Reddit, often dubbed "The Front Page of the Internet," is a powerful yet underutilised platform for marketing, particularly for online career coaches and consultants. With millions of users across countless niche communities. However, subreddits usually have strict rules against self-promotion and spam which can make it challenging to navigate, but there are ways to do it that can send your business to the moon when done correctly.

1. Why Reddit Is a Goldmine for Career Coaches and Consultants

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Reddit is a platform that thrives on community engagement and genuine value. Unlike other social media platforms where blatant advertising is common, Reddit users value authenticity and knowledge sharing. This makes it an ideal platform for career coaches and consultants who have valuable insights to offer.

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By contributing meaningful content, you can build trust and establish yourself as an authority in your field. Reddit also allows you to reach a highly targeted audience, as there are subreddits (communities) dedicated to virtually every topic, including career advice, job searching, resume writing, and more.

2. Creating Your Own Subreddit

One of the most effective ways to market on Reddit is by creating your own subreddit. A subreddit dedicated to your niche allows you to control the conversation, share valuable content, and engage with your audience directly.

Steps to Create a Subreddit:

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Start by identifying a niche that aligns with your expertise. For example, if you specialize in helping recent graduates land their first job, you might create a subreddit called r/[Your Business Name - Free Coaching].

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Create your subreddit by visiting the Reddit homepage, clicking on "Create Community," and following the prompts. Be sure to choose a descriptive name, write a clear and engaging subreddit description, and establish rules that promote constructive discussions.

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Customise the appearance of your subreddit with your personal branding or your business's branding. Quick tip that I like to tell my clients, "people trust people", so don't be afraid to showcase yourself! People will resonate with you more. You can add a banner, choose a colour scheme, and include your logo or even your headshot to create a professional look.

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Add your website to your bio, interested users can then be led directly to your paid offers and more focused lead magnets.

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Before promoting your subreddit, populate it with high-quality content. This could include articles, guides, AMA (Ask Me Anything) threads, repurposed LinkedIn posts, YouTube videos and discussion posts related to your niche. The goal is to make your subreddit a genuinely valuable resource that people want to join and engage with.

3. Posting Free Value

DON'T SELL. People on Reddit hate sellers, so you have to think long term. Here at Konvert our motto is "play long term games, with long term people". The key to successful Reddit marketing is to provide free value upfront. This establishes trust, and authority which positions you as an expert in your field.

Types of Content to Post:

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How-to Guides

Write detailed guides on topics like resume building, interview preparation, or career transitions.

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AMA Sessions (Ask Me Anything)

Host an AMA where you answer questions about career development, offering personalized advice.

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Success Stories

Share case studies or testimonials from clients who have successfully achieved their career goals with your help.

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Industry Insights

Post about trends in the job market, emerging career paths, or skill sets in demand.

By consistently providing valuable content, you'll build a loyal following on your subreddit. As your audience grows, they'll naturally seek out more information about your services.

4. Strategic Self-Promotion Through Alternate Accounts

Direct self-promotion is often banned in most subreddits. However, there is a more subtle way to promote your subreddit and business without violating subreddit rules.

The Strategy:

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Create a separate Reddit account that isn't directly linked to your main business or personal account. This account should appear to be a regular user interested in your niche.

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Use this alternate account to participate in discussions in relevant subreddits like r/jobs, r/careeradvice, or r/resumes. Ensure that your contributions are genuine and add value to the conversation.

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When appropriate, mention your subreddit as a helpful resource. For example, if someone in r/jobs asks about resume advice, your alternate account could comment something like, "I found the r/[Your Business Name - Free Coaching] subreddit really helpful for resume tips and career advice. You might want to check it out!"

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Avoid spamming or excessively promoting your subreddit. Instead, focus on building credibility and trust by engaging in meaningful conversations. Over time, users will naturally become curious about your subreddit and join it.

5. Leveraging SEO for Reddit Marketing

Reddit posts often rank highly in Google search results, especially for long-tail keywords and niche topics. By strategically engaging with these posts, you can increase your visibility and drive traffic to your business.

The SEO Strategy:

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Use Google to search for relevant keywords in your niche, followed by "reddit.com." This will show you Reddit posts that rank well for those keywords. For example, search for "resume writing tips reddit.com" or "how to ace a job interview reddit.com."

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Review the high-ranking posts to understand the content and the type of questions being asked. Look for opportunities where you can provide additional insights or advice.

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With your main account or an alternate account, leave a thoughtful and informative comment on these posts. You might say something like, "Great advice here! As a career coach, I've found that tailoring your resume to each job application can make a huge difference. If you're interested, I run a subreddit called r/[Your Business Name - Free Coaching] where we share more tips like these."

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Your comment should be helpful and relevant, but you can also include a subtle call to action, such as mentioning your subreddit or linking to a relevant post you’ve made there.

By engaging with high-ranking Reddit posts, you can drive targeted traffic to your subreddit and, eventually, to your coaching or consulting business.