How to Use Reddit: A Beginner’s Guide for Marketers + Creators
How to get started on Reddit as a marketer, business owner, or creator to expand your brand's reach — and why you should.
Reddit is a forum-style social media platform where users share content, ask questions, and engage in discussions within niche communities.
Reddit is a forum-style social media platform where users—known as Redditors—share content, ask questions, and engage in discussions within niche communities called subreddits. Think of Reddit as the internet’s town square: a bustling space where people with shared interests gather to exchange ideas, news, and opinions. With an upvote/downvote system, the more helpful or interesting content rises to the top, making it the “front page of the internet.”
Reddit is used for discussing a wide variety of topics. From hobbies, pop culture, and industry insights to niche interests like woodworking or obscure TV shows, Reddit is home to virtually any community you can imagine. It's a space for learning, sharing advice, asking questions, and staying updated on the latest trends and news.
To get started on Reddit, create an account and explore subreddits that align with your interests. Lurk a bit to get a feel for each community's culture, then engage by upvoting/downvoting posts, leaving comments, or asking your own questions. Remember, authentic participation goes a long way—Reddit is all about building trust in communities. Read our handy guide on how to get started on Reddit to learn more!
Subreddits are niche communities on Reddit where users discuss specific topics. Each subreddit has its own rules, culture, and members. For example, r/technology focuses on tech news and discussions, while r/DIY is for sharing home improvement tips and projects. You can join subreddits related to any interest—from professional topics to entertainment and hobbies. Here’s a fun map of Reddit to illustrate the topic distribution.
To post on Reddit, first, choose a relevant subreddit. Then click the “Create Post” button, add a title, and write your content (text, image, link, etc.). Be mindful of the rules specific to that subreddit, as some communities may have guidelines about post length, content type, or self-promotion.
Karma is Reddit’s points system. You earn karma when your posts or comments are upvoted and lose it when they’re downvoted. It’s essentially a reflection of your contribution to the community—higher karma indicates that other Redditors find your content valuable or interesting.
OP stands for "Original Poster," referring to the person who started the discussion or created the post. When people reply to the OP, they're directly engaging with the author of the thread.
If you’re looking to incorporate Reddit into your social strategy, Buffer is working on adding a Reddit integration in the future! You can upvote this feature on our suggestions page, and help us prioritize it. In the meantime, Buffer’s tools can help you manage your other social platforms seamlessly, so you’re always ready to engage with your audience authentically. Stay tuned!
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