How to Run a Paid D&D Campaign on Discord

Why DMs Are Going Paid

The demand for quality Dungeon Masters far outpaces the supply. Platforms like StartPlaying.games have shown that players are willing to pay $15-50+ per session for a well-prepared, reliable DM. But you don't need a marketplace to get started — Discord is where most TTRPG communities already live.

Running paid campaigns on Discord gives you full control over your pricing, schedule, and community. No platform fees eating into your earnings. No algorithms deciding who sees your games. Just you, your players, and the stories you create together.

Step 1: Set Up Your Discord Server

Your Discord server is your storefront. Here's how to structure it for a professional paid campaign:

Keep the server clean and organized. A professional-looking server builds trust — and trust is what makes players comfortable paying for your services.

Step 2: Price Your Sessions Right

Pricing is the hardest part for most new paid DMs. Here are some benchmarks based on current market rates:

Start at the lower end and raise prices as you build reviews and demand. Most DMs find that running 2-3 sessions per week at $15 per player with 4-5 players generates $120-225 per week — a meaningful side income.

Step 3: Manage Session Logistics

This is where most DMs struggle. Juggling spreadsheets, DMs, and payment reminders is exhausting. Here's what you need to track for every session:

• Session date, time, and timezone
• Number of open spots vs. filled spots
• Which players have signed up
• Which players have paid
• Reminders before each session
• Cancellation and no-show policies

Many DMs use Google Sheets or Notion, but these require constant manual updates and don't integrate with Discord. This is exactly why we built Rollkeep — a Discord bot that handles session creation, player signups, and automated reminders directly in your server with simple slash commands.

Step 4: Collect Payments Smoothly

Payment collection options for Discord-based campaigns:

The key principle: make it easy for players to pay, and always collect payment before the session. Chasing payments after the fact is awkward and unprofessional.

Step 5: Send Reminders and Reduce No-Shows

No-shows are the biggest revenue killer for paid DMs. A player who doesn't show up is a lost seat you could have filled. Here's how to minimize them:

• Send a reminder 24-48 hours before each session via Discord DM or email
• Require payment in advance — players who have paid are far less likely to skip
• Have a clear cancellation policy — e.g., "Cancel 24 hours in advance for a full refund, or forfeit your spot"
• Maintain a waitlist — so you can fill empty spots quickly

Automated reminders make a huge difference. Rollkeep sends weekly email reminders to every player with an upcoming session, so you never have to remember to nudge anyone.

Step 6: Grow Your Player Base

Once you're running sessions smoothly, it's time to grow:

• Post on r/lfg and r/DMAcademy — Reddit is the #1 source of new TTRPG players looking for games
• List on StartPlaying.games — the biggest marketplace for paid DMs (even if you run sessions on Discord)
• Ask for referrals — happy players tell their friends. Offer a discount for referrals.
• Create content — session recaps, lore posts, or short clips from your games build your reputation
• Join DM communities — network with other paid DMs to share tips and fill each other's tables

The Tech Stack for Professional DMs

Here's a recommended setup for running professional paid campaigns on Discord in 2026: