Reddit, which is self-described as “the front page of the internet,” provides a unique platform for digital exposure. However, it’s a double-edged sword as marketers, especially those who are unfamiliar with its culture, can easily falter.
Despite this challenge, Jim, one of our customers, was able to utilize this platform exceptionally. He purchased Reddit accounts from our service and navigated through its complexities to drive impressive sales for his business, Findlay Hats.
Understanding the Reddit Audience
In the world of Reddit marketing, Jim quickly learnt that promoting products overtly is a big no-no.
The community values authentic and engaging content over promotional material, and marketers who fail to understand this often end up being downvoted or banned.
Jim’s strategy was to fit in with the community rather than stand out as a marketer.
He respected the community’s norms and focused on adding value instead of solely promoting his products.
Despite its challenges, Reddit offers significant rewards for those who can crack its code. Posts that reach its front page can garner thousands of views and potential customers.
Jim’s goal was to tap into this potential, understanding that success on Reddit means navigating its unique user base and content preferences.
Case Study: How Jim Made $28,000 with just one post on Reddit
Step 1: Joining Relevant Subreddits
Jim’s journey began with joining subreddits that aligned with his business. This initial phase was about observation and understanding, not promotion.
By immersing himself in these communities, he learned their unique cultures, languages, and preferences. This approach was critical in ensuring that his future posts would resonate with the audience.
Tip: To be able to join top subreddits and post there, get our high-karma accounts.
For example, If you are looking for subreddits about “Ethereum”, search for Ethereum via the Reddit search function, go to the Communities tab, you will find a lot of related subreddits there.
More details? Read the article “How to analyze subreddits like a pro” by UpvoteShop
Step 2: Creating Engaging Content
Once Jim had a grasp of the subreddit cultures, he focused on creating posts that appealed to the specific interests of each community. He meticulously researched and identified what types of posts were popular and well-received.
This reverse-engineering process was key to his strategy, allowing him to create content that was both relevant and engaging.
To effectively drive substantial traffic from Reddit, it’s crucial to create content that resonates with readers. This might seem straightforward, but it requires a deeper understanding of the platform.
On Reddit, specificity is key. Posts that are too broad or general don’t engage users. It’s important to thoroughly research relevant subreddits to understand what types of posts are successful and what the community’s reactions are to them. Essentially, it’s about analyzing what works and what doesn’t.
Tip: To be able to join top subreddits and post there, get our high-karma accounts.
Let’s take the example of Jim Findlay’s successful post on Reddit (shown in the image below). He noticed a significant increase in views and engagement within just fifteen minutes of posting. His familiarity with Reddit’s unique community dynamics (as discussed in Step 1) helped him to identify the growing momentum of his post.
Jim was thrilled about the potential impact of their post. He immediately called his friend Nick and warned him to brace for a surge in attention. Jim said, “Get ready. I think our post might make it to the second page of pictures. You could see a few sales today, so be prepared.” Without going into too many details, the outcome was astounding – the post not only made it to the front page of Reddit, but it also became one of the top posts on the entire site.
This exposure led to a staggering influx of 60k website visits and over $28,000 in new sales. Which was also featured on Shopify.
Orders flooded in continuously, reminiscent of a constant ringtone of notifications.
By the end of that day, their e-commerce store had generated $28,000 in sales, showcasing the power of a well-targeted Reddit post.
Step 3: Preemptive Engagement
As a business owner, your primary objective is to make sales. This goal remains relevant regardless of the opinions of niche online communities. The challenge is to proactively address potential concerns of subreddit users to prevent downvotes, trolling, or reports, thereby maintaining a positive standing on Reddit.
Incorporating this strategy in your initial subreddit post is crucial.
For instance, you could use a text post to promote something, clearly explaining its relevance and interest, leaving no room for questions or reasons not to visit your site.
Transparency about what you’re promoting is key, especially if it offers value to the users.
Tip: To be able to join top subreddits and post there continuously without getting banned, get our high-karma accounts.
Consider Travis Levell’s approach when he launched his first Udemy course. He acknowledged previous misuses of similar tactics, then differentiated himself and his motives, ensuring transparency and honesty.
Remember, long posts can be effective if they carefully address these concerns. It’s vital to acknowledge the risks of promotional content while emphasizing your integrity.
However, repeated promotion is a pitfall to avoid. Success with a few marketing posts in a subreddit doesn’t grant unlimited promotional privileges. Overuse can alienate users and attract negative attention.
Reddit’s community and moderators keep a close eye on user activities and are quick to use spam filters for suspicious behavior. Excessive posting of your URL risks negating all your efforts, as Reddit’s spam filters can block your domain, rendering any posts invisible. Even worse, your profile could be ghosted, making your posts invisible to everyone but yourself.
As Hickey advises in the mentioned Shopify post, a sales-oriented approach on Reddit often leads to downvotes and limited reach. Being interesting and genuine are key. If these don’t align with your strategy, consider direct advertising as an alternative.
Step 4: Comment Engagement Strategy
An unconventional yet effective tactic in Jim’s strategy was his approach to comments.
He actively engaged with every comment on his posts, often responding with double the number of comments.
This tactic wasn’t just about responding but also about stimulating further conversation and keeping the thread active, which, in turn, enhanced the visibility of his posts.
Step 5: Testing Reddit Ads
Beyond organic engagement, Jim also experimented with Reddit’s advertising options. This was a strategic move to complement his organic efforts and expand his reach on the platform.
Starting with self-serve ads, he found them to be an affordable and flexible option for beginners, offering a structured way to navigate and generate sales from Reddit’s communities.
Conclusion
Jim’s journey on Reddit, from a cautious observer to achieving viral success, offers valuable lessons for any marketer looking to leverage this platform. His approach highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the community culture, creating engaging and relevant content, and actively participating in discussions.
By combining these organic strategies with a smart use of Reddit’s advertising options, Jim demonstrated how Reddit can be a powerful tool for driving significant traffic and sales.
His story serves as an inspiration and a guide for marketers aiming to unlock the potential of Reddit in their digital marketing campaigns.