Hey there!
So you‘ve created a Discord server and want to take it to the next level by getting more people to join your community. Well you‘ve come to the right place!
Discord has exploded from 45 million users in 2019 to over 150 million as of 2022. And daily active users have doubled in that time to nearly 30 million users.
With insane growth like that, competition is fierce when trying to attract new members and stand out.
But have no fear! I‘ve been running successful Discord servers for years. And today I‘m going to share 11 of my best tips to help you grow your community.
These are proven strategies that have worked wonders for me and other savvy Discord admins. So let‘s dive right in!
Contents
Optimize Server Branding and First Impressions
The first touchpoint new users will have with your server is seeing its public branding when discovering it. That branding needs to capture their attention and convey what your community is all about.
Here are key elements to optimize:
Pick a Memorable Name
Your server name needs to be short, unique, and descriptive of the community‘s purpose.
Good examples:
- r/Fortnite – Matches name of affiliated subreddit
- Anime Superfans – Clear topic focus
- Digital Nomad Hangout – Explains the vibe of members
Bad examples:
- Mikes Server – Vague and nondescript
- The Community – Too generic
Brainstorm ideas based on your niche and go with one that pops.
Design an Eye-Catching Icon
Your icon appears next to your server name when people browse listings or invites. It needs to stand out.
Having a custom designed icon is best rather than generic Discord defaults. ~65% of popular servers have custom artwork.
Make sure it represents your community and fits Discord‘s required dimensions (128×128 pixels minimum).
Write a Compelling Description
Your server description is valuable real estate to convince newcomers to join.
Succinctly explain your community‘s purpose, topics discussed, and activities offered.
Paint a picture of the overall vibe and why they’d want to be a part of it.
This is your elevator pitch to get them in the door!
With branding done right, you‘ll pique interest from the perfect users for your server.
Promote Your Server The Right Way
Once your branding is optimized, it‘s time to get the word out! Here are impactful ways to promote your server:
Think about where your target users are already hanging out online and engage with them in those communities.
Great options include:
- Subreddits in your niche – Post invitations or teasers
- Related forums and groups – Offer collabs or share sneak peeks
- Comments on relevant YouTube/TikTok videos – Add your Discord invite link
Just make sure your promotion adds value rather than blatantly spamming.
Get Listed on Reputable Server Directories
Server directories allow you to create a listing showcasing your community to potential new members searching for servers to join.
Focus on submitting to reputable, human-moderated directories closely related to your niche. Quality over quantity.
Make your listings shine by highlighting member perks, cool features, and benefits of joining.
Run Contests and Giveaways
Everyone loves contests and giveaways. They are a tried and true tactic for fueling quick growth.
Some fun ones to try:
- Invite contests – Reward members who get the most invites within a time period
- Meme contests – Users submit memes with winners earning prizes
- Trivia nights – Host discord trivia competitions with gift card prizes
Promote the contests in your server and on social media. Follow Discord’s guidelines and don’t go overboard to the point of spamming though.
Foster an Engaging Member Experience
Attracting new members is one thing, but you also need to retain them by providing an amazing experience inside your actual community.
Here are some ways to uplevel engagement:
Greet New Members
First impressions matter! Welcome new members as soon as they join:
- Greet them in a designated #welcome channel
- Share an overview of key channels and rules
- Point them to any useful resources and FAQs
- Ask for feedback on what they’d like to see
This makes them feel valued right off the bat.
Spotlight Exciting Content
Consistently post entertaining content to keep everyone engaged long-term.
Popular types of content include:
- User-generated media like art, memes, clips
- Useful resources like tutorials, product reviews, guides
- Interactive polls, AMAs, Q&As
- Commentary on recent news related to your focus
Repurpose top content across your other social channels too for extra mileage.
Host Live Events
Hosting live events gets users hyped up and chatting:
- Listening parties for new music releases
- Movie nights where you stream a film together
- Multiplayer game tournaments
- Talk shows or podcast-style interviews with special guests
Promote events ahead of time across your server, social media, and related communities.
Spotlight Members Achievements
Let members unlock roles and ranks for invites, activity milestones, and contributions.
Gamifying involvement motivates users to engage more and gives them status.
Analyze and Refine Your Approach
Pay close attention to which tactics are moving the needle for your server’s growth and engagement.
Survey members asking how they found you and solicit feedback on improvements.
Double down on what works while phasing out ineffective efforts. Experiment and track data to continually refine your playbook.
Stay nimble and you‘ll react to trends plus uncover even better growth strategies over time!
If you take just a few key lessons from this guide, remember these:
- Optimize Branding: A compelling server name, icon, and description pulls in the right users.
- Promote Widely (But Smartly): Share your community in relevant niches while providing value.
- Offer Members Value: Greet newcomers, post engaging content, and host events to delight members.
- Analyze and Adapt: Learn from data on what works to optimize your promotion strategy.
The Discord platform keeps evolving rapidly. But by sticking to proven growth principles, your server can thrive long-term.
I hope these tips help you take your Discord community to the next level in 2024! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Good luck and have fun growing your server!
