How I Built a $100k+ Digital Agency Using Discord – From Broke Gamer to Agency Owner
Hey everyone,
I wanted to share my story because if you're anything like I was – scrolling through endless YouTube videos on agency models, dreaming of financial freedom but stuck in analysis paralysis – this might just be the kick you need to take action. A year ago, I was in a tough spot: bills piling up, no steady income, and way too much time spent watching "how-to" content instead of doing the work. That's when I decided to stop consuming and start building. The result? BrandForge, a digital agency I launched entirely on Discord, which has now crossed $100k in revenue. Here's how it all went down.
The Spark: From Videos to Real Action
I'd watched dozens of videos on SMMA (Social Media Marketing Agencies), freelance models, and Discord-based businesses. I knew the theory inside out – client acquisition, scaling teams, funnels, you name it. But knowledge without action is worthless. When my daily expenses started biting hard (rent, food, the basics), I realized I couldn't afford to procrastinate anymore.
I chose Discord as my platform because it's free, community-driven, and perfect for networking. No fancy website or paid ads at first – just a server where I could connect freelancers, clients, and build a team in real-time. I named it BrandForge to evoke building strong brands from scratch, like forging metal.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
Grinding It Out: 18-Hour Days and Cold Outreach
I dove in headfirst, putting in 18+ hours a day. My routine?
But solo grinding wasn't enough. I reached out to my childhood friends – the same guys I used to play Minecraft and CS:GO with for hours. I pitched it like this: "Instead of wasting time gaming for fun, let's play the 'business game.' We'll learn real skills, build something valuable, and actually make money." A few jumped in, and suddenly we had a squad.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
The Hustle: Cold Emails, DMs, and Endless Rejections
We turned into a machine:
We focused on low-ticket services to start ($100-500 gigs) for quick wins, then upsold to retainers. Discord made collaboration seamless – real-time chats, file shares, and voice calls for team huddles.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
The Rollercoaster: Hitting $100k and Surviving the Slump
After a year, we'd hit over $100k in total revenue. Breakdown:
But this summer? Chaos. Business slowed – clients on vacation, leads dried up. My friends dipped out for trips, and I was left holding the fort, thinking, "It's over. BrandForge is dead." Burnout hit hard; I questioned everything.
Well, not really. I never gave up. I pivoted: Revamped our server with free webinars on "Discord for Business," which attracted new members. Doubled down on content marketing (YouTube shorts recapping our wins). And guess what? Leads picked up in August. We're back on track, aiming for $200k by year-end.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
Key Lessons Learned
If you're inspired, join similar communities or start your own. AMA in the comments – happy to share templates for cold DMs or server setups. Let's turn ideas into income!
What about you? Have you built something on Discord? Share your stories!
Cheers,
@mxstermind
Founder, BrandForge
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
Hey everyone,
I wanted to share my story because if you're anything like I was – scrolling through endless YouTube videos on agency models, dreaming of financial freedom but stuck in analysis paralysis – this might just be the kick you need to take action. A year ago, I was in a tough spot: bills piling up, no steady income, and way too much time spent watching "how-to" content instead of doing the work. That's when I decided to stop consuming and start building. The result? BrandForge, a digital agency I launched entirely on Discord, which has now crossed $100k in revenue. Here's how it all went down.
The Spark: From Videos to Real Action
I'd watched dozens of videos on SMMA (Social Media Marketing Agencies), freelance models, and Discord-based businesses. I knew the theory inside out – client acquisition, scaling teams, funnels, you name it. But knowledge without action is worthless. When my daily expenses started biting hard (rent, food, the basics), I realized I couldn't afford to procrastinate anymore.
I chose Discord as my platform because it's free, community-driven, and perfect for networking. No fancy website or paid ads at first – just a server where I could connect freelancers, clients, and build a team in real-time. I named it BrandForge to evoke building strong brands from scratch, like forging metal.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
Grinding It Out: 18-Hour Days and Cold Outreach
I dove in headfirst, putting in 18+ hours a day. My routine?
- Building the Server: Set up channels for services like graphic design, web dev, SEO, social media management – all digital marketing essentials.
- Cold Reaching Freelancers: I DM'd hundreds on Discord, Reddit, LinkedIn, even Twitter. "Hey, talented designer? Join my agency server – let's collab on paid gigs."
- Creating Ads and Posts: Crafted eye-catching server invites and promo posts on forums, subreddits like r/Entrepreneur, r/digitalnomad, and Discord directories. Emphasized quick payouts and community vibes.
But solo grinding wasn't enough. I reached out to my childhood friends – the same guys I used to play Minecraft and CS:GO with for hours. I pitched it like this: "Instead of wasting time gaming for fun, let's play the 'business game.' We'll learn real skills, build something valuable, and actually make money." A few jumped in, and suddenly we had a squad.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
The Hustle: Cold Emails, DMs, and Endless Rejections
We turned into a machine:
- Hundreds of Cold Emails/DMs Daily: Targeting small businesses on LinkedIn, email lists from Hunter.io, and Discord servers. Pitches like: "Need a brand refresh? Our team delivers in 48 hours for under $500."
- Rejections Galore: 90% ignored or said no. It stung, but we treated it like leveling up in a game – each "no" got us closer to a "yes."
- First Wins: Our breakthrough was a $2k logo + website package for a startup. That dopamine hit from the first payment? Game-changer. It fueled us to keep pumping.
We focused on low-ticket services to start ($100-500 gigs) for quick wins, then upsold to retainers. Discord made collaboration seamless – real-time chats, file shares, and voice calls for team huddles.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
The Rollercoaster: Hitting $100k and Surviving the Slump
After a year, we'd hit over $100k in total revenue. Breakdown:
- Clients: 200+ from e-com stores to influencers.
- Team: Grew to 15 freelancers, all remote via Discord.
- Revenue Streams: 60% from one-off projects, 40% retainers. Profit margins around 40-50% after payouts.
But this summer? Chaos. Business slowed – clients on vacation, leads dried up. My friends dipped out for trips, and I was left holding the fort, thinking, "It's over. BrandForge is dead." Burnout hit hard; I questioned everything.
Well, not really. I never gave up. I pivoted: Revamped our server with free webinars on "Discord for Business," which attracted new members. Doubled down on content marketing (YouTube shorts recapping our wins). And guess what? Leads picked up in August. We're back on track, aiming for $200k by year-end.
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg
Key Lessons Learned
- Action > Perfection: Stop watching videos. Start small – even a free Discord server is a launchpad.
- Leverage Your Network: Turn gaming buddies into business partners. Shared history builds trust.
- Persistence Wins: Rejections are part of the game. Track metrics (e.g., 100 DMs = 1 client) to stay motivated.
- Discord's Power: It's underrated for agencies – low overhead, high engagement. Use bots for automation (e.g., ticket systems for client inquiries).
- Scale Smart: Start with freelancers to avoid payroll headaches. Focus on niches you're passionate about.
If you're inspired, join similar communities or start your own. AMA in the comments – happy to share templates for cold DMs or server setups. Let's turn ideas into income!
What about you? Have you built something on Discord? Share your stories!
Cheers,
@mxstermind
Founder, BrandForge
Check out BrandForge: https://brandforge.gg | https://discord.gg/brandforge | https://t.me/BrandForge_GG ✅
Also, explore our second agency: https://devign.gg