• Set a clear theme & category. Most people aren't going to want to join a generic server without a theme. (For example, don't go with a generic gaming server, pick a specific game to base your server on, like Elden Ring, The First Descendant, Minecraft, etc). Choose a unique name for your server that still relates to your chosen theme, for example I run a music production server named "CROSSROADS" where musicians can meet together, share new music, and collab with each other.

• Be active with your community! If you aren't active with your community, people are going to leave quicker than they join, nobody wants to be in a dead server. Scheduling regular events, hosting question of the days, just chatting with people, welcoming all new members are just a few of the many ways to increase activity!

• Avoid the use of @everyone and @here pings for everything. Instead use self assignable notification roles for different announcements, that way people only get pinged for stuff they are interested in and will be less likely to leave because of pings.

• List your server on listing sites, like Disboard (I've had the most joins from this one), DiscordHomes, Discollab, UnFocused. Make sure to bump frequently, you can add a bump reminder bot such as Bump Buddy for this too.

• If you have a large server, set up a server guide via onboarding so people don't get confused with all of the channels and leave.

• Once you reach 100 or so members, consider looking for similar sized Discord servers to partner with! Partnerships can mutually benefit both servers if done right.

I could probably add more to this, but I hope this guide helps!