This article is part of our comprehensive Reddit Marketing Guide.
Why Most Reddit DMs Fail
The average Reddit DM reads like this:
"Hey! I saw your post. I have a product that could help. Check it out at [link]!"
This fails because:
- No personalization (could be sent to anyone)
- All about the sender, not the recipient
- Asks for action without providing value
- Feels automated (because it probably is)
The templates below flip this script entirely.
Template 1: The Empathetic Helper
Best for: Posts expressing frustration or struggle
"Hey [name],
Just read your post about [specific problem they mentioned]. That's genuinely frustrating - I've been there.
A few things that helped me when I dealt with this:
1. [Specific tip unrelated to your product]
2. [Another helpful suggestion]
3. [Third piece of advice]
If you want, I can also share what tool I ended up using - it made a big difference. But the tips above should help regardless.
Good luck with it!"
Why it works:
- Shows you actually read their post
- Provides immediate value (tips they can use)
- Offers your product as optional, not mandatory
- Feels like advice from a friend, not a pitch
Template 2: The Curious Expert
Best for: Posts asking questions you can answer
"Hi [name],
Saw your question about [topic]. I've actually spent way too much time figuring this out, so hopefully this saves you some trial and error:
[Detailed answer to their question - be comprehensive]
I work on a tool in this space, so I'm probably biased, but wanted to share what I've learned regardless of what you end up using.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions if you have them."
Why it works:
- Immediately useful (answers their question)
- Transparent about your bias
- Invites continued conversation
- Product mention is natural, not forced
Template 3: The Specific Solution
Best for: Posts where someone describes a problem your product solves exactly
"Hey [name],
Your post caught my attention because I was dealing with [exact problem they described] last year. The specific thing you mentioned about [detail from their post] - that was exactly my pain point too.
Ended up building a solution for it (I'm the founder of [product]). Not saying it's the only option - [competitor A] and [competitor B] also do similar things.
But if [specific feature that addresses their exact problem] is what you need most, happy to show you how it works. No pressure either way.
What's the most annoying part of the problem for you right now?"
Why it works:
- Deep personalization (references specifics)
- Shows credibility (mentions competitors fairly)
- Ends with a question (invites response)
- Low pressure ("no pressure either way")
Template 4: The Resource Sharer
Best for: Posts where someone is researching or learning
"Hi [name],
Noticed you're diving into [topic]. A few resources that helped me:
- [Useful blog post/article - not your own]
- [YouTube video or tutorial]
- [Reddit thread with good discussion]
I also wrote a guide on [related topic] if you want to check it out: [link to your content, not product page]
Good luck with your research!"
Why it works:
- Provides multiple resources (not just your content)
- Shows you're genuinely helpful
- Your content link feels earned, not pushed
- Builds trust for future interaction
Template 5: The Peer Connection
Best for: Posts from people in similar situations to your customers
"Hey [name],
Read your post about [their situation]. I'm working on something similar - [brief description of what you're building/doing].
Curious: [genuine question about their approach/experience]
Always interesting to hear how others are tackling [shared challenge]."
Why it works:
- Frames you as a peer, not a seller
- Shows genuine curiosity
- Opens a two-way conversation
- Your product comes up naturally if relevant
General Principles
Always Do:
- Reference something specific from their post
- Provide value before asking for anything
- Keep it conversational (not formal)
- End with a question when possible
- Be honest about your affiliation
Never Do:
- Copy-paste without customization
- Lead with your product pitch
- Use marketing speak ("revolutionary", "game-changing")
- Send links without context
- Follow up more than once if no response
Customization Tips
These templates are starting points. To maximize response rates:
- Match their tone (casual vs professional)
- Match their length (brief post = brief DM)
- Reference their username interests if relevant
- Add a touch of humor if appropriate for the context
Want AI to help you customize these templates for each prospect? Try OneUp's AI-powered message generation - it creates unique, personalized DMs based on each post's specific content.