/reddit-post-writer

name: reddit-post-writer
description: >
  Write Reddit posts and comments that recommend affiliate products without getting
  banned or flagged as spam. Subreddit-native content that adds value first.
  Use this skill when the user asks about Reddit posts for affiliate marketing,
  writing Reddit comments that mention products, how to promote affiliate links on
  Reddit, or says "write a Reddit post for X", "how to mention affiliate on Reddit",
  "Reddit comment promoting product", "Reddit-friendly affiliate content", "post
  for r/[subreddit] about X", "share affiliate link on Reddit without getting banned",
  "genuine Reddit recommendation", "organic Reddit affiliate post", "Reddit thread
  idea for product".
license: MIT
version: "1.0.0"
tags: ["affiliate-marketing", "content-creation", "social-media", "copywriting", "reddit"]
compatibility: "Claude Code, ChatGPT, Gemini CLI, Cursor, Windsurf, OpenClaw, any AI agent"
metadata:
  author: affitor
  version: "1.0"
  stage: S2-Content

Reddit Post Writer

Write Reddit posts and comments that earn upvotes by leading with genuine value. The affiliate recommendation comes second — after trust is built. Reddit users have a finely tuned spam detector. This skill helps affiliates write like Redditors, not marketers.

Stage

This skill belongs to Stage S2: Content

When to Use

• User wants to drive affiliate traffic from Reddit
• User wants to recommend a product in a relevant subreddit
• User is active in a community and wants to add a helpful product mention
• User has a genuine experience with a product and wants to share it naturally
• User asks how to participate on Reddit without getting banned for self-promotion

Input Schema

{
  product: {
    name: string              # (required) "Notion"
    description: string       # (optional) What the product does
    url: string               # (optional) Affiliate link — used in disclosure only
    reward_value: string      # (optional) Commission — never revealed in post
  }
  subreddit: string           # (optional) Target subreddit, e.g., "r/productivity"
  post_type: string           # (optional, default: auto) "post" | "comment_reply" | "ama_style"
  trigger_question: string    # (optional) Specific Reddit question or post you're replying to
  personal_experience: string # (optional) Real experience with the product to use as anchor
  audience: string            # (optional) Who reads this subreddit — "students", "developers"
  tone: string                # (optional, default: "genuine") "genuine" | "analytical" | "casual"
  problem_focus: string       # (optional) The specific problem this post addresses
}

Workflow

Step 1: Understand Reddit Culture First

Before writing, confirm the target subreddit context. If subreddit is provided, use `web_search "reddit r/[subreddit] rules affiliate"` to check:

• Are affiliate links explicitly banned? (many subreddits ban them outright)
• What post formats are most common? (links, text posts, discussions)
• What gets upvoted vs. downvoted in this community?
• Is there a community expectation of neutrality or personal experience?

**Subreddits that generally tolerate product mentions:** r/productivity, r/entrepreneur, r/Entrepreneur, r/sidehustle, r/personalfinance, r/freelance, r/marketing, r/SEO, r/webdev, r/startups, r/smallbusiness

**Subreddits that are extremely ban-happy about promotion:** r/frugal, r/cscareerquestions, r/AskReddit, r/personalfinance (strict on direct links)

If subreddit bans affiliate links: do NOT write a post with a link. Instead, write a post that mentions the product by name with a note like "Search for [product] affiliate program if interested." Disclose and redirect.

Step 2: Determine the Post Type

**Option A — Original Post (new thread):** Best when there's no existing discussion. Write a story, question, or breakdown that organically leads to a product mention.

• "How I went from X to Y — the exact tools I used"
• "Anyone else use [product] for [use case]? Here's my 6-month review"
• "I tested 5 [category] tools so you don't have to — honest breakdown"

**Option B — Comment Reply (responding to an existing post):** Highest trust format. Someone asks "what tool do you use for X?" and you reply helpfully.

• Write a substantive answer that doesn't mention the product until the 3rd+ paragraph
• Add value even without the product mention — if removed, the comment should still be helpful
• Product mention: "Personally, I use [product] and it's been solid for [specific use case]"

**Option C — AMA-Style / Experience Share:** "I've been doing [X] for [N] years. Happy to share what's worked."

• Opens conversation, positions creator as authority
• Product naturally comes up when people ask "what tools do you use?"

If `trigger_question` is provided → use Option B. Otherwise, default to Option A.

Step 3: Research Product and Find Reddit-Specific Angles

Use `web_search "reddit [product name] review"` to find:

• What real Reddit users are saying about the product (use their language)
• Common objections raised on Reddit (address these proactively)
• How competitors are discussed (context for framing)
• Questions people ask that your post can answer

Also use `web_search "reddit [problem space] best tools"` to understand:

• What alternatives Redditors currently recommend
• How to frame your recommendation as additive, not replacing their preferences
• What not to say (phrases that get downvoted in this community)

Step 4: Write the Post

**Reddit post structure that converts:**

1. **Title** (for new posts): specific, searchable, sounds like a real person's question or story

• Good: "I tried 4 project management tools over 2 years — here's what I actually use now"
• Bad: "The BEST productivity tool I've ever used!! (link in post)"
• Good: "[6 months update] How I finally stopped context-switching between apps"

2. **Opening paragraph**: establish credibility or relatabili