5 Unconventional Content Distribution Channels that Delivered Results
Discovering unique ways to distribute content can set a brand apart from its competitors. In this insightful Q&A, a CEO and an Entrepreneur share their unconventional yet effective content distribution channels. The journey begins with the CEO's advice to participate in LinkedIn Groups and concludes with the Entrepreneur's strategy to provide genuine value on Reddit. With a total of five expert insights, this article is packed with innovative ideas to boost your content strategy.
- Engage With Niche Subreddits
- Participate in LinkedIn Groups
- Share Educational Videos on Reddit
- Answer Questions on Quora
- Provide Genuine Value on Reddit
Engage With Niche Subreddits
One unconventional content distribution channel that worked surprisingly well for me was Reddit. While it's often seen as a place for discussions rather than a traditional content platform, I found that engaging with niche subreddits related to my industry helped build organic traffic. Instead of just posting links, we actively participated in discussions, offering advice or resources that naturally directed people to our content.
The results were impressive—our referral traffic from Reddit increased by 30% over a few months, and we saw higher engagement from those visitors because they were already invested in the topic. I believe the key was focusing on genuine value rather than self-promotion, which earned us credibility and allowed the content to be shared more widely across different subreddits.
Participate in LinkedIn Groups
One unconventional content-distribution channel that has worked surprisingly well for us at Software House is LinkedIn Groups. Instead of solely relying on our company page or personal profiles, we actively participate in niche groups related to software development and business solutions. By sharing valuable content, insights, and engaging in discussions, we've built credibility and fostered relationships within the community.
The results have been impressive; we've seen a significant increase in website traffic—about 40%—from these engagements, along with a noticeable uptick in lead inquiries. Additionally, the interactions in these groups have led to meaningful connections, resulting in collaborative opportunities and partnerships that we might not have accessed through traditional marketing channels. This approach not only enhanced our brand visibility but also established us as thought leaders in our industry.
Share Educational Videos on Reddit
One channel that worked well for our business was Reddit, surprisingly. And it was due to our educational videos that we release on YouTube. We found that many of these videos were shared on Reddit, resulting in a huge increase in our YouTube followers, and sales through our website. With just one video, we saw a 20% increase in followers in less than a month.
Answer Questions on Quora
Quora is one of the many unconventional content distribution channels that I have found surprisingly works well for me. I originally thought of it as just another Q&A site, but it's been extremely successful for driving traffic to very niche audiences with a very strong intent. To do this, I answer questions about my content areas (digital marketing, SEO, and branding), and by answering these questions, I link back to tough blog posts or resources, adding value in my answers while giving a small shout-out to the content on which I'm answering.
For instance, I once had a very detailed answer about the best 'SEO for ecommerce sites' strategies and linked to a full guide on my blog. It's that single answer that generated over 1k visits to my blog in just the first month with a bounce rate below 50%, meaning readers wanted to know more. I've also had some referral traffic and even a few leads from Quora, which is a pleasant surprise.
The great benefit of Quora is that answers can build traction over time. Poorly written answers drop off fast with their social media posts, but compared to their social media posts, well-written answers continue to get views and draw traffic for months, sometimes years, with little effort. While it's a bit unconventional, Quora is a tremendously powerful and long-lasting distribution channel—especially for evergreen topics.
Provide Genuine Value on Reddit
Let me share how I leveraged Reddit for cost-effective marketing that keeps bringing in traffic years later.
So here's what I discovered: Reddit is amazing for targeted marketing because people are literally asking for solutions to their problems. I found relevant subreddits in my industry and started participating in meaningful discussions. But here's the key: I didn't just drop promotional links. Instead, I really took time to answer questions thoroughly and provide genuine value.
For example, let's say someone asks, "What's the best way to learn digital marketing with no budget?" I'd share my actual experience, detailed tips, and actionable advice. And only at the end, I share my own product name or URL.
The power of Reddit is that these discussions get indexed by Google (and Google likes to show Reddit results). So now, whenever someone searches for similar questions, my helpful responses pop up in search results. This brings in a steady stream of organic traffic to my profile and eventually my business.
I focused on:
- Finding the right subreddits where my target audience hangs out
- Giving comprehensive, valuable answers (not just a quick link to your product)
- Being transparent about my experience while keeping promotional stuff minimal
The best part? It cost nothing but my time, and that initial investment keeps paying off through continued organic traffic.
Just remember—Reddit users can spot promotional content from a mile away. Focus on being helpful first, and the marketing benefits will follow naturally.