ArtProf

Alex is the Director of Integrated Production with ArtProf, a server (social channels and website with courses, materials, tutorials, etc.) founded by a couple of adjunct faculty from the Rhode Island School of Design. The server creates a welcoming and constructive atmosphere for socializing, giving and receiving art critiques, and learning.Their aim is to provide free world-class art education and support to artists of all ages.

Connect for Free, Deepen Relationships by Supporting

The greatest benefit for ArtProf in creating a community space is personal interaction. Alex shares that:

“Talking at people through other one-way media platforms doesn’t give individuals a sense of connection. Talking with them on Discord gives us all a multi-dimensional awareness of each other as people.”

This is exactly why ArtProf gathers on Discord. ArtProf utilizes their server as their homebase for education and connection. Dedicating time and ensuring that content and resources are provided for their community pays ArtProf staff back tenfold.

“People come to Discord because they want to chat, to share stories, to be heard and seen. When people feel they’ve been heard, it deepens their emotional investment in the community; They change from followers to family.”

Utilizing two tiers with Server Subscriptions, priced at $19.99 and $49.99, ArtProf is able to go deeper and cultivate even stronger relationships with its members by offering support for subscribers art from both ArtProf staff and fellow paying subscribers as well as options to meet 2x a week via voice channel to exchange ideas and gain feedback from a small group of artists.

Discord’s features enable for these offerings and community to subscribe, gather and collaborate natively - reducing drop off and putting more money in the pockets of ArtProf Creators (read here to learn more about Discord’s 90%/10% monetization split).

“Outside of Discord, monetization strategies depend on coldly indifferent algorithms that shift with the changing wind. Inside Discord, our bottom line rests on the warmth of a friendly “hello!””

Fan Loyalty

What sets ArtProf apart from other servers is the cyclical content and offerings Alex and team provide for their members. Their strategies are done intentionally, and their engagement tactics always lead directly back to the ArtProf server. When asked to explain ArtProf’s content strategy, Alex shared that their “strategy for Discord-based content takes a number of forms, all of which make contact with our content on other platforms in interesting ways.” He goes further into details sharing:

• The focus for all platforms is on real time engagement and personal interaction. Discord happens to be the best place for that, so all ArtProf’s content involves sending fans to Discord so they can take part.
• Live streams will feature real time sharing from artists who are working along with the streams.
• Streams usually end with a post-stream chat on Discord, where people can share their own work as well as expand on discussion points from the streams.
• Monthly “Art Dares” that feature member contributions are hosted on Instagram have discussion and submission channels on Discord.
• Portfolio critiques, workshops, courses, and other premium/paid interactions are hosted on Discord.
• Member spaces also give all the artists in the ArtProf community exposure to high quality feedback as well as strong incentives to practice and improve the skills required to give a good critique.

The result of this strategy pays back the ArtProf community in two different ways - monetization and globalization.

“The open nature of Discord helps us achieve the most important part of our mission: free and high quality art education for people who can’t access it otherwise. Our subscription members know they’re paying to support the enrichment of others, and that strengthens their relationship with us.”

Closing Thoughts

When building fan loyalty, Alex stresses that the best thing you can do is be present within the server. As a 24/7 chat platform, Discord gives Creators the opportunity to reach their community members in a way that a pre-recorded video cannot. Alex says, “If fans are there for you, then they’ll absolutely love it when you’re there for them. Say hello and let people get to know you. Set the tone for your community, and make sure you have staff and moderators who will do the same to make your community a friendly and inclusive place.”

Want to learn more about how to make your community a friendly and inclusive place? Check out our Discord Moderator Academy.

Interested in joining the amazing community Alex and ArtProf have built? Click here