HowTheyGotUsersHowTheyGotUsers

Build a Waitlist With Reddit Topic Threads Before You Launch

Build a Waitlist With Reddit Topic Threads Before You Launch is a reddit & forums tactic for getting your first users: Before the YouTube channel even existed, post threads in relevant subreddits announcing what you plan to make and asking for topic suggestions, then collect those people and email them when content drops.

It's a strong fit for Newsletters / media teams, and works especially well for Creators, audience-first products. As a reddit & forums play, plan for medium effort and expect results to arrive at a steady pace, all grounded in 1 linked primary source.

Reddit & forumsMedium effortMedium

Why does reddit & forums work for this?

Asking for input gets people invested before launch, so the first email converts at high rates (netted ~300 subs).

The exact steps (4)

The full step-by-step this founder ran, what they posted, where, and in what order, plus the watch-outs, is part of the library.

Unlock the steps · $29 oncePlus all 3,000+ tactics and the new ones we add weekly.

Sources

Works for
Newsletters / media

Frequently asked

What kind of products does the "Build a Waitlist With Reddit Topic Threads Before You Launch" tactic work for?
It is a good fit for Newsletters / media — pick it when your product looks like that, since the play is shaped around how those users find new tools.
How is the "Build a Waitlist With Reddit Topic Threads Before You Launch" tactic verified?
It is drawn from 1 primary source — a real founder write-up or interview, not generic advice. It is linked in the Sources section above so you can read the original account yourself.
How much effort is it and how fast are results?
It is medium effort, and results tend to be medium.
Where can I see the exact step-by-step?
The full step-by-step a founder ran, documented via Source — IndieHackers, is in the paid library.

Related tactics

Reddit & forumsMedium effort· Medium

Answer Real Questions in Niche Subreddits With Your Link as the Fix

Posting genuinely helpful comments in subreddits where your exact audience lives and including your site as the recommended solution; one founder reported 2,000 subscribers in six weeks doing this in side-hustle subreddits.

Read the steps →
Reddit & forumsMedium effort· Medium

Clone Top Subreddit Posts and Bury the CTA at the Bottom

Repackage your own free content into a clickbait-titled value post that mimics the subreddit's all-time top posts, and slip the subscribe link only at the very end or in a comment.

Read the steps →
Reddit & forumsMedium effort· Medium

Repurpose Newsletter Stories as Native Reddit Case Studies

Turn the best stories and case studies from your newsletter into standalone Reddit posts in topically matched subreddits, funneling readers into subscribing.

Read the steps →
Reddit & forumsLow effort· Fast

Bury the Subscribe Link at the Very End

Deliver the entire valuable post with no pitch, then place a single soft, casual subscribe line only at the bottom for readers who already enjoyed it.

Read the steps →
Reddit & forumsMedium effort· Medium

Post Value, Not Links, and Space Posts a Week Apart

To avoid being flagged as a spammer, post something the community values (a free tool, tutorial, or media coverage link) instead of a blog/Twitter promo, post only once per community, and wait about a week before posting elsewhere.

Read the steps →
Reddit & forumsLow effort· Medium

Repost a Condensed Version Natively, Link at the Bottom

Instead of dropping a bare link, paste a shortened, self-contained version of your blog post directly into the subreddit and add the link only for readers who want the full piece.

Read the steps →

Get all 3,000+ tactics in one place

Filter by your product and channel, follow the exact steps, and get the new tactics we add every week. One payment, yours for good.

Unlock for $29 onceBrowse by channel