HowTheyGotUsersHowTheyGotUsers

Harvest Subscribers From Comments on Already-Hot Posts

Harvest Subscribers From Comments on Already-Hot Posts is a reddit & forums tactic for getting your first users: Instead of grinding out new posts, leave helpful replies on the top comments of posts that are already trending, riding their existing traffic.

It's a strong fit for Newsletters / media teams, and works especially well for Newsletters and audience products. As a reddit & forums play, plan for low effort and expect results to show up quickly, all grounded in 1 linked primary source.

Reddit & forumsLow effortFast

Why does reddit & forums work for this?

A few words on a high-traffic thread can out-earn an entire original post because the audience is already there.

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 "Harvest Subscribers From Comments on Already-Hot Posts" 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 "Harvest Subscribers From Comments on Already-Hot Posts" 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 fast.
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

Pick Subreddits Where Links Already Get Real Discussion

Instead of hunting for subs that 'allow self-promo,' target communities where shared links already get normal, upvoted discussion, ideally niche audiences (artists, AI builders) over generic startup subs.

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 & 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 →
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 →
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

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 →

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