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How to Move Your Community Between Platforms (Slack, Discord, Telegram)

Can I move platforms from Slack to Discord (or vice versa)?

Seth avatar
Written by Seth
Updated today

TL;DR: LaunchPass cannot migrate communities automatically. You must manually move everything: create new platform workspace, recreate all content, set up new LaunchPass account, and have every member sign up again on the new platform. This is a time-consuming, complex process with significant disruption. Not recommended unless absolutely necessary.


Important: This Is a Manual, Complex Process

What You Need to Know First

LaunchPass does NOT migrate communities. This means:

  • ❌ We cannot automatically transfer your community

  • ❌ We cannot move your members for you

  • ❌ We cannot copy content between platforms

  • ❌ We cannot transfer membership status

  • ❌ YOU must do everything manually

Every step is YOUR responsibility:

  • ✅ Create new workspace

  • ✅ Recreate all content/channels

  • ✅ Set up new LaunchPass account

  • ✅ Export and inform all members

  • ✅ Members sign up individually on new platform

  • ✅ You manually manage the transition

  • ✅ Handle billing disruptions

  • ✅ Deal with member drop-off

Reality check: Migrations are messy, time-consuming, and many members won't follow. Plan for:

  • 4-8 weeks of work

  • 10-30% member churn

  • Significant ongoing effort

  • Multiple communication failures

  • Billing issues

  • Technical problems

Recommendation: Only migrate if absolutely necessary. Switching platforms is disruptive and expensive in time and members.


When Migration Might Be Worth It

Only consider migrating if:

  1. Current platform is broken

    • Technical failures preventing you from operating

    • Platform shutting down

    • Severe security/privacy issues

  2. Current platform can't serve your community

    • Outgrown member capacity limits

    • Critical features missing

    • Platform no longer serves your use case

    • Member demand for specific platform

  3. Strategic business reason

    • Completely changing community purpose

    • Merging with another community on different platform

    • Major platform policy change affecting you

Do NOT migrate because of:

  • ❌ Minor inconveniences

  • ❌ "Grass is greener" syndrome

  • ❌ Small feature preferences

  • ❌ One member's complaint

  • ❌ Temporary technical issues

  • ❌ Better UI design

Prevention: Choose the right platform from the start. Research before launching.


Understanding the Cost: What Members Face

Member Experience During Migration

Each member must:

  1. Get notified about the move (might not see it)

  2. Understand what to do (create account, sign up, etc.)

  3. Create new account on new platform (setup barrier)

  4. Find your new signup link (easy to lose)

  5. Sign up on new LaunchPass page (repeat registration)

  6. Verify payment method (friction point)

  7. Get added to new community (manual steps)

  8. Learn new platform (if unfamiliar)

  9. Rejoin/rebuild relationships (loss of context)

Member friction points:

  • Forgotten logins

  • Lost emails/announcements

  • Confusion about what to do

  • Technical signup problems

  • "Past due" issues during transition

  • Different platform learning curve

  • Lost community context/history

Result: Expect 10-30% of members to drop off, even with perfect communication.


The Full Manual Process

Phase 1: Planning (1-2 Weeks)

Before doing anything, plan extensively.

Decision 1: Is migration necessary?

  • Honestly assess: Must we do this?

  • What problem does this solve?

  • What new problems will it create?

  • Are there alternatives?

Decision 2: Which platform?

  • Discord: Large active communities (1M+ capacity), requires engagement

  • Slack: Professional/business teams (5K member sweet spot)

  • Telegram: Massive passive communities (200K+ capacity), mobile-first

Decision 3: Timing

  • When in your calendar?

  • Off-peak time?

  • After key events/content?

  • Coordinated with billing cycles?

Decision 4: Communication plan

  • How will you announce?

  • When? (2+ weeks before)

  • How many reminders?

  • Who do you contact?

  • How do you handle questions?

Decision 5: Success metrics

  • What % migration rate is acceptable?

  • How much churn is acceptable?

  • Timeline for completion?

  • When do you sunset old platform?

Document everything. You'll need this reference throughout.

Phase 2: New Platform Setup (1-2 Weeks)

Create your new workspace from scratch.

For Discord:

  1. Create new server

  2. Manually recreate every channel

  3. Set up roles and permissions

  4. Configure bots and integrations

  5. Test everything

  6. Have small team use it

  7. Identify and fix problems

  8. Document processes

  9. Create admin guides

For Slack:

  1. Create new workspace

  2. Manually recreate every channel

  3. Configure workspace settings

  4. Set up integrations

  5. Test everything

  6. Small team test period

  7. Identify and fix issues

  8. Document for admins

For Telegram:

  1. Create group or supergroup

  2. Set group description and photo

  3. Configure permissions

  4. Manually set rules/pinned messages

  5. Add admin team

  6. Test access and features

  7. Verify settings

  8. Document admin guide

Important: This is NOT quick. Every channel, role, and setting must be manually recreated.

Phase 3: Content Migration (1-2 Weeks)

Manually move all important content.

What to manually copy:

  • Pinned rules/guidelines

  • Welcome messages

  • Important announcements

  • FAQ or resources

  • Key channel descriptions

  • Onboarding materials

For each piece:

  1. Copy from old platform

  2. Paste into new platform

  3. Reformat if needed

  4. Pin/highlight appropriately

  5. Verify it looks right

  6. Add migration date note

What to leave behind:

  • Old conversation history

  • Outdated announcements

  • Spam or low-value content

  • Private DMs

  • Temporary messages

Reality: You're not preserving history. Members lose context. Accept this.

Phase 4: LaunchPass Setup (Few Hours, maximum)

Create new LaunchPass community.

Steps:

  1. Go to LaunchPass dashboard

  2. Create new community

  3. Select new platform (Discord/Slack/Telegram)

  4. Connect to your new workspace

  5. Authorize LaunchPass

  6. Set pricing (same as before)

  7. Configure trial (if using)

  8. Create signup page

  9. Customize welcome message

  10. Set auto-kick rules

  11. Publish

You now have new LaunchPass account ready. But members still need to sign up.

Phase 5: Member Notification (Ongoing)

Tell members what's happening. Multiple times. Clearly.

Announcement 1: Two Weeks Before

🎉 Important Announcement: Community Moving to [NEW PLATFORM]

Effective [DATE], we're moving from [OLD PLATFORM] to [NEW PLATFORM].

Why? [Be honest and specific about the reason]

  • [Real reason, not marketing speak]

  • [Actual benefit to community]

  • [What improves for them]

What this means for you (important):

  • You must sign up on the new platform

  • You'll get a new signup link via email

  • Your membership transfers, but you need to re-register

  • This takes about 5-10 minutes

  • You'll lose access to old platform on [DATE]

Timeline:

  • New platform available: Today [DATE]

  • Old platform shuts down: [DATE]

  • Last day to sign up before losing access: [DATE]

Next steps:

  • Watch for signup link email (coming [DATE])

  • Click link and create account

  • Verify payment method

  • You're in the new community

Questions? Email [email protected]

Thanks for sticking with us!

Announcement 2: One Week Before

Reminder: Community Moves to [PLATFORM] in 7 Days

If you haven't seen our announcement, we're moving!

Quick overview:

  • Old platform: [PLATFORM]

  • New platform: [PLATFORM]

  • Deadline to join: [DATE]

  • Moving because: [REASON]

You need to sign up again on the new platform using the link we'll send.

Don't lose access! Make sure to:

  1. Watch for signup email

  2. Click the link

  3. Sign up before [DATE]

Questions? Email [email protected]

Announcement 3: 3 Days Before

Last chance: 3 days to move to [PLATFORM]

If you haven't signed up yet, do it now!

Signup link: [LINK TO NEW PLATFORM PAGE]

You have until [DATE] to sign up or you'll lose access.

Announcement 4: Day Before

Tomorrow: We're Moving! Sign up NOW

Last day to join the new community: Signup link: [LINK]

After [TIME] tomorrow, old platform closes.

Don't miss out—sign up today!

Announcement 5: Day Of

We've Moved!

New community is live: [LINK]

Old platform is shutting down in [X HOURS].

See you on [NEW PLATFORM]!

Reality: Despite all announcements, many members will miss them, forget, or ignore.

Phase 6: Signup and Waiting (2-4 Weeks)

Members sign up individually on new platform.

What they see:

  • Your LaunchPass signup page

  • They enter email

  • Create password

  • Add payment method (usually)

  • Get access to new platform

What happens behind scenes:

  • LaunchPass verifies payment

  • Adds them to new platform

  • Sends welcome email

  • Takes 1-5 minutes per member

You're waiting:

  • Monitor signup rates daily

  • Check who's joined

  • Track who's missing

  • Identify problems

  • Respond to questions

  • Troubleshoot issues

First week: 30-50% of members sign up Second week: 70-80% of members sign up Third week: 90% of members sign up Fourth week: 95% of members sign up (5-10% churn)

Phase 7: Follow-Up With Non-Movers (Ongoing, Week 2+)

People who haven't signed up yet:

Send email:

Haven't Seen You Yet!

We moved to [PLATFORM], but we haven't seen you there.

Sign up now: [LINK]

The process (5 minutes):

  1. Click signup link

  2. Enter your email

  3. Create password

  4. Add payment method

  5. Done! You're in

If you have questions or problems, reply to this email.

We'd love to see you on the new platform!

Follow up again after 1 week:

Last reminder: Join us on [PLATFORM]

[LINK]

We're keeping the old platform open a few more days, then it closes.

Don't lose access!

Reality: Some people won't respond, won't join, or won't reply. You'll have done everything you could.

Phase 8: Handle the Stragglers (Week 3-4)

People who still haven't signed up:

Option 1: Personal outreach

  • Email them individually

  • Offer to help via support

  • Address specific concerns

Option 2: Accept loss

  • Some won't migrate

  • It's not your fault if they don't follow up

  • You communicated clearly

  • They had time

Option 3: Extended deadline

  • Add one more week

  • Make it clear it's final

  • Then close old platform

Timeline for closing old platform:

  • Week 1: New platform available, old stays open

  • Week 2: Heavy follow-up

  • Week 3: Final reminders

  • Week 4: Close old platform permanently

Phase 9: Billing Management (Throughout)

Manage double-charging and gaps.

What happens:

Timeline:

  • Day 0: Migration occurs

  • Members sign up on new platform

  • Old platform charges on old schedule

  • New platform charges on new schedule

  • Potential overlaps or gaps

How to manage:

  1. If double charge occurs:

    • Get notification from member

    • Go to Stripe

    • Find old charge

    • Refund it

    • Apologize and explain

    • Track how many this happens to

  2. If gap in billing:

    • Member might notice missing charge

    • Explain it's normal during migration

    • Clarify when next charge occurs

    • No action needed from them

  3. If member has "Past due":

    • They might not get added to new platform until fixed

    • Send them payment update email

    • Offer help updating card

    • Follow up

Pro tip: Plan migration around billing cycles to minimize issues. Example: migrate on first day of month.

Phase 10: Sunset Old Platform (Week 4+)

Once most members have moved:

  1. Set old platform to read-only (no new messages)

  2. Add final message thanking people

  3. Archive it (if platform allows)

  4. Keep as backup for 1-2 weeks in case people need data

  5. Delete or fully archive after 2 weeks

  6. Update any external links pointing to old platform

Final announcement:

Goodbye, [OLD PLATFORM]

Today, we're officially closing the old community.

Thank you for being part of it!

See you on [NEW PLATFORM] at: [LINK]

If you need anything from the old community, reach out to [email protected]


Realistic Expectations

Member Churn

Expect to lose members. Plan for:

  • Announcement ignorers: 5-10% won't see it

  • Non-responders: 5-10% will see it but do nothing

  • Technical issues: 2-5% will have signup problems

  • Preference for old: 3-5% won't want to switch

Total churn: 15-30% is realistic

Ways to reduce:

  • Ultra-clear communication

  • Personal follow-up

  • Technical support

  • Extra patience

  • Multiple reminders

You can't prevent all churn. It's part of migrations.

Billing Issues

Expect problems:

  • Double charges (usually recoverable)

  • Billing gaps (minor issue)

  • "Past due" during transition (fixable)

  • Lost payments (very rare)

  • Refund requests (common)

Budget time to:

  • Monitor Stripe daily

  • Issue refunds manually

  • Explain charges

  • Handle upset members

  • Document problems

Time Investment

Realistic time requirement:

  • Planning: 5-10 hours

  • Setup: 15-25 hours

  • Content migration: 10-20 hours

  • Communication: 10-15 hours

  • Monitoring/follow-up: 20-30 hours

  • Troubleshooting: 10-20 hours

Total: 80-120+ hours of YOUR time

Plus:

  • Each member's signup time (5-10 min each)

  • Support/help for members

  • Billing/refund work

  • Contingency time

Is it worth it? Only if the problem is severe enough to justify this.


Troubleshooting

"Members Can't Sign Up on New Platform"

Causes:

  • Payment processing issue

  • Member technical problem

  • Signup form error

What to do:

  1. Test signup yourself

    • Go to your LaunchPass page

    • Try signing up with test email

    • Go through entire process

    • Does it work?

  2. If it doesn't work:

  3. If it does work:

    • Help member troubleshoot

    • Try different browser

    • Try incognito mode

    • Try different device

    • Different email?

  4. If still stuck:

"Some Members Lost Access During Migration"

Why this happens:

  • They didn't sign up on new platform

  • Billing issue (past due)

  • Technical glitch

  • Timing issue with old platform closing

What to do:

  1. Check if they signed up

    • Look in LaunchPass for their email

    • Did they sign up on new platform?

    • If yes: Should have access

  2. If they signed up but no access:

    • Wait 10 minutes (sync delay)

    • Refresh page

    • Clear browser cache

    • Check their email for issues

  3. If they didn't sign up:

    • Send them signup link again

    • Offer to help

    • Explain deadline

    • If past deadline, unfortunately they're out

"Billing Got Messy During Migration"

How to sort out:

  1. List all charges during migration period (last 2 weeks old + first 2 weeks new)

  2. Identify duplicates:

    • Same member charged twice?

    • Old platform + new platform?

  3. Issue refunds for duplicates in Stripe

  4. Track total refunds issued

  5. Email affected members explaining the issue

  6. Don't make it a huge deal - small refunds/adjustments are normal in migrations

"Half My Members Didn't Switch"

This is normal. You did what you could.

Options:

  1. Extend deadline - Give another week

  2. Personal outreach - Email non-movers directly

  3. Accept the loss - They chose not to move

  4. Hybrid option - Keep old platform running (expensive/confusing)

Reality: Some members will leave no matter what you do. That's okay.


Best Practices

Before You Even Start

Make sure it's actually necessary

Get leadership/team consensus

Have a contingency plan if it goes wrong

Clear your calendar for 4-8 weeks

Get help (don't do it alone if possible)

During Migration

Over-communicate with members (seriously, way more than you think)

Document everything (dates, decisions, problems)

Respond to questions quickly (within 24 hours)

Fix technical issues immediately

Monitor Stripe closely

Be patient with members

Update FAQ/help docs for new platform

After Migration

Gather feedback on what worked/didn't

Celebrate with members (migration is done!)

Monitor for delayed issues (billing, access problems)

Document lessons learned

Don't do this again (unless absolutely necessary)


Related Resources


Key Takeaways

LaunchPass CANNOT migrate for you

You must do everything manually

Expect 80-120+ hours of work

Expect 15-30% member churn

Expect billing complications

Only do this if absolutely necessary

Plan 4-8 weeks minimum

Communicate constantly with members

Be ready for technical problems

Document everything


Need Help?

Have questions about migrating your community?

Email LaunchPass support: [email protected]

We can help with:

  • Discussing whether migration makes sense

  • Creating new LaunchPass communities

  • Technical issues during setup

  • Member signup problems

  • Billing issues during transition

  • General troubleshooting

What we CANNOT do:

  • ❌ Migrate your community automatically

  • ❌ Move your members for you

  • ❌ Copy your content

  • ❌ Transfer membership status

  • ❌ Minimize member disruption

Response time: Usually within 24 hours

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