The Marketing Millennials: Why Marketers Shouldn’t Ignore Reddit in 2025

Bathroom Break #73 🚽 | September 15, 2025
Host: Daniel Murray (B)
Guest/Co-Host: Jay Schwedelson (A) of “Do This, Not That” Podcast

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced Bathroom Break episode, Daniel Murray and Jay Schwedelson candidly discuss why Reddit is becoming an essential platform for marketers in 2025. Broadcasting live and unscripted from a driverless Waymo in San Francisco, they share actionable strategies to leverage Reddit’s thriving communities, highlight the platform’s authenticity (and resistance to generic AI content), and drop practical hacks for marketers aiming to stay ahead of trends and conversations. The duo emphasizes the power of niche communities, how “earning your stripes” on Reddit works, and why ignoring Reddit means leaving major insights—and opportunities—on the table.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Unconventional Podcasting and Opener (00:01–02:35)

• The episode kicks off with Daniel and Jay recording from a Waymo, humorously struggling with the car’s air conditioning.
• Their banter sets a casual, relatable tone: “We're like, so hot in this Waymo. I'm panicking… It's 21 minutes away, and I'm hot as hell.”
  — Daniel Murray [00:35]
• They introduce the Bathroom Break series as “that extra 10 minutes you either have to listen to marketing tips or use the bathroom. Or both. But I don't recommend both.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [01:48]

2. Reddit—A Rising Essential for Marketers (02:52–04:11)

• Jay frames Reddit as “becoming one of the most critical platforms for marketers on the planet.”
• Daniel shares his reliance on Reddit for “user-generated, upvoted opinions” rather than generic Google search results:
  “I always say best food in this city Reddit or best marketing software Reddit… It’s the most natural way of collecting information.” [03:27]

3. Reddit vs. AI-Generated Content—A Place for Real Conversations (04:11–05:11)

• Jay emphasizes Reddit’s resistance to fake, generic AI content:

  “It’s probably the last place on the Internet where it’s not dominated by fake generic AI content. By design, Reddit is trying to keep the generic garbage out.” [04:11]

• He advises using ChatGPT 5 to generate prompts that uncover the highest-engagement Reddit posts in any industry.

4. The Power of Niche Communities and Trend Spotting (05:11–06:43)

• Daniel stresses that “Reddit is the perfect place to understand that there is a niche for everything and there's a community for everything.”
• He details using Reddit to mine real marketer conversations and copy, summarizing pain points and new trends via ChatGPT.
• Notably, Daniel notes Reddit’s speed:

  “When you're on Reddit, you're ahead of the Internet… if you want to be ahead of content, ahead of trends… Reddit is the place to go for that.” [06:17]

• They highlight how Google increasingly surfaces Reddit threads in search, further emphasizing Reddit’s influence.

5. Actionable Hack: Finding the Best of Reddit via Google (06:45–07:44)

• Jay provides a direct Google search hack:

  “You write in the word ‘site:reddit.com’ and then put in quotes whatever you’re interested in… all of your results will then be information within Reddit.” [06:46]

• He urges marketers to leverage Reddit for fast-moving content, real user pain points, and insights for webinars and campaigns.

6. Dos and Don’ts: Earning Your Spot on Reddit (07:44–08:50)

• Daniel warns: “Don’t go in there like every other platform and start posting that AI content… Reddit’s one of the platforms where you have to earn respect to be there.”
• He explains that superficial or self-promotional posts won’t work; marketers must genuinely participate in conversations and build credibility.

7. Level Playing Field—No Follower Count Needed (08:50–09:45)

• Jay drives home:

  “You don't need a following. You could have no followers… and have your comments and reactions trend as much as anybody else's.” [08:50]

• He notes Reddit is increasing options for paid ads, making now a smart time for marketers to experiment.

8. A Lighter Note: Driverless Car Culture (09:45–11:41)

• The conversation shifts back to their Waymo ride experience, touching on the safety and social benefits of driverless cars.
• Daniel jokes:
  “I wish there were more Waymos around... It's so much safer… and I don't like speaking to people.” [09:45]
  Jay adds: “I totally agree… I instantly click, ‘Don’t talk to me’ [in Uber].” [10:37]

9. Final Thoughts and Call to Action (11:41–12:29)

• The duo signs off lightheartedly, reiterating the quick, actionable spirit of their Bathroom Break series.
• Daniel invites listeners to suggest marketing topics or join the conversation on LinkedIn.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reddit’s authenticity:
  “Reddit by design is trying to keep the generic garbage out. So you really have users putting in information, their opinions, their thoughts.” — Jay [04:12]

• On community insight mining:
  “There is a niche for everything and a community for everything. If you think there isn't, Reddit will show you.” — Daniel [05:17]

• On thought leadership participation:
  “You have to answer questions thoughtfully with real expertise behind it, because people will sniff you out.” — Daniel [07:47]

• On platform advantages:
  “Reddit's a totally different environment. You don't need a following—you could have no followers, literally none, and get really involved in the communities.” — Jay [08:50]

Essential Timestamps

• Waymo Podcast Opening & Vibes: 00:01–01:42
• Series Introduction/Podcast Banter: 01:48–02:52
• Why Reddit Matters: 02:52–04:11
• Reddit vs. AI Content: 04:11–05:11
• Trendspotting, Niche Communities: 05:11–06:43
• Google-Reddit Search Hack: 06:45–07:44
• Earning Respect on Reddit: 07:44–08:50
• Level Playing Field on Reddit: 08:50–09:45
• Driverless Car Chat: 09:45–11:41
• Wrap Up & Next Steps: 11:41–12:29

Summary Takeaways

• Reddit is a goldmine for early trendspotting, authentic user conversation, and actionable pain points—not yet overrun by spammy AI material.
• Marketers should learn the rules of engagement on Reddit, respect its communities, and embed themselves genuinely to unlock value.
• Practical hacks (like Google’s “site:reddit.com”) and use of ChatGPT can uncover hidden gems for campaigns.
• No massive following is needed to make an impact—insightful participation is key.
• Driverless cars, apparently, are both a safe ride and the perfect setting for a hot (and at times, sweaty) marketing discussion.

For more rapid-fire tips, follow The Marketing Millennials and “Do This, Not That.” Join the conversation on LinkedIn or suggest future topics. See you on Reddit!