Start with the job someone needs done
Write down the task your product helps with, who performs it, and the situation that makes it difficult. “Organize client feedback on designs” is a better starting point than “productivity”. It describes a problem people can actually discuss.
Make a short list of likely phrases, then test each one in Reddit search. Look at how people describe the same task in their own words. If search results are mostly jokes or broad opinions, choose a more specific task or pain phrase.
Use a small set of repeatable searches
Combine a category term with a recommendation or problem phrase. Try “invoice software” with “recommend”, or “client feedback” with “how do you”. A competitor name plus “alternative” can surface switching questions.
Use Reddit’s community filter when a query is too broad, and compare results sorted by new with results sorted by relevance. A Google site:reddit.com query can help locate older public discussions. Search results and ordering vary; review what the search actually returns.
Illustrative example
Category: client feedback Question: what do you use Problem: comments scattered across emails Switching: [competitor] alternative
Qualify the thread before the person
Read the original question and its replies. Check whether the problem matches your product, whether the requester wants recommendations, and whether their constraints fit what you can honestly provide. A specific deadline or current workaround can add context.
A large number of upvotes does not establish buying intent. A quiet thread with a precise question may be more useful than a popular discussion about your whole industry. Set aside threads where an existing answer already solves the problem.
Offer a useful answer in the permitted format
Read the community’s current rules and the thread context before contributing. Answer the question directly, use a real example when you have one, and disclose your affiliation if you mention your own product.
Do not turn this into a cold-DM workflow. A public question is an invitation to discuss that question, not consent to private sales messages. If someone explicitly asks for more detail, continue in the channel they choose.
Keep a simple conversation log
Record the thread URL, keyword, fit decision, answer, and any follow-up. If a link is permitted, tagged visits can help you connect the conversation with a signup. Ask new customers how they found you to capture people who return later.
Judge the channel by useful conversations and actual signups rather than by replies sent. If no relevant questions appear, revise the problem terms or test another audience. Leaddit can automate keyword-led discovery and help prioritize matches; the fit decision stays yours.