MultiHub Forum

I'm a digital artist who has built a modest following on social platforms, but I feel like I'm just broadcasting into a void without any real connection to my audience. I want to transition from having followers to building a dedicated community, perhaps on Discord or a dedicated forum, where members can interact with each other and participate in the creative process. For creators who have successfully made this shift, what initial steps did you take to invite your audience into a shared space, and how do you consistently nurture engagement without it becoming a full-time job on top of creating content?