How to Use Reddit to Bring More Leads to Your Local Business

When searching on Google for anything now, there is a Reddit post that can answer your question. From product/service reviews to recipes to DIY advice, Reddit is the place to go to get a human perspective on the topic of choice.

Internet users are seeking more diverse and informative search results and while Google offers a wealth of information, there is a growing desire for search engines to provide more personalized and insightful responses, going beyond simple product reviews and generic overviews. To achieve this, users are adding “reddit” to the end of their queries because they want to read real responses from actual people.

Now, marketers and business owners are trying to find ways to use this trend to help grow their businesses. There are endless discussions of Reddit’s relevance in search results and lots of content on using it to grow B2B brands. The buzz around using Reddit to acquire leads doesn’t just apply to Saas or e-commerce businesses.

Local multi-location businesses should also be using this channel to tap into their target audience because of the increased visibility, the opportunity to showcase expertise, and the ability to build a good brand image.

Why Should a Local Business Care About Reddit?

While growth and tactics for local businesses vary from B2B and e-commerce ones, the goal is to be visible where your potential customers are. That means diversifying your channels and not putting your eggs all in one basket.

Visibility in Search Results

With a simple local search like “window installation Los Angeles,” we see discussions and forums in the SERPs. Google is showing users Reddit posts where people are looking for recommendations from actual people on who to hire to install their windows.

Aside from trying to get your local business’s site to rank for the target keyword, you have another opportunity to convince potential customers to choose you by showing up in these forums.

Another search for “car accident lawyer Miami,” returns a “What people are saying” carousel.

This is another way users can navigate to Reddit from a keyword with local intent. A person doesn’t have to be a Reddit user or even have an account to read the information if they choose to click on Reddit in the SERPs.

Local businesses can show up in the SERP both with their website and through results like these for their target keywords. It increases their chances of being visible to potential customers.

Showcase Expertise

Reddit presents another opportunity for local businesses to showcase their expertise on social media. While TikTok might be best for businesses that heavily rely on visual content, (for example, beauty services, catering businesses, etc), and Facebook is better suited for more mature audiences, Reddit is the channel that can put all types of local businesses in front of their audience.

You can likely find a ‘subreddit’ - a specific group of posts from a niche community - for anything relevant to a local business. Whether it’s a subreddit for a city, state, region, or a specific industry, these are the places where one can share their knowledge with a relevant audience. People are asking for advice or looking to read how-to or best practices content.

For example, a window installation business could focus on being active in their respective locations’ subreddits as well as window or home-related ones. The subreddits r/HomeImprovement and r/Renovations would be great places to offer informational content to users. Rather than simply sharing DIY advice, like how to properly measure windows, on your blog, you can share to these subreddits where people would find this information useful.

Another great aspect of using Reddit as a multi-location business is that there could even be a dedicated subreddit for it already! You might already have a community of people discussing your products and services.

Local businesses should be using these subreddits as their shot at proving themselves to be the knowledgeable experts they are. It’s another way to earn trust and let potential customers know that your business is credible.

Build Your Brand Image

Another aspect of using Reddit is that you can build your brand image. By actively engaging with people in your community, you’re building relationships with them and showing that you’re trustworthy.

Reddit isn’t being widely used in local marketing right now. By showing that you care, you’ll be on your way to becoming a local favorite. The focus must be on being helpful and genuine with every response and post. With multi-location businesses, you can unify the image you’d like to portray and set a standard for customer service across locations.

By going the extra mile by responding to questions and posting relevant content, you’ll show that you’re the brand that cares and is ready to provide a solution.

Rules of Reddit

Before you get started with using Reddit, there are a few ground rules:

1. Read each subreddit's rules: Each subreddit operates as its own community with specific rules and etiquette beyond just Reddit’s Terms of Service. Read the sidebar and read the pinned posts to know what’s allowed and what's not.

2. Don’t be overly promotional: Give more than you take. Make sure that each post or comment isn’t just self-promo, that’s a quick way to build a negative reputation and get banned. Focus on offering insights and value first, and where it’s relevant, you can mention your services.

3. Be authentic: While using a brand Reddit account, ensure you’re interacting with others as a person. People go to Reddit for real experiences and advice, so share your expertise in a relatable way.

4. Get started by commenting: Before publishing blog posts on Reddit, be a user in a subreddit first. Establish credibility and build Karma. Position yourself as an active and valuable community member rather than just a business trying to sell you something.

5. Acknowledge feedback: Redditors will downvote your posts or responses and give you feedback if they think you need to hear it. Don’t be deterred by it; instead, respond just like you would if this were a negative GBP review.

Reddit’s strict rules on not being overly promotional encourages local businesses to show their expertise and create content for people (which should always be the goal).

Focus on educating others with the content you share, and let the mentions of your business/services come naturally.

Creating Your Local Business’ Reddit Account

• Use your business logo as your profile picture

• Connect all social media channels to your profile

• Link to your website

• Write a brief bio that lets people know who you are and what you offer

How to Use Reddit as a Local Business (and bring in more leads!)

Reddit is a platform that rewards authenticity, transparency, and value. By strategically participating in local and industry-specific subreddits, listening to your audience, hosting interactive sessions, and even building a community, you can unlock Reddit’s potential to bring in more leads for your local business.

1. Providing value in local and industry-specific subreddits

We recommend that you get started with commenting. First, find out where your audience is. Look for subreddits dedicated to your area and for ones dedicated to your industry.

An example would be r/AskLosAngeles if one of your locations is based in Los Angeles or r/Plumbing if you’re a plumbing or home services business.

Once you’ve found the right communities, focus on engaging by commenting on existing posts. Answer questions, provide tips, or participate in discussions to establish your credibility. Avoid being overly promotional, your goal is to add genuine value and build trust.

By offering helpful insights or sharing your expertise, you naturally position yourself as a knowledgeable and respected member of the community. Over time, this approach can increase visibility and even attract potential customers.

2. Use it for social listening and research

Reddit is a goldmine for understanding customer needs, preferences, and pain points. Use it to inform your business decisions and improve your offerings.

• Monitor local and industry trends: Respond to recurring questions and popular threads in relevant subreddits. These can tell you what your audience cares about the most.

• Discover paint points: Look for posts or comments where users vent their frustrations or ask for solutions related to your industry. Maybe people are mentioning issues they’ve encountered with a competitor. Use these insights to refine your services, products, or customer service.

• Identify content gaps: If Redditors are continuously asking the same questions, consider creating content that addresses these topics. (And use this content across other channels).

3. Host AMAs

An AMA or “Ask Me Anything” is a great way to establish authority and engage directly with your community. In the screenshot below, a plumber hosted an AMA on r/IAmA where people frequently share their experiences in their respective fields.

This plumber made their AMA to help answer people’s plumbing questions during the holiday season. There wasn’t a hard sell; it was just actionable advice to those who requested it. When getting started with an AMA, keep a few things in mind:

• Pick the right subreddit: Choose a subreddit where your expertise aligns with the audience’s interests. For example, a local florist might host an AMA on r/gardening or r/YourCityName. Or you can keep things broad and use r/IAmA.

• Promote the AMA in advance: Announce your AMA a few days before to generate interest. Share your credentials and what topics you’ll cover.

• Engage during the session: Answer questions thoughtfully and honestly. This is your chance to connect directly with potential customers and showcase your knowledge.

4. Create a branded subreddit

Consider starting a branded subreddit to foster a dedicated community. This can be a great way for multi-location businesses to keep a consistent brand image and customer experience.

For example, r/EquinoxGyms is run by its members who want to discuss Equinox. In this vibrant community of fans of Equinox Gyms, people share the gym rules, announcements, reviews of different locations, classes, instructors, and more. This is all valuable information to current customers and those interested in an Equinox membership. This subreddit specifically has community chat channels for popular locations as well.

Clearly, there is a demand for this information about Equinox, and no shortage of people willing to share content about the brand. This presents an opportunity for Equinox to participate here and create its own subreddit to share announcements and answer questions easily.

If you’re a multi-location business that’s interested in creating a subreddit to represent your brand, consider the following:

• Define the purpose: Use your subreddit as a space for customers to ask questions, share experiences, or participate in discussions related to your business.

• Encourage user-generated content: Invite users to post reviews, photos, or stories about their experiences with your brand. For example, a gym brand could have members share workout tips or pictures of their progress.

• Moderate actively: Ensure your subreddit remains a positive and useful space by moderating posts and encouraging constructive discussions.

Understand That You’re Playing the Long Game

You won’t gain a ton of leads overnight from Reddit. Using Reddit for your business should be seen as an investment. Building an account that is trusted and valued on the subreddits you choose takes time.

While results may take time, the long-term benefits of increased visibility, improved brand image, and meaningful connections with potential customers make Reddit an invaluable tool for local businesses willing to invest in the platform. Focus on providing genuine value, stay consistent, and watch as your presence grows into a trusted resource for your audience.