How to Market on r/SideProject
A community for developers and makers to share projects they've built on the side. Focus on working products, not just ideas.
r/SideProject Rules & Self-Promotion Policy
Understanding the rules is critical for successful marketing. Here's what you need to know about r/SideProject.
Lenient Self-Promotion Policy
This community is more accepting of self-promotion when done authentically. Still follow the community spirit.
Community Rules
- 1Projects must be live and accessible
- 2Include a working demo or link
- 3No idea-only posts without execution
- 4Provide context on what you built
- 5Engage with feedback in comments
How to Write for r/SideProject
Technical but accessible. Show your work. Be specific about what you built and how. Share real numbers if you have them. The community respects shipping over planning.
Best Practices for r/SideProject
Maximize your impact by understanding when, what, and how to post.
Best Times to Post
- Saturday Morning Est
- Sunday Afternoon Est
- Weekday Evening Est
Posts stay relevant for about 12-24 hours
Content That Works
- Working product launches with demo links
- Progress updates on ongoing projects
- Requests for feedback on specific features
- Technical deep-dives on how you built something
Common Flairs
Who's Here
Developers, designers, and indie makers who build products outside their day jobs. Most have tried launching something before. They appreciate technical details and honest metrics.
Common Mistakes on r/SideProject
Avoid these pitfalls that get marketers banned or ignored.
Posting just an idea without any execution
r/SideProject values shipped products. "I have an idea for X" posts get ignored because there's nothing to evaluate or discuss.
Instead
Build an MVP first, even if it's rough. A working prototype gets 10x more engagement than a polished pitch deck.
Not including a working demo link
The community wants to try things. Posts without links feel like ads rather than genuine project shares.
Instead
Always include a live URL. If it's not ready, share a video walkthrough or screenshots showing actual functionality.
Being vague about the tech stack
This is a developer-heavy community. They want to know how you built it, not just what you built.
Instead
Include your stack in the post: "Built with Next.js, Supabase, and deployed on Vercel." It starts good technical discussions.
Ignoring feedback in the comments
People take time to test your project and give feedback. Not responding makes you look like you only wanted exposure.
Instead
Reply to every comment within 24 hours. Acknowledge bug reports. Thank people for suggestions, even if you won't implement them.
Overloading with features in the description
Long feature lists are hard to parse. The community wants to understand your core value proposition quickly.
Instead
Lead with one clear problem you solve. "I built X because Y was frustrating me." Features can go in a comment.
Post Formats That Work on r/SideProject
These content formats consistently perform well in this community.
Launch Post
Example Format
""I built [product] to solve [specific problem]. Here's the demo: [link]. Stack: [tech]. Looking for feedback on [specific area].""
Why It Works
Clear structure. Demo link upfront. Tech stack for credibility. Specific feedback request encourages engagement.
Progress Update
Example Format
""Month 3 update on [project]: hit [milestone], learned [insight], next up is [goal]. Current metrics: [numbers].""
Why It Works
Shows momentum without overselling. Real numbers build trust. The journey is as interesting as the destination.
Technical Deep-Dive
Example Format
""How I built [feature] for my side project using [tech]. Here's what worked, what didn't, and what I'd do differently.""
Why It Works
Educational content gets saved and shared. Provides value beyond self-promotion. Establishes expertise.
Related Communities & Use Cases
Expand your reach with similar subreddits and see who uses r/SideProject for marketing.
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Who Should Target r/SideProject
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about marketing on r/SideProject
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