5 Steps to Growth Hacking on Reddit (From Growth Expert)

Summary

This video script offers a five-step guide to leveraging Reddit for startup growth, emphasizing the platform's unique user engagement and traffic potential. It features Staffan Ulmert, who shares insights on navigating Reddit's community-driven structure, engaging in subreddits, and crafting content that resonates with niche audiences. The script highlights the importance of authenticity, understanding Reddit's culture, and the organic growth potential that contrasts with other social media platforms.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Reddit is a significant traffic source for startups, with 1-2 billion monthly visits, offering opportunities for growth without a large existing following.
• 📈 Growth hacking on Reddit involves five key steps: understanding the platform, asking beginner questions, preparing to market oneself, engaging in niche communities, and gaining traffic.
• 🏛 Moderators on Reddit have significant control, and adhering to their rules is crucial for successful engagement.
• 🤔 Reddit differs from other social media platforms in that quality content can thrive without the need for a large following or SEO tactics.
• 📝 Starting with an account and joining relevant subreddits is essential for understanding the platform and being productive within its communities.
• 🙋‍♂️ Asking questions as a newcomer on Reddit is encouraged as it helps in learning both about the platform and the specific topics of interest.
• 📍 Mapping out niche-related subreddits is a strategic move to identify where one can effectively market and engage with the target audience.
• 🔍 Utilizing tools like Delay for Reddit can aid in discovering valuable subreddits and provide insights on optimal posting times.
• 📑 Creating and sharing guides or content that adds value to the community is an effective way to organically include links to one's site.
• 🔗 Transparency is vital on Reddit; it's important to be clear about one's identity and intentions when participating in discussions.
• 🚀 Going viral on Reddit can be different from other platforms, often leading to more engaged and converting visitors, despite potentially lower impressions.

Q & A

What is the significance of Reddit as a platform for startups?

Reddit is significant for startups because it is one of the biggest websites in the world with between one and two billion visits every month, offering a potential source of traffic without needing a large following.

What is the main difference between Reddit and other social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook in terms of content promotion?

Unlike Twitter or Facebook, Reddit does not require a startup to have a large following before it can gain visibility. Quality content can be recognized and rewarded by the community through upvotes, regardless of the poster's follower count.

What is a subreddit and how does it relate to content marketing on Reddit?

A subreddit is a mini forum within Reddit, dedicated to a specific topic. It is crucial for content marketing as it allows targeted posting and engagement within communities that are interested in the content or product being promoted.

Why is it important for a startup to understand the rules of Reddit before engaging with the community?

Understanding Reddit's rules is important because moderators have significant control over their respective subreddits. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in being banned or ignored by the community.

What is the first step in growth hacking on Reddit according to the video?

The first step is understanding Reddit, which includes creating an account, joining relevant subreddits, and spending time reading and learning from the community to grasp the platform's dynamics.

What does Staffan Ulmert suggest for startups to do in the early stages of their Reddit engagement?

Staffan Ulmert suggests that startups should ask basic questions and learn from the community rather than immediately treating Reddit as a traffic source.

What is the recommended approach for startups when they are ready to start posting on Reddit?

The recommended approach is to map the niche on Reddit by listing all related subreddits and using tools like delay for Reddit to discover valuable subreddits and gain insights on when to post.

How should a startup engage in its niche on Reddit according to the video?

A startup should engage by posting guides or content that contributes value to the community. It should also be organic in inserting links to its site if relevant and improve upon popular posts by creating even better content.

What is the 'skyscraper method' mentioned in the video and how can it be applied on Reddit?

The 'skyscraper method' is a strategy where one identifies popular content and then creates an improved version of it. On Reddit, this can be applied by taking inspiration from popular posts and enhancing them to create original, high-quality content.

How does the video differentiate the experience of going viral on Reddit versus Twitter?

The video differentiates by highlighting that while Twitter can generate massive impressions and traffic quickly, Reddit visitors are more likely to explore and engage with the content, leading to higher conversion rates.

What is the final step in the five steps to growth hacking on Reddit mentioned in the video?

The final step is to gain traffic by being transparent, respecting the community's rules, and providing organic and valuable content that includes links to the startup's site or product.