Table of Contents
Introduction
Discord is a popular communication platform that allows users to create servers for communities and group conversations. As a server owner, attracting new members and keeping them engaged is key to building a thriving community. This article provides tips and strategies to effectively promote your Discord server and boost its member count.
Optimize Your Server
Before promoting your server, ensure it is well-organized and appealing to new members:
- Have clear categories and channels – Organize topics into separate text and voice channels so users can easily find discussions they are interested in.
- Set up roles and permissions – Establish roles like admin, moderator, etc. and set permissions on what members can access.
- Add bots – Bots can make managing and engaging members easier e.g. music bots, auto-moderation, leveling systems.
- Create an inviting welcome page – Greet new joins with server rules, FAQs and directions to navigate the server.
- Set up server stats – Display a member counter and server status to show activity levels.
An optimized server demonstrates to new members that there is an established community with systems in place to serve their needs.
Promote Your Invite Link
The most direct way to get new members is by sharing your instant invite link. Promote it:
- On your website and social media bios
- Niche forums and communities with related interests
- Cross-promotions with similar servers – collaborate to share invites
- Server listing sites like Discord Me and Discord Servers
- Relevant subreddit communities if their rules allow
Run Events and Contests
Host activities like giveaways, game nights, Q&As with incentives for members to invite friends. Events boost engagement and incentivize word-of-mouth promotion to draw in new members.
Use Targeted Paid Ads
Create paid Discord invite ads to reach interested audiences:
- Google / Reddit Ads – Target users searching for related keywords and communities.
- Influencer Marketing – Pay influencers in your niche to promote your server to their followers.
- Discord Nitro Marketing – Pay Nitro subscribers to display your server in their profile activity feed.
Engage and Retain New Members
To convert joins into active members:
- Have mods and members greet new joins
- Establish member roles and benefits
- Send welcome DMs with server guides
- Incentivize reactions, conversations, etc.
- Host new member events monthly
Analyze and Optimize
Use server analytics to identify well-performing content and engagement tactics and double down on those. Find where members are dropping off and address pain points. Continually test and analyze to boost member count and retention.
Conclusion
Promoting a Discord server takes consistent effort but pays dividends in building a vibrant community. Optimize your server for growth from the start and employ various organic and paid tactics to boost visibility. Engage new members to convert them into regulars. Analyze behavior and feedback to level-up your server over time. With the right strategy, your member count and engagement will continue to rise!
