How to Use Reddit as a Writer

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Social media is a powerful tool for any writer. It’s a way to connect with your readers and other writers directly and easily.

Reddit is one such platform, where you can share stories, ask questions, and join discussions. It is a treasure trove of information, resources, support, and inspiration for a writer who knows how to use it.

Understanding Reddit

Think of Reddit as a combination of an online forum and media aggregator. Within it are countless communities—called subreddits—that focus on a specific topic. That topic can range from broad to niche, and normal to bizarre. 

You can join subreddits you are interested in, post stories, comment, and chat with other community members. Each subreddit has specific rules, events, and norms that are enforced by its members and a dedicated team of moderators.

People can upvote or downvote your posts and comments. The more upvotes a post gets, the more people will see it. 

Finding the Right Subreddits

It’s easy to get lost in the thousands of communities that Reddit caters to. A lot of these writing subreddits focus on different aspects of the craft such as critiques, publishing advice, prompts, opportunities, motivation, genres, and conventions.

To get started, you need to find the subreddits that match your interests. For example, if you’re a fantasy writer, you’d probably want to join r/fantasywriters or r/Fantasy.

Don’t limit yourself to only writing subreddits though. Find adjacent communities that can help you in your craft. English-focused subreddits are great for grammar questions. Marketing subreddits have tons of resources about growing your brand. And hiring subreddits can open up different opportunities for you.

One thing to look for in these subreddits is engagement. Look at how many members they have. Consider the volume and frequency of posts and comments. Some communities are “dead” or no longer get much activity.

Another is the subreddit’s rules. Each subreddit will have a unique set of rules that you need to follow or you risk getting banned. You normally find these in the subreddit’s easily accessible sideboard.

Ways to Use Reddit As A Writer

Reddit is a bit different from other platforms as it works mostly like a discussion board. Most of the activity is within these forums and people rarely visit your profile to check you out. You can’t rely on the usual approaches as you would on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.

Here are ways you can use this platform to improve in your craft, grow your following, and make connections.

1. AMAs

In an AMA (Ask Me Anything), reddit users can ask you questions and you answer as many as you can. These questions can be anything, but will typically revolve around your writing career.

It’s a great way to interact with your audience and add value to your works. You can drop hints about future works, give them a peek at your writing process, announce relevant news, and thank them them for their support. 

To host an AMA, you simply arrange it with the sub’s moderators. You’ll likely need to verify you’re real, so be prepared to provide proof. 

Of course, AMAs only make sense if you already have a following. That doesn’t mean you need a massive one though. A lot of subreddits provide frequent opportunities for all kinds of writers to connect with their readers.

2.  Promotion

Promote your works in relevant subreddits. Their members are likely the people you are targeting. 

You can announce manuscript updates, book releases, sales, and other news. However, always check the subreddit’s rules on self-promotion. Some might restrict such posts to a specific megathread or allow them only on certain days. 

Write a catchy title for your posts. Be brief and provide enough context so your post makes sense even to redditors who don’t know you. Add all relevant links for their convenience.

And don’t overpromote. Reddit users are notoriously hard on excessive self-promoters. You’ll lose readers and might get muted or banned from the community. Don’t hesitate to approach the mods if you need assistance or clarification. 

3. General Interaction

Once you join a community, do your best to engage with other members. A fairly active subreddit will have plenty of recent discussions you can join. 

Don’t just post your work. Comment on other posts and answer questions. Share your thoughts about certain topics. Start an interesting conversation if you want to. You might be surprised by the direction or depth a discussion can go. 

The more you interact with the community, the more you become known. People are more likely to engage with you if you’re familiar with them. If you show your expertise, users might even tag you in a post and ask for your input.  

Apart from following the rules of a subreddit, learn Reddiquette. Discussions become valuable and healthy when everyone involved are respectful to each other. Be open to criticism and avoid getting into arguments.

4. Improving your craft

You’ll find a lot of subreddits dedicated to improving your craft. This can range from casual writing exercises to community critiques. 

Here are just a few:

Don’t forget to check the sidebar of each community you join. They usually have links to resources, related communities, and posts you will find valuable.

5. Networking and collaboration

Reddit is full of writers just like you. You’ll even find seasoned, successful authors regularly engaging with their audience or hosting AMAs from time to time.

Share tips and resources with them, especially if they’re in the same space as you. Look for opportunities you can collaborate on. You might even find a critique partner to exchange drafts with. 

It’s not just writers too! You’ll find plenty of people who are involved in the publishing industry, whether they’re editors, designers, marketers, or literary agents. They’re expertise is relevant to your journey. You can learn plenty of things about the industry that can bring you a successful and sustainable career.

Conclusion

Reddit is a powerful tool for writers at any stage of their career. By finding the right subreddits, you can find people who appreciate the work you put in and the stories you create. The knowledge, connections, and encouragement you get from these places can be of great help in your journey. 

Just remember to follow the rules and be respectful! The last thing you want is to lose access to your audience and opportunities because you did something foolish.

How do you use Reddit as a writer? Share your thoughts below!

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