Join Your First DAO: Earn, Vote & Build in Web3 Communities
Goal: Become an active member of a beginner‑friendly DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) and cast your first on‑chain vote.
Who’s it for? Anyone who’s sent at least one crypto transaction and owns a wallet.
Time required: 25‑30 minutes (includes Discord onboarding and a test proposal vote).
1 • Why DAOs Matter (in 90 Seconds)
Think of a DAO as a global co‑op on the internet: no CEOs, no borders—all decisions happen via token‑weighted voting. Members contribute skills (design, coding, writing) and earn tokens or USDC. Joining one is the fastest portfolio boost for Web3 job hunters.
2 • Choose a Beginner‑Friendly DAO (Pick One) — 3 Minutes
| DAO | Focus | Chain / Token | Typical Tasks for Newbies | Entry Barrier | 🔗 Quick Join |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BanklessDAO | Web3 education media | Ethereum / BANK | Translate articles, social media clips | Low (free Guest Pass) | Apply → |
| Developer DAO | Dev resources & mentorship | Ethereum / CODE | Write docs, answer dev Qs | Medium (NFT pass 0.01 ETH) | Join → |
| Gitcoin Citizens | Public‑goods funding | Polygon / CITIZEN | Grants review, community calls | Low (Passport score 15) | Start → |
| KrafterSpace(ID) | Indonesian NFT creatives | Solana / $KRAFT | Event planning, content writing | Low (Discord join) | Gabung → |
Starter Tip: Pick BanklessDAO—tons of writing gigs, 24‑hour guest role, zero cost.
3 • Tooling Checklist (2 Minutes)
- Wallet extension: MetaMask (ETH) or Phantom (SOL)
- Discord account with 2FA
- ENS / Lens handle (nice‑to‑have, builds credibility)
4 • Step‑by‑Step: Enter & Contribute (BanklessDAO Example) — 15 Minutes
A) Discord Onboarding (5 min)
- Click invite link → pass Captcha bot.
- Go to #start-here → type
/guest-pass→ sign message in MetaMask (free, no gas). - Bot grants Guest Pass (green role) valid 2 weeks.
B) Find a Guild (3 min)
- Browse #guild-info → pick Writers Guild (perfect for content pros).
- React with ✍️ to get role; new channels appear.
C) Claim Your First Task (5 min)
- In #writers-bounties, open latest bounty → click “Start work” on Dework link.
- Accept bounty: “Edit 500‑word newsletter, payout 25 BANK (~$3).”
- Submit Google Doc → bounty reviewer approves.
D) Cast Your First Vote (2 min)
- Visit snapshot.org/#/banklessvault.eth.
- Connect wallet → locate open proposal → click “Yes” → sign message (no gas).
- Congrats—your on‑chain voice is live!
5 • Earn & Get Paid
| Contribution Type | Typical Payout | Frequency | How to Level Up |
| Newsletter edit | 15‑30 BANK ($2‑5) | Weekly | Consistent quality → Editor role |
| Graphics meme | 40 BANK ($6) | Per piece | Join Design Guild chats |
| Meeting notes | 20 BANK ($3) | Per call | Volunteer as scribe |
| Guild coordinator | 500 BANK/mo ($75) | Monthly | Show reliability × 4 weeks |
Tokens often vest monthly; swap to USDC on CowSwap when you’re ready.
6 • Avoiding DAO Burnout & Scams
- Rotate tasks—don’t say yes to everything.
- Never DM seed phrases; mods won’t ask.
- Lurk first, contribute second; observe culture.
- Use Guild.xyz collab‑gating to verify legit token‑gated links.
7 • Upskill & Monetize Further
- DAO Contribution Masterclass
3‑hour deep dive: proposal writing, pay‑stream automation, DAO‑to‑DAO partnerships.
👉 Book Seat → - Write‑to‑Earn Newsletter Series
- Join our private DAO job board—requires completing 3 bounties + testimonial.
8 • FAQ
Q: Isn’t DAO work “free labor”?
A: Most major DAOs pay in their token; you can swap to stablecoins. Start with small, build rep, then apply for larger roles.
Q: Gas fees on votes?
A: Snapshot uses off‑chain signatures—zero gas. On‑chain execs are paid by core treasury.
Q: Tax implications?
A: In Indonesia, token income = ‘other income’ → self‑report PPh 21. Track token price at receipt.
Affiliate / Sponsor Note: This guide may contain sponsored DAO links—partners are vetted but DYOR.
Last updated: 31 July 2025