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Reddit is where parents, students and tutors ask for help in public, which makes it one of the few free places to find your first users. These templates are written to fit subreddit rules: lead with help, disclose that you built the platform, and ask for feedback before you ask for signups. Read each subreddit's rules before posting, because many ban self-promotion outright.

All guidesFor founders of a tutoring platform

1. Feedback post for tutors in r/Tutoring

Template: Title: "I built a tool for independent tutors to [handle scheduling and payments]. What would make you switch?" Body: "I'm [name], I built [platform] after watching [a friend who tutors / myself] lose hours to [chasing invoices and rescheduling]. It currently does [feature 1] and [feature 2]. I'd rather hear what's missing than pitch it. If you tutor [subject], what's the most annoying part of running your sessions? Happy to give free access to anyone who wants to test it." Use this first, to recruit supply and learn their language.

2. Parent-focused post in r/Parenting or r/homeschool

Template: Title: "How do you vet a tutor for a [grade] kid? Sharing what we check" Body: "I run a small tutoring platform called [platform], so I see a lot of tutor applications. Here is what we check before anyone teaches: [1. subject test], [2. trial session], [3. reference from a parent]. What do you look for that I'm missing? If anyone wants a free trial session in [subject], comment and I'll DM you." Use this when you have at least five vetted tutors and can actually deliver a session.

3. Exam-prep post in r/SAT, r/ACT or r/MCAT

Template: Title: "Free [45-minute] [SAT math] review sessions this week, looking for feedback on our format" Body: "I'm building [platform], tutoring for [exam]. Our tutors [scored X or have Y years teaching]. We're running [number] free sessions on [topic, e.g. linear equations] to test a new format. In return I just want 5 minutes of honest feedback after. Comment your target test date and I'll reply with times." Use this 6 to 10 weeks before a test date, when demand peaks.

4. Helpful answer to a student asking for help

Template reply: "[Direct answer to their question in 3 to 5 sentences]. If you want, a tutor on the platform I built ([platform]) can walk through [topic] with you for free once. No pressure, the explanation above should get you most of the way." Search r/HomeworkHelp, r/learnmath and r/APStudents for posts like "I don't understand [topic]" sorted by new. Use this daily, and only add the offer when the answer alone is genuinely useful.

5. Tutor recruitment post in r/Teachers or r/TeachersInTransition

Template: Title: "Teachers doing evening or summer tutoring: [platform] pays [rate] per hour, you set your schedule" Body: "I run [platform], an online tutoring platform for [grades/subjects]. We take [commission %] and handle [finding students, payments, scheduling]. Looking for [number] certified teachers in [subject] to start. Questions about how it works are welcome here, or DM me." Use this in summer and around the end of semesters, when teachers look for extra income.

6. Build-in-public post in r/startups or r/SideProject

Template: Title: "Launched a tutoring platform for [niche]. [Number] sessions in, here's what surprised me" Body: "Started [platform] [timeframe] ago to [problem]. What happened: [real lesson 1, e.g. parents book on Sunday nights], [real lesson 2], [real lesson 3]. Biggest open question: [question]. Would love input from anyone who's run a two-sided marketplace." Use this once you have real numbers, since it attracts advisors and the occasional tutor or parent.

7. Local subreddit post in r/[YourCity]

Template: Title: "Local tutoring for [subject] at [grade level], first session free for [city] families" Body: "I'm a [city] resident building [platform]. We have [number] tutors who live nearby, many are [teachers at local schools / students at a local university]. Online or in person at [library]. Comment or DM for a free first session." Use this only where the city sub allows local business posts, often on a weekly self-promo thread. Hulby, an AI cofounder, can find these threads and draft replies for you each day.

Mistakes to skip

  • Posting the same promo text in ten subreddits in one day and getting banned as spam.
  • Hiding that you built the platform, which gets called out and kills trust.
  • Offering free sessions before you have tutors ready to teach them.
  • Linking to your site in the post body instead of answering questions in comments.

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Questions

Will I get banned for self-promotion?

You might if you only post links. Read each sub's rules, disclose you're the founder, and keep most of your activity helpful.

Should I find tutors or students first?

Tutors. A handful of good tutors lets you deliver the free sessions that bring in students.

How often should I post?

One post per subreddit every two weeks at most. Reply to relevant threads daily.

Do I need karma first?

Many subs filter new accounts. Spend a week answering questions to build karma before posting.