So you created a Discord server, now what? A crash course on how to manage your Discord server from it's creation to a healthy, self-sustaining community with the tools and features provided on the platform. We'll dive into basic server setup and presentation, how to lay the groundwork for a non-toxic environment, strategies to keep your audience engaged and tips on how to promote your community clubhouse to your audience.

1. 1
How to get the most out of
your Discord community
Presentation by
Paul Hesling
2020-08-05 Outline
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community

2. 2
Introduction
2020-08-05 Introduction
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Supports various Discord servers as a Community Moderator/Manager and/or Admin
Noticed a lack of personalized servers and general engagement rates
Founded IndieServerTips to assist indie devs with learning about Discord

3. 3
2020-08-05 Contents
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Contents
Personalization: basic server structure and decoration tips.
(auto) Moderation: establishing a non-toxic environment.
Community engagement: how to keep your audience talking.
Promotion: how and where to promote your server.

4. 4
Personalization
basic server structure and decoration tips
2020-08-05 Personalization
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promoting Community

5. 5
2020-08-05 Basic structure
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Setting up the basic server structure with categories
Hidden channels for moderation purposes
Read-only channels at the top
Focus on the game
Focus on the community
Optional: separate open or closed playtesting
to keep it organized

6. 6
2020-08-05 Welcome channel
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Setting up your welcome channel with a description, rules and
official links
Welcome message + info about the game
A list of features (using the
same list as on the Steam page)
Official links to website, storefront(s),
social media, Discord invite link
The rules of your server

7. 7
2020-08-05 Using roles
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Utilizing roles for moderation, notifications and directing traffic
Easy to spot roles for support purposes
Special reward roles based on
community reputation, Kickstarter
pledge, Twitch follower/subscriber,
closed beta testers, etc

8. 8
2020-08-05 Emoji
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Using emoji to spruce up the conversation
A starter pack for official links
Assets turned into emotions & jokes
Animoji exclusively for
Discord Nitro users

9. 9
2020-08-05 Community settings
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Enabling the Community settings for Server Insights, Welcome
Screen & official Announcement channels

10. 10
(auto) Moderation
establishing a non-toxic environment
2020-08-05 (auto) Moderation
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community

11. 11
2020-08-05 Mod traits
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Good moderator traits
Is active, respectful towards their peers and has a firm grasp of grammar and spelling.
Informs moderators when rules have been broken and/or the user who broke the rules.
Is welcoming and friendly, empathetic and humble.
Answers a lot of questions and tries to help other users: brings value.
Doesn't agitate but instead de-escalates.

12. 12
2020-08-05 Mod tools
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Automoderation and other moderation tools
Using bots to filter keywords and spam.
Enable developer mode for quick ID lookup.
Log bot and mod actions to a separate channel.
Keep each other posted and discuss escalations.

13. 13
2020-08-05 Engagement
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Keeping your mod team engaged
Warn your moderators of upcoming announcements - don’t leave them in the dark.
Ask how they are doing proactively and make sure you understand their motivations and
available time - they have lives!
Ask for feedback in the form of ideas and suggestions on how to proceed.
Listen to their concerns: a happy moderation team reflects well on you.

14. 14
2020-08-05 Red flags
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Red flags (bad moderator traits)
Almost immediately upon joining the server, asks explicitly and publicly to be a moderator.
Argues in bad faith, tries to agitate or flamebait other users.
Lacks empathy, jumps to conclusions.
Is dismissive of criticism, feedback or ideas, shutting down conversations.

15. 15
Promotion
2020-08-05 Promotion
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community

16. 16
2020-08-05 What
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
What to promote: the unique selling point of your server
(timed) Exclusive access to information.
Exclusive roles, titles and statuses for bragging rights.
Chat with devs/publishers to voice your thoughts and ask questions.
Play in-server metagames that tie in to the game franchise.
Optional: open or closed beta-testing infrastructure.

17. 17
2020-08-05 Where & how
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Where/how to promote: putting your clubhouse out there
Link it to your social media (Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, etc) and website.
Announce the server's existence and make it a part of a competition or giveaway.
Celebrate milestones and invite your fans to come say hello.
Use public server listings (some risk involved).
Utilize Discord's infrastructure to host closed beta testing (roles, feedback, bug reports).
Don't:
Send the server invite link to random people without context or relevance.
Send the link in other Discord servers without permission.
Link it prominently in trailers to invite fans to discuss and leave feedback.

18. 18
Community engagement
2020-08-05 Community engagement
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community

19. 19
2020-08-05 Methods
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
Engaging your community frequently
Talk with your audience on a daily basis and find shared passions.
Host livestreams, giveaways and Q&A-sessions.
Push content regularly exclusive to your Discord members.
Have a place for users to share their projects/pets/day-to-day life.
Getting to know your fans
For the purpose of:
Interacting, engaging and building trust
Rewarding your fans
Making them feel at
home

20. 20
Where to find me
2020-08-05 Contact
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
@IndieServerTips
discord.io/IndieServerTips
@SuperDryNutz
FriskyDoughnuts#7652
IndieServerTips
Personal

21. 21
End Of Presentation
2020-08-05 End of Presentation
Personalization (auto) Moderation Promotion Community
End Of
Presentation
Any
Questions?