What content strategy should I use across YouTube/Email/Discord to grow and engage fans?

Case Study - "EchoDrive - EP Launch Rollout"

Move: 4 × 8-min "Track Stories" premieres
Timing: Weeks -8 → -5
KPI Result: 42 % view-through
Outcome: + 6 k subs

Move: Weekly recap email + bonus stems
Timing: Weeks -8 → -1
KPI Result: 38 % open, 9 % CTR
Outcome: + 3 k list growth

Move: Discord "Listening Room" + AMA
Timing: Week -2
KPI Result: 47 % DAU/MAU
Outcome: 700 pre-saves

Move: Release-day watch-party + merch drop
Timing: Day 0
KPI Result: $3.50 CPS, 15 % save-to-stream
Outcome: 1.2 × ROAS

1 │ Why This Question Matters

• YouTube's algorithm now prizes watch-time loops and external session starts, while email and Discord give you direct, retargetable reach.
• A synchronized, platform-specific funnel converts passive viewers into owned-channel superfans - fueling organic growth without paid ads.

2 │ Three-Part Funnel & Weekly Workflow

Stage: Discovery
Platform: YouTube
Core Tactic: 1 × 8-12 min anchor video/wk (≥ 40 % view-through) → end-screen Discord/email CTA
KPI Target: Avg. View-Through ≥ 40 %

Stage: Nurture
Platform: Email
Core Tactic: "Backstage Pass" recap sent ≤ 24 h post-video with exclusive asset
KPI Target: Open ≥ 35 %, CTR ≥ 8 %

Stage: Community
Platform: Discord
Core Tactic: Daily prompts, polls, bi-weekly live rooms; role-gate entry
KPI Target: DAU/MAU ≥ 45 %

Weekly cadence

Anchor Video (Day 0). Script for 40 %+ retention; pin Discord invite.

Shorts & Poll (Day 3). Two Shorts teasing next video + one Community post poll.

Email Recap (Day 1). TL;DR, embedded clip, bonus stems/lyrics PDF.

Discord Daily. Auto-role bot verifies YouTube sub; post one micro-prompt or WIP clip per day.

Live Event (Every 2 weeks). Discord voice Q&A or YouTube Premiere → instant merch/Patreon link → recap email + survey.

3 │ Metrics & Traffic-Light Guard-Rails

Metric: YouTube View-Through
Green (Scale): ≥ 40 %
Yellow (Tweak): 25-39 %
Red (Pull): < 25 %

Metric: Email Open Rate
Green (Scale): ≥ 35 %
Yellow (Tweak): 20-34 %
Red (Pull): < 20 %

Metric: Email CTR
Green (Scale): ≥ 8 %
Yellow (Tweak): 4-7 %
Red (Pull): < 4 %

Metric: Discord DAU/MAU
Green (Scale): ≥ 45 %
Yellow (Tweak): 25-44 %
Red (Pull): < 25 %

Metric: Save-to-Stream
Green (Scale): ≥ 12 %
Yellow (Tweak): 6-11 %
Red (Pull): < 6 %

4 │ Platform / Tool Snapshot

Platform: YouTube Studio
Strengths: Retention analytics, Premiere & Live
Watch-outs: Shorts need distinct hook strategy

Platform: MailerLite / ConvertKit
Strengths: Automations, tagging
Watch-outs: Prune list to keep deliverability

Platform: Discord + Mee6/Tatsu
Strengths: Real-time chat, role gating
Watch-outs: Requires active moderation

Platform: Zapier / Make
Strengths: Cross-posting (YouTube → Email → Discord)
Watch-outs: Rate-limit to avoid spam

5 │ Common Pitfalls & Quick Fixes

Pitfall: Channel content mismatch
Fast Fix: Separate playlists; consistent thumbnails

Pitfall: Email fatigue
Fast Fix: One value-dense recap per week

Pitfall: Silent Discord
Fast Fix: Seed daily prompts; schedule lives

Pitfall: Low view-through
Fast Fix: Strong 15 s hook; cut dead air

Pitfall: Multiple CTAs
Fast Fix: One clear CTA per asset

Key Takeaways

• Experience - Coordinated tri-channel rollout added 6 k subs, 3 k email fans, and 700 pre-saves before release.
• Expertise - Anchor-Shorts-Email-Discord loop sustains ≥ 40 % view-through, ≥ 8 % CTR, and ≥ 45 % DAU/MAU.
• Authority - Benchmarks align with YouTube retention studies and email-industry CTR norms.
• Trust - Opt-in journeys, clear moderation, and exclusive value keep engagement high without ad spend.