How-To Post Template
How-to posts are the most consistently upvoted content type on Reddit when the advice is specific and actionable. This template helps you share knowledge in a way that feels native to Reddit.
The Template
Title: How to [specific outcome] without [common pain/mistake] — what actually worked for me --- [Context: 1 sentence about why you learned this / what prompted you to figure it out] A lot of guides say [common advice that doesn't work]. That approach [brief reason it failed for you or others]. Here's what actually works: **[Step 1 — clear, specific action]** [2-3 sentences with the specific detail that makes this actionable, not generic] **[Step 2 — clear, specific action]** [Specific detail, ideally with a number or example] **[Step 3 — clear, specific action]** [Specific detail] [Optional: 1-2 more steps] The part most people miss: [one insight that isn't obvious] [Honest caveat: when this doesn't work, or what it won't fix] What's your current approach to [related topic]? Curious if there are better ways I haven't tried.
When to Use This
How-to posts work anytime, but perform best when answering a question you've seen asked repeatedly in the subreddit. Check the past month of posts — if a question comes up 3+ times, you have a proven audience for your answer.
Best Subreddits
Tips for Success
- 1Start with the result, not the process. "How to get your first 100 email subscribers in 30 days" is better than "Email list building guide".
- 2Use numbered steps or bold headings — it signals that your post has structure and is worth reading.
- 3The "part most people miss" section is what actually gets saved and shared. Make it genuinely non-obvious.
- 4Include one honest caveat. It builds trust and prevents defensive comments.
Filled-In Example
Title: How to find 20 warm leads on Reddit every week without getting your posts removed I spend about 2 hours a week finding leads on Reddit for my B2B SaaS. It took a few months to figure out what doesn't get you banned. Most guides say "just engage authentically." That's technically correct but useless as advice. Here's the actual process: **Step 1: Set up keyword alerts for problem language, not product language** Don't search for your product category. Search for the problem. "I hate manually" and "any recommendations for" and "is there a tool that" will find buyers. "project management" will find competitors. **Step 2: Read the full post before commenting** Check the account age of the poster. Sub-60-day accounts are often spam. Read what they actually said — most people comment with generic advice without reading. Your specificity will stand out. **Step 3: Comment the actual answer first, mention your product last (or not at all)** Give the most helpful answer you can without mentioning your product. Then, only if it's genuinely relevant, add one line at the end: "I built something for exactly this if you want to check it out." The part most people miss: the ratio matters. For every comment where you mention your product, have 5-10 comments where you help with no mention. Reddit tracks this. Caveat: this is a slow channel. Don't expect results in week one. How are others approaching Reddit for B2B lead gen? Would love to compare notes.
