Why Discord for Paid Communities?
Discord has become the platform of choice for thousands of profitable communities. Here's why:
Unmatched Features
Communication Versatility:
Text channels for discussions and announcements
Voice channels for calls and presentations
Video channels for face-to-face connections
Screen sharing for tutorials and demonstrations
Stage channels for large presentations and events
Robust Organization:
Unlimited channels organized by categories
Custom roles with granular permissions
Thread functionality for focused discussions
Forum channels for Q&A and support
Pinned messages for important information
Scalability:
Supports communities from 10 to 1,000,000+ members
No practical limit on messages or file storage
Handles high-traffic communities with ease
Auto-scaling infrastructure
Engagement Tools:
Custom emojis and stickers
Reactions and polls
Rich media embedding
Integration with bots and apps
Mobile + desktop + web access
Perfect for Monetization
Why Discord works for paid communities:
✓ Member Expectations: Discord users are accustomed to premium servers
✓ Value Perception: Rich features justify premium pricing
✓ Engagement Rates: Higher than Slack or Telegram for most community types
✓ Retention: Voice/video capabilities create stronger connections
✓ Flexibility: Works for almost any community type or niche
Successful Discord Community Types
Financial & Trading:
Stock trading alerts and analysis
Crypto signals and education
Day trading communities
NFT alpha groups
Options trading education
Content Creators:
YouTube/Twitch member perks
Podcaster exclusive communities
Writer/artist patron access
Course creator student groups
Newsletter premium tiers
Professional Development:
Coaching and mastermind groups
Skill-based learning communities
Career development networks
Industry-specific forums
Mentorship programs
Gaming & Entertainment:
Competitive gaming teams
Game strategy and tips
Esports fan communities
TTRPG (D&D) groups
Game development communities
Reselling & Commerce:
Sneaker cook groups
Retail arbitrage communities
Amazon FBA groups
Dropshipping networks
E-commerce mastermind groups
What You'll Need Before Starting
Before diving into setup, gather these essentials:
Required Accounts & Information
1. Discord Account (Free)
Email address
Verified phone number (for server creation)
Desktop or mobile app recommended
2. LaunchPass Account
Premium or Ultra plan ($29/month or custom)
14-day free trial available
Email for account creation
3. Stripe Account (Free)
Government-issued ID for verification
Bank account for payouts
Business information (can be sole proprietor)
Tax ID or SSN (country-dependent)
Full Stripe setup guide: Connect Your Stripe Account
Planning Your Community
Before creating your server, decide:
Community Focus:
What specific value will you provide?
Who is your target audience?
What problems does your community solve?
What makes it worth paying for?
Pricing Strategy:
Monthly price point ($10-$200+ typical range)
Will you offer free trials?
Multiple membership tiers?
Annual discount options?
Content Plan:
What content will you provide daily/weekly?
Live events or async-only?
Educational vs. networking focus?
Member-generated vs. creator-led content?
Time Investment:
Hours per day/week you can commit
Will you have co-moderators or admins?
Content creation workflow
Member support capacity
Step 1: Create Your Discord Server
Let's build your Discord server from scratch.
Creating Your Discord Account (If Needed)
For new Discord users:
Visit Discord: Go to discord.com or discord.com/register
Sign up:
Enter email address
Create username
Set password (strong password recommended)
Verify your birth date (must be 13+ years old)
Verify email:
Check inbox for verification email from Discord
Click verification link
Return to Discord
Add phone number (required for server creation):
Go to User Settings (gear icon)
Navigate to "My Account"
Click "Add phone number"
Enter phone number with country code
Verify with SMS code
Pro Tip: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) immediately for security. Go to User Settings → My Account → Enable Two-Factor Auth.
Creating Your Server
Step-by-step server creation:
Locate the "Add a Server" button:
Open Discord (desktop app, mobile, or web)
Look at the left sidebar
Find the green "+" button at the bottom of your server list
Click the + button
Choose server template:
Click "Create My Own"
Don't use templates initially—you'll customize later
Select server type:
"For a club or community" → Choose this for paid communities
"For me and my friends" → Skip this (for private groups)
Or click "Skip this question"
Customize your server: Server Name:
Choose a professional, memorable name
Examples: "Premium Trading Alerts", "Creator Academy", "Pro Resellers Club"
Keep it concise (3-4 words maximum)
Must be unique within Discord
Server Icon:
Click the upload button
Upload your logo or brand image
Recommended: 512x512px minimum, PNG or JPG
Should be clear and recognizable when small
Consider your brand colors
Click "Create"
Congratulations! You now have your own Discord server.
Initial Server Setup
Before connecting to LaunchPass, do basic setup:
1. Create Essential Channels:
Discord creates some default channels, but you'll want to customize:
Remove default channels you don't need:
Right-click → Delete Channel
Create these essential channels:
#welcome (first channel members see)
Purpose: Orientation and activation instructions
Settings: Read-only for everyone except you
Content: Welcome message, rules, how to activate
#rules or #community-guidelines
Purpose: Community standards and expectations
Settings: Read-only
Content: Behavior rules, content policies, consequences
#announcements
Purpose: Important updates from you
Settings: Read-only for members, you can post
Content: News, changes, events, special offers
#introductions
Purpose: Members introduce themselves
Settings: Everyone can post
Content: Member introductions following a template
#general or #main-chat
Purpose: General community discussion
Settings: Everyone can post
Content: Open discussion on relevant topics
2. Set Server Icon & Description:
Click on server name → Server Settings
Upload server icon if you haven't
Add server description explaining what you offer
3. Configure Verification Level:
Server Settings → Safety Setup
Set to "Medium" or "High" to prevent spam
Requires email verification for new members
Step 2: Connect Discord to LaunchPass
Now let's link your Discord server with LaunchPass for automated member management.
Logging Into LaunchPass
Navigate to LaunchPass:
Go to launchpass.com
Click "Connect Discord" button on the homepage
Or click "Get Started" and select Discord
Create LaunchPass account (if first time):
You'll be prompted to sign up
Use the same email you used for Discord (recommended)
Set a password
Agree to Terms of Service
You'll be redirected to Discord authorization
Authorizing LaunchPass
Discord Authorization Screen will appear:
Permissions LaunchPass requests:
View channels
Manage channels (for creating welcome channel)
Manage roles (for assigning member roles)
Create instant invites
Kick members (for auto-removal on cancellation)
Manage webhooks
Read/send messages
Manage messages
View audit log
Why these permissions are needed:
Automated invites: Send Discord invites when members pay
Role management: Automatically assign/remove paid member role
Member removal: Auto-kick when subscriptions cancel or fail
Channel creation: Set up LaunchPass-specific channels
Monitoring: Track member activity and engagement
To authorize:
Select your server from the dropdown list
Make sure you select the correct server
Only servers where you're the owner will appear
Click "Authorize"
Review permissions one final time
Confirm authorization
Complete CAPTCHA if prompted
Discord security measure
Confirms you're not a bot
Important: You must be the server owner to connect it to LaunchPass. If you're an admin but not the owner, have the owner complete this step for security purposes.
LaunchPass Account Confirmation
After authorization, you'll land on the LaunchPass confirmation page:
Fill in these details:
Your Information:
Full name
Email (should auto-fill)
Phone number (optional but recommended)
Community Details:
Community name
Approximate community size
Community category (select from dropdown)
Agreement:
✓ Read and accept Terms of Service
✓ Read and accept Privacy Policy
Click "Ready for lift off!"
You're now connected! You'll be taken to your LaunchPass admin dashboard.
Step 3: Create Your LaunchPass Signup Page
Your signup page is where potential members will subscribe and pay. Let's make it compelling.
Accessing the Page Builder
From your LaunchPass Admin Dashboard:
Click "Create Page" button
You'll see the "Make Your LaunchPass" form
Essential Configuration Fields
Welcome Channel (Discord-specific)
What it is: The first channel paying members see after activating
Purpose: Orientation and activation instructions
Best practice: Use #welcome channel you created earlier
Why it matters: Members need clear instructions for activation
Roles to Assign (Critical for Discord)
What it is: The Discord role(s) automatically given to paying members
Why it matters: Roles control what channels members can access
Setup requirement: Create this role in Discord BEFORE filling this field
How to create premium role in Discord:
Go to your Discord server
Click Server Name → Server Settings → Roles
Click "+ Create Role" button
Name it something clear: "Premium", "Member", "Paid", etc.
Set permissions (recommended starting permissions):
✓ View Channels
✓ Send Messages
✓ Embed Links
✓ Attach Files
✓ Read Message History
✓ Use External Emojis
✓ Add Reactions
✓ Connect (to voice)
✓ Speak
✓ Video
Set role color (helps identify premium members visually)
Click "Save Changes"
Copy the exact role name to enter in LaunchPass
Pro Tip: Create multiple roles if offering tiered memberships (Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.)
Business Name
The name of your business/brand
Displays prominently on signup page
Can be edited anytime
Examples: "Trading Pro Academy", "Creator's Guild", "Elite Fitness Coaching"
Offer Name
Name of this specific membership offer
Differentiates tiers if you have multiple
Examples: "Premium Membership", "VIP Access", "All-Access Pass"
Offer URL
Your custom URL:
launchpass.com/your-custom-urlMake it memorable and brand-relevant
Cannot include spaces or special characters
Examples:
trading-pro-premium,creator-guild-vip,elite-fitness-accessWarning: Changing this after sharing breaks old links!
Setting Your Pricing
Pricing Structure Options:
Recurring Subscriptions:
Weekly: $X every week
Monthly: Most popular option
Quarterly: Every 3 months
Semi-Annual: Every 6 months
Annual: Often includes discount
One-Time Payments:
Lifetime access
Course/workshop access
One-time fee
Pricing Strategy Considerations:
For most communities:
Start with monthly subscriptions
Offer annual option at 15-25% discount
Example: $49/month or $499/year (save $89)
Price ranges by community type:
Casual/hobby: $7-20/month
Educational: $29-79/month
Professional/trading: $49-199/month
High-touch coaching: $99-499/month
Elite masterminds: $299-999+/month
Free Trial Options:
1 week trial
2 week trial
1 month trial
Increases conversions by 30-50%!
Describing Your Offer
Your description should:
✓ Clearly explain what members get
✓ Highlight specific benefits and outcomes
✓ Address pain points your community solves
✓ Include social proof (testimonials if you have them)
✓ Create urgency or exclusivity
✓ End with clear call-to-action
Example structure:
Join [Community Name] and get instant access to:
✅ [Specific Benefit #1]
✅ [Specific Benefit #2]
✅ [Specific Benefit #3]
✅ [Exclusive Perk]
Inside you'll find: - [Channel/Resource #1] - [Channel/Resource #2] - [Event/Feature #1] - [Event/Feature #2]
Perfect for [target audience] who want to [desired outcome]. Over [X] members are already [achieving results].
Join today and [unique value proposition]. [Call-to-action]
Visual Customization
Brand Colors:
Background color
Button color
Text color
Choose colors that match your brand
Ensure good contrast for readability
Images/Video:
Add promotional video (highly recommended—increases conversions 80%+)
Upload banner image
Add your logo
Use high-quality visuals
Publishing Your Page
Before publishing checklist:
✓ All required fields completed
✓ Pricing set correctly
✓ Description is compelling and clear
✓ Welcome channel configured
✓ Role name matches Discord exactly
✓ Brand colors look professional
✓ Grammar and spelling checked
Click "Publish"!
Your offer page is now live at: launchpass.com/your-custom-url
Pro Tip: You can edit your page anytime after publishing. Click "Edit" next to your offer in the dashboard.
Step 4: Connect Stripe for Payments
Stripe processes all payments from your members. Let's connect it.
Creating Your Stripe Account
If you don't have Stripe:
Sign up:
Email address
Strong password
Country (must match where your business is registered)
Verify email:
Check inbox for Stripe verification
Click verification link
Complete business information:
Business name (or your name if sole proprietor)
Business type (Individual, Company, Non-profit, etc.)
Tax ID or SSN
Business description
Business website (can use your LaunchPass URL)
Identity verification:
Upload government-issued ID
Take selfie for liveness check
Usually verified within 24 hours
Add bank account:
Bank name
Routing number
Account number
Confirm micro-deposits (usually 1-2 business days)
Detailed Stripe setup guide: Step 4: Link Your Stripe Account
Connecting Stripe to LaunchPass
From your LaunchPass dashboard:
Click "Link Stripe" button
Usually prominently displayed
Or go to Settings → Payment Methods
Click "Connect with Stripe"
You'll be redirected to Stripe
Log into Stripe (if not already logged in)
Authorize the connection:
Review permissions LaunchPass requests
These allow LaunchPass to create subscriptions on your behalf
Click "Connect"
Return to LaunchPass:
You'll be automatically redirected
Success message confirms connection
Green checkmark appears next to Stripe status
Stripe Connection Permissions:
Create and manage subscriptions
Process payments
Issue refunds
Access customer data
Receive webhook notifications
Security Note: LaunchPass never sees your actual payment data. Stripe handles all sensitive information securely.
Step 5: Start Your Trial & Go Live
Now you're ready to activate LaunchPass and start accepting members!
Starting Your Free Trial
From LaunchPass dashboard:
Click "Start Trial" button
Or navigate to Billing section
Select "Premium" plan
Review Premium plan details:
$29/month + 3.5% transaction fee
14-day free trial
All Premium features included
Can cancel anytime
Enter payment information:
Credit or debit card
Billing address
This card will only be charged after trial ends
Confirm and start trial:
Click "Start 14-Day Free Trial"
No charges until trial period ends
Full Premium access immediately
What happens during trial:
Full access to all Premium features
Can charge members immediately
Test everything risk-free
Cancel anytime before Day 14 with no charges
Trial reminder: Set a calendar reminder for Day 12-13 to decide whether to continue or cancel.
Confirming "All Systems Ready"
After starting your trial, look for confirmation:
Success Indicators:
✓ Rocket emoji 🚀 appears in top-left of dashboard
✓ Message states "All systems ready to go!"
✓ All setup steps show green checkmarks
✓ Your offer page is live
✓ Stripe shows "Connected"
✓ Discord shows "Connected"
If you don't see these:
Review each setup step
Ensure Discord authorization completed
Verify Stripe connection succeeded
Check that offer page is published
Contact [email protected] for help
Understanding Billing
Two separate billings:
1. You pay LaunchPass:
$29/month (Premium plan)
Charged to card in Billing section
Separate from member payments
Starts after 14-day trial
2. Members pay you (via Stripe):
Goes directly to your Stripe account
Minus Stripe fees (2.9% + $0.30)
Minus LaunchPass transaction fee (3.5%)
Paid out to your bank (2-7 business days)
Example calculation:
Member pays: $50.00 - Stripe fee: -$1.75 (2.9% + $0.30) - LaunchPass fee: -$1.75 (3.5%) = You receive: $46.50 (93%)
More on pricing: Pricing and Billing
Step 6: Share Your Community
Time to get members! Here's how to share your signup page.
Your Signup Page URL
Your unique URL: launchpass.com/your-custom-url
This is your golden ticket—share it everywhere!
Sharing Strategies
1. Direct Link Sharing:
Social Media Bio:
Instagram bio
TikTok bio
Twitter/X bio
LinkedIn Featured section
YouTube channel description
Content:
Blog posts (inline CTAs)
YouTube video descriptions
Podcast show notes
Email newsletter
Social media posts
2. Email Launch:
To your email list:
Subject: Exclusive: Join [Community Name] 🎉
Hi [Name],
I'm excited to announce the launch of [Community Name] - an exclusive Discord community for [target audience].
Inside you'll get: - [Benefit 1] - [Benefit 2] - [Benefit 3] [Limited-time launch offer details]
Join now: [Your LaunchPass URL]
See you inside! [Your Name]
3. Social Media Announcement:
Post template:
🚀 LAUNCHING TODAY 🚀 [Community Name] is officially open!
Join [X] members getting [specific results/benefits].
Inside: ✅ [Feature 1] ✅ [Feature 2] ✅ [Feature 3]
[Launch offer details]
Link in bio 👆 or visit: [Your LaunchPass URL]
4. Embeddable Widget (Advanced):
If you have a website, embed the payment widget:
Click "</Embed>" button in LaunchPass dashboard
Copy code snippets
Paste on your website
Members can subscribe without leaving your site
Full embed guide: Embed the LaunchPass Payment Widget
Launch Day Checklist
Before announcing publicly:
✓ Test signup flow yourself with test payment
✓ Verify activation process works
✓ Ensure welcome channel has clear instructions
✓ Have content ready for first week
✓ Be available to answer questions immediately
✓ Set up notifications for new signups
✓ Prepare celebration for first members
Understanding Your Discord Server Setup
After connecting to LaunchPass, your Discord server will have some automated additions.
LaunchPass-Created Elements
1. LaunchPass Bot
What it is:
Automated bot user that manages member access
Appears in your member list
Has administrator permissions
Handles subscription management
What it does:
Assigns roles when members activate
Removes roles/kicks members when subscriptions cancel
Provides subscription management commands
Logs important events
Commands members can use:
/cancel- Cancel their subscription/update- Update payment method/subscription- View subscription status
2. #launchpass Channel
What it is:
Read-only channel (except for you/admins)
Contains welcome message and instructions
Shows activation process explanation
Purpose:
Reference for you on how the system works
Explains member commands
DO NOT DELETE THIS CHANNEL
3. LaunchPass Role
What it is:
Special role for the LaunchPass bot
Automatically created during setup
Must stay at top of role hierarchy
Why position matters:
Discord roles work hierarchically
Bots can only manage roles below them
LaunchPass needs top position to assign/remove member roles
If not at top, features won't work
Activation Troubleshooting (For Members)
"I didn't receive my activation code email":
Great news! LaunchPass no longer uses activation codes, please instead direct them to their Member portal, if they need help send them to this guide.
"I don't see premium channels after activating":
Refresh Discord (close and reopen)
Check they have the premium role badge
Verify channel permissions are set correctly
May need to manually assign role
Advanced Server Configuration
Take your Discord server to the next level with these configurations.
Creating Additional Premium Channels
Want to create more channels only premium members can access?
Step-by-step process:
Create a new channel:
Click + next to category name
Or right-click category → Create Channel
Name your channel (e.g., #premium-resources)
Edit channel permissions:
Click gear icon next to channel name
Go to "Permissions" tab
Under "Roles/Members" section
Lock out @everyone role:
Find @everyone role
Set "View Channel" to ❌ (X/red/deny)
This hides channel from non-premium members
Allow premium role access:
Click "+ Add members or roles"
Select your premium role (e.g., "Premium")
Set "View Channel" to ✅ (checkmark/green/allow)
Set other permissions as desired (Send Messages, etc.)
Save changes
Click "Save Changes" at bottom
Lock icon 🔒 appears next to channel name
Only premium members can now see this channel
Pro Tip: Use categories to organize premium vs. public channels. Create a "Premium Content" category for all paid-only channels.
Multi-Tier Membership Structure
Offering Bronze, Silver, Gold tiers? Here's how:
1. Create roles for each tier:
Server Settings → Roles
Create Role for each tier:
"Bronze Member"
"Silver Member"
"Gold Member"
Set different colors for each (visual differentiation)
2. Create LaunchPass offers for each tier:
In LaunchPass dashboard, click "Create Page"
Make separate offer for each tier
Each has different pricing and role assignment
Example:
Bronze: $29/month → assigns "Bronze Member" role
Silver: $79/month → assigns "Silver Member" role
Gold: $149/month → assigns "Gold Member" role
3. Create tier-specific channels:
Use permission process above
Bronze channels: Only Bronze+ can see
Silver channels: Only Silver+ and Gold can see
Gold channels: Only Gold can see
Permission hierarchy tip:
Give Gold role access to Silver channels
Give Silver and Gold access to Bronze channels
This creates true "upgrade" tiers
Full multi-tier guide: Multi-Tier Subscriptions
Advanced Role Management
Role Hierarchy Best Practices:
1. LaunchPass Bot (must be #1)
2. Your personal admin role
3. Moderator roles
4. Premium tier roles (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
5. Special roles