Optimizing Videos for Reddit: Tips & Practices
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 8 min read

Contents

Reddit, a platform bustling with millions of active users, presents a golden opportunity for video content creators. If you've ever wondered about how to optimize videos for Reddit, this post is your go-to guide. We'll walk you through practical tips and effective practices to help your videos gain maximum exposure and engagement on the platform. Ready? Let's start with the first step: knowing your audience.

Know Your Audience

Understanding who you're talking to is the first step to any successful communication. On Reddit, it's no different. Here's how you can do it:

  • Study the demographics: Reddit users are diverse, but certain demographics dominate. For instance, a significant portion of users are young adults. If your video content caters to this group, you're on the right track.
  • Identify interests: What are Reddit users interested in? Look at popular subreddits and trending topics. If you can align your video content with these interests, you'll attract more views.
  • Consider the culture: Reddit has its own unique culture and lingo. Understanding it can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. For example, referencing popular Reddit memes or phrases in your video can make users feel like you're part of their community.

Remember, the more you understand your audience, the better equipped you'll be to create content that resonates with them. And once you've hit the right chord with your audience, you're one step closer to knowing how to optimize videos for Reddit.

Create Compelling Content

Creating compelling content is the heart and soul of how to optimize videos for Reddit. It's not just about sharing any video; it's about sharing videos that Reddit users will find interesting, helpful, or entertaining. Here are a few tips:

  • Be Original: Redditors appreciate uniqueness. Present a fresh perspective or tell an engaging story to draw users in.
  • Offer Value: Whether it's a how-to video, a thought-provoking discussion, or a hilarious cat clip, make sure your video offers some sort of value to the viewer.
  • Quality Matters: It’s not about having Hollywood-level production, but decent sound and picture quality can go a long way in keeping viewers engaged.

Remember, the goal is to create content that Redditors will want to share and discuss. When you do this, you're not just optimizing your video for Reddit, but you're also building a community around your content.

Optimize Video Length

When figuring out how to optimize videos for Reddit, video length plays a substantial role. The attention span of online users can be shorter than a goldfish's—that's not a joke, by the way—so you need to keep things snappy and to the point.

  • Short and Sweet: Make your videos concise. Aim for a duration of around 1-3 minutes for maximum engagement. This isn't a strict rule, but a shorter video often works better on Reddit.
  • Value Per Second: Every second of your video should offer value. Don't add fluff or unnecessary parts just to stretch the video length.
  • Fast-paced: Keep the pace brisk. Slow videos might lose the viewer's interest, so get to the point quickly.

Remember, Reddit users are typically looking for quick, digestible content. If your video is too long, they might scroll past without giving it a second glance. So, trim the fat and keep it engaging!

Use Appealing Thumbnails

Think of your video thumbnail as the cover of a book—it's the first thing Reddit users see. And yes, despite the age-old advice, people do judge a video by its thumbnail. So, how do you optimize videos for Reddit with compelling thumbnails?

  • High Quality: Use high-resolution images for your thumbnails. A blurry or pixelated image can give the impression that your video is low-quality too.
  • Relevant: Your thumbnail should accurately represent the content of your video. Misleading thumbnails might generate initial clicks, but they'll lead to quick drop-offs and can damage your reputation.
  • Eye-catching: Bright colors, interesting images, or bold text can make your thumbnail stand out from the crowd. But remember—keep it relevant!

Creating a thumbnail that pulls in viewers is an art in itself. Spend time crafting a thumbnail that not only looks great but also encapsulates what your video is about. Trust me, it's worth the effort!

Write Captivating Titles

Titles are another crucial component in the quest for video optimization on Reddit. They act as the hook that reels in the viewers. So, how do you write titles that get people clicking?

  • Keep it Clear: Be straightforward and honest about what your video contains. Don't resort to clickbait—you're better than that. Plus, Reddit users tend to appreciate honesty and transparency.
  • Make it Interesting: While clarity is key, you also want your title to spark curiosity. Can you incorporate a fun fact, a surprising statistic, or a provocative question?
  • Use Keywords: Include relevant keywords in your title. This not only helps Reddit users understand what your video is about but can also boost your video's visibility on search engines. But remember, don't stuff your title with keywords—it should still read naturally.

Writing a compelling title isn't easy—it's about striking a balance between being clear, engaging, and keyword-conscious. But once you nail it, you'll be well on your way to optimizing your videos for Reddit.

Engage with the Community

Reddit is a community-driven platform, which means that engagement goes a long way. If you're wondering how to optimize videos for Reddit, interacting with other users is a key strategy.

  • Respond to Comments: When users comment on your video, take the time to respond. It shows appreciation for their engagement and fosters a sense of community.
  • Participate in Discussions: Don't limit yourself to your own posts. Comment on other users' posts and contribute to discussions. It's a great way to establish your presence in the community.
  • Ask for Feedback: Reddit users are usually more than willing to share their opinions. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback on your content. It's a valuable source of insight that can help you improve your videos.

Remember, Reddit values authenticity and interaction. Engage with the community genuinely and respectfully, and you'll find yourself one step closer to optimizing your videos for Reddit.

Post at the Right Time

Timing is everything, especially when you're trying to figure out how to optimize videos for Reddit. You might have the most amazing video, but if you post it when everyone's asleep — well, you might as well have whispered it into the wind.

So, when is the best time to post on Reddit? It can depend on a few things:

  • Your Audience's Time Zone: Identify where most of your audience is based and post when they're most likely to be online. If your viewers are spread out across different time zones, aim for the time when the highest number of them are awake.
  • The Subreddit's Peak Hours: Each subreddit has its own peak hours. A little bit of research can go a long way in finding out when users are most active in your chosen subreddit.
  • The Day of the Week: User activity can also vary depending on the day of the week. For example, more users tend to be active during the weekdays as compared to the weekends.

Remember, your video's first few hours on Reddit are crucial. Posting at the right time can give your video the initial boost it needs to reach more viewers.

Use Appropriate Subreddits

Finding the right home for your video on Reddit is a key step in understanding how to optimize videos for Reddit. You see, Reddit is organized into thousands of communities known as 'subreddits' — each with its own unique interests, rules, and audience.

So, how do you pick the right subreddit? Here's a simple three-step process:

  1. Identify Your Video's Niche: Is your video about gaming? Cooking? Technology? Identifying the main topic of your video can help you find related subreddits.
  2. Research Potential Subreddits: Once you've identified your niche, it's time to find the right subreddit. Look for subreddits that are active, have a decent number of subscribers, and where your content would be relevant.
  3. Understand the Subreddit's Rules: Each subreddit has its own set of rules. Make sure your video and its description comply with these rules to avoid getting flagged or banned.

Remember, the goal isn't to just find any subreddit, but to find the one where your video will resonate with the community and spark discussions. That's how you optimize videos for Reddit.

Follow Reddit Rules

Now that you've found the perfect subreddit for your video, it's time to talk about Reddit's rules. Trust me, you don't want to be that person who gets their post removed or worse, gets banned, because they didn't follow the rules. It's a surefire way to not optimize videos for Reddit.

Reddit has two types of rules: site-wide policies and subreddit-specific rules. Site-wide policies are general rules that apply across the entire platform. They include things like respecting other people's privacy, not posting illegal content, and avoiding spam.

But here's the kicker: each subreddit also has its own set of rules. These can range from how often you can post, what kind of content is allowed, to even how you should format your title.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate Reddit's rules:

  1. Read the Rules: This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people skip this step. Take the time to read through both the site-wide policies and the subreddit's rules before you post your video.
  2. Ask If You're Unsure: If you're not sure whether your video complies with the rules, don't hesitate to ask. Redditors are usually very helpful and can guide you in the right direction.
  3. When In Doubt, Don't Post: If you're still unsure, it's better to err on the side of caution and not post your video. It's worth a little extra time to make sure you're doing things right.

By following the rules, you'll not only avoid potential penalties but also show respect to the Reddit community. And that's an important part of how to optimize videos for Reddit.

Measure and Analyze Success

Alright, you've posted your video on Reddit. You've done everything right — from creating a compelling content to engaging with the community. But how do you know if your efforts are paying off? How do you know if you've truly learned how to optimize videos for Reddit? Well, the answer lies in measuring and analyzing your success.

Reddit provides a wealth of data that you can use to gauge your performance. This includes things like upvotes, comments, and views. But as with any data, the key is to understand what it all means.

Here's a simple guide to help you make sense of it all:

  1. Upvotes: This is the number of people who liked your video enough to give it a thumbs up. It's a good indication of how well your content resonated with the community.
  2. Comments: These can provide valuable insights into what people thought of your video. Did they find it informative? Entertaining? Did it spark a discussion? The more comments, the better.
  3. Views: The number of views tells you how many people actually watched your video. But remember, it's not just about the quantity of views. You also want to aim for quality views — people who watched your video all the way through.

But don't stop at just measuring your success. Use this data to learn and improve. Did a video get a ton of upvotes? Analyze what made it successful and try to replicate it in your future videos. Did a video not perform as well as you hoped? Try to figure out why and how you can do better next time.

Remember, learning how to optimize videos for Reddit is a constant process. But with careful measurement and analysis, you'll be on your way to mastering it in no time.

If you want to further enhance your video optimization skills for various social media platforms, including Reddit, check out the workshop 'Level Up Your Videos on Social Media' by Carolyn Edge. This workshop will provide you with valuable tips and best practices to make your videos stand out and engage your audience across different social media platforms.