HowTheyGotUsersHowTheyGotUsers

Reverse-Engineer Top Posts, Then Post Value With the Link Last

Reverse-Engineer Top Posts, Then Post Value With the Link Last is a reddit & forums tactic for getting your first users: Study what already gets upvoted in a subreddit and model your launch post as a value-first piece that only links your product at the very end.

It's a strong fit for teams of almost any kind, and works especially well for Products with a clear problem/solution story. 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?

Redditors reward genuine value and punish naked sales pitches, so leading with help and burying the CTA earns engagement instead of removal.

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.

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Sources

Works for
Any / universal

Frequently asked

How is the "Reverse-Engineer Top Posts, Then Post Value With the Link Last" 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.

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