How To Promote Music On Reddit

 How To Promote Your Music on Reddit: A Complete Guide

Reddit has long described itself as the "front page of the internet"—and for good reason. Consistently ranked among the top 20 most trafficked websites, Reddit is an appealing platform for musicians looking to promote their work. It’s even ranked higher than Twitter in some cases. However, promoting your music on Reddit isn’t as straightforward as other platforms, and jumping in without a plan can lead to frustration.

There have been inspiring success stories of artists launching their careers on Reddit, such as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. But before you dive in, there’s one golden rule to remember: Don’t rush into Reddit!

Promoting music on Reddit can lead to fantastic results, but only with careful planning and research. We’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide on how to promote your music the right way on Reddit.

What Is Reddit?

Reddit is a massive collection of forums (called "Subreddits") where users submit and view content related to almost any topic imaginable. Music promotion is no exception, with several Subreddits dedicated to it. The content on Reddit is subject to a voting system called "karma"—users can upvote or downvote posts, which impacts how visible the post is to others.

If your post receives a lot of upvotes, it can gain visibility and potentially be seen by millions of users. However, if it’s downvoted, your post can quickly fade into obscurity. This is why promoting music on Reddit requires a thoughtful approach.

Why Promote Music on Reddit?

1. Reddit Is a Democratic Platform

On Reddit, the visibility of your post is based solely on the quality of your content, not on follower count or celebrity status. It’s a forum platform rather than a traditional social media platform, which means your music has just as much chance of being discovered as anyone else's—provided you know how to navigate the community.

2. Reddit Has a Large and Engaged User Base

With Reddit’s huge user base, you can potentially build a dedicated fanbase even if your post only gets a modest number of upvotes. For example, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis hosted an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit to promote their debut album "The Heist." Despite receiving only 2,000 upvotes, the exposure helped their music career gain significant momentum.

How To Promote Music on Reddit

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to promote your music on Reddit:

1. Find the Right Subreddits

The first step is to find the best Subreddits for music promotion. Avoid large Subreddits like r/Music or genre-specific ones like r/hiphopheads, as your post is likely to get buried in the flood of content. Instead, opt for smaller to medium-sized Subreddits dedicated to music promotion. Some examples include:

• r/musicpromotion
• r/thisisourmusic
• r/shamelessplug
• r/listentothis

These communities are designed for users to share and promote music, offering a better chance of visibility.

2. Build a Reputation

This is crucial: Do not immediately start promoting your music. Reddit users value community participation and will quickly dismiss anyone who appears to be there only for self-promotion. Instead, spend time engaging with the community. Comment on posts, offer feedback, and participate in discussions. A good rule of thumb is to make at least 10 regular posts or comments for every self-promotion post.

Building trust within the community is essential if you want users to take your music seriously.

3. Post Your Music the Right Way

When you’re ready to post your music, follow these tips for better engagement:

• Use YouTube: Reddit tends to favor YouTube links because they are embedded directly into the platform, making it easier for users to view. If you have a music video, even better!
• Keep Titles Simple: Avoid sales pitches or over-the-top descriptions. Reddit users prefer straightforward, honest titles. For example, instead of "Check out my amazing new track!", try "New indie track I’ve been working on."
• Post Once Per Subreddit: Don’t spam Subreddits with the same post. You can share your track in multiple Subreddits (e.g., r/listentothis, r/mymusic), but avoid posting the same track multiple times within a single Subreddit.

4. Follow Proper "Reddiquette"

Each Subreddit has its own set of rules, often referred to as "Reddiquette." Failing to follow these rules can get you banned from the community. Always read the rules before posting and stick to the guidelines. Engage with others in the way you’d like them to engage with your content.

Final Thoughts – Promoting Music on Reddit

Reddit can be a powerful tool for music promotion, but it requires a community-first approach. By finding the right Subreddits, building a reputation, and posting your music the right way, you can gain organic exposure and build a loyal fanbase. Just remember to follow the rules of each Subreddit and engage with others respectfully.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to navigate the world of Reddit music promotion and potentially take your career to the next level.