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The MSP and Vendor Guide to Using Discord Like a Pro

This guide is provided as a general reference for anyone who wants to begin using Discord to participate in MSP and IT peer communities. It outlines the basics of joining servers, understanding cultural norms, and engaging safely in collaborative knowledge sharing.

The MSP and Vendor Guide to Using Discord Like a Pro

Audience: MSP owners, managers, technicians, vendor staff, and anyone in the IT channel who wants to use Discord as a professional resource, whether you are deeply familiar with it or completely new to the platform.

1. Why Discord Matters in the MSP Channel

Discord started as a gaming chat app, but in the MSP and IT world it has become:

  • A 24/7 peer helpdesk

  • A vendor support and feedback hub

  • A skills and career development network

  • A community space for mental health and shared experience

There are now many MSP-, vendor-, and IT-focused Discord servers. Used well, Discord becomes:

  • A training supplement for your team

  • A peer network when you are stuck on a problem

  • A place to help others and pay it forward

If you have used Slack, IRC, forums, or old user groups, you will feel at home quickly.

2. Do and Do Not: Essential Discord Etiquette for MSPs and Vendors

Discord feels modern, but culturally it behaves more like early Internet communities. These guidelines will help you navigate professionally and avoid common mistakes.

Do: Understand How Discord Communities Work

  • Do remember that each Discord server is its own independent community.

  • Do recognize that most moderation is volunteer-based.

  • Do read the rules, Start Here channels, and posted expectations.

  • Do align your behavior with the culture of the server.

Do Not: Treat Discord Like LinkedIn or Facebook

  • Do not expect algorithmic visibility or heavy corporate moderation.

  • Do not assume your behavior in one server will be welcome in all servers.

Do: Participate Without Selling

  • Do help users with your product if you are a vendor.

  • Do provide clarification, guidance, and education as part of your natural participation.

  • Do treat Discord like a conference booth. If someone comes to you, engagement is appropriate.

Do Not: Sell in Discord

  • Do not cold pitch or solicit users.

  • Do not DM strangers with product information.

  • Do not attempt to farm contacts.

This is considered a major etiquette violation in MSP communities.

Do: Choose an Identity Strategy That Fits Your Goals

  • Do use a real identity if you want to build your network or represent your company.

  • Do use pseudonyms if privacy is important to you. Both are accepted.

Do Not: Misrepresent Yourself

  • Do not impersonate real people.

  • Do not falsely claim to be part of a company, role, or organization.

Do: Maintain Old-Internet Safety Awareness

  • Do treat Discord conversations as potentially semi-public.

  • Do avoid sharing client-identifying information.

  • Do remember that screenshots travel easily.

Do Not: Overshare Sensitive Data

  • Do not publish client names, IP ranges, credentials, or sensitive screenshots.

  • Do not link accounts you want to keep private.

Do: Start Small

  • Do pick a few servers to begin with.

  • Do mute servers by default to reduce noise.

  • Do lurk first to observe the culture.

Do Not: Feel Obligated To Join Everything

  • Do not attempt to be active everywhere.

  • Do not pressure yourself to reply to everything.

  • Do not treat Discord as a performance platform.

Lurking is acceptable and normal.

3. Getting Started: Installing Discord and Setting Up Your Profile

Desktop First

If you plan to use Discord mostly to read, learn, and occasionally engage, start with the desktop app. Install from discord.com and keep it logged in.

Mobile is optional and can wait until you decide you want more real-time engagement.

Profile Setup

Your Discord profile includes:

  • Global username

  • Profile picture

  • Optional banner

  • About Me section

Choose a profile that matches your goals and feels appropriate for professional communities.

4. Navigating Discord: Servers, Channels, and Roles

Servers

Servers are distinct communities. You can join many, organize them into folders, and stay logged into all of them at once.

Channels

Channels are topic-driven rooms inside servers, such as:

  • helpdesk

  • security

  • sales_and_marketing

  • announcements

  • off-topic

Post in the correct channel to maintain clarity.

Welcome and Start-Here Channels

Most MSP-focused servers include onboarding instructions. Read them, as they often:

  • Explain role selection

  • Assign permissions

  • Outline expected behavior

Roles and Verification

Roles determine what channels you can see and what permissions you have. Some roles are self-assignable. Others require moderator approval. Vendor servers often include additional verification for customer-only spaces.

5. Taming Notifications and Avoiding Overload

Server Notification Settings

Right-click a server icon and set notifications to:

  • Mute server

  • Allow only mentions and direct messages

This prevents notification fatigue.

Status

Using Do Not Disturb keeps you available without constant interruptions.

Custom Status

A custom status can function as a subtle, non-promotional professional context line.

6. Profiles, Notes, and Connected Accounts

  • Use About Me to provide helpful context.

  • Connect external accounts only if you want those identities visible.

  • Use private Notes to remember who people are across servers.

7. Finding Information: Search, Mentions, and Threads

Inbox

The Inbox shows mentions and replies across servers.

Search

Discord’s search is powerful and can surface years of conversation. Use filters for users, channels, keywords, and dates.

Threads

Threads keep detailed troubleshooting from overwhelming main channels.

8. Culture, Etiquette, and Good Citizenship

  • Lurk before engaging.

  • Post questions with context, screenshots that are sanitized, and steps already attempted.

  • Help others without condescension.

  • Avoid unsolicited DMs.

  • Respect moderators.

9. Safety, Privacy, and Professional Boundaries

  • Use two-factor authentication.

  • Avoid posting client data, credentials, or sensitive screenshots.

  • Treat all conversations as if they could be screenshot elsewhere.

10. Where to Start Without Feeling Overwhelmed

  1. Join two or three servers.

  2. Mute all notifications except mentions.

  3. Read the Start-Here or Welcome channels.

  4. Lurk for a week.

  5. Search for topics you care about.

  6. Ask or answer one clear, helpful question.

This gradual approach prevents overload and helps you integrate successfully.

Suggested Discord Servers to Get Started

Below are well-established, well-moderated communities that are beginner friendly and widely used in the MSP and IT channel.

MSPGeek Discord

A large, long-running technical and professional development community for MSP and Vendor employees.
https://discord.gg/mspgeek

CanIT Collab Discord

A collaborative Canadian IT and MSP community with cross-regional discussion and peer support.
https://discord.gg/t3U6NMRA

CyberDrain Discord

A community focused on CIPP, automation, scripting, cybersecurity, and operational excellence.
https://discord.gg/ya3pecVs

Tech Degenerates Discord

A more casual general tech community with a strong MSP presence.
https://discord.gg/jointhedegenerates

MSPRUS Discord

A community for MSP operators and practitioners with discussions on operations, tools, and business strategy. Technically the 'official' discord of r/msp
https://discord.gg/mspexchange

NinjaOne Discord

The official NinjaOne community server for product support, best practices, and role-based discussions.
https://discord.gg/JNhCPASx

More servers can be added as Dean finds the time to put them here. Just ask him if you're looking for something and you dont see it.