From Zero to First NFT: What You Need to Know Before Launching

What always surprises me is that people are afraid to create NFTs because they think it's complicated. In reality, it's not. Yes, you need to understand a few things, but if you want to monetize your content (a painting, music, videos, or gaming items), NFTs are exactly what you need.

How much does it really cost to create an NFT?

Let's start with the most important question — money. Creating an NFT requires paying fees, and their amount depends on the chosen blockchain.

Main expenses:

• Gas (network fee). This is the fee for processing your transaction on the blockchain. It is paid in the native cryptocurrency of the network. On Ethereum, it can be more expensive than on Solana or BNB Chain. The amount depends on network congestion.
• Marketplace commission. Some platforms take a percentage of the sale price. This can be 2-5% of the total.
• Content Storage. If you use centralized or decentralized storage, there may also be a fee for them.

Simply put: before cashing out money to sell NFT, you need to invest in cryptocurrency to pay for gas.

Which blockchain to choose?

Ethereum remains king, but it's not the only option. You have a choice:

• Ethereum — the most popular, but fees can be high
• BNB Chain — cheaper and faster
• Solana — low fees, good for the mass market
• Cardano, EOS — alternative options

Choosing a blockchain is important: you won't be able to change it later. Therefore, before creating an NFT, study:

1. Real-time fee size
2. Compatibility of your wallet
3. Which marketplaces support this blockchain

Preparation: wallet and cryptocurrency

Without a digital wallet, you can't go anywhere. Create one compatible with the chosen blockchain. Then:

Critically important: keep your private keys and seed phrases in a very secure place. If you lose them, you will lose access to your wallet and all your assets.

After that, buy the native cryptocurrency of the chosen network ( to pay for gas ). This can be done on a cryptocurrency exchange or directly through the wallet if it supports it.

Step-by-step process of creating an NFT

Step 1: Choose a marketplace

There are many marketplaces. Make sure that your chosen marketplace is:

• Compatible with the selected blockchain
• Supports your wallet
• Allows not only to create, but also to sell NFT

Step 2: Prepare your content

The type of content determines the tools:

• Digital art (JPG, PNG). Use Photoshop, Procreate, or even AI generators to create images.
• 3D objects (GLB). Programs like Blender are needed for modeling, texturing, and exporting.
• Video and music. Make sure the format is supported by the marketplace.
• Animation. After Creation, tools like Cinema 4D or After Effects

The main thing is the correct file format. JPG and PNG for art, GLB for 3D.

Step 3: Creating on the marketplace

The algorithm is approximately the same everywhere:

1. Connect your wallet to the marketplace
2. Find the “Create” or “Mint NFT” button
3. Upload media file (image, video, audio)
4. Fill in the information:
   • NFT name
   • The description ( will be visible to collectors )
   • Additional properties (access to exclusive content, private chats, video lessons)
   • Limit the number of copies if you want to create rarity
5. Select a blockchain and click “Create”

The platform will process the request, and your NFT will be created.

Step 4: List for Sale

The created NFT does not sell automatically. If you want to sell it:

• Post an advertisement on the marketplace
• Set the price
• Fix the terms of sale

This is not mandatory, but without it, at least they won't know about your NFT.

How to determine the price of NFT?

Several factors need to be taken into account here:

• Rarity. The more unique, the higher the price
• Creator's reputation. Well-known artists and musicians may ask for more
• Application. NFTs with real utility in the ecosystem are useful (game items, tickets)
• Market Trends. Check out what similar NFTs are selling for.

Tip: Compare your token with similar ones in collections, focusing on their minimum prices. But remember — pricing in NFT is both a science and an art. Be prepared to adjust the price based on demand and feedback.

Important about copyright

Copyright works for NFTs just like for regular content. The main rule: create NFTs only from your own content or with the permission of the author.

Using someone else's work without permission is:

1. Illegal
2. Harms the original author
3. It may result in legal proceedings against you.

Don't take risks. If you want to use someone else's content, make arrangements with the author in advance.

Where are NFTs being used right now?

• Digital art. Artists sell paintings and interactive works directly to collectors.
• Music. Musicians release albums as NFTs, without intermediaries, directly to fans.
• Video. Creators monetize content by releasing clips and movies as tokens.
• Games and collections. Game items, characters, weapons, skins — all of these can be NFT that can be traded.

Final

NFT is a tool for monetizing creativity. Anyone with internet access can create them thanks to the decentralized nature of blockchain. Yes, it's necessary to understand the fees, choose the right blockchain and marketplace, but it's quite feasible.

The main thing to remember: a successful NFT is not just a token that has been issued. It is content with real value, the right price, and a community ready to buy it. Start small, learn from the mistakes of other creators, and gradually find your style.