Discovering an NFT project early can be the difference between managing to claim a stake in potentially groundbreaking digital assets and missing the boat, watching everyone enjoy the fun without you. 

Being ahead of the curve not only positions you for exciting opportunities but also integrates you into the heart of the NFT community's innovation and creativity. But, we likely don’t have to remind you just how fast the digital art and collectibles space moves. This makes it challenging to uncover these assets ahead of time.

Don’t worry - we’ve crafted this guide on how to find upcoming NFT projects to empower you to identify and evaluate upcoming NFT projects, ensuring you're always in sync with the industry's pulse.

From social media to NFT marketplaces, forums, newsletters, and creators themselves - we’ll cover tons of ways you can be among the first to know about the next big thing!

Overview of NFTs

Before we let you in on the secrets to uncovering up-and-coming NFT projects at any given time, we want to offer a bit of background information for those who are new to the scene. So, what is an NFT in the first place?

What are NFTs?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital collectible verified using blockchain technology, which ensures authenticity and ownership. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, each NFT has a distinct value and cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis, which is what “non-fungible” means. 

There are an array of NFT types, with even more possibilities on the horizon. The most popular include art, music, videos, and even real estate in virtual worlds. The benefits of NFTs are that it can always be traced, providing a transparent history of ownership and transactions.

How Finding Upcoming NFT Projects Can Be So Powerful

Early discovery of the “next big thing” allows collectors to purchase at initial offering prices, which are often lower than the market value once the project gains popularity. 

Beyond getting a better price, it’s also worth noting that some NFTs are scooped up and then never put back on the market - meaning you may miss out on the opportunity to own an NFT altogether if you aren’t fast.

Being an early supporter also often means having access to exclusive benefits, such as limited editions or special rights within the NFT ecosystem.

Moreover, early participants can become integral members of the project's community, influencing its direction and growth. This can lead to a deeper connection with the work and its creators, so you get the best possible experience as a collector.

Because this is a market where hype can rapidly inflate value, the ability to discern the potential of upcoming projects is powerful. So, let’s get into our top tips on how to find upcoming NFT projects below to set you up for success!

How to Find Upcoming NFT Projects

Ultimately, being able to dig through the weeds and find the next smash hit requires you to constantly immerse yourself in the NFT community. 

This means following the right people on social media, engaging in online forums and other digital communities, subscribing to newsletters, gaining access to insider groups, using digital tools, and even getting in touch with creators themselves. 

We’ll cover all this and more below to leave you feeling confident in how to find upcoming NFT projects.

Leveraging Social Media and Online Communities

Social media is where some of the juiciest tidbits can be found. Twitter in particular is a hub for artists, collectors, and enthusiasts to share their latest finds and upcoming drops. 

Follow influential NFT artists, collectors, and thought leaders to receive timely updates on new projects. Engage with their content, participate in discussions, and use relevant hashtags like #NFT, #NFTs, #cryptoart, and #blockchainart to discover new leads.

Discord servers and Reddit forums are also goldmines for NFT information. Many projects have their own Discord servers where they announce launch dates, reveal sneak peeks, and sometimes offer pre-sale opportunities to active community members. 

Subreddits such as r/NFT, r/NFTsMarketplace, and r/NFTExchange are platforms where you can ask questions, get recommendations, and stay informed about upcoming projects.

Just remember that no matter where you’re getting your information from, it’s important to always take it with a grain of salt. Question who the source is and why they’re giving you access to the information, and then, do your own due diligence after the fact.

Utilizing NFT Marketplaces and Platforms

The best way to stay up to date with the newest projects is to constantly browse offerings on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, Magic Eden, and Foundation among many others. 

These platforms often have features that showcase upcoming drops or trending collections. Create an account and explore the “Upcoming” or “Latest Drops” sections to find projects that haven't launched yet.

Additionally, signing up for newsletters from these marketplaces can provide curated lists of new and exciting projects straight to your inbox.

The Role of NFT Analytics Tools

Data is king in the NFT world, and analytics tools can provide a wealth of information on upcoming projects. They do the heavy lifting for you and just deliver clear, actionable insights to your screen, leaving you to execute on opportunities and make the most of your time.

Platforms like NonFungible.com, DappRadar, and CryptoSlam offer insights into the NFT market, tracking everything from sales volume to average prices. These tools often feature sections for trending or upcoming projects, giving you a head start on what's gaining interest in the community.

Analytics platforms can also help you assess the potential of a project by analyzing its rarity, owner distribution, and historical sales data. This information can be crucial in determining whether a project is worth the investment. After all, just because an NFT project is “new” doesn’t make it worth investing in.

Engaging with NFT Creators and Teams

Building relationships with NFT creators and teams can offer unparalleled access to early information about upcoming projects. 

Creators are often eager to discuss their work and forthcoming releases with genuinely interested parties. Follow creators on social media, attend their live streams, or join their community discussions to get to know them and their art better. 

Engaging in these ways can lead to early notifications about new projects, and sometimes even opportunities for whitelisting, which grants priority access to NFT drops.

Attending virtual events or webinars where creators speak about their work can also be insightful. These events are often announced on social media platforms or through community channels. 

By actively participating, you can ask questions and gain insights that are not readily available elsewhere. Additionally, these engagements can lead to networking opportunities with other collectors and professionals in the space, who can also be sources of valuable information.

Research and Due Diligence

Ok, so you’ve found what you believe to be an upcoming NFT project - great! But is it really worth buying? The importance of conducting thorough research and due diligence cannot be overstated when it comes to NFTs. Start by investigating the project's fundamentals: 

What is the concept? 

Who is the team behind it? 

What is the roadmap, and does it have clear goals and milestones? 

Are there any partnerships or collaborations that add value to the project? 

This foundational knowledge is crucial for understanding the potential and longevity of an NFT project. From there, you can dig deeper and examine the project's online presence and community engagement. 

A strong, active community can be a positive indicator of a project's potential success. Look at the discourse on forums and social media - is the conversation constructive? Are there knowledgeable people involved? Community strength is often a barometer for the project's future trajectory.

It's also vital to verify the legitimacy of the project. This includes checking the provenance of the artwork, the smart contract's security, and the team's track record. Websites like Magic Eden provide guides on how to do your own research (DYOR) effectively in the NFT space.

Be cautious of red flags such as lack of transparency, overpromising without tangible results, or a team with a history of abandoned projects. Utilize tools for analyzing the blockchain to confirm transaction history and ownership, ensuring that the NFTs have not been involved in fraudulent activities.

And that’s it! You now know how to find upcoming NFT projects, and you can get to work curating this information so that you don’t miss out on the next big opportunity - like Pudgy Penguins. 

Our brand was born in 2021 when we minted 8,888 adorable little penguin companions that radiate positivity and good vibes. Since our IPO, our community has grown into a worldwide movement that fosters innovation, creativity, and togetherness. 

While it’s too late to get in early for Pudgy Penguins, you can still find our NFTs for sale through other collectors on our own digital marketplace. Or, you can shop our penguin store for cute penguin toys with a deeper meaning. 

As the first Web 3 brand to transcend the digital realm and offer physical goods, each of our penguin collectibles comes with a digital adoption certificate that grants you access to a digital world with games, special traits, and more. 

Whether you’re looking for a penguin plush toy, a penguin keychain, or even penguin figurines, we’re sure something will catch your eye! Shop now as we wrap up our guide on how to find upcoming NFT projects.

Closing Thoughts on How to Find Upcoming NFT Projects

Discovering upcoming NFT projects early grants you a front-row seat to the vibrant tapestry of digital innovation, potentially leading to significant rewards. You should immerse yourself in social media and online communities, leverage the tools and data from NFT marketplaces, and engage directly with creators to stay ahead of the curve.

Remember, thorough research and due diligence are your best allies in making informed decisions. Don’t make the mistake of rushing to buy a new project just because someone on Twitter is hyping it up as the “next big thing”.

Our blog has more tips on where to sell NFTs, how to buy NFT on OpenSea, how do NFTs gain value, why do people buy NFTs, how to transfer NFT to another wallet, cost to create an NFT, how much are NFTs worth, and more.

Ready to explore the world of digital artistry? There’s no better place to start than right here at Pudgy Penguins. Browse our curated selection of NFTs or dive into our range of physical goods today to find your next treasure.

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