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How to Set Up a Discord Server for Twitch

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Most gamers and Twitch users already have a Discord account either to communicate with each other or support streamers.

Creating your own Discord server for your branded channel will give your Twitch followers a place to grow together. You will be able to communicate with your viewers, play games with your subscribers, and get valuable feedback from people who care about your success.

How To Make a Discord Server for Twitch

There are several steps to creating a Discord server for Twitch. Jump down the to section you need:

How to Sign Up to Discord

If you don’t have a Discord account already, sign up for one. You can do this by downloading the Discord app for Desktop or the app from your mobile device, then following the sign-up instructions.

You don’t necessarily need to have your user name as your stream name as your name can be changed from server to server. That being said, we recommend that you use your streamer name to make it easier for you to network with other streamers in the future. Use the same profile picture that you use on your streaming platform.

How to Create a Discord Server

To create a Discord server, you will need to complete the following steps:

Step 1. Create a new server by pressing the plus sign button on the left sidebar of the interface. If you have several servers already, scroll to the bottom to find it. 

Discord add a server

Step 2. Once you press the button, a pop-up box will appear inviting you to either join a server or create one. Choose the create option to go to a screen that will allow you to enter your server’s details.

Step 3. Select your region and a logo for the server.

Discord Create a Server

Step 4. Name your server.

Step 5. After you create your server, go into your settings and set up the verification levels and notification settings. We recommend changing this setting to “@mentions only” so that you won’t be constantly notified in the future.

All of these details can be edited through settings later. 

How to Add Stream Integration to Discord

There are a few bots created specifically for streamers that are conveniently listed on Discord’s website. We recommend that streamers use NightbotMuxy, and Integration (either Twitch or YouTube) bot of the platform of their choice. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open your Discord, and click the “User Settings” Icon (the cog) next to your name.

Discord sync image

Step 2: Select the “Connections” tab then the icon for Twitch. If you are logged in to Twitch on your computer, it should auto-populate your account as the option. Sync your account.

Discord Stream Integration Features

These offer a variety of features that will help streamline your experience. These include:

  • Auto-Sync Roles – You can set up specific channels in your discord to be viewed by your subs on either Twitch (or Patreon subscribers). The bot manages the roles and gives them to those who are active subscribers to your stream channel. Having special sections in your Discord server for subs is an easy and great incentive for your viewers. 
  • Broadcasting Widgets – You can set up and customize your discord feed through both OBS and XSplit. You can easily see who is speaking in chat or view any channel’s chat directly on your stream. 
  • Moderate Your Discord Chat – Nightbot offers a way to auto-moderate your chat by blacklisting specific words or phrases and stopping spammed messages. It will also create a Discord role for you your Twitch mods. 
  • Upload Stats and Information – Muxy will upload stream summaries at the end of your broadcasts. It will also automatically let your server know when you go live on Twitch. 

There are several features to each of these bots. Choose those that are in line with your channel and what you want for your community. In addition to these, both Nightbot and Muxy offer chatbots for your stream.

There are other Discord bots for streamers available through third parties. As you grow, you can add those that make sense for your server. Listen to your follower’s feedback and update your Discord for their needs. 

Note: You can also set up Discord notifications with Facebook Gaming. This will alert your following whenever you go Live. 

How to Create Discord Roles

Discord roles allow some people on the server added permissions for example the ability to promote or kick users, or access to otherwise hidden channels. Examples of common roles are mods, subscribers, followers, and more. 

To create a Discord Role, complete the following steps:

discord server settings

Step 1: Click on your server name at the top of the left-hand side panel, then choose “Server Settings” from the drop-down menu.

Discord roles

Step 2: Click on the “Roles” option, then click on the plus sign to add a new role to your server. You will be able to fully customize what each role can do and give each role a unique color.

You can also set up your Twitch integration to automatically sync your Twitch subs to Discord. If you have found a unique name for your following or subscribers, carry it over to your Discord.

How to Make Discord Channels

After you have set up the settings on your server, create channels for your community to use. We recommend that you start off with just a few and add them as you grow. You can add set permissions to each channel to only allow certain roles to view, interact, or write. 

discord create category

Step 1: Create a Category to hold your channels by right-clicking in the left-hand sidebar and choosing the “Create Category” option. While you don’t technically need to create categories to hold your channels, it does help keep your server organized and easy to navigate for your viewers.

Discord create channel

Step 2: Click on the plus sign next to your category name to create a new channel.

discord create text channel

Step 3: Choose your channel type and name the channel to create it. You can also create private channels for specific people or roles.

Have a selection of both text and voice channels. Even if you aren’t around, some members of your community may enjoy having a place to interact with each other. 

Make sure to set aside stream Discord channels for rules and announcements as well as private channels where you can work out future plans with your mods, admins, and fellow streamers. Aside from that, have an assortment of channels where your viewers and interact with you and each other in a variety of ways. Create a place where they can have fun so that they will return as often as they can. 

How to Promote Your Discord Server

Disccord panel
A Panel on Twitch promoting our Discord Server

Once your server is set up, it’s time to promote it. Create or download a Twitch panel for it and place it in your profile or description. Announce it periodically on stream and ask your viewers to join it.

A great way to have people join your server is through playing games with you while you broadcast. After they’ve joined, have them chat with you throughout the duration of the round. As a bonus, this is a great way to interact with your viewers and grow your Twitch community.

Invite your existing Discord friends to join and alert your social media. Having an already active community (even if it is small) will entice new members to stay and join in the fun.

Customize Your Discord Server

Here are a few other ways you can customize your server for interaction:

  • Your stream’s Discord server can become the main hub of your community, and as such, you should add your own personality to it. One of the easiest ways to do this is to upload emotes to Discord. You can add up to 50 custom emotes that your community can use both in messages and as reactions to other messages. Make sure that they are in line with your values and appropriate for your brand. You can also learn how to make Discord emotes specifically for your server. 
  • The Twitch Discord Bot will also transfer your Twitch emotes to Discord for your subscribers to use, consider uploading additional emotes to your server. Emotes are known to generate user interaction.
  • Avoid spamming with the @everyone option too often. Don’t use it when you go live. While this is a useful tool that can be used sparingly, if it is used too much, members will either leave or mute your server.  
  • If you often collaborate with other streamers, consider creating a joint server for all of you instead of individual servers. Not only will this cut down on your maintenance, but it will be more active as there will be more users. An added bonus is that many viewers will probably check out the listed channels and you can all grow together.

Create a Quality Discord Server  

It isn’t enough to just build the server. You must nurture it to ensure that your community continues to interact there. There are a few things you can do to keep the server active for the duration of your stream’s career. They include the following:

  • Interact with your viewers and take their feedback to heart. Be down to earth with them and see them as your friends and comrades. Show them that you appreciate their support in your streaming endeavor. 
  • Spend some time talking to them after your stream. Raid a channel at the end of your stream, then dip into your discord to discuss the streamer your hosting. Find out what they thought of your show and what they would like to see in future streams. Take notes.
  • Play with your viewers on stream. Even if you only do this occasionally, people will stick around for the opportunity to appear on your broadcast. 
  • Frequently post memes, selfies, or pictures of your everyday life. Give them space to do the same. 

Discord Nitro and Streaming 

While you are able to create and use Discord servers for free, upgrading your account to Discord Nitro will give you a few extra perks. These include the ability to use your emojis on all servers (not just your own) which is great for subtly promoting your personal brand. You will also be able to customize the discord tag used to identify your server. 

Possibly most useful to streamers is the ability to live-broadcast a game at a high resolution specifically from Discord. This is a great way to reward your Discord members with bonus content.  Everyone in the same voice channel as you will be able to view the stream. 

Conclusion

Remember that your Discord server is there for your community. Make sure to create value in it to keep them active and eagerly awaiting your next broadcast. 

About the Author

Luci

Luci is a novelist, freelance writer, and active blogger. A journalist at heart, she loves nothing more than interviewing the outliers of the gaming community who are blazing a trail with entertaining original content. When she’s not penning an article, coffee in hand, she can be found gearing her shieldmaiden or playing with her son at the beach.

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