Mage Hand Press
patreon
Public Discord Proposal
🕑 Added 2018-08-01 05:31:00 +0000 UTC Our Discord has been a haven of good conversation, nerdy memes, new content development -- it's been a huge success. Getting to know everyone through the discord has been really brought our little community together and given the Digits a comfortable place to hang out when we're not working on new material.There's a big option we've been considering, rife with pros and cons, that I'd like to propose to you: We can make the Discord public.
The pros are obvious: more people from our community can come by, whether or not they're subscribed patrons, which can build our little group into a much larger one. We'll have an easier time meeting folks locally and online for games, and we'll be able to bring the rest of our gaming friends on board, without additional cost to them.
The negatives are also pretty clear: a free discord lowers a barrier that might prevent unsavory types from hanging around, and it also removes an exclusive Patreon reward and makes it public instead (though we'll make sure to keep some of the channels exclusive to patrons.)
So this is a conundrum, but it's not my conundrum, it's yours. As patrons that keep the lights on around here, the Discord is very much a place that you own. It belongs to you more than it ever could to us, so I think it's fair that democracy weigh in.
Should the Discord be made public, with some channels reserved only for patrons? (Note that this poll is non-binding, but it will inform our decision on the matter.)
Comments
Thantos
I am new to Mage Hand Press community and a days-old Patreon, but although prompted to check out your Discord server, I cannot seem to locate it. Please help! Also, I would vote for a public Discord with some content vis-a-vis channels accessible only to Patreon supporters. Relevant channels could include Patreon-exclusive questions to Mage Hand Press, Patreon-exclusive content such as distributed here, a Patreon-exclusive lobby or chat, etc. Also, it might encourage free Discord members to become Patreon supporters if Patreons were grouped separately from free members in default Online group on far right Discord panel. Further, use of a color specific to Patreon member names/handles may also encourage new Patreon support among current free members. In short, converting to a public Discord may result in increased Patreon support through passive targeting of free members, especially if it is glaringly obvious that "membership has its priviliges". Going public would bring in much fresh blood where and when quantity matters, such as putting a new game together or buttressing a struggling one, and may open up a new market of potential Patreons at the same time, particularly if Patreons given extra access or buffed. Another case of likely Win-Win. Great idea!
Justin Forkner
A good example of the market impact a public discord can have is in the link below: <a href="https://www.mcvuk.com/business/no-more-robots-mike-rose-on-why-you-should-use-discord-to-sell-your-game" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.mcvuk.com/business/no-more-robots-mike-rose-on-why-you-should-use-discord-to-sell-your-game</a>
Justin Forkner
A public discord would make it far easier to reach others playing D&D there are a number of examples to prove an open discord helps sales, and grows a company. If you want to support Mage Hand Press, voting yes to open up portions of the Discord would actually help support MFoV's growth significantly.
Kendrick Hernandez
I'm fine with a public discord (with patron-exclusive channels), personally; although it might increase someone's moderation workload :)
