One of the most basic rules of growing brand awareness is to meet your potential audience where they already are. This doesn’t just mean joining Instagram (although yes, that’s a great first step). Rather, today we’ll be talking about interest groups – such as Facebook Groups and Reddit. Reddit, the self-proclaimed “front page of the internet” is a web cornerstone that allows people to follow topics instead of people. Its engagement is so enormous, and has been so consistent over time, that Facebook Groups is rumored to have been launched as a competitor.

Let’s say you just launched a specialty product. For the sake of this article, let’s call it a bag of potato chips that has special joint support supplements. Not everybody on the internet cares about joint support, because not everybody has joint pain. This is a perfect opportunity to join forums filled with your target market – perhaps groups for arthritis sufferers, holistic pain management, and other similar niche topics.

Still, it’s not as simple as joining a group, dropping your ad, and leaving. These forums have moderators who will see through your join-advertise-leave strategy. Let’s review.

What are the pros and cons of joining or creating a forum?

Pros:

The benefits of joining or creating a forum are that you will be able to upload content more often, which means you’ll have more chances for people to see it. You’ll also be able to create a big network and interact with others who share your interests. Forums also tend to have a lot of traffic, so that means that you can get in front of more people than if you were using other methods such as Twitter.

Cons:

The downside of joining or creating a forum is that it takes time and effort – it’s not a quick fix to grow your following. It’s also easy to get discouraged when members don’t seem to care about what you’re posting. Forums are also usually only available to those with an interest in the topic – so if you’re trying to reach a broader audience, then it’s not the best choice!

How should you make your first Reddit forum or Facebook group post?

Before you post for the first time on a forum, make sure that you read the rules. It’s also helpful to leave a comment or two before you start posting so that people will be more likely to notice what you’re saying. On Facebook, engaged users have flair by their names to let others know that you’re an active member of the group. Remember to share posts from other members and use the site as an opportunity to learn about new things!

What should you avoid when posting on Reddit?

  • It is best to not post anything that could be seen as spam. Observe the group and engage in a natural way.
  • Do not post anything that has already been posted before.
  • Posting too often will get you marked as a spambot.
  • Don’t post links to your website, e-commerce store, or product.
  • Be sure to follow the rules of the sub you are posting in.

What are the different types of posts that you see on Facebook interest groups?

There are different types of posts that you could see on a forum. There will usually be posts from the members sharing about the topic and how it’s impacting their day-to-day life. There will also be posts with questions from people who are seeking encouragement or advice. Then there will be posts with pictures that offer tutorials on how to do things, questions about how to complete something or other, and so forth. This is dependent on the type of group, and topic.

Is it OK to leave a group after posting?

It’s important to stick around, especially in a private Facebook group, after sharing a promotion. The reasons for this are:

  • Users may have questions
  • If the conversation turns negative after already leaving the group, you won’t be there to stand in defense of your brand or disable comments (on Facebook).
  • Users may want to investigate you and your posting history by clicking your profile. An abandoned profile can impact the trust placed in your brand.

How does forum marketing compare to running paid ads?

They’re completely different strategies. Ads are disclosed to those viewing them, and come at a cost per click. Forum marketing is a tactic that is built around targeted, organic messaging.

One of many examples of a brand using forums to increase their reach is the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) successfully engaging the /r/LosAngeles subReddit. In one particular message, the LAFD asks citizens to be responsible and safe on a night that historically produces many accidents, injuries, and deaths.

The post was highly upvoted and is currently the third most upvoted submission this past year in the Los Angeles subReddit. The post also generated a healthy discussion of almost 150 comments. Considering the LAFD paid no money to reach this audience, I consider this a huge success that other government agencies and social organizations could replicate.

In short, Facebook Groups and Reddit forums offer truly amazing opportunities for marketers, because they allow you to learn new information about your audience, form connections with people that you otherwise wouldn’t have met, and get feedback on your ideas.