How to make money on Discord might sound like a dream, but it’s more achievable than you think.
With millions of Discord users engaging daily, there’s a growing opportunity to turn this popular platform into a source of income.
Are you an established server owner looking to monetize your community? or just getting started? This guide will show you step-by-step how to earn a lot of money on Discord.
Table of Contents
Setting Up Your Discord Server
To start making money on Discord, you first need to set up your Discord account.
- Go to the Discord website or download the Discord app on your device. Sign up using your email and follow the verification process. This takes like 2 minutes and opens up the ability to create your own Discord server.
- Once your account is set up, it’s time to set up your Discord server. This will be the home of your community.
- To create a server click the plus sign (+) on the left hand sidebar, select “Create My Own” and give your server a name. The name should reflect the niche or focus of your community as this will attract the right users to join.
- After naming your server, you’ll want to set up various channels for it. Channels are where your members will chat, share content, and engage with each other.
- Create a few basic text channels like a general discussion area and a rules section. You can also set up voice channels for live conversations. As your server grows you can add more specialized channels based on the needs and interests of your community.
Customize Discord Servers for Monetization
Customization is key when you’re planning to make money on Discord. A well-organized and visually appealing Discord server will attract more Discord users and keep them active. Start by uploading a custom server icon and choosing a color scheme that matches your brand or niche. You can also set up different roles for members, giving them access to specific channels or privileges based on their contributions or membership status.
For monetization, you’ll want to set up channels that are specific to paid members. For example, you can create an exclusive chat channel that only paying Discord members can access. You can also use Discord bots to manage subscriptions, track activity, or even automate welcoming new members.
Pro Tip: Update your server regularly with new features, channels and content to keep your community engaged and they’ll stick around which is key to long term monetization.
10 Ways How to Make Money on Discord
Now that we got the general info for Discord servers out of the way, let’s look at our selected top ways to earn money on Discord.
1. Paid Discord Server
One of the simplest ways to make money on Discord is by creating a paid Discord server. This means members pay to join or to access certain parts of your server. You can use platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi to manage payments or set up direct payments through PayPal.
Having a paid server gives your community members a sense of exclusivity and value. To make it worth their while, offer premium content, early access to your products, or special roles that come with unique privileges. The key is to make sure the value you provide is worth the cost of entry.
2. Offer Server Subscriptions
If you prefer a more recurring income model, offering server subscriptions is a great option. With this model, members pay a monthly fee to access special content, channels, or roles.
Services like Discord Nitro allow you to add extra features for paying members like higher quality voice channels or more custom emojis.
To get more people to subscribe consider offering tiered memberships. A basic tier could give members access to exclusive chat rooms and a premium tier could give one on one consultations or behind the scenes content.
Another way to make money on Discord is by selling exclusive content. This could be digital products like e-books, courses, artwork, or personalized services like shoutouts or custom video messages. Create a dedicated channel in your server where members can browse and purchase your offerings. Make sure to update this channel regularly with new content so members keep coming back for more.
Pro Tip: Offer special discounts to your most loyal members to encourage repeat purchases and engagement in your server.
3. Sell Products or Services
Selling products or services is easy.
Start by deciding what you want to offer. It could be anything from physical items to digital products or services. Some ideas:
- Artwork: If you’re an artist, you can sell custom designs or prints.
- Digital Services: Offer graphic design, video editing or even coaching sessions.
- Courses: Create and sell online courses to teach your skills.
- Physical Products: Think of merchandise like t-shirts, mugs or other branded items.
- Software: If you’re a developer, you can sell apps or tools.
Once you’ve decided what to sell, set up a shop on your Discord server. Platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce can help you create an online store that integrates with Discord. This way, your community members can browse and make purchases directly from your server.
Remember to promote your products regularly and engage with your audience to keep them interested in what you’re offering.
4. Use Discord Server Boosting
Server boosting is a feature that allows members to support their favorite Discord servers by buying boosts. Each boost adds better audio quality, more emoji slots and other perks to the server. For server owners this is not just a way to improve your server but also a revenue stream.
To get your members to boost your server offer them incentives. This could be special roles, access to exclusive channels or recognition within the community.
Some server owners create “booster only” channels where members who boost the server can get extra perks like early access to content or private discussions.
The more boosts your server gets, the higher the level will be and the more attractive your server will be to new members. Which, in turn, will give me more boosts and more income.
Pro Tip: Regularly acknowledge and thank your boosters publicly on the server to encourage others to join in. A simple shout-out or personalized direct messaging can go a long way in building a supportive community.
5. Try Discord Bots
Bots on Discord are super powerful and can automate a lot of tasks in your server, making it easier to manage and more fun for members.
For monetization consider using bots that can do tasks like managing subscriptions, processing payments or even promoting your content across different channels.
For example MEE6 or Dyno offer premium features that can automate role assignments based on membership status, send reminders for a monthly subscription renewals or even run exclusive giveaways for paying members.
These bots can also track member activity which is useful to see what parts of your server are most popular and where you should focus your monetization efforts.
Using bots correctly can save you time and give your members a smooth, professional experience, which will make them stick around and support your server.
Pro Tip: Set up a welcome bot to greet new members as they join your server. This personal touch will make other users who are new feel valued and more likely to engage, which is key to growing your community.
6. Engage Discord Users and Communities
Active engagement in servers is key to keeping your community alive and kicking. The more engaged your members are, the more likely they are to spend on your server through donations, subscriptions or purchases. Here are a few ways to keep your members engaged:
- Host events: Events like Q&A sessions, game nights, or live streams will keep your community excited and active. You can also offer special perks or prizes for participants, which will drive more engagement.
- Run polls and surveys: Ask your members what kind of content they want to see or what improvements they’d like to the server. This not only shows you value their input but also helps you tailor your content to their preferences which will increase their chances of supporting you financially.
- Offer exclusive Discord content: Members will stay engaged if they know they have access to content they can’t get anywhere else. Whether it’s a behind the scenes look at your creative process, early access to new releases or private mentoring sessions VIP content is a powerful draw.
7. Partner with Brands and Sponsorship Deals
As your server grows, you may attract the attention of brands looking to reach your audience. Partnering with these brands can be a great way to make money. Brands may sponsor your server, specific channels, or events and pay you to promote their products or services.
When considering sponsorships, make sure to choose brands that align with your community’s interests.
This will make the sponsorship feel authentic, and your members will be receptive to it. Be transparent with your Discord community about the sponsorship and make sure any promotions are clearly marked to maintain trust.
For example, if your server is focused on gaming, partnering with a gaming accessories brand could be a great fit.
You could offer exclusive discounts to your members or host giveaways sponsored by the brand, which not only adds value to your community but also strengthens your partnership.
Pro Tip: Track engagement metrics when you run sponsored content. This data can help you negotiate better deals with brands in the future by showing them the value of your audience.
8. Use Discord Rich Presence to Attract Gamers
Here we have a feature that allows you to link your game to Discord, show what game you’re playing and offer in-game actions directly in Discord. This is super useful for bringing gamers to your server, especially if you’re involved in game development or promotion.
By using Rich Discord Presence you can create a more interactive experience for your members, they can connect with the game in real-time. For example if you’re making a game you can use it to post updates, share gameplay moments or even let players join your game through Discord.
This can be a way to build a gaming community and then monetize it, whether through in-game items, premium memberships, or even paid tournaments.
9. Discord Account Affiliate Marketing
Having an affiliate program is another tactic to make money on Discord that hasn’t been mentioned yet. This is promoting products or services from other companies and earning a commission on any sales made through your referral links.
Here’s how you can implement affiliate marketing on your Discord server:
- Choose Relevant Products: Select products or services that fit your server’s theme or your community’s interests. For example, if your server is about gaming, you can promote gaming accessories, software, or even game-related services.
- Create a Dedicated Channel: Set up a specific channel where you share affiliate links and recommendations. Make sure to clearly disclose that these are affiliate links so your members know you’ll earn a commission if they buy.
- Integrate with Content: You can weave Discord marketing affiliate links into your regular content. For example, if you’re talking about a particular tool or service in a chat, you can mention that you have an affiliate link in the dedicated channel.
- Provide Value: Don’t just drop links – explain why you’re recommending these products and how they can benefit your members, as well as offer tips on how to use them. This builds trust and increases the chances your members will buy.
10. Monetize Game Development
For game developers Discord is the perfect platform to build and monetize your Discord community.
You can offer your most loyal fans early access to new features, beta versions, or exclusive in-game items in exchange for money.
Create a Discord server for your game where fans can discuss strategies, share fan art, and give feedback. You can offer different levels of access based on their support level, like a Patreon model where higher tier supporters get more members-only content.
You can also host events like developer Q&A, live coding streams or community challenges, all of which can be monetized through sponsorships or donations. Promote it on other social media channels too.
How Does Discord Make Money Themselves?
Now that we’ve covered how you can make money on Discord, you might be wondering how the Discord platform makes money itself.
Despite being free for millions of server users, Discord makes money through several ways.
Discord Nitro Subscriptions
One of the main ways the Discord platform generates revenue is through Discord Nitro subscriptions. Nitro gives you extra features like higher quality video, larger file uploads, custom emojis and server boosts.
There are two tiers of this premium subscription service : Nitro Classic and Nitro, each with their own set of perks to get you to pay for more.
Server Boosts
Another way Discord generates revenue is through server boosts. These are purchased by server users to get extra features for their favorite servers like better audio quality, more emoji slots and custom server banners.
With multiple users able to boost a single server, this is a steady way for Discord to make money.
Discord Store and Partnerships
Discord also monetized the platform through the Discord store and various partnerships with game developers and companies. Although the store was eventually shut down, these partnerships still provide revenue by offering exclusive content or services within the platform, benefiting both Discord and its partners.
Merchandise Sales
In addition to digital goods, Discord’s income is by selling branded merchandise like apparel and accessories. These sales contribute to the company’s overall revenue but not the main source of it.
Venture Capital and Funding
Lastly, Discord has raised a lot of funding through venture capital so the company can grow and develop without relying on user generated revenue. While this isn’t a revenue source itself, it’s an important part of how Discord runs and expands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you earn money in Discord?
Yes, Discord offers several ways to earn money, including paid memberships, selling premium content, and affiliate marketing. You can turn your own server into a profitable venture by leveraging Discord’s features and building an engaged community.
Can you make a paid Discord?
Absolutely. You can create a paid Discord server where members pay to join or access specific channels. This is a common way for creators to monetize their communities by offering exclusive content or perks to paying members.
Do Discord mods make money?
While most moderators are volunteers, some larger servers do pay their moderators, especially if they handle significant responsibilities or help manage a large community. Compensation can vary depending on the size of the server and the tasks involved.
How much do people make on Discord?
Earnings can vary widely based on the size of your server, your monetization methods, and how active your community is. Some server owners earn a few hundred dollars per month, while others with larger, more active Discord communities can earn thousands.
Conclusion
Discord can easily be turned into a money-making platform. It’s more than possible and a growing trend.
Setting up your server strategically, engaging your community, and leveraging Discord’s unique features can create a profitable venture.
The opportunities are endless, whether you’re offering server subscriptions, selling exclusive content, or partnering with brands.
We’ve used these strategies ourselves, and they’ve proven effective in building a thriving community and generating income consistently. Now that you’ve learned how to make money on Discord, it’s your turn to make the most out of it!
