Reddit is a platform that is often overlooked but holds immense potential for marketing. A unique blend of a forum, news, and promotion site, Reddit is a powerful marketing channel that can help your business reach new heights. However, it requires a different approach compared to traditional social media platforms. This guide will delve into the intricacies of Reddit marketing, providing you with valuable insights, data, and strategies to effectively use Reddit for your small business growth.

Understanding Reddit:

Reddit is a platform divided into smaller communities known as “subreddits,” each focusing on a different subject with its own rules and guidelines. As of May 2022, Reddit boasted a staggering 1.7 billion monthly active members, matching the user counts of well-known social media platforms like Twitter. This vast user base is highly engaged and knowledgeable, making Reddit a fertile ground for marketing if navigated correctly.

Why Reddit for Marketing?

Reddit’s influence extends far beyond its platform, often permeating mainstream media. A notable example is the “GameStop/Reddit/Wallstreet” incident of 2021, where Redditors raised the stock price of a small gaming store by over 400%. This incident underscores the power of Reddit’s user base and the potential impact a well-planned marketing campaign could have on your business.

Moreover, Reddit users are unique. Data shows that 23%, 47%, and 69% of Reddit users do not use Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, respectively. This means that Reddit allows you to reach a specific group of people that you might not be able to target on other platforms. Furthermore, Reddit users spend an average of 34 minutes per user per day on the platform, providing a significant opportunity for businesses to engage with potential customers.

Reddit’s structure also allows for cost-effective advertising. The platform’s division into niche-focused groups (subreddits) means your ads have a higher chance of being clicked on, as you’ll be interacting almost exclusively with people interested in your offerings. This specificity can lead to lower advertising costs compared to other platforms.

Organic Reddit Marketing vs. Reddit Advertising:

Organic marketing on Reddit allows you to humanize your brand more than paid ads. It involves interacting with users, providing valuable content, and becoming part of the community. However, it requires constant monitoring and interaction, and the results can be hit-or-miss.

On the other hand, Reddit advertising involves paid promotions. Reddit offers different bundles and types of ads, allowing you to choose the best fit for your brand. While this approach can lead to more conversions and traffic, it can be expensive and may not humanize your brand as effectively as organic marketing.

How to Market on Reddit Organically:

1. AMAs (Ask Me Anything): AMAs are common interactions on Reddit that attract a lot of user activity. Hosting an AMA on relevant subreddits can help increase customer engagement and provide valuable insights about your brand.
2. Create a Brand Subreddit: Creating a brand-specific subreddit allows customers to communicate with your brand, leave reviews, make complaints, and provide candid feedback. It also serves as a platform to inform customers about deals, new product launches, and more.
3. Use Social Listening Tools: Social listening tools can help you understand what works and what doesn’t on Reddit. They convert large volumes of data into actionable information, allowing you to optimize your marketing strategy.
4. Customer-Centric Strategy: A customer-centric approach focuses on providing support and improving your products and services rather than just selling. This strategycan help your brand market itself primarily through recommendations and word of mouth.
5. Be Sincere: Reddit values honesty and collaboration. Users can detect insincerity easily, so it’s crucial to be genuine in your interactions. Promote your products and services subtly and interact with users to humanize your brand.

How to Advertise on Reddit and Get Results:

1. Takeover Ads: These are the most expensive type of ad but offer the most visibility and interactions. A takeover ad features your promoted ads in specific, topically-related subreddits or categories of subreddits, and also appears in trending sections of the platform.
2. Promoted Posts: These are more like regular ads on other social media platforms – a banner with a title and a “Promoted” tag under the title. Reddit helps you choose your niche and set of subreddits to show your ad in, to get the most views and interactions.
3. Choose Your Interest Targeting Carefully: Interest targeting shows your ad to people who have already shown interest in what you are selling. It’s crucial to choose the correct interests when setting up your ads to reach people who are interested in what you are offering.

Reddit Marketing Success Stories:

1. Toyota: Toyota posted a video of two drivers racing in a Supra on a Formula 1 subreddit, which perfectly fit the subreddit’s theme. Instead of a conventional advertisement, Toyota told an exciting racing story, capitalizing on an audience interested in cars and racing.
2. The Economist: The London-based news outlet frequently hosts AMA threads on Reddit, giving Redditors an inside look at the inspirations behind the publication’s authors. This strategy helps build trust and connection with readers.

Reddit Marketing Tools and Hacks:

1. Phantombuster: This tool enables you to scrape user data from social media sites like Reddit while automating your sales and marketing procedures.
2. Interact With Users: Interacting with users in your post’s comment sections and on other similar posts can help you connect with as many people as possible.
3. Subreddit Stats: This tool allows you to see the stats for each subreddit, helping you better understand who you want to connect with
4. Howitzer: This innovative marketing tool helps you find Reddit users interested in your industry and allows you to send these users personalized messages at scale.

Conclusion:

Reddit marketing, when done right, can be a game-changer for small businesses. It offers a unique platform to reach a highly engaged and niche audience that other social media platforms may not provide. By understanding the platform’s nuances and leveraging the strategies outlined in this guide, you can effectively use Reddit to grow your small business.