Engage in "What Are You Working On?" Threads on Reddit
Participate in regular "What Are You Working On?" threads on relevant subreddits to share your current web design projects, challenges, and successes. This approach allows you to organically promote your agency, demonstrate your expertise, and connect with potential clients who are actively interested in web design and development.
Step 1:
Identify relevant subreddits
Research subreddits related to web design, development, and small business
Focus on communities like r/webdev, r/web_design, r/smallbusiness, and r/Entrepreneur
Look for subreddits specific to your niche or target industries
Step 2:
Create a Reddit account optimized for business
Choose a username that reflects your web design agency or professional identity
Complete your profile with links to your portfolio and business website
Write a bio highlighting your web design expertise and services
Step 3:
Familiarize yourself with subreddit rules
Read the sidebar and wiki for each chosen subreddit
Note the frequency and timing of "What Are You Working On?" threads
Understand guidelines for self-promotion and business-related posts
Step 4:
Develop a content strategy
Plan responses that showcase your current web design projects
Prepare to discuss challenges you've overcome in recent designs
Highlight innovative features or technologies you're implementing
Step 5:
Set up a notification system
Use Reddit's built-in notification feature for new posts
Consider using IFTTT or Zapier to get alerts for specific thread titles
Set reminders to check target subreddits on known thread posting days
Step 6:
Craft engaging responses
Start with a brief introduction of your web design agency
Describe your current project(s) in detail, focusing on unique aspects
Explain the problem you're solving for the client
Share any interesting challenges or solutions you've encountered
Step 7:
Include visual elements
Prepare screenshots or mockups of your work-in-progress designs
Use image hosting sites like Imgur to share visuals within your post
Ensure all shared content respects client confidentiality
Step 8:
Offer value to the community
Share insights or tips related to your current project
Discuss new tools or techniques you're experimenting with
Be open to answering questions about your process or approach
Step 9:
Engage with other commenters
Read and respond to other web designers' posts
Offer constructive feedback or suggestions when appropriate
Ask thoughtful questions to stimulate discussion
Step 10:
Follow up on interactions
Monitor responses to your comments
Engage in further discussion with interested parties
Look for opportunities to take conversations off-platform if there's potential for collaboration or business
Step 11:
Analyze and iterate
Track the engagement levels of your posts (upvotes, comments, direct messages)
Note which types of projects or discussions generate the most interest
Refine your approach based on community response
Step 12:
Maintain consistent participation
Commit to regular involvement in these threads (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly)
Vary your content to showcase different aspects of your web design work
Build a reputation as a knowledgeable and helpful community member
Step 13:
Create a lead capture system
Develop a landing page specifically for Reddit users interested in your services
Mention this resource when it's relevant to discussions
Offer free resources like web design tips or checklists to capture leads
Step 14:
Balance promotion and contribution
Focus on providing value to the community first
Mention your services only when directly relevant or asked
Use your flair (if allowed) to subtly indicate your professional status
Step 15:
Document success stories
Keep track of any clients or projects that originate from Reddit interactions
Create case studies highlighting these successes
Share these stories in future threads to demonstrate your credibility
Author
Chris Harrison
Founder @ Growtique
Free plan
With a list of leads at your fingertips, you can immediately begin your outreach. Focus on building relationships and closing deals, knowing that each contact is a valuable opportunity.