponsored stickers, creating a direct marketing channel for advertisers.

In order to succeed in capturing attention and building a successful platform, there are three actionable pieces of advice that can be derived from these examples:

1. Understand the value of attention: Attention is a scarce resource in a world of infinite content. Identify what makes your platform valuable in terms of attention and find ways to capture and retain it.

2. Embrace change and innovation: Both Snapchat and Rarible introduced new features and concepts that disrupted existing norms. Be willing to adapt and evolve your platform to meet the changing needs and preferences of your audience.

3. Monetize strategically: Explore different revenue streams that align with your platform's purpose and audience. Consider both direct sales and indirect marketing channels to maximize monetization potential.

In conclusion, Snapchat and Rarible may operate in different realms, but they share a common understanding of the value of attention and the importance of capturing a specific audience. By focusing on user needs, embracing innovation, and strategically monetizing their platforms, they have been able to carve out their own spaces in the digital landscape. As creators and entrepreneurs, we can learn from their successes and apply these principles to our own endeavors.