What Is an AMA?
AMA stands for "Ask Me Anything" — a popular Reddit format where someone (typically an expert, celebrity, or professional) invites the community to ask them questions. The host answers questions in real time, creating an interactive Q&A session.
AMAs originated in the r/IAmA subreddit but now happen across many communities. They range from casual discussions to major events featuring world leaders, scientists, and business founders.
Why It Matters for Marketers
AMAs are one of the few formats on Reddit where self-promotion is not only accepted but expected. When you host an AMA, people know you're there to talk about your work, product, or expertise — making it a natural vehicle for brand awareness.
A well-executed AMA can generate significant brand awareness, build trust with potential customers, and create evergreen content that continues to drive traffic from search engines. The key is providing genuine, thoughtful answers rather than canned marketing responses.
Examples
- A startup founder hosts an AMA in r/startups about bootstrapping to $10K MRR, naturally mentioning the tools they built and used.
- A marketing expert does an AMA in r/marketing about Reddit growth strategies, establishing thought leadership.
- A product team hosts an AMA to gather feature requests and build community goodwill.