INTRODUCTION
In 2009, Reddit created Ask Me Anything (AMA). In an AMA, an individual answers questions in real-time about topic expertise or services, making it an ideal opportunity to increase brand awareness. Barack Obama and Bill Gates have been some of the most famous participants to date, receiving more than 23,000 and 11,700 comments, respectively.
Here are three things to keep in mind when setting up an AMA:
HOW TO GET STARTED
When creating a Reddit account, make sure to pick a username that incorporates your name/business. Also, all AMAs must contain a link to “proof of identification.” You can either take a selfie with a paper sign that lists the date of the AMA, your name and your Reddit username, or you can post this information on your social media accounts.
Next, create a title and short introductory statement. The title should be approximately one sentence that states who you are and share what you will discuss. The intro statement gives Redditors information to draw them in. Be sure to include links to relevant content, but stay away from using link shorteners. If you are a pediatric doctor, your title could say something like, “I am a pediatric doctor at [HOSPITAL], a mother to two boys and an avid triathlete. AMA!”
Once your account is set up, you need to schedule your AMA. To increase the chances of participation, schedule your event for early in the afternoon, and plan to answer questions for 2-3 hours. To schedule, manage scheduled AMAs or provide confidential proof for an upcoming AMA, click here. This is also the website you click when starting your AMA.
PROMOTE YOUR AMA
Start promoting your AMA at least 2-3 weeks before the event. Include the event in your company e-newsletter and social media posts, and share it with organizations that may have an interest in your topic.
Another way to increase interaction is to cross-post your AMA in other appropriate subreddits. Research and reach out to the moderators (mods) of relevant subreddits and ask whether they would allow a cross-post the day of your AMA. For example, if you are an electrician and have DIY tips to help save people time and money, consider cross-posting your AMA in subreddits like /r/DIY.
DO SOME PREP WORK BEFORE GOING LIVE
Make sure you are comfortable with Reddit before hosting your AMA. This means knowing the format and structure (e.g. upvoting, commenting), taking time to read posts and participating in other AMAs. Also, think of some questions and what your answers would be ahead of time, especially for potentially controversial topics.