Starting from scratch: How to create and sell your NFT assets

The content is quite long, it is recommended to bookmark it. — In the digital age, artworks, collectibles, game items, and other virtual assets can be converted into Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Whether you are an artist, musician, or game developer, the threshold for creating NFTs has significantly dropped. However, to successfully create and sell NFTs, you need to understand the operational logic of Blockchain and the fee structures of different platforms.

What is the essence of NFT

In simple terms, an NFT is a digital certificate stored on a decentralized ledger that proves your ownership of a virtual item. Each NFT is unique and cannot be copied, altered, or forged—this is its core value. For content creators, NFTs open up new monetization channels, allowing artists, musicians, and game developers to connect directly with a global audience.

What are the most widely used fields for NFTs?

Although NFTs are still in the exploratory stage, they have already shown great potential in multiple industries:

Creative Industry: Digital artwork, interactive art, and AI-generated creative content can all be transformed into NFTs. Artists can directly track and sell their digital works, completely bypassing traditional intermediaries.

Audio-visual content: Video resources such as movies, music MVs, and sports live broadcasts can also be issued in the form of NFTs. Creators can expand their audience reach and achieve global monetization of content.

Music Field: Singers and producers can issue songs, albums, and even concert tickets as NFTs. This model allows artists to break free from the constraints of record companies and establish direct connections with fans. At the same time, the scarcity setting of NFTs creates significant appreciation potential for certain musical works.

Games and Collectibles: Characters, equipment, skins in the game, as well as virtual cards, digital pets, etc., can become tradable NFT assets. Users can trade these digital items just like trading physical collectibles.

Who has the ability to create NFT

Since blockchain technology itself is open, decentralized, and democratized, almost anyone with internet access can create NFTs. Creators, developers, and designers all have the opportunity to participate in this emerging field. Of course, the prerequisite is that you need to understand some basic blockchain knowledge and token generation principles. This does not require a deep technical background, and the learning cost is relatively low.

The Five Core Steps to Create an NFT

Step 1: Select the appropriate Blockchain network

The choice of blockchain is crucial, as it determines which chain your NFT will be stored on. Mainstream options include Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, Cardano, and EOS, among others. Each chain has different characteristics: Ethereum is the most mature platform, but has higher gas fees; Solana is known for its speed; BNB Chain has an active ecosystem; Cardano focuses on energy efficiency.

Before making a choice, you need to understand:

• The level of transaction fees on each blockchain
• What wallets support this blockchain?
• The activity level of the NFT market in the corresponding ecosystem

Once your NFT is minted on a certain chain, it cannot be migrated to other chains, so this decision should be made carefully.

Step 2: Prepare the crypto wallet and native Token

After selecting a Blockchain, create a digital wallet that is compatible with that network. The wallet is your tool for managing NFTs and crypto assets, so security is crucial. Be sure to properly safeguard your private keys and mnemonic phrases—losing them means permanently losing access to your wallet and assets.

Next, you need to purchase the native Token of the network to pay for the gas fee (the fee for minting an NFT). For example, ETH is needed on Ethereum, and SOL is needed on Solana. These Tokens can be purchased from cryptocurrency trading platforms or directly through certain wallet applications.

Step 3: Choose an NFT creation and trading platform

There are many professional NFT platforms in the market that support the creation, display, and sale of NFTs. When choosing, make sure that:

• The platform supports the blockchain you choose.
• The platform supports your wallet type.
• The platform has good trading liquidity and user base.

Most platforms offer integrated services that not only help you mint NFTs but also allow you to sell directly on them.

Step 4: Create your NFT on the platform

The operation interfaces of different platforms have slight differences, but the basic processes are similar:

Connect Wallet: After entering the platform, find the wallet connection option and authorize the platform to access your wallet information.

Enter Creation Interface: Most platforms have a prominent “Create NFT” button, clicking it will take you to the editing page.

Prepare Digital Files: Get ready the assets you want to mint. If it's digital artwork, make sure the file format is correct (JPG, PNG, etc.); for 3D models, use GLB format; audio and video also have their recommended formats. You can also use AI tools for creative generation, but be aware of copyright issues.

Upload File: Upload your work file to the platform.

Fill in the details: Set a name, description, and other attributes for the NFT. You can add exclusive benefits information, such as holders receiving tutorial videos, access to private communities, and other perks. If necessary, you can also limit the issuance quantity of the NFT.

Confirm and Mint: After checking all parameters, click the create button. The platform will process your request, generate the NFT, and record ownership information on the blockchain.

Step 5: List your NFT for sale

After the NFT is created, if you want to sell it, you need to actively publish a sales listing on the platform. After setting the price and sales conditions, the NFT will be visible to potential buyers. Although this step is optional, if you want to realize monetization and gain exposure, listing it is necessary.

How much does it cost to create an NFT

Creating an NFT involves multiple costs:

gas fee: This is the cost of verifying and processing transactions on the Blockchain network, paid in the network's native Token. The amount of the gas fee depends on the level of congestion on the network and real-time demand—it's more expensive during peak times.

Platform Fees: Many NFT platforms charge a creation or listing fee, which could be a fixed amount or a percentage of the sale price.

Sales Commission: When your NFT is successfully sold, the platform usually takes a certain percentage of the transaction fee.

Storage Costs: If your NFT content is stored on centralized or decentralized storage services, you may need to pay regular storage fees.

Overall, the cost of creating a single NFT on low-cost public blockchains (such as Solana or BNB Chain) may only be a few dollars; but on Ethereum, it can be as high as tens of dollars or more.

How to Price Your NFT

The value of NFT is determined by multiple factors:

Scarcity: The fewer the issued quantity, the higher the value typically.

Functionality: Does the NFT provide actual utility or holder rights.

Creator Reputation: NFTs issued by well-known artists or brands often have higher prices.

Aesthetic Value: Visual appeal is important in virtual collectibles.

Community Hype: An active fan base and high engagement will drive up prices.

How to determine a reasonable price: First, assess the uniqueness and functional value of your NFT within the virtual ecosystem. Second, benchmark against similar NFT projects in the market and study current price trends. Refer to the floor price (lowest price) in similar collections to set a competitive initial price for your work.

Remember that pricing in the NFT market is both an art and a science. Adjust prices flexibly as user feedback and market conditions change. Communicating with other NFT creators and learning from their experiences will help you find the right pricing strategy more quickly.

Intellectual Property and Anti-Theft

As a creator, you need to understand: any original content is protected by copyright. Using someone else's work without authorization to create and sell NFTs can lead to legal consequences.

Before minting an NFT, you must confirm that you have the legal rights to the content. Either use your own original works or obtain permission from the original creator in advance. Plagiarizing others' works is not only illegal but also harms the true creators. Respecting the labor of others and obtaining authorization legally is the responsibility of every creator.

Summary

NFT technology has fundamentally changed people's understanding of digital assets. It provides a transparent and immutable way to prove the ownership and authenticity of virtual items. As the NFT creation process becomes increasingly simplified, more and more creative workers are beginning to explore this field and learn the basics of blockchain and token economics.

To successfully create and sell NFTs, it is essential to issue high-quality, popular digital assets and to have a deep understanding of market dynamics and pricing logic. By investing time in learning this knowledge, you can find your own opportunities in the NFT ecosystem.