Reddit Post Templates

The most trusted launch format on Reddit. You lead with the community's pain, tell your personal story, then introduce the product as a natural conclusion — not a pitch.

I've been lurking in this sub for [X months/years], and I kept seeing the same thread come up: [describe the recurring problem in 1 sentence].

I tried [approach 1], [approach 2], and even [approach 3]. None of them stuck.

So [timeframe] ago I started building [what you actually built and why].

[Optional: real feedback or early usage, with the timeframe. Omit this if you do not have it yet.]

It's called [Product Name]. It does [one-sentence description of what it does].

A few things I want to be upfront about:
- It's [free / $X/month / free tier + paid]
- It's [early stage / in beta / just launched]
- It does NOT do [thing people might assume]

If you've dealt with [problem], I'd genuinely love to hear whether this solves it for you — or what I'm missing.

[Link]

Borrowed from Hacker News's 'Show HN' format. Short, humble, specific. Works best in r/SideProject, r/IMadeThis, and r/webdev. No pitch, just a builder sharing their work.

I made [Product Name] — [one-sentence description]

[2–3 sentence explanation of the problem it solves]

Built it with [tech stack / no-code tools] over [timeframe].

It's [free / open source / $X]. Here's the link: [URL]

Happy to answer any questions or hear what you think is missing.

Post your launch metrics immediately after going live. Real numbers — even small ones — outperform any marketing copy. Vulnerability + specificity = trust.

Launched [Product Name] [X hours/days] ago. Here's what actually happened (I will not promote):

The numbers:
- [X] visitors
- [X] signups / installs
- [X] paying customers
- [X] churned already (yes, already)

What surprised me:
- [Unexpected thing 1]
- [Unexpected thing 2]

What I got wrong:
- [Mistake 1]
- [Mistake 2]

What's working:
- [Thing that worked]

For context, I built [Product Name]: [one-sentence description]. [Include a relevant link only where the community permits it; otherwise omit it.]

Happy to answer anything — especially if you've launched before and recognize any of these patterns.

The most engagement-generating feedback format on Reddit. You explicitly invite brutal honesty, which signals confidence and earns respect. High comment volume = high visibility.

I've been working on [Product Name] for [timeframe] and I think I might be too close to it.

What it does: [one-sentence description]
Who it's for: [target audience]
Current status: [beta / launched / X paying users]

I need you to roast it. Not polite feedback — actual roasting.

Specifically, I want to know:
1. Does the value proposition make sense in 5 seconds?
2. What's the most obvious thing I'm missing?
3. Who would you NOT recommend this to, and why?

[Link to product / landing page]

I'll respond to every comment. Genuinely.

Ask Reddit to tell you what your landing page communicates in 5 seconds. This format generates high-quality, actionable feedback and positions you as a thoughtful builder.

I'd love a 5-second test on my landing page.

Here's the ask: Visit [URL], spend 5 seconds, then close the tab and answer:

1. What does this product do?
2. Who is it for?
3. Would you trust it with your [email / credit card / data]?

Context (read AFTER you answer):
- [Product Name] helps [target audience] do [outcome]
- I've been working on it for [timeframe]
- [X] people have signed up so far

I'm trying to figure out if the messaging is clear before I spend money on ads. Honest answers only — even if it's "I have no idea what this does."

Pricing questions generate strong opinions on Reddit. This template frames the question as a genuine dilemma, not a sales pitch, and invites the community to help you think through it.

I'm trying to figure out pricing for [Product Name] and I think I'm undercharging. Looking for a gut check.

What it does: [one-sentence description]
Current price: [current price]
What I'm considering: [new price]

My reasoning for raising it:
- [Reason 1: e.g. competitors charge $X]
- [Reason 2: e.g. saves users X hours/month]
- [Reason 3: e.g. churn is low, suggesting high value]

What's holding me back:
- [Concern: e.g. I don't want to alienate early users]
- [Concern: e.g. I'm not sure the market will bear it]

For context: [X] paying customers, [X]% monthly churn, [X] months old.

Has anyone navigated a price increase like this? What would you do?

Offer limited free access in exchange for feedback. The scarcity creates urgency, the free offer reduces friction, and the feedback ask makes it feel collaborative rather than promotional.

I'm opening [X] free spots for [Product Name] in exchange for honest feedback.

What it does: [one-sentence description]
Who it's for: [specific target audience]
What stage it's at: [early beta / MVP / soft launch]

What I need from you:
- Use it for [X days/week]
- Tell me what's broken, confusing, or missing
- Optional: 15-minute call if you want to go deeper

What you get:
- Free access during beta
- [Lifetime discount / free tier / early adopter pricing] when we launch
- Your feedback will directly shape the product

To claim a spot: [comment below / DM me / fill out this form: URL]

I'll prioritize people who [are dealing with X problem / work in X industry / have tried Y alternatives].

The most sustainable Reddit promotion strategy. Answer a question comprehensively, list multiple options, and mention your tool as one of them — not the only one. Credibility first, product second.

Great question — I've dealt with this exact problem.

Here are the options I've seen work:

**Option 1: [Free/manual approach]**
[2–3 sentences explaining how this works and when it's best]

**Option 2: [Established tool]**
[2–3 sentences explaining how this works and when it's best]

**Option 3: [Your Product Name]** (full disclosure: I built this)
[2–3 sentences explaining how it works and when it's best — same format as others]

**What I'd recommend:**
Depends on [key variable]. If you're [situation A], go with Option 1. If you're [situation B] and want to automate it, Option 3 might save you time.

Happy to answer follow-up questions about any of these.

Share a genuinely useful resource (checklist, guide, template) and mention your product only at the end as an optional next step. The resource does the selling.

I've been [doing X] for [timeframe] and I put together a [checklist / guide / template] that's saved me a lot of time.

Sharing it here because I see this question come up a lot.

**[Resource Title]**

1. [Step or item 1] — [brief explanation]
2. [Step or item 2] — [brief explanation]
3. [Step or item 3] — [brief explanation]
4. [Step or item 4] — [brief explanation]
5. [Step or item 5] — [brief explanation]

[Continue for 5–10 items total]

---

If you want this as a [PDF / Notion template / spreadsheet], I put it on [URL].

For context: I built [Product Name] which automates some of this — but the checklist works fine without it. Just wanted to share the framework regardless.

When someone asks for tool recommendations, this is your moment. But only if you follow the rules: disclose your affiliation, give context, and don't oversell.

I've tried a few options for this.

For [use case A], [Tool 1] worked well because [specific reason].

For [use case B] — which sounds more like what you're describing — I ended up building my own tool called [Product Name] (disclaimer: I'm the founder). It handles [specific feature] differently than the others because [genuine differentiator].

That said, if you're just starting out, [free alternative] is worth trying first before paying for anything.

What's your current setup? That might help narrow it down.

The most trusted format in r/buildinpublic. Share your actual metrics every month — even when they're bad. Consistency and honesty build a following that converts.

[Product Name] — [Month] Update

**The numbers:**
- MRR: $[X] ([+/-X]% from last month)
- Users: [X] ([+/-X] new)
- Churn: [X]%
- Biggest customer: [industry/size, not name]

**What I shipped:**
- [Feature 1]
- [Feature 2]
- [Bug fix / improvement]

**What I learned:**
- [Lesson 1 — something that surprised you]
- [Lesson 2 — something that changed your thinking]

**What I got wrong:**
- [Honest mistake — this is the most-read section]

**Next month:**
- [Goal 1]
- [Goal 2]

---

[1–2 sentences of personal reflection — how you're feeling about the journey]

If you're building something too, drop a link below — happy to give feedback.

Milestone posts are the highest-performing format in r/buildinpublic. The key is specificity and emotional honesty — share the feeling, not just the number.

[Milestone: e.g. "Just got my first paying customer. It's $[X]/month and I almost cried."]

Context: I've been building [Product Name] for [X months]. It [one-sentence description].

The backstory:
[2–3 sentences about the journey — what made this milestone feel significant]

What actually led to this:
- [Specific action 1 — e.g. "Posted in r/SaaS three times before anyone noticed"]
- [Specific action 2 — e.g. "Switched from annual to monthly pricing"]
- [Specific action 3 — e.g. "Stopped building features and started talking to users"]

What I'd tell myself 3 months ago:
[1–2 sentences of genuine advice]

Next milestone: [X]

If you're pre-revenue right now — keep going. The first one is the hardest.

Failure posts consistently outperform success posts on Reddit. Vulnerability + specific lessons = high engagement. This is the most underused format by founders.

I'm shutting down [Product Name]. Here's what actually went wrong.

The stats:
- Built for: [X months]
- Peak MRR: $[X]
- Total revenue: $[X]
- Reason for shutting down: [honest 1-sentence reason]

What I thought would happen vs. what actually happened:

**I thought:** [Assumption 1]
**What happened:** [Reality 1]

**I thought:** [Assumption 2]
**What happened:** [Reality 2]

**I thought:** [Assumption 3]
**What happened:** [Reality 3]

The real mistake (the one I didn't want to admit):
[1–2 sentences of genuine self-reflection]

What I'd do differently:
1. [Lesson 1]
2. [Lesson 2]
3. [Lesson 3]

What's next: [brief mention of what you're doing now, or that you're taking a break]

If you're building something and recognize any of these patterns — ask me anything.

Pivots are high-engagement posts because they signal self-awareness and courage. Frame it as a learning, not a failure, and invite the community to weigh in on the new direction.

I'm pivoting [Product Name]. Here's why.

**What I built:** [original description]
**Who I thought it was for:** [original target audience]
**What I discovered:** [the insight that changed everything]

The signal I kept ignoring:
[2–3 sentences about the data or feedback that pointed toward the pivot — be specific]

What I'm pivoting to:
[New direction — 2–3 sentences]

Why I think this is better:
- [Reason 1 — ideally backed by data]
- [Reason 2]
- [Reason 3]

What I'm not sure about:
- [Genuine uncertainty 1]
- [Genuine uncertainty 2]

I'm sharing this because I'd rather be wrong in public than wrong in private.

If you've pivoted before — what did you wish you'd known?

Share a specific process or achievement with enough detail that someone could replicate it. The more specific and actionable, the higher the upvotes.

How I [achieved specific outcome] — step by step (with actual numbers)

Background: [1–2 sentences of context — who you are and why you're qualified to share this]

**The result:** [specific outcome with numbers]

**Step 1: [Step name]**
[3–4 sentences explaining what you did, why, and what happened]

**Step 2: [Step name]**
[3–4 sentences explaining what you did, why, and what happened]

**Step 3: [Step name]**
[3–4 sentences explaining what you did, why, and what happened]

**Step 4: [Step name]**
[3–4 sentences explaining what you did, why, and what happened]

**What I'd skip if I did it again:**
[1–2 sentences — this is highly shareable]

**What surprised me:**
[1–2 sentences — this drives comments]

Happy to go deeper on any of these steps in the comments.

Original research or data analysis consistently tops Reddit feeds. You don't need a big dataset — even 50 data points with genuine analysis outperforms most posts.

I analyzed [X] [data points] and found something surprising.

**Background:** [Why you did this analysis — 1–2 sentences]

**What I looked at:** [X] [data points] from [source/context]

**The findings:**

1. [Finding 1 — with specific number]
   [2–3 sentences of explanation]

2. [Finding 2 — with specific number]
   [2–3 sentences of explanation]

3. [Finding 3 — with specific number]
   [2–3 sentences of explanation]

**The finding that surprised me most:**
[1–2 sentences — this is the most-commented section]

**What this means practically:**
[2–3 actionable takeaways]

**Caveats:**
- [Limitation 1 — acknowledging limitations builds credibility]
- [Limitation 2]

Raw data available if anyone wants to dig deeper.

AMAs work when you have a specific, credible achievement to anchor them. Lead with your most impressive credential, then open the floor. The more specific your credential, the better.

AMA: I'm the founder of [Product Name]. [Specific credential — e.g. "$1M ARR in 18 months", "bootstrapped to exit", "5 years building in [niche]"].

**Background:**
- [Credential 1 — most impressive first]
- [Credential 2]
- [Credential 3]

**What I can talk about:**
- [Topic 1 — e.g. "How I got the first 100 customers without ads"]
- [Topic 2 — e.g. "What I'd do differently if I started today"]
- [Topic 3 — e.g. "The mistakes that almost killed the company"]
- [Topic 4 — e.g. "Pricing, churn, and retention"]

**What I can't help with:**
- [Honest limitation — e.g. "Fundraising — I'm bootstrapped"]
- [Honest limitation]

I'll be here for [X hours] answering everything. No PR answers — I'll tell you what actually happened.

Start asking.

You don't need a product to run an AMA. Deep expertise in a specific topic drives high-quality questions and positions you as a trusted voice in the community.

AMA: I've been [specific activity] for [X years]. Ask me anything.

**What I've done:**
- [Specific achievement 1 with numbers]
- [Specific achievement 2 with numbers]
- [Specific achievement 3 with numbers]

**Why I'm doing this:**
[1–2 sentences — honest reason. "I want to give back" is fine if it's true. "I'm promoting my product" is also fine if you're transparent.]

**Topics I can go deep on:**
- [Topic 1]
- [Topic 2]
- [Topic 3]

**What I'll be honest about not knowing:**
- [Honest gap 1]
- [Honest gap 2]

I'll answer everything for the next [X hours]. Stupid questions welcome — they're usually the most interesting.

Comparison posts earn trust because they acknowledge tradeoffs. The key is genuine testing and honest conclusions — including recommending a competitor when it's the right choice.

I spent [X weeks/months] testing [Tool A], [Tool B], and [Tool C] for [specific use case]. Here's what I actually found.

**My setup:** [brief context — team size, use case, budget]

---

**[Tool A]**
✅ Best for: [specific scenario]
❌ Not great for: [specific scenario]
💰 Price: [pricing]
⭐ My rating: [X/10]

[2–3 sentences of honest assessment]

---

**[Tool B]**
✅ Best for: [specific scenario]
❌ Not great for: [specific scenario]
💰 Price: [pricing]
⭐ My rating: [X/10]

[2–3 sentences of honest assessment]

---

**[Tool C]** *(full disclosure: I built this)*
✅ Best for: [specific scenario]
❌ Not great for: [specific scenario]
💰 Price: [pricing]
⭐ My rating: [X/10]

[2–3 sentences of honest assessment]

---

**My recommendation:**
- If you're [situation A]: use [Tool A or B]
- If you're [situation B]: [Tool C] might be worth trying

**What I'd want to know before choosing:**
[1–2 questions that determine which tool is right]

Happy to answer specifics about any of these.

Contrarian posts are the highest-engagement format on Reddit when done right. The key is genuine disagreement backed by specific evidence — not just being provocative for clicks.

[Provocative statement that challenges conventional wisdom]

I know this is going to be unpopular in this sub. But after [specific experience that qualifies you to say this], I think [conventional wisdom] is wrong — or at least, wrong for most people.

**The conventional wisdom:**
[1–2 sentences stating what most people believe]

**Why I disagree:**
[3–4 sentences of your actual argument — backed by specific experience or data]

**The evidence that changed my mind:**
- [Specific data point or experience 1]
- [Specific data point or experience 2]
- [Specific data point or experience 3]

**Where the conventional wisdom IS right:**
[1–2 sentences — acknowledging when the other side is correct makes your argument more credible]

**My actual recommendation:**
[What you'd do instead — be specific]

I'm genuinely open to being wrong here. What am I missing?