Favor Small Subreddits and Disclose the Self-Promo

Favor Small Subreddits and Disclose the Self-Promo is a reddit & forums tactic for getting your first users: Target smaller, friendlier subreddits that tolerate light self-promotion, recommend several resources with yours blended in, and openly admit when you're plugging your own thing to dodge mod removal.

It's a strong fit for Newsletters / media teams, and works especially well for Niche newsletters and tools. As a reddit & forums play, plan for low effort and expect results to arrive at a steady pace, all grounded in 1 linked primary source.

Reddit & forumsLow effortMedium

Why does reddit & forums work for this?

Smaller subs convert better and an honest disclosure disarms both readers and moderators.

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

Frequently asked

What kind of products does the "Favor Small Subreddits and Disclose the Self-Promo" 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 "Favor Small Subreddits and Disclose the Self-Promo" 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 low 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· Fast

Keep the Value On-Platform, Link at the Bottom

Instead of dropping a link to your site or video, paste the full substance directly into a self-post and tuck a small optional link at the very end for people who want more.

Read the steps →
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

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 & forumsMedium effort· Medium

Warm the Account With Karma Before You Ever Promote

Spend time being helpful in 5-10 target subreddits to earn karma and credibility first, then publish a couple of high-value posts with strong, non-promotional titles.

Read the steps →
Reddit & forumsLow effort· Medium

Repurpose Content Excerpts as Reddit Posts With a Soft Read-More CTA

The maker turned excerpts of his newsletter into standalone Reddit posts and, instead of asking people to subscribe, ended with a link inviting them to read more there.

Read the steps →
Reddit & forumsMedium effort· Medium

Build a Waitlist With Reddit Topic Threads Before You Launch

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.

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.