Reddit marketing for Online courses and education: where to start

People on Reddit are often learning something new and asking how. They want to know where to start, what is worth paying for and what is a waste of time.

If you teach, you can help right in the thread. A good, free answer is the best sample of your teaching you can give.

What your buyers are asking

These are the kinds of questions that come up again and again. Each one is a chance to be the helpful answer.

• Where do I start learning [skill]?
• Is [course or bootcamp] worth it?
• How long does it take to learn [skill]?
• Free resources for [topic]?
• How did you get your first job after learning [skill]?
• I keep quitting. How do I stay motivated?

Where to look

• r/learnprogramming. Beginners learning to code, with strict rules on promotion.
• r/GetStudying. Students sharing study tips and routines.
• r/productivity. Learning habits and tools.
• Subject communities. Language learning, music, design, finance and many others have their own places.
• r/Teachers. Educators and what they use. Think about what they need, not what you want to sell.

Rules change and every community is different, so read the sidebar and pinned posts before you write anything. Our guide on how to read subreddit rules shows what to check.

What tends to work

• Giving a real study plan in a comment.
• Pointing to free material, including other people's, when it is the best option.
• Being honest about what a course cannot do, like guarantee a job.

What to avoid

• Income promises and job guarantees.
• Using a student's question as a sales lead.
• Posting a course link as an answer.

An example of a good answer

Here is the kind of reply that helps. The product and company in it are made up, and the point is the shape: answer first, reasons next, a short honest note about the connection last.

Question: Where should a complete beginner start learning to draw?

Start with five minutes a day on basic shapes and lines, and do it for two weeks before you buy anything. Free videos and a cheap sketchbook are enough. Most people quit because they start with something too big. I teach drawing for a living, so I am biased, but I would try free material first and only pay once you know you enjoy it. If you want, share a drawing and I will tell you what to practise next.

Post ideas you can use

• A free study plan for a skill you teach.
• A review of free resources, including competitors.
• A post on the most common beginner mistake.
• A realistic timeline for learning something.
• A guide to choosing between courses, with a checklist.

How to tell if it is working

Look at newsletter sign-ups, free lesson starts and enquiries that mention Reddit. Courses have a long decision time, so judge the trend over months. Our guide to measuring Reddit marketing results has the full setup.

Common questions

Can I mention my course in an answer?

Sometimes, with disclosure and only where it truly fits. A free, useful answer should come first.

Are income claims okay?

Avoid them. They are hard to back up and they damage trust fast.

How do I handle someone who says courses are a scam?

Agree where they are right. Many are. Then show what you do differently, without arguing.