Stephanie G. Mathis What if you were told that there is a social media platform with a large user base and millions of visitors each day? Would you be interested?
What if I said that your music and message would carry you instead of constantly entertaining (looking at Instagram and TikTok), and instead of being controlled based on a curmudgeonly algorithm, it is based on the wants and needs of your community?
It sounds pretty promising, right? It’s true — the platform is right there in front of you.
Reddit is what I’m referring to.
Reddit has a lot to offer, whether it’s music, entrepreneurship, or anything else that you might need to succeed or be entertained.
Reddit really is GOLD for independent musicians. It’s a platform that is untapped and unspoiled, but artists aren’t using it to its full potential.
We’re here to help you navigate Reddit and learn more about your music career. You could spend two more hours on Instagram begging people to pay attention… or you can use those two hours to put yourself in front of millions of possible fans who want to learn about you.
We spoke to Sr. Maria Gironas, former Senior Publicist and Strategic Partner Manager for YouTube, who is the Talent Coordinator at Reddit. She gave us some insight on how independent artists can use Reddit.
We talked about everything, from what Reddit was to how to use it to build a fanbase to which subreddits you should check out. Let’s start!
What is Reddit? How do I use it, and what are the benefits?
The short and simple version. Reddit has its social media platform. Think of it as a giant forum. You can create your own forums, called “subreddits,” or contribute to other people’s.
You can share your original articles, music, or photos. Users can comment and vote on your posts. You’ll receive an upvote if they like your post. You’ll get a downvote if they don’t. This is what determines the number of people who see your content.
This is much more fair if you think about it. The people decide what they want to be shown more of and less. To get started on Reddit, you only need to create an account. Immersing yourself is the fastest way to learn.
Reddit is a community that wraps itself around you. There are many places where people can post links to their music.
What is a Subreddit, you ask? Which one should I join?
A subreddit can be defined as an online community within Reddit. Each subreddit focuses on a particular topic. You could, for example, join the following subreddits:
You can find many more subreddits by searching Reddit using different categories, cities, etc.
What sets Reddit apart from other social media sites?
Reddit is different than other platforms because you’re not there to entertain audiences. As Gironas explains below, you are there to talk directly to people who share your passions. It is not your job to engage constantly but to grow and contribute to a community.
There are many ways to enjoy Reddit!
When you focus less on entertainment and more on the message in the music, it opens a whole new world of possibilities. It’s also a lot more fun.
Gironas says, “There are many ways to enjoy Reddit as an independent musician. Look up your special interests and contribute to the community.” Reddit is different because you aren’t just trying to entertain a crowd but are actually talking to people who care about a variety of subjects.
Start a subreddit for your artist’s project and encourage your fans to join it. Post questions and find moderators to help your community. This is a great way to involve your biggest fans. If you want to get involved, reply to the fans who posted your music. Let them know that there is now a community for your music.”
How can I build a community?
Gironas says, “Read the rules of the subreddit where you’re posting before anything else.” I see it happen often, where people don’t read the rules, and then their posts are taken down for doing something against them (e.g., “I see this happen a lot where people don’t take the time to read them, and their posts get taken down because they did something that was against the rules (e.g. ).
Instead of posting your music directly, interact with the communities that you are passionate about. Reddit is the perfect place to explore your passions. This includes music. Reddit is a great place to share links to your music. But what makes it special is how the community will wrap itself around you.
Before posting, take some time to get to know Reddit.com and the Subreddits that you are interested in. You can interact with existing threads and get an idea of how they work. Then, you can create your own.
What is the best way to get Instagram followers?
Reddit was designed to be its very own platform. I would suggest that you use it to its full potential rather than using it to gain more Instagram followers. Reddit’s advantage is that it works very differently from Instagram.
Yes, this can lead to an increase in Instagram followers.
Reddit has a wealth of knowledge for advice on how to grow your audience. You can follow subreddits such as r/Entrepreneur to get entrepreneurial advice, which can help you to increase your Instagram and music following.
It is possible to make your Instagram username the same as your Reddit username so that people who get to know you will follow you across both platforms. You can also mention other social media handles in your Reddit Bio.
Use Reddit in the manner intended, and people will naturally want to see your profile, and then they can follow you via Instagram.
Do the opposite, too — redirect Instagram users to Reddit if you have a Subreddit dedicated to your music or if there is a thread that’s particularly interesting on Reddit. You’ll grow faster if you have more followers and activity.
Final Thoughts
Reddit remains a resource that is largely underutilized in the music business. It’s, therefore, ripe for expansion. The platform offers a wide range of features that can help musicians grow their fan base faster.
Gironas ends the day by saying, “Have some fun.” On this platform, you’re expected to be yourself. “Dive into all your interests, and prepare to create a community of champions who will support you.”
