Reddit isn’t just a place for memes and viral debates – it’s a powerful tool for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to boost visibility, connect with audiences, and even boost SEO.
While most marketing advice for Reddit focuses on big brands, SMBs can use the platform effectively to engage with potential customers, build trust, and drive real results.
Consider Reddit as another social platform
So why should an SMB consider using Reddit?
Unlike other social media channels, such as Instagram, where you’re forced to keep up with every new feature so the algorithm will push your account, Reddit doesn’t really change.
It’s a forum-style site that lets people join specific communities – subreddits – to engage with others who share their interests.
Rather than simply hoping people will see your content by following social media best practices, you can instantly connect with your audience on Reddit.
There’s a subreddit for nearly anything you can think of.
Whether you’re a photographer or a personal trainer, there are plenty of existing communities where you can be active.
It takes the guesswork out of finding your audience.
Reddit in search
Another consideration is the popularity of Reddit in search results. People are actively searching for Reddit posts on Google.
While looking for a personal trainer in Brooklyn, one autocomplete suggestion includes Reddit.
This means that users are actually adding “Reddit” to their queries. (Autocomplete predictions are based on real searches and common word patterns found across the web.)
People want real reviews, advice, and opinions from actual people.
Reddit is where they are going to get that – they’re just using Google to get there.
Even for people searching for local businesses without appending “Reddit” to their queries, there are SERP features that show Reddit results.
Discussions and forums is a SERP feature that displays Reddit and other posts from forums like Quora in search results.
While looking for a photographer, I can see who other people in my area are recommending and read about their experiences.
Community
Reddit has its own communities filled with people who are interested in and even passionate about every topic imaginable.
Dig deeper: How the Google-Reddit partnership impacts brand management
Getting started
Jumping into Reddit as an SMB may initially seem intimidating, but starting small and staying authentic is the key.
Rather than treating it like a traditional marketing channel, think of it as a space to connect with potential customers naturally.
Build out your profile
Just like any other platform, make sure you fill out your Reddit profile:
- Add a profile picture.
- Write a short bio about who you are and what you do.
- Add your website and social links.
The Redditor above is a lifestyle, competition preparation, and posing coach.
Their profile clearly shows who they are and what they do and links to their various social media accounts.
You can also see that they have earned post karma and comment karma from people upvoting their posts and comments.
Find the right subreddits
The power of Reddit for SMBs lies in hyperlocal communities.
You’re not trying to blast your message to the masses. You’re engaging with people in your city or niche interest groups.
- Find your people: Search for subreddits related to your area (like r/Portland or r/Philly). Also, look for industry-specific subreddits where your target audience hangs out. For example, if you run a gym, you might find potential clients in r/Fitness or r/bikinitalk.
- Follow the rules: Each subreddit has its own guidelines. Some are strict about self-promotion, while others are more lenient if you contribute valuable content. Make sure to read the rules before posting.
Engage authentically
Reddit users can spot spammy self-promotion from a mile away.
While the eventual goal is to bring in leads, your primary goal should be to become a trusted community member.
Without building trust and being transparent in your Reddit strategy, you won’t be successful.
- Start by commenting: Get your feet wet by commenting on new, existing threads. Don’t search for all threads relevant to your business, and comment on ones from a month ago. Stick to posts that are at most a week old, depending on how active the subreddit is. Share tips, answer questions, or join discussions in a meaningful way.
- Be a human, not a brand: People go to Reddit for real opinions and recommendations. Share lessons you’ve learned and funny experiences related to your business, and answer people’s questions genuinely.
You don’t have to comment only on things directly related to your business.
Let’s say you run a café and partner with a local bakery to provide pastries.
If people ask where to find the best croissants in your city, you can comment and recommend them.
It doesn’t hurt to shout out any businesses or charities you partner with when people ask for recommendations on related topics.
It’s authentic to offer suggestions for businesses you’ve already worked with in the past.
The screenshot above is a great example of engaging with your community and being real.
- Someone asked for advice on the pricing of training sessions.
- The coach, whose bio we looked at earlier, commented to address the Redditor’s concerns and sharing how much they charge because it was relevant to the post.
It’s the perfect example of discussing your offerings without being spammy or “in your face.”
Dig deeper: SEO beyond Google – Building your brand on Reddit, Quora, TikTok and more
Sharing is caring
Reddit is all about sharing information. It’s some people’s source of truth.
When using it as a channel for your SMB, remember that sharing is caring.
You have to give more than you take for this to work, and that means offering genuinely helpful information should be the focus.
If every post is a sales pitch, you can get eaten alive by downvotes and possibly even banned from subreddits.
You’ll also create a negative association with your business by spamming people with your services when they’re just trying to get information.
Think of it as an investment
Like other social media channels, you have to consider this an investment.
You don’t usually see amazing results from posting a TikTok or an Instagram Story unless you happen to go viral, which is rare.
Don’t expect to see results from Reddit overnight, either.
You’re demonstrating your expertise and highlighting your experiences for others to see.
Yes, the goal is to generate leads, but you have to do the legwork of building trust and connections with others to get there.
SMBs can manage this in-house. There’s no need to hire a company.
You’re already familiar with the business, industry, and local community and are best suited to engage authentically on Reddit.
Use Reddit as a research tool
While you’re going through relevant subreddits, take note of what you’re reading.
- Are people constantly mentioning a competitor?
- Are people complaining about your industry?
- What are people’s pain points with your services or products?
Gather this information and use it to your advantage.
You can manually search on subreddits for what people are saying.
Britney Muller also shared an amazing resource on building your AI-Powered Reddit tool.
If you’re comfortable with code, she created a Colab notebook to help you gather:
- Comments from a specific post.
- Insights on a specific keyword.
- Lots more information for whatever topic you’re looking for.
She also provided a no-code option, but it does limit how much information you can gather.
Use these insights on your business, industry, and competitors to create informed content for your site.
- Pain points can turn into blog posts addressing them.
- Commonly asked questions in subreddits can be added to your FAQ pages.
- Use industry or competitor weaknesses to create strong messaging that highlights your strengths (if it’s true).
Example: Some plumbers quote one price but charge a higher one after completing the service. If your plumbing business offers transparent pricing, highlight that in your messaging.
Authenticity drives success on Reddit
Reddit gives SMBs a unique opportunity to:
- Connect with local communities.
- Engage in relevant discussions.
- Improve search visibility.
Unlike other social platforms, staying relevant doesn’t require constant content creation. It rewards authenticity and meaningful interactions.
By actively participating in the right subreddits, building trust, and providing value without being overly promotional, SMBs can foster real relationships that lead to tangible results.
Think of Reddit as a long-term investment. Consistent effort and genuine engagement will pay off over time.
If you’re looking for a platform to connect directly with your audience, gain insights, and establish credibility in your niche, Reddit is worth exploring.
Start small, be helpful, and most importantly, be real because, on Reddit, authenticity always wins.
Dig deeper: Reddit: Your new online reputation challenge
source https://searchengineland.com/reddit-smbs-seo-engagement-goldmine-452850
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