How to Set Up and Grow a Discord Server for Your NFT Project

Creating and Growing a Discord Server for Your NFT Project: A Guide

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about creating your own NFT Discord server. Learn how to set up your account, create text and voice channels, manage settings, assign user roles, use bots, and implement token gating for exclusive access. By following these steps, you can give your NFTs utility and foster a strong community around your project.

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Step 1: Download and Sign Up for Discord

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To get started, go to discord.com and download the app. While it's possible to use Discord in your web browser, it's recommended to install the app on your computer or smartphone for a better experience. Once you have the app, register an account and log in.

Step 2: Create Your NFT Project Server

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Click the green plus button on the left side of the app to create a new server. Choose "Create My Own" and select "For a club or community" as the server type. Enter your server's name and upload a profile picture for your project. Don't worry if you're unsure about these details; you can change them later.

Step 3: Basic Setup and Navigation

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After creating your server, you'll see two automatically generated channels: a text channel and a voice channel. These channels will serve as your server's navigation, where you'll engage with your community. To set up your server's structure, click on your server's name at the top and choose "Create Channel" or "Create Category."

Step 4: Create Categories and Channels

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Categories are used to group channels, acting as a main menu. Text channels function like messaging platforms, allowing users to share photos, files, and music. Each channel has its own chat and conversation topic. For instance, a "#general" channel is for casual conversation, while a "#crypto" channel is for discussing cryptocurrency.

Voice channels let users communicate using their device's microphone, camera for video chats, or screen sharing. They can accommodate an unlimited number of users in a voice call, 25 in a video chat, and up to 50 for screen sharing.

Step 5: Customize Channel Permissions

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When creating a new channel, everyone can see and post in it by default. To change this, adjust the channel's permissions in its settings. For example, you might want to create a "Welcome" channel that is read-only, meaning users can view it but not post messages. To do this, click the cog icon next to the channel, go to permissions, and disable "Send Messages" and other unnecessary permissions. Don't forget to save your changes.

Discord Channel Creation Best Practices:

Continuing with the setup, it's important to maintain an organized channel structure. Arrange channels in the order users will first encounter them. For example, click and drag the "Welcome" channel to the top of the text channel category. Remember not to drag it above the category, as it will be removed.

Next, create a "Rules" channel within the text channels category. This is where you can outline your server's rules and consequences for rule-breaking, such as banning users for swearing or self-promotion. Repeat the process used for the "Welcome" channel to make this read-only.

Additionally, create an "Announcements" channel, also read-only, for promoting NFTs, sharing details about new drops, or providing important updates. Bots can also be used to announce when you go live on platforms like YouTube.

To keep everything organized, rename the text channels category to "Information" and create a new category called "Community." Move the "General" channel into the "Community" category and add more channels like "Ideas," "Memes," or "AMA" (Ask Me Anything). This category will serve as your main interactive hub.

Enhance Aesthetics and Navigation with Emojis:

Adding emojis to channel and category titles improves your server's aesthetics and navigation. Emojis provide color cues and related icons that make it easier for users to find the channels they want. For example, add a waving hand emoji to the "Welcome" channel or a lightbulb emoji to the "Ideas" section.

To add emojis, right-click on the category and select "Edit Category," or click the cog icon to edit a channel. Click where you want the emoji to go in the channel name. On Windows, press the Windows key and period together. On Mac, press Control, Command, and Space together. The emoji window will appear, allowing you to select and insert emojis. After adding the desired emoji, save your changes and repeat the process for other channels or categories.

Final Checklist for Basic NFT Project Discord Server Setup:

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Enable community:

1. In Server Settings, click on "Enable Community" to improve server security and streamline functionality. Complete the setup process by following the prompts for safety, rules, and guidelines.
2. Set up a welcome screen:
3. Create a welcome screen to greet new members. Choose up to five channel suggestions for new members to explore, such as the rules, welcome, and general text channels.
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Membership screening and verification:

1. Add another layer of security by setting up membership screening. This ensures users have verified email addresses and have agreed to the server's rules before joining.
2. Review channel permissions:
3. Go through every channel's permissions in the "Edit Channel" section to ensure read-only channels are properly restricted.

Creating Roles for your NFT Project Discord:

Roles are the permissions and levels of access given to users in your server, determining what they can and cannot do.

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Create a new role:

In Server Settings, click on "Roles," then "Create Role." Start with a moderator role and assign permissions such as kicking or banning members, and muting or deafening members. Remember to save your changes.

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Create an administrator role:

Repeat the process for an administrator role, which grants higher permissions such as changing server settings. Be cautious about assigning this role to users, as it comes with significant power. Arrange roles in a hierarchy, with the most important roles at the top. Drag roles up or down as needed, and save your changes.

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Create specific roles:

If desired, create more specific roles for different team members or purposes, such as differentiating between a smart contract developer and a 3D artist. To assign roles, right-click on a user's name in the server and select the appropriate role.

Adding bots to your Discord server:

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Bots can automate tasks such as welcoming new members or sending notifications. MEE6 is a versatile bot that can perform many functions. To add MEE6 to your server, visit mee6.xyz and click "Add to Discord." Sign in with your Discord account, authorize access, select your server, and grant the necessary permissions.

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MEE6 bot setup:

In your Discord server, right-click on the MEE6 bot and go to "Server Settings" to create a new role specifically for bots. Assign the bot role administration permissions to allow access to private channels and prevent lower roles from assigning themselves the bot role.

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Customize MEE6 features:

Return to the MEE6 website and navigate to your server settings. Here, you can explore various features like monetization, social media integration, and personalized engagement options like birthday announcements. To set up a welcome message, go to "Server Management," click on "Welcome," and enable the "Send a Message" option. Choose the channel for the welcome message and customize the text. Don't forget to save your changes.

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Test your setup:

Ensure that all features are functioning correctly by testing them with a separate Discord account or by inviting a trusted friend to your server.

Setting up CollabLand Tokengating Bot:

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Adding Collab.Land to your server:

Visit collab.land and click "Start Building." Choose "Discord Bot Walkthrough" and follow the instructions to link the Collab.Land bot to your server. Ensure the bot has administrator roles, so it can manage roles based on NFT ownership.

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Creating a role for NFT holders:

In your Discord server, go to "Server Settings" > "Roles" and create a new role for NFT holders. Customize the role's name and color, and ensure the administrator permission is not enabled. Adjust the role's visibility based on your preference.

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Create a private channel for NFT holders:

Add a new private text channel in the community category and give it an appropriate name. Set the channel's permissions to allow access for the NFT holders' role, the moderator role, and the Collab.Land and MEE6 bots.

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Configure Collab.Land bot:

In the "collab.land config" channel, type "!help" to view the bot's commands. To set up the role assignment based on NFT ownership, type "!setup role" and follow the instructions provided by the bot.

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Gather NFT details:

You will need your NFT's smart contract address, token ID, and token standard (e.g., ERC-1155 or ERC-721) for the next steps. Now that you have successfully set up your Discord server, created exclusive channels, and integrated Collab Land to verify NFT ownership, it is essential to make sure everything is in place before inviting people to join.

Here are a few tips to ensure your Discord server is ready for your community:

1. Double-check roles and permissions: Ensure that the roles and permissions are set up correctly for different users. Regular members should not have access to admin-only channels, and NFT holders should have exclusive access to their dedicated channels.
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2. Test with multiple users: Before inviting your entire community, consider inviting a few trusted individuals to test out the server setup. This will help identify any potential issues that may need fixing.
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3. Create a welcome message or channel: Set up a welcome channel to greet new members when they join your server. This is an opportunity to introduce your community, provide server rules, and share any essential information.
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4. Set up moderation tools: To keep your server a safe and welcoming environment, implement moderation tools like MEE6 or Dyno. These bots can help manage your server, enforce rules, and deal with potential spammers or trolls.
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5. Establish a support system: Create a dedicated support channel where users can ask questions, report issues, or seek assistance. This will help maintain organization and ensure that members can easily find help when needed.
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6. Organize your channels: Keep your server neat and organized by categorizing your channels. This will make it easier for members to navigate the server and find relevant conversations.
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7. Keep your community engaged: Plan events, host discussions, or share updates to keep your community engaged and active. A thriving community is more likely to attract new members and maintain existing ones.
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By following these steps and ensuring that your Discord server is set up correctly, you can create an engaging and supportive environment for your NFT community. Remember that a well-structured server is more likely to attract and retain members, so take the time to get everything in order before opening the doors to the public.