Microsoft has to pay if its AI bots wants to use the data, as Reddit CEO puts it, but for you the situation is different. Promotional campaigns can be placed on various platforms that align with the values and expectations of the business owner. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other such sources prove to be instrumental in attracting organic traffic and gaining new audiences, but Reddit can effortlessly surpass them all — and its rigorous guidelines and regulations can’t stop you from claiming your profit.
We have previously described what you should do to elevate your business on Reddit, and now it’s time to elucidate on the things that you must not do on the platform.
No Self-Promotion
The idea of praising your own marketing skills or commending your own platform, site, service, or product has never been more tempting: so many people, so many communities, and potential clients... But alas, you’d better resist the temptation and restrain your unbearable urge. Self-promotion is widely frowned upon across Reddit, and you risk being downvoted at best and reported or banned at worst. The content you post should be authentically helpful and informative, or at least entertaining, so you contribute to the discussion in the subreddit of choice.
No Spamming
Avoid spamming at all costs! Subreddits big and small are remarkably vigilant when it comes to spam, so repeated bombarding with your affiliate links or constant posting in unrelated discussions and communities is a shortcut to a ban from the subreddit where you operate or across the platform, which will eventually sully your public image, reputation, and overall credibility. Limit the frequency of your posts, and make sure they are valuable, diverse, high-quality, and relevant.
No Hate
If you're about to explode, do it on Twitter, no guarantees that you won't be banned there, but the chances are that you'll remain unscathed. The trick won't work out on Reddit: being rude, abusive, or hateful is so decidedly against the rules, that derogatory, insulting, offensive, or threatening comments and content will get you reported, suspended, or banned. Be respectful towards other users, even if their behavior drives you mad. As a meme goes, we live in a society and all that.
No Breaking Rules
Hate is a big no-no in the Reddit community, but there's even a more critical one: breaking the rules. Once such a thought crosses your mind, and the spirit guardians of law and order of the platform materialize behind your back, ready to provide a lecture on respect.
Subreddit rules, metaphorically nicknamed spirit guardians, sustain a healthy and robust atmosphere, creating a safe space where people can freely share their thoughts and opinions without being bullied or intimidated. By respecting such rules, you earn respect in return: this is how users can see your outstanding ability to adhere to the requirements and show respect for your potential customers.
No Misleading
In an improvised list of Reddit sins, misleading would take a solid third place after breaking rules and hateful comments. As an affiliate, you are expected to be transparent about your links: you won't build trust if you claim that a link you've posted is a funny blog with cat pictures. Instead, stand to reason and explain that you are promoting a product and intend to gain financially. Well, perhaps, not so blatantly, but you've got the point.
No Cheating
It is not a secret that affiliates sometimes resort to bots and account farming to manipulate votes or comments on social platforms, and this method works with mixed results — depending on the platform and the skill. Reddit is not the place where you should test this approach and artificially inflate the popularity of your posts: it goes against the rules and may get you shadowbanned, suspended, or banned for real. Explore the audience, analyze the crowd, and scrutinize their interests to create exceptional content.
Tips
You’ve had enough of ‘don’ts’, now is the time of ‘do’s’. What can you do to draw attention to your content? Is there a trick that could help you gain the audience? Is it possible to rule the Reddit world and enjoy growing profit?
Stay Creative
This advice can be applied to any social media platform, depending on your goals, but your creativity and original approach to content always pays off on Reddit.
This resource provides an extensive set of tools for making your posts unique, interesting, and fresh: text, photos, videos, infographics, and even podcasts are always at your service — after a few attempts, you can effortlessly create a post and present it to the public in the most appealing way imaginable.
Stand for Relevance & Value
Another fundamental truth: you should only share the affiliate links that are relevant to the discussion you are participating in within the equally relevant subreddit. You can answer a question by sending a link, or share your experience with the product you're promoting, or invent something else along those lines. Remember that you are contributing to a conversation, offering valuable advice, insightful review, or a comprehensive case study.
Unrelated links are most likely to be treated as spam, which can potentially damage your reputation on Reddit.
Be Transparent
Transparency is a crucial value among Redditors. It is so important to stand to reason and openly disclose your affiliation that people might even feel attracted to you as a business owner: you provide a product, not embellishing the description with obvious hoaxes and bogus advantages, thus showing respect and care for your customers.
Choose Authenticity
Authentic engagement can elevate your business and solidify your local popularity in no time. The only thing you are expected to do is to become an active member of the subreddit your target audience inhabits: answer questions, share experiences, participate in discussions and conversations, and put aside your instant impulse to promote products and services. Authenticity goes first: once you build your credibility within the community, you can segue into step two.
Wrapping Up
Conquering Reddit and making it work by your own rules isn’t a simple task to accomplish: comparing to Facebook, Twitter, and other giants of the market, this platform is truly unique and requires an original approach focused primarily on engagement and following the rules within the community. Luckily, our brief guide provides the best tips how to adhere to the regulations and what tactics should be avoided — now it’s your turn to shine.
