☕️ Coffee Chat With Web3 Digest: Issue #1: Interview With Emmanuel Jacob

A Transition From Newbie to Building a Strong Personal Brand as a Crypto Coach and Content Creator—Achieving a Milestone of 1.2 Million Views on YouTube

Jan 27, 2025

Gm Web3 Digester,

In this inaugural edition of Coffee Chat with Web3 Digest, we had the privilege of sitting down with Emmanuel Jacob, a crypto coach, content creator, and the visionary behind Digital Swap. Emmanuel takes us through his inspiring journey—from being a crypto newbie to building a thriving personal brand, empowering others, and achieving an incredible milestone of 1.2 million views on YouTube.

This conversation is packed with insights, lessons, and the drive it takes to navigate the crypto space. Emmanuel's story is a must-read!

Emmanuel, let’s start from the beginning. What sparked your interest in cryptocurrency, and what was the journey like getting into crypto and transitioning from a newbie to a crypto educator and content creator?

Before venturing into cryptocurrency, I did various physically demanding jobs—I worked as a mason, a supermarket sales assistant, and even sold airtime vouchers by riding a bicycle. I’d ride around, delivering these vouchers to retailers, come rain or shine, from January to December.

At some point, I realized that this wasn’t the life I wanted for myself. I stayed open-minded to opportunities that could allow me to earn money online from the comfort of my home. In 2016, I attended a crypto seminar where I was introduced to TBC (The Billion Coin), marketed as the “Bitcoin killer.” Seeing the potential and the kind of money others were reportedly making, I invested 80% of my airtime business capital into TBC. Although TBC is no longer in existence, it was my entry point into cryptocurrency.

My transition from a newbie to a crypto educator and content creator was fueled by my dedication to learning. I invested in my education, paying mentors like Chris Ani to teach me cryptocurrency trading. My passion for sharing knowledge drove me to create content, even though I’m naturally shy. Over time, I’ve grown to enjoy the process of content creation.

Do you consider yourself an OG in the crypto space?

Yes, I do consider myself an OG—not because I’m a whale but because I’ve been in the crypto space since 2016. With nearly a decade of experience, I’ve gained substantial knowledge and recognition from top crypto brands. So, yes, I’m proud to call myself an OG.

Have you lost money or been scammed in crypto before? What was the experience like, and what lesson(s) did you learn from it?

I’ve lost money in crypto numerous times, but one experience stands out. In 2019, as a P2P trader, I facilitated a transaction for someone I didn’t know. A guy reached out to buy Bitcoin. After completing the transaction, my bank account was frozen.

Here’s what happened: I acted as the middleman. He sent me money, and I used it to buy Bitcoin from another merchant. The Bitcoin was sent directly to his wallet. However, after the transaction, he blocked me. Later that night, I discovered my account had been frozen. The next day, a bank representative informed me that the account owner had complained, claiming money had left his account without his permission.

The situation escalated. I was arrested and transferred from Akwa Ibom to Kano. Despite presenting evidence—chats, receipts, and transaction details—the police were uncooperative. The account owner denied any knowledge of Bitcoin, even though his phone had received the OTP required for the transaction. It turned out that someone close to him likely initiated the transfer, but I became the scapegoat. I spent a total of three months in detention. The experience was traumatizing but it taught me the importance of vetting transactions and maintaining a thorough record.

You’ve built an incredible personal brand as a cryptocurrency coach and content creator, recently achieving over 1.2 million views on YouTube and tens of thousands of subscribers. What strategies or mindset helped you to achieve this level of influence?

Faith and belief played a significant role. In early 2024, my YouTube channel had fewer than 3,000 subscribers. During live webinars, I declared that we were on a mission to hit 30,000 subscribers and over a million views, despite struggling to reach 3,000.

Then the “tap-to-earn” trend emerged, and I made a video on it. That video received over 67,000 views, giving me thousands of new subscribers. It was surreal. I learned the power of belief and persistence. When you’re certain about your goals, even without knowing how they’ll be achieved, amazing things can happen.

Creative blocks are inevitable. How do you deal with moments when ideas or motivation just aren’t flowing?

Building discipline has been my key to overcoming creative blocks. Even when I don’t feel like shooting or editing, I push myself to start. Discipline often outweighs motivation.

Recently, I experienced a significant burnout. To combat it, I initiated a 30-day content challenge with accountability measures, including a small fine for missing a day. This challenge not only helped me regain consistency but also supported others in staying motivated.

You’ve partnered with major crypto exchanges like Bybit, Bitget, and Cex.io. Tell us about your partnership with Cex.io and its impact.

Cex.io asked me to create a video for their Telegram Mini app. They didn’t offer monetary compensation but promised to promote my channel and feature the video. Initially, I hesitated, but after seeing another creator’s video with over 500,000 views, I agreed.

The collaboration exceeded my expectations. My video garnered over 400,000 views, growing my Telegram channel from 6,000 to 60,000 subscribers. My YouTube channel also surpassed 40,000 subscribers. This partnership reinforced the importance of strategic collaborations over immediate financial gain.

Content creation often comes with bloopers and unexpected moments. How do you handle these, and what lessons have they taught you?

Bloopers are a natural part of content creation. The key is understanding that perfection isn’t the goal—consistency is. People may notice mistakes, but they don’t dwell on them. What matters is showing up consistently, demonstrating courage, and striving for improvement. Perfection is a journey, not a destination.

Digital Swap has become a trusted platform for crypto education in Nigeria and beyond. What inspired you to create it, and how did you identify the need for such a platform?

The idea for Digital Swap emerged in 2020 during the pandemic. Initially, it focused on facilitating exchanges of digital currencies like Bitcoin, PayPal funds, and Skrill for Naira. Over time, my passion for helping newcomers navigate the complexities of cryptocurrency evolved into creating educational content. Digital Swap was born out of a desire to empower people with knowledge and tools to succeed in the crypto space.

For those just starting in the crypto space, whether as educators, content creators, or enthusiasts, what advice would you give them to stand out and build a personal brand?

Consistency is key. It may feel like your efforts are not yielding results initially, but staying consistent and inspired is crucial. During an interview with a Bybit representative, I was asked who inspires me in the crypto and content space. I mentioned two people: Tola Joseph, who is a model for building a significant personal brand in Africa, and Mrwhostheboss, a phenomenal content creator. These individuals started from scratch, and their success reminds me that anyone can achieve greatness with persistence.

For anyone starting, I suggest finding inspiration from someone you admire. One of my mentors, Grant Gordon, once said, “You don’t need to believe in yourself. Believe in me because I am already at where you are looking up to.” Sometimes, our current circumstances make it difficult to believe in our potential. But when you look at someone who has achieved what you aspire to, it becomes easier to tell yourself, “If they can do it, I can too.” Draw strength from their journey, stay consistent, and build your brand one step at a time.

Looking ahead, where do you see the biggest opportunities for content creators in the crypto space?

The biggest opportunities for crypto content creators lie in brand deals and monetizing their reach. I’ve leveraged my audience for tremendous results, such as working with Trading Leagues where I referred over 3,000 people, generating thousands of dollars in income.

But here's the secret: don’t just be a content creator—be a marketer, too. In my content creation course, I emphasize that creators should always have something to sell. If you’re not selling to your audience, someone else will. Your audience’s attention is your most valuable asset, so use it wisely.

Opportunities are vast, ranging from affiliate marketing and airdrops to collaboration deals and selling your courses. Crypto content creators have limitless potential to turn their skills and platforms into thriving businesses if they approach their craft with a marketer’s mindset.

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