Launch templateLaunch posts
Reddit launch post template
Reddit is a collection of communities, each with its own rules on self-promotion, links and flair. Reddit's sitewide content policy asks you to post authentic content in communities where you have a personal interest, and bans vote manipulation. A launch post that survives reads like a build story with a link at the end, in a subreddit that allows it.
Use it for
- Subreddits that explicitly allow project or launch posts.
- Communities you've already taken part in.
- Story-driven launches: what you built, what you learned.
Limits and rules
- Reddit's content policy: post authentic content where you have a personal interest; no spam or vote manipulation.[1]
- Every subreddit sets its own rules. Many ban links in posts, require flair, limit self-promotion to certain days, or remove posts from new accounts.
The template
Copy it, then replace everything in [BRACKETS]. Delete lines that don't apply rather than leaving them vague.
BEFORE YOU POST - check the subreddit's rules: [ ] Self-promotion allowed? On which days / in which thread? [ ] Links allowed in the post body, or only in comments? [ ] Required flair? [ ] Account age or karma minimums? [ ] Have I taken part here before (comments, answers)? TITLE: [WHAT YOU BUILT] to solve [PROBLEM] - [WHAT YOU LEARNED OR A NUMBER YOU CAN BACK UP] BODY: [1-2 SENTENCES: THE PROBLEM, IN THIS COMMUNITY'S LANGUAGE] What I tried first: [WORKAROUNDS AND WHY THEY FAILED] What I built: [PRODUCT], which [WHAT IT DOES]. [SCREENSHOT OR GIF IF ALLOWED] What I learned building it: - [LESSON 1] - [LESSON 2] It's [FREE / PRICE]. [LINK - OR "link in comments" IF THE RULES SAY SO] I'd really like feedback on [SPECIFIC QUESTION]. Happy to answer anything about how it works.
How to fill it in
[THIS COMMUNITY'S LANGUAGE]
Use the words people in the subreddit use for the problem.
[WHAT YOU LEARNED]
The lessons are the value for readers who'll never use the product.
[LINK]
Follow the rules exactly: some subs want links only in comments.
Filled example
Fictional example. Paperlark is a fictional product we made up for these examples: an invoice-reminder tool for freelancers that sends polite follow-ups when a client pays late. Names, prices and details are invented to show the template filled in; they aren't a real company or real results.
TITLE: I built a tool that chases late invoices for me - what I learned about how clients respond to reminders BODY: Like a lot of you, I had invoices sitting 30+ days overdue because writing "just checking in" emails felt awkward. What I tried first: calendar reminders (ignored them), a template in my notes app (still had to send it), and asking my partner to nag me (worked, but not scalable). What I built: Paperlark, which sends scheduled, polite reminders until you mark an invoice paid. What I learned building it: - A reminder that includes the invoice number and amount gets a clearer reply than a vague nudge - Sending from your own reply-to address matters; clients reply to a person, not a bot It's free for 3 invoices a month. Link in comments per the sub rules. I'd really like feedback on whether automated reminders would feel rude to your clients.
Do
- Read the rules and recent posts first.
- Lead with the story and lessons.
- Reply to every comment, including critical ones.
- Disclose that you're the maker.
Don't
- Don't post the same text to ten subreddits at once.
- Don't ask for upvotes anywhere.
- Don't post from a brand-new account with no history.
- Don't argue with moderators about removals; ask politely what would be allowed.
FAQ
Is self-promotion allowed on Reddit?
It depends on the subreddit. Reddit's content policy asks for authentic participation and bans manipulation; each community adds its own rules, so check them before posting.
Why was my launch post removed?
Usually a subreddit rule: links not allowed, missing flair, wrong day, or account too new. Read the rules and ask the moderators what would be allowed.
Should I post in many subreddits at once?
No. Pick the one or two that fit best and tailor the post to each.
Launch guides that use this template
Sources
Checked . Platforms change their rules; open the source before you rely on a number.
Related templates
- Show HN postA Show HN template that follows Hacker News rules: a plain title, a link people can try, and a first comment on why you built it and how it works.
- Launch thread for XA copy-paste launch thread for X: hook, problem, demo, how it works, proof, offer and ask, with a filled example and the 280-character rule.
- Post-launch retroA post-launch retrospective: goals vs results, channel by channel, what worked, what didn't, surprises and next steps, with a filled example.