Forum:Discord "Server Partnerships"

Forums: Yew Grove > Discord "Server Partnerships"

So I was thinking (usually a dangerous thing for me to do) earlier today, and I got an idea. Currently, the RS Wiki Discord Server is sitting at more than 4,200 members. As far as I am aware, the RS Wiki server is second in size to none other than the RS3 Reddit server. Obviously increasing the size of the server isn't that big of a concern, but I think we're missing out on an opportunity to reach out to the game's community.

Many RuneScape-based servers have taken to a trend known as "Partnering." The way it works is that servers will post (usually in a permanent channel where it won't get "buried") an invite link to the other server within their own Discord, and that server will do the same. The end result is that both servers "build" off of each-other, and become larger, more active servers. Should there ever be an issue, servers can very quickly cancel a partnership by simply deleting that server's join link.

Currently, the RSW server has nothing in place for server partnerships. The RSW server does not "need" more people to join it, but being the second largest RuneScape discord server (to my knowledge), the RS Wiki's server would undoubtedly be a popular server for many to partner with.

So, what's in it for the Wiki? Well like I said, the server doesn't "need" more people, but I feel server partnerships would give the Wiki something even more important: Community Outreach. By partnering with other Discord servers, we'll be expanding the RS Wiki to new audiences we haven't tapped into yet. The Wiki is always in need of new editors, and I feel partnering with RuneScape Discord servers will encourage owners of other servers and their members to help contribute to the Wiki.

So, in summary, here is what I am proposing: -On the RSW Discord server, we create a channel only Wiki staff can post on. The channel will be called "#partners" -We start allowing servers to "partner" with ours, and encourage the new people that join to help with editing on the Wiki. -We could also set a couple of basic requirements to be able to partner.

We have nothing to lose and so much to gain from trying this. I hope everyone else shares my feelings on giving Discord server partnerships a try. LisaaRS (talk) 00:44, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

Discussion

Oppose - We have nothing to gain from this. This will work solely to advertise other servers, which has questionable benefit to anyone. User:TyA/sig 00:58, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

I think this will help the Wiki expand its audience, improve community outreach, and encourage people to start editing. LisaaRS (talk) 01:00, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

I don't think partnering with a fashionscape discord, or really any discord, will lead to more readers nor would having a link to us in a #partners channel on another discord lead to us getting more community outreach. I also don't think it will encourage people to edit more. User:TyA/sig 01:05, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

If people feel like that have ties to the Wiki, they will feel more inclined to contribute to it. When people start editing on the Wiki, it can and often does feel very daunting at first, but giving them this "connection" (for lack of a better word) to the Wiki will make them feel more welcome and more likely to stick around. Allowing people to partner with the RSW server will help give people that "foot in the door" feeling to encourage them to contribute. Likewise, the people who run these servers will also encourage the people in their server to start editing as well. This will make the Wiki feel a lot more personal for people - we help them build up their Discord server, and they pay it forward by helping us on the fansite and encouraging others to help. LisaaRS (talk) 01:14, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

Question - Why would anyone from, say, Wookiepedia or any other wiki want to join or even care about the RS Wiki discord? Or am I missing something here? Coelacanth0794 Talk 01:02, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

This is referring to other Discord servers centered around RuneScape, not the Discord servers of other Wikis. LisaaRS (talk) 01:04, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

Question - We get no benefit out of our affiliates and sister wikis, what makes you think we would get benefit out of what is essentially affiliated Discord servers? https://i.imgur.com/xHR7zpA.pnghttps://i.imgur.com/6encXAo.png 01:06, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

It feels more personal for people on Discord as opposed to another Wiki. A lot of RS Discord servers have been personal or small group projects by people. Giving them a partnership will significantly help them bring more people into their servers. It will make people want to help the Wiki in return, by editing on here and encouraging their server members to help as well. LisaaRS (talk) 01:14, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

I'd say a good proportion of players on the game use the wiki though, so surely all we'd need to do to get people to edit is have a notice on pages or the main page? The title we have is also a good incentive. I don't think we attract anyone to the wiki that doesn't already know about it by partnering with other servers. If anything, the only benefit that anyone will get out of this is the servers we would partner with. https://i.imgur.com/xHR7zpA.pnghttps://i.imgur.com/6encXAo.png 01:18, January 31, 2018 (UTC)

Question - Have ye got any actual evidence that partnering is mutually beneficial? As Jayden pointed out, our current affiliations and sister wikis give us little if any actual benefit. And of our 4200 Discord server members, I'd estimate 1% actually edit. How, then, is this of any benefit to us when all we'll get is possibly a few more Discord server members? Template:Signatures/Ciphrius Kane 01:26, January 31, 2018 (UTC)