Hosting an AMA on Reddit

Hosting an AMA

Hosting an AMA on Reddit's /r/entrepreneur: A Comprehensive Guide


Thank you for your interest in hosting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit's /r/entrepreneur community. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise, connect with entrepreneurs worldwide, and increase your visibility within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.


This guide will walk you through the entire process, incorporating recent updates and best practices to ensure your AMA is a success.


Table of Contents

  1. Initial Steps: Connecting with Me
  2. Understanding Reddit and /r/entrepreneur
  3. Preparing for Your AMA
  4. Setting Up Your Reddit Account
  5. Coordinating with the Moderation Team
  6. Scheduling and Posting Your AMA
  7. Promoting Your AMA
  8. Engaging with the Community During Your AMA
  9. Wrapping Up Your AMA
  10. Post-AMA Follow-Up
  11. Additional Tips for Success
  12. Examples of Successful AMAs
  13. Conclusion

1. Initial Steps: Connecting with Me


Schedule a Video Call

If you're unfamiliar with Reddit or hosting an AMA, I highly recommend scheduling a quick video call with me. This will help us develop rapport and allow me to walk you through the platform's basic functionality and context.

Note: If we've already met and discussed the AMA, feel free to skip to the next section.


2. Understanding Reddit and /r/entrepreneur

About Reddit

  • Community Platform: Reddit is a network of communities where people can dive into their interests, hobbies, and passions.
  • Subreddits: Individual communities within Reddit, each focused on a specific topic (e.g., /r/entrepreneur).

About /r/entrepreneur

  • Community Size: Over 4.1 million subscribers from all over the world
  • Activity Peak: Most traffic occurs during North American business hours (Monday to Friday).
  • Audience: Entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and industries.
  • Engagement: Active daily users vary, so we host AMAs over multiple days to maximize visibility.



3. Preparing for Your AMA


Define Your Objectives

  • Purpose: Clarify your goals for the AMA (e.g., sharing your journey, discussing industry insights, launching a product). Avoid blatant self promotion. Avoid Links in the body of your post, save them for comments. 
  • Key Topics: Identify main subjects you wish to cover. Feel free to have a word document with common responses. Perhaps an FAQ you have in a dataroom. 

Confirm Your AMA Date and Time

  • Coordinate with Me: We'll confirm a date when you'll actively respond to questions.
  • Post 48 Hours in Advance: We'll have your AMA posted 48 hours before your intended response time to allow questions to accumulate.




4. Setting Up Your Reddit Account


Create or Update Your Account

  • Professional Username: Choose a username that reflects your real name or brand.
  • New Account: If you prefer, create a new account specifically for this AMA.

Customize Your Profile

  • Profile Picture: Upload a professional photo or company logo.
  • Bio: Write a brief bio highlighting your background and expertise.

Verification (Optional but Recommended)

  • Selfie with a Note:
  • What: A selfie holding a note with the AMA details (community name, date, and time).
  • Why: Adds credibility and blends in with Reddit culture.
  • How: Include this image in your AMA post.
  • Alternative Verification:
  • Post on your official website or social media confirming your Reddit username and AMA.




5. Coordinating with the Moderation Team


Provide Your Reddit Username

  • Send to Me: Let me know the Reddit username you'll use for the AMA.


YOU MUST SEND BEFORE YOU CAN POST



Share a Brief Blurb for Promotion

  • Details to Include:
  • Date and Time: When you'll be responding to questions.
  • Bio: A concise 2-sentence background.
  • Purpose: We'll use this to promote your AMA in the sidebar and announcements.

Review Your AMA Post

  • Title and Content Verification:
  • Collaborate: It's helpful to verify your AMA's title and body with me or the moderation team.
  • Alignment: Ensures cultural fit with the community and maximizes engagement.



6. Scheduling and Posting Your AMA


Drafting Your AMA Post

  • Title Format:
  • Standard: "I am [Your Name], [Your Role/Achievement]. AMA!"
  • Examples:
  • "I am Jane Doe, founder of XYZ Startup that scaled to $10M in 2 years. AMA!"
  • "We are the ABC Investment Team, focused on sustainable ventures. Ask Us Anything!"
  • Introduction:
  • Background: Briefly introduce yourself and highlight key accomplishments. Don’t be too detailed. You want questions! 
  • Topics: Mention areas you're excited to discuss.
  • Verification: Include your selfie or verification links (if desired, not required).
  • Time Frame: Specify when you'll start answering questions.

Scheduling Your Post

  • How to Schedule:
  • Create a Post: In /r/entrepreneur, click "Create Post."
  • Click AMA tab
  • Adjust Settings: Change the dropdown menu to "Schedule for Later."
  • Set Date and Time: Choose a time that is 48 hours before you plan to answer questions.
  • Benefits:
  • Question Build-Up: Allows users to submit questions in advance.
  • Notifications: Users get notified when you're live and actively responding.




7. Promoting Your AMA


Leverage Your Network

  • Social Media Announcements:
  • One Week Prior: "Excited to host an AMA next week on Reddit's /r/entrepreneur!"
  • Day Before: "Tomorrow, I'll be on /r/entrepreneur for an AMA. Join me!"
  • When Live: "My AMA is now live on /r/entrepreneur. Ask me anything here: [AMA URL]"
  • Email Newsletters:
  • Inform Subscribers: Let your email list know about your AMA with all the details.

Post-AMA Promotion

  • Content Sharing:
  • Highlights: Share interesting questions and answers on your platforms.
  • Engagement: Encourage continued discussion and interaction.



8. Engaging with the Community During Your AMA


Active Participation

  • Dedicated Time: Plan to spend several hours responding when you go live. But you can break for a lunch, meeting or work function. The AMA is not LIVE like video. It’s more about being consistent throughout the day. 
  • Check Back Regularly: Consider revisiting the AMA over the next day or two to answer late questions.

Crafting Your Responses

  • Be Thorough: Provide detailed and thoughtful answers. If you have already answered you’re encouraged to just copy and paste (and/or hyperlink to the response.) 
  • Maintain Tone:
  • Authentic and Personable: Let your personality shine.
  • Professional and Respectful: Uphold a courteous demeanor.

Handling Questions

  • Diversity of Questions: Be prepared for a wide range of topics.
  • Don’t Feed the Trolls: These are anonymous internet users, let me know if anyone hassles you. 
  • Challenging Queries: Address tough questions calmly and honestly.
  • Avoid Over-Promotion: Focus on providing value rather than self-promotion.



9. Wrapping Up Your AMA


Signing Off

  • Edit Original Post:
  • Update Status: Let the community know you're wrapping up.
  • Example: "/edit: Thanks everyone! Wrapping up for now. Feel free to follow me on [social media handle] or reach out via email at [email address]."

Express Gratitude

  • Thank Participants: Show appreciation for their time and engagement.
  • Invite Further Interaction: Encourage them to stay connected.


10. Post-AMA Follow-Up


Moderation Team Report

  • Statistics Sharing:
  • View Counts: We'll keep the thread pinned for 24 hours and share engagement stats with you.
  • Benchmarking: Past AMAs have ranged from 25,000 to over 250,000 views.

Continued Engagement

  • Answer Remaining Questions:
  • Over Next Few Days: If possible, respond to any new questions that come in.
  • Content Repurposing:
  • Blog Posts: Write about your AMA experience.
  • Social Media: Share snippets or key takeaways.



11. Additional Tips for Success


Understand Reddit Culture

  • Spend Time on Reddit: Familiarize yourself with the platform and /r/entrepreneur community.
  • Engage Authentically: Redditors value genuine interactions over marketing pitches.

Prepare for Your AMA

  • Anticipate Questions: Think about possible questions and how you'd answer them.
  • Technical Setup: Ensure a stable internet connection and a comfortable environment.

Leverage Verification

  • Selfie with Note:
  • Cultural Nuance: While optional, it helps you blend in and build trust.
  • Instructions: Write the community name, date, and time on a piece of paper and take a selfie holding it.

Stay Composed

  • Handling Criticism: Respond professionally to negative comments.
  • Admit When Unsure: It's okay to acknowledge if you don't have an answer.


12. Examples of Successful AMAs


Reviewing past AMAs can provide valuable insights:

  • MIT Professor: Sold COVID-Era Biotech Startup for 55M, now on leave to build Digital Humans. AMA!
  • I run a photo booth rental business that generates $400k annually. AMA
  • We are the Omni Venture Labs investment team, Ask Us Anything (AMA)!

Feel free to explore these for inspiration on structuring your AMA and engaging with the community.



13. Conclusion


Hosting an AMA on /r/entrepreneur is a rewarding experience that can significantly enhance your connection with the entrepreneurial community. By following this guide and collaborating closely with me and the moderation team, you'll be well-prepared for a successful AMA.


If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.


Looking forward to your AMA!


Contact Information:

  • Email: Anthony@Gonzales.MBA

Schedule a Call: Click here to book a time with me https://calendly.com/anthonymgonzales/20-min-meeting

Thank you again for your interest. Let's make your AMA a great success!