Once simply a gaming platform for mobile games, Discord is now considered the future of Web3. It is where crypto and NFT enthusiasts go to connect. With over 350 million registered users and 150 million daily users, it’s still a far cry from Twitter with 217 million users and other platforms but it is quickly going into the place to be for all things NFT related. As it continues to grow, you will need to learn how to utilize this platform if you want to promote your NFT and be influential in the space.
Discord NFT communities are chat groups or servers dedicated to discussing and trading non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Discord was originally designed as a voice and text chat app for gamers, but it's become a popular platform for all sorts of communities, including early adopters and advocates of NFTs.
Why Use Discord?
There are several reasons why Discord is a popular platform for NFT communities:
- It has a large user base with millions of active users.
- It has a built-in voice chat feature.
- It supports rich media, including embedded images, videos, and GIFs.
- It offers server and user moderation features.
Communities in Discord are called "servers." It makes perfect sense to create one dedicated to NFTs if you're planning to build an online presence. The idea is to invite other people who share your interest in NFTs to join your server and discuss everything related to them.
Furthermore, you set up channels on your server for specific topics of discussion, and you can even invite guest speakers to talk about their experiences with NFTs.
Arguably the most important reason to create a Discord NFT community is to promote your NFT project. It's a niche platform perfect for artists and creators who need validation for their work.
Creating Your First Discord Community
Now that you know what a Discord NFT community is and why you should create one, it's time to learn how.
1 - Set up a server.
The first step is to set up a server. You can either create a new server or join an existing one. If you're creating a new server, be sure that it's a dedicated NFT community. You can't afford to be too vague or lose your chance to attract the right people. Remember, the goal is to create a community of like-minded individuals – not just anyone. So, it's not simply about putting a name and description to your server. You need to make it inviting and interesting, where the next steps come in.
Channels and Categories - Your server will have some channels for different types of discussions, and it's important to set them up correctly from the start. You'll want to have at least the following channels:
- The main channel for general discussion
- A channel specifically for news and announcements
- A channel for trading and auctioning (buy and sell)
- A channel for project development
- A channel for artwork and creative content
- A channel for memes and humour
Frequently Asked Questions - When you set up your server, add a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) channel. It'll help new members understand the purpose of the server and how to get involved.
Introduction - Don't forget to publish an introduction that welcomes new members and explains the purpose of the server.
Roadmap - Let members know about your plans for the NFT project. If you have any specific goals or milestones, share them in this section.
Official Links - Include all your official links in this section, i.e., website, whitepaper, and social media pages.
2 - Define roles.
When you create a server, you'll be assigned the role of "server owner." As the owner, you have the power to add and remove members, change settings, and manage channels. However, it's best to delegate some of those responsibilities to other members.
It's crucial to define roles for different members of your community. Here are a few roles that you may consider:
Moderator - A moderator is responsible for ensuring that the channel remains active and on-topic. They keep the conversations flowing and make sure that everyone follows the rules.
Content Creator - Content creators are responsible for publishing original artwork, videos, and articles related to NFTs. They help to keep the community engaged and provide valuable content.
Member - This refers to everyone who is a part of the community. They can participate in discussions, post artwork, and more.
Bot - Adding a bot to your server is a great way to automate tasks and manage messages. You can use several bots, i.e., MEE6 Bot, Dyno Bot, and Collab.Land.
3 - Fill your server with interesting content.
Your server's success depends on the quality and relevance of its content. If you're just starting out, you'll need to create some good content. This includes creating a pinned message that introduces your server, setting up specific channels for different topics of discussion, and sharing interesting news and articles about NFTs.
Keep things exciting by incorporating feedback sessions where members get the opportunity to comment or react to your project. It doesn't just encourage collaboration but also nurtures a sense of community.
4 - Lay out the rules.
No community is complete without rules, and Discord servers are no exception. As the server owner, it's your responsibility to lay out the ground rules and ensure that members follow them. This includes respecting others, not spamming, and abiding by the law. It’s more than likely as your community grows that bad actors will try to infiltrate your Discord. It’s important that you’re vigilant and you state upfront that you will never ask for personal information or money from your users. Ask your community to report any suspicious activity. This way it’s easy to stay on top of these bad actors and hopefully prevent them from taking any money. Occasionally scammers succeed and if they do, don’t try and hide it. Tell the community what is going on so they can hopefully avoid falling for the same scam.
Of course, you can't be expected to moderate everything said on your server. That's where Discord's moderation features come in handy. You may assign moderators to specific channels or the entire server, and they'll be responsible for keeping things in order.
5 – Authenticity is the key.
Like all other social media platforms, Discord encourages interaction between members. This helps to build relationships and fosters a sense of community. So, take full advantage of it by encouraging members to participate in discussions and post their artwork, videos, and articles.
It’s hard to be completely transparent on any platform full of people you don’t know, but the projects that talk about both their success and failure are the ones that do the best. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. So if you stumble with a drop, aren’t as fast at responding to giveaways, or haven’t raised as much money as you expected then talk about it within the community. Trust is everything in Discord and it’s incredibly hard – if not impossible to regain that trust once you’ve lost it.
You may also organize events like contests or quizzes to keep things interesting. And don't forget to celebrate the successes of your community members. It'll make them feel appreciated and encourage them to participate more.
6 - Promote your server.
As the server owner, it's your responsibility to promote it. This means sharing it with your friends, followers, and others in the crypto community. One of the best ways to promote your NFTs is through simple conversations.
Join in on Twitter Spaces, speak up in other Discord channels, and attend Livestream events. You can also post about it on different forums, social media platforms or paid advertising.
Try to build or join a small community and you could create, or learn about, new opportunities to display your work.
Collaborations are a great way to promote your NFT community. Reach other to other artists, NFT collectors, and YouTube influencers for collaborations. Be creative in the way you approach these partnerships. Done right, this will open you both up to new audiences so it’s really a win-win.
The more people who join your server, the better it'll be for everyone involved. So, make sure that you promote it as much as possible.
7 - Monitor the server.
Part of your responsibility is to monitor your server. It entails checking in on the conversations, ensuring that members follow the rules, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. Your moderators are there to help, but it's ultimately up to you to make sure that the server is running smoothly.
Conclusion
Remember that your Discord NFT community's purpose is to let the "relevant" people know about your project. Don't lose sight of that. Try to keep your members on track and focused on the goals of the server, no matter how tiring it becomes to moderate. The sense of community you create is well worth the effort. If you can do that, your Discord community will become a highly valuable resource for promoting your NFTs.
