How to Market on r/selfhosted
A community for self-hosting enthusiasts who run their own servers for services like media, home automation, productivity, and privacy. Discussions on Docker, Proxmox, and open-source alternatives.
r/selfhosted Rules & Self-Promotion Policy
Understanding the rules is critical for successful marketing. Here's what you need to know about r/selfhosted.
Moderate Self-Promotion Policy
Self-promotion is allowed in context. Lead with value, not your product. Promotional posts may be removed.
Community Rules
- 1Posts must be about self-hosting
- 2No excessive self-promotion
- 3Be respectful and helpful
- 4Include context with questions
- 5Credit original developers
How to Write for r/selfhosted
Technical and privacy-aware. The community values control over convenience. Open-source is preferred. Share detailed setups and configurations. Help others replicate.
Best Practices for r/selfhosted
Maximize your impact by understanding when, what, and how to post.
Best Times to Post
- Weekend Afternoon Est
- Weekday Evening Est
- Late Night Est
Posts stay relevant for about 24-48 hours
Content That Works
- Open source project announcements
- Homelab setup showcases
- Self-hosted alternative recommendations
- Docker and infrastructure tutorials
Common Flairs
Who's Here
Tech enthusiasts who prefer hosting their own services over cloud subscriptions. Privacy-conscious. Skilled with Linux, Docker, networking. Value open-source and control.
Common Mistakes on r/selfhosted
Avoid these pitfalls that get marketers banned or ignored.
Promoting SaaS/cloud services
The community exists specifically to avoid cloud services. Cloud promotion is antithetical to the community purpose.
Instead
If you have a product, ensure it can be self-hosted. Offer Docker images, easy deployment, and local-first options.
Not providing Docker/deployment options
Self-hosters expect easy deployment. Complex manual installation is a barrier.
Instead
Offer Docker Compose, one-click installers, or at minimum clear documentation for self-hosting.
Ignoring privacy considerations
Many self-hosters are motivated by privacy. Telemetry, mandatory accounts, or cloud dependencies are red flags.
Instead
Be transparent about data handling. Offer fully offline/local options. Let users control their data.
Not sharing your setup details
The community learns from each other's configurations. Vague "I self-host" posts without details are useless.
Instead
Include stack details: hardware, OS, Docker configuration, specific services. Be replicable.
Dismissing open-source alternatives
The community gravitates toward open-source. Proprietary solutions need strong justification.
Instead
If your solution isn't open-source, explain why and what you offer that open-source alternatives don't.
Post Formats That Work on r/selfhosted
These content formats consistently perform well in this community.
Project Announcement
Example Format
""Built [self-hostable tool] for [use case]. Stack: [tech]. Docker: [yes/available]. Features: [list]. GitHub: [link].""
Why It Works
Self-hosted focus. Deployment info upfront. Open source or clear about what it is.
Setup Showcase
Example Format
""My self-hosted setup for [use case]. Hardware: [specs]. Services: [list]. Config/compose: [details]. Lessons learned.""
Why It Works
Detailed and replicable. Helps others build similar setups. Includes learnings.
Alternative Recommendation
Example Format
""Replaced [cloud service] with [self-hosted alternative]. Migration process: [steps]. What's better: [list]. What I miss: [honest].""
Why It Works
Practical comparison. Honest about tradeoffs. Helps others make informed decisions.
Related Communities & Use Cases
Expand your reach with similar subreddits and see who uses r/selfhosted for marketing.
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Who Should Target r/selfhosted
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about marketing on r/selfhosted
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