How to Make a Post on Reddit: A Redditor’s Masterclass

So, you’re ready to dive into the vortex of Reddit and contribute to the swirling mass of memes, discussions, and cat pictures? Excellent choice! While the interface might seem daunting at first, posting on Reddit is actually quite straightforward. Let’s break it down.

How to Make a Post on Reddit:

Navigate to your desired subreddit: First, decide where you want your wisdom (or witty observation) to reside. Go to the subreddit’s page (e.g., r/aww for adorable animals, r/AskReddit for questions). You can search for subreddits using the search bar at the top of the Reddit page.
Find the “Create Post” button: On the subreddit’s main page, you’ll typically see a prominent button labeled “Create Post”. It might also appear as a pencil icon, especially on mobile. Click it.
Choose your post type: Reddit offers various post formats:
- Post: For text-based discussions, questions, or sharing experiences.
- Image & Video: For uploading media directly.
- Link: For sharing URLs to external articles, videos, or websites.
- Poll: For creating simple polls with multiple-choice options.
- Talk: (Relatively new feature) – Start a live audio conversation within the subreddit.
Craft your title: This is crucial. Your title is the bait that lures other Redditors in. Make it compelling, informative, and relevant to the subreddit. Avoid clickbait titles that don’t deliver on their promise; Redditors despise that.
Add your content: The specifics depend on the post type:
- Post: Type your text into the provided text editor. You can use Markdown for formatting (bold, italics, lists, etc.). Learn a few basic Markdown commands; they’ll elevate your Reddit game.
- Image & Video: Upload your media file from your computer or mobile device. Make sure it adheres to the subreddit’s rules regarding file size and content.
- Link: Paste the URL you want to share into the designated field. Reddit will often automatically generate a thumbnail for the link.
- Poll: Write your question and provide the answer options.
- Talk: Define the title and topic of the talk.
Choose a flair (if required): Some subreddits require or encourage you to assign a flair to your post. Flairs are tags that categorize your post and help users filter content. Select the appropriate flair from the drop-down menu (if available).
Review the subreddit rules: Before you post, double-check the subreddit’s rules in the sidebar (or the “About” section on mobile). Breaking the rules can lead to your post being removed or even a ban.
Hit “Post”: Once you’re satisfied, click the “Post” button. Your post will now be live on the subreddit.
Engage with comments: After posting, stick around and respond to comments. This is how you build karma and become a respected member of the community. Upvote insightful or funny comments, and downvote those that are irrelevant or disrespectful.

Mastering the Art of Reddit Posting

While the steps above outline the technical process, becoming a successful Reddit poster involves more than just clicking buttons. Here are a few tips to consider:

Understanding Subreddit Culture

Each subreddit has its own unique culture, norms, and inside jokes. Before posting, lurk for a while (observe the existing posts and comments) to get a feel for the community. What kind of content is popular? What kind of humor is appreciated? What topics are off-limits?

Crafting Engaging Titles

As mentioned earlier, your title is paramount. A good title is:

Clear: It accurately reflects the content of your post.
Concise: It gets to the point quickly.
Intriguing: It makes people want to click and learn more.
Relevant: It’s specific to the subreddit’s topic.

Following Reddiquette

Reddiquette is the informal code of conduct for Reddit. It emphasizes respect, civility, and contributing constructively to the community. Some key aspects of Reddiquette include:

Treat others with respect: Avoid personal attacks, insults, or harassment.
Upvote quality content: Reward posts and comments that are informative, insightful, or funny.
Downvote irrelevant or offensive content: Help keep the subreddit clean and focused.
Don’t spam: Avoid posting the same content repeatedly or advertising without permission.
Cite your sources: Give credit where credit is due.

Optimizing Your Content

Use Markdown effectively: Mastering Markdown allows you to format your text for readability and impact. Use bolding, italics, lists, and headings to structure your content logically.
Proofread carefully: Typos and grammatical errors can detract from your credibility. Take the time to proofread your post before submitting it.
Consider visual appeal: If you’re posting an image or video, make sure it’s high-quality and visually appealing.

Reddit Posting FAQs

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to address common concerns and help you navigate the world of Reddit posting:

1. What is Karma and Why Does it Matter?

Karma is Reddit’s system for measuring your contributions to the community. You earn karma by receiving upvotes on your posts and comments. While karma doesn’t have any practical value (like money), it’s a social currency that reflects your reputation within the Reddit community. Some subreddits have minimum karma requirements for posting or commenting.

2. What’s the Difference Between Upvotes and Downvotes?

Upvotes are used to show appreciation for posts and comments that are informative, entertaining, or relevant. Downvotes are used to indicate that content is irrelevant, offensive, or of low quality. The ratio of upvotes to downvotes is a good indicator of how well your post is being received.

3. How Do I Format Text Using Markdown?

Markdown is a simple markup language that allows you to format text using special characters. Some common Markdown commands include:

*italic* – italic
**bold** – bold
# Heading 1 – Heading 1
## Heading 2 – Heading 2
- List item – List item
[Link text](URL) – Link text

4. Why Was My Post Removed?

Posts can be removed for violating the subreddit’s rules, violating Reddiquette, or being considered spam. If your post was removed, you should receive a message from the moderators explaining the reason. Read the message carefully and learn from your mistake.

5. How Do I Find Subreddits Related to My Interests?

Use the search bar at the top of the Reddit page to search for keywords related to your interests. You can also browse the “Popular” or “All” sections to discover new subreddits.

6. Can I Edit My Post After Submitting It?

You can edit the text of a text post after submitting it, but you cannot edit the title or the URL of a link post.

7. How Do I Delete My Post?

To delete your post, click the “…” button below the post and select “Delete”. Be aware that deleting a post removes it from the subreddit, but it may still be archived elsewhere.

8. What is a Shadowban?

A shadowban is a type of ban that prevents you from posting or commenting on Reddit without your knowledge. Your posts and comments will appear to you, but they will not be visible to other users. This is usually done to combat spam.

9. How Do I Report a Post or Comment?

To report a post or comment, click the “…” button below the post or comment and select “Report”. Choose the reason for the report from the drop-down menu.

10. What are Subreddit Moderators?

Subreddit moderators are volunteers who are responsible for enforcing the rules of a subreddit and keeping it running smoothly. They have the power to remove posts, ban users, and make other decisions about the subreddit’s content.

11. How Do I Become a Subreddit Moderator?

Moderators are typically appointed by the creator of the subreddit or by other moderators. If you’re interested in becoming a moderator, you can contact the existing moderators and express your interest.

12. Can I Post Anonymously on Reddit?

While Reddit accounts don’t require personal information, your posting history is tied to your account. To achieve greater anonymity, consider using a throwaway account (a temporary account created for a specific purpose) or using a VPN. However, remember that even with these precautions, complete anonymity online is difficult to guarantee. Always exercise caution and be mindful of the information you share.

By following these guidelines and understanding the nuances of Reddit culture, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a respected and contributing member of the Reddit community. Now go forth and Reddit!