We have all experienced the challenge of trying to explain Bitcoin to someone for the first time.  The first time I tried explaining it to someone I quickly realized I had confused myself just as much as I had confused them!  All of that technical jargon and new language went right over my head (and theirs too!).  Wouldn't it be great if there were an easy way to explain it to your friends without sounding like a complete idiot?  Here are a few pointers:    

1) Make sure they want to hear about it in the first place:  I know you are excited to share your excitement but please don't force it down their throats!  Start by asking a simple question like: "Have you heard of bitcoin?"  

• If they say they have not heard of Bitcoin: share one thing that excites you most about Bitcoin and see where the conversation goes from there.
• If they say "kind of" or "just a little bit" ask them what they know about it and just listen.  You will realize how much they know pretty quickly and if they want to discuss it further. 
• If they say "yes and I love it".. Great! You have something in common and can go deeper talking about it
• If they say "yes but I don't like it"...  Ask why or why not.  You can't convince them to like it, but they might not like it only because they are misinformed or intimidated by it.    

2)  Keep It Simple

Answer with as few words as possible.  Something like:  "Bitcoin is digital $ that can be exchanged without the need for a bank, or processing company, (like paypal) being involved.  

-They may ask why does this matter? 

Say something like:  This digital money cannot be manipulated or inflated like traditional fiat paper money.  It is a much needed improvement over our existing and outdated financial system.  

3)  Use Resources  

No one wants to be "sold" into something ...Give them interesting articles or resources so they can learn on their own, and at their own pace.  One such resource is called "Simplify Crypto".  It is a simple Step by Step roadmap for success to help newbies learn, eliminate fear and have success with cryptocurrency.   

4)  Show Them 

Pull out your phone, open up your crypto wallet and show them exactly how it works.  Visual learning can help accomplish what your words can't.   

5)  No When To Walk Away

Every crypto enthusiast wants people to adopt crypto right away.  Unfortunately, that's just not how adoption happens.  It may take people hearing several of their friends talk about it before they perk up and listen.  They may need to read a bunch of articles or watch several videos before it all "clicks."  My point is...if they are resisting you with every comment you make about Bitcoin, just stop pushing it.  Give them a chance to come back to it on their own time.  As crypto becomes more mainstream your friend will hear about it.  Eventually they will be "forced" to use it as it becomes more a part of everyday life.  (How many people still know someone that doesn't even own a smart phone?...Lol)       

6)  Talk About What They Want To Hear

When you buy a car, you don't care about the intricate details about how a car engine works.  You just want to know it works!  It is the same with Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency.  They don't care about how blockchain nodes verify each transaction, or how consensus works, but they are excited to know that Bitcoin are secure and they do what they are supposed to do. (Transact Value)  Most likely they only care about finding something they can strike it rich with.  So talk about the success stories you have heard, and the massive transition of wealth that will happen when digital currency replaces paper fiat currency.

Conclusion

Many of us want cryptocurrency to go mainstream and become widely adopted.  It is not going to happen if we only talk in geeky tech language to the average person.  (No offense to you programmers).  Instead lets keep our discussions as simple as possible, talk about what they want to hear, and show them with our actions how it works.  As Crypto technology continues to improve, so should our messaging about it.

*"Simplify Crypto" is a fun, informative, educational program designed to help on board average people into the world of crypto.