When to Start a Discord?

[Calculus_Homework]

I hear people do this with their long-running webcomics. I think it's a neat idea! Sounds very fun, and it gives readers a tailored place to be talking about things to do with the story, characters, and whatever else related to the comic.
Just... when is it appropriate to start something like this?

This year, I wanted to do a trial run with a Discord server that's available to all readers and not just patrons (I only have 5, and it only seems fair for all readers to have access to the server.)

....But I've never run a Discord before! I've just been part of servers.
Any advice or suggestions on what to do first?
(I know I'll need to look up "how to run a Discord server for dummies" and read all that I can. lol But any sage advice is welcome.)

[KSlinger]

I'm not sure there is a bad time to start something like that, honestly. I suppose it depends on how much work you're willing to/can put into it right now? And what you want to get out of it?

I don't have a discord for my story and don't know of many that do, but a friend of mine made one for her series and it's thriving. Her story is very popular over on Webtoon, and also a young adult series which I think lends itself to the right crowd for discord to begin with. She already had a big following that frankly needed somewhere else to go and be chatty/horny/whatever teens are doing these days. It looks like a hell of a lot of work though. I think she has three or four moderators wrangling denizens round the clock. There are events, contests, factions, emojis the whole shebang.

Here's a screeshot of some of the channels in her server to give you an idea of what could be:

Of course you don't have to make it that involved if you don't have the time. Loads of servers aren't. If all you desire is to give readers a place to discuss your work you can start anytime, right? Why wait? The server doesn't even have to be purely about your webcomic. It can be a place to post your sketches and concept art, links to other places you hang, or fanart for stories you appreciate.

If I were you I'd just make it, populate it with some nice channels, invite your readers there and see what happens. If you have webcomic-related materials, share them there. If you want to make it fun, make a quiz online for readers to complete to see what characters they are, or other things that are interactive and interesting.But yeah. Can't hurt to try can it?

[RedLenai]

Well, it'll depend if you actually have an active fanbase people that engage and are... at least more than 10 people that are willing to comment and participate on the server, if you only have around... 2 or 3 people commenting on your series then there'll be a high chance that your server will die in activity after a few months.

You can still try tho but this is at least what I've seen happening in the servers of creators I've been in (In my end, I get I don't post much either, after all I'm always busy, but yeah... without very passionate people is... just something fleeting.

[SereinChoo]

That's very true - many discord servers had died that way - you really need that few very chatty person to keep everything alive. I had the idea to start my own - but never did because personally its hard for me to be chatty haha

[Zak]

Honestly been pondering this myself;

It really depends on what you use it for to be honest. For me, Id probably use it to chat with friends, have consistent updates on my webcomic since it's been going for nearly 5 years now. But you REALLY need chatty people to keep it going. I also say this as someone who has readers whom read my comic and interact outside my timezone so when Im asleep. So, pretty much all alone at the time lol.

But Id personally just use it for just that to be fair.

[Calculus_Homework]

Wow... thank you so much for your detailed response!
Yeah, it seems like one could get VERY invested in Discord after making many organized channels. Your friend's looks fun! xD
I think my only fear is moderating. I don't want it ot be messy right off the back... but I don't even know how many would be interested! So, I haven't a thing to worry about. lol

I think I will ask readers if it's an interesting thing for them. Then I could start one, even if only a couple respond with interest--it could be tiny and tailored!

[Calculus_Homework]

@kellycomet92 @Zak @RedLenai

All very good points! Thank you for your responses. I guess it is best to leave it up to the readers to respond to the idea of a Discord. I usually have the same 3-4 people commenting, but get a couple additional inconsistent commenters. xD It's nice! But I would have to ask my readers if a Discord for it sounds interesting.

.... Now that I think about it, I may need to allow the comic to get further along in the story before having a Discord server seem remotely interesting.
It's slow-paced and isn't too far into anything important yet, so I may wait till end of year to even ask. LOL