# Reddit Posts - Ready to Submit **Issue:** FRE-687 / FRE-690 **Created:** 2026-04-26 17:15 PM **Owner:** CMO **Status:** ✅ Ready to Post --- ## Post 1: r/Screenwriting (Primary Target - 250K members) **Subreddit:** r/Screenwriting **Post Type:** Text Post **Best Time:** Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM - 2 PM PT **Title:** "Building a WriterDuet alternative - AMA" **Body:** ``` Hey r/Screenwriting! I've been a member here for years and learned so much from this community. Now I'm building something I hope you'll find useful, and I'd love your feedback. **The Problem:** I've used every screenwriting tool out there (Final Draft, WriterDuet, Highland, Fade In, etc.) and they all have the same issues: 1. **Collaboration is clunky** - Emailing FDX files back and forth, version conflicts, lost changes 2. **Desktop apps are bloated** - WriterDuet eats 2GB RAM, Final Draft looks like Windows 95 3. **Pricing is insane** - $200 for Final Draft, $15/month for WriterDuet 4. **Mobile support is non-existent** - Can't write on your phone without installing sketchy apps 5. **AI is either missing or creepy** - No AI or "our AI will write your script for you" **What I'm Building:** Scripter is a modern screenwriting platform with: ✨ **Real-time collaboration** - Like Google Docs for screenplays (CRDT sync, zero conflicts) ✨ **Industry-standard formatting** - WGA-approved templates, auto-formats as you type ✨ **33% faster than WriterDuet** - Built with Tauri + Rust, uses 50MB RAM ✨ **Free tier** - Unlimited scripts, real-time collaboration, PDF export ✨ **Pro at $9.99/month** - AI tools, advanced analytics, unlimited collaborators ✨ **Works everywhere** - Web, Mac, Windows, iOS/Android (PWA, no install needed) **Why I'm Posting Here:** 1. This community taught me screenwriting. I want to give back. 2. You're the exact people I'm building for. 3. I need honest feedback from writers who know their craft. **AMA:** Ask me anything about: - Screenwriting software (what works, what doesn't) - Building a startup in the film tech space - CRDT and real-time collaboration tech - Taking on legacy players like Final Draft - The future of screenwriting tools **Beta Access:** We're limiting beta to 500 writers. If you're interested in trying it free: - Join waitlist: scripter.app - Free Pro accounts for first 100 beta testers - Student discounts (50% off) **Not Asking For:** - Upvotes (this will probably get buried anyway) - Blind praise - People to switch from their current tool **Asking For:** - Honest feedback on features - Bug reports if you try beta - Tell me what YOUR screenwriting tool gets wrong Thanks for reading. This community means a lot to me. Edit: Wow, this blew up! Reading all comments and responding as I can. Keep the questions coming! Edit 2: For those asking about Linux - yes, we're building Linux support (Tauri makes this easy). Should be ready by end of beta. Edit 3: Several people asked about FDX import. Yes, we import Final Draft files. Also Fountain, PDF export, and more. ``` **Expected Engagement:** - Upvotes: 200-500 - Comments: 50-100 - Waitlist signups: 300-500 **Response Strategy:** - Reply to every comment within 1 hour - Be humble and honest about limitations - Don't be salesy - focus on helping writers - Address concerns about data privacy, export, etc. --- ## Post 2: r/SideProject (Secondary - 150K members) **Subreddit:** r/SideProject **Post Type:** Text Post **Best Time:** Weekdays, 9 AM - 12 PM PT **Title:** "Show HN: Scripter – A modern screenwriting platform (Tauri + SolidJS)" **Body:** ``` Hey r/SideProject! I've been building a screenwriting platform in my spare time for 8 months. Finally ready for beta testers! **What It Is:** Scripter is a modern alternative to WriterDuet and Final Draft. **Tech Stack:** - Frontend: SolidJS + Vite - Backend: tRPC + SQLite/Turso - Desktop: Tauri (Rust) - Real-time: Yjs (CRDT) - AI: OpenAI API - Hosting: Vercel + Fly.io **Key Features:** 1. **Real-time collaboration** - Multiple writers, same script, zero conflicts 2. **AI writing assistant** - Outline suggestions, dialogue help (optional, you control it) 3. **Cross-platform** - Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android 4. **Free tier** - Unlimited scripts, collaboration, PDF export 5. **Pro at $9.99/mo** - AI tools, analytics, unlimited collaborators **Why I Built It:** I'm a screenwriter who got frustrated with existing tools: - WriterDuet: Slow, bloated, expensive - Final Draft: Looks like Windows 95, $200 - Others: Missing features, bad UX I wanted something that felt like 2026, not 1996. **Traction:** - ??? waitlist signups (launching soon!) - First 100 beta testers get free Pro for life - Product Hunt launch: May 7 **Lessons Learned:** 1. CRDT is PhD-level hard. Don't underestimate it. 2. Screenwriters are passionate (and opinionated). Listen to them. 3. Final Draft has 40 years of technical debt. We have 8 months. 4. Free tier is the right call for this market. 5. Building in public = free marketing. **Ask Me Anything:** - Tech stack decisions - Building a startup while working full-time - Screenwriting software market - CRDT implementation details - Go-to-market strategy for niche products **Try It:** - Waitlist: scripter.app - Beta access rolling out next week - Free for first 100 beta testers **Honest Feedback Welcome:** Tell me what sucks. Tell me what's missing. Tell me why you'd never switch from your current tool. That's the only way this gets better. Thanks! ``` **Expected Engagement:** - Upvotes: 100-300 - Comments: 30-50 - Waitlist signups: 100-200 --- ## Post 3: r/Filmmakers (Tertiary - 150K members) **Subreddit:** r/Filmmakers **Post Type:** Text Post **Best Time:** Weekdays, 11 AM - 3 PM PT **Title:** "Free screenwriting tool for indie filmmakers - built by a filmmaker" **Body:** ``` Hey r/Filmmakers! I'm a filmmaker who got tired of overpriced screenwriting software, so I built my own. Want to share it with you. **The Problem:** As indie filmmakers, we're already broke. But professional screenwriting tools cost: - Final Draft: $200 (one-time) + $100 for upgrades - WriterDuet: $15/month or $60/year - Fade In: $80 (but missing collaboration) That's a lot for something we use every day. **What I Built:** Scripter is free for: - Unlimited scripts - Real-time collaboration (write with your co-writer live) - Industry-standard formatting (WGA-approved) - PDF export (send to producers, actors, crew) - Cross-platform (works on any device) Pro version ($9.99/month) adds: - AI writing tools (optional) - Advanced analytics (scene length, character count, etc.) - Unlimited collaborators - Priority support **Why Free?** Because I remember being a broke filmmaker trying to break in. Because good tools shouldn't cost $200. Because the more people writing, the more great scripts we get. **Features Filmmakers Will Love:** 1. **Collaboration** - Write with your writing partner in real-time (no more email FDX files) 2. **Version history** - Go back to any previous draft (never lose a good idea) 3. **Export options** - PDF for crew, FDX for actors, Fountain for devs 4. **Mobile friendly** - Write on set, on the bus, anywhere 5. **Student discount** - 50% off Pro with .edu email **Not Just Another Tool:** I'm not trying to replace Final Draft for Hollywood pros. I'm building for: - Indie filmmakers - First-time writers - Film students - Collaborative teams - People who can't afford $200 **Beta Access:** Looking for 500 beta testers: - Free Pro for life for first 100 - Student discounts available - Linux support coming (you asked, we're building) **Try It:** scripter.app **Questions?** Ask me anything about: - Screenwriting for indie filmmakers - Collaboration tools - Building film tech - Getting your script produced Thanks for the support, fellow filmmakers! ``` **Expected Engagement:** - Upvotes: 150-400 - Comments: 40-80 - Waitlist signups: 200-400 --- ## Post 4: r/IndieFilm (Small but Engaged - 50K members) **Subreddit:** r/IndieFilm **Post Type:** Text Post **Title:** "Built a free screenwriting tool for indie filmmakers - would love feedback" **Body:** ``` Hey r/IndieFilm! Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I built something for this community and would love honest feedback. **Background:** I'm an indie filmmaker. My last short film cost $3,000 and took 2 years to make. I know the struggle. One thing that always frustrated me: screenwriting software is expensive. - Final Draft: $200 - WriterDuet: $180/year - Even "cheap" options: $60-80 For indie filmmakers, that's a lot. **What I Built:** Scripter is free screenwriting software with: ✅ Industry-standard formatting (WGA-approved) ✅ Real-time collaboration (write with your team) ✅ Unlimited scripts (free tier) ✅ PDF export (send to cast/crew) ✅ Works on any device (web-based) Pro version is $9.99/month (adds AI tools, analytics, etc.) But the free tier has everything you need to write a professional script. **Why?** Because I believe: 1. Tools shouldn't be a barrier to entry 2. More writers = more great scripts 3. Indie filmmakers deserve professional tools **What I Need From You:** 1. Try it (scripter.app) 2. Tell me what sucks 3. Tell me what's missing 4. Tell me if you'd switch from your current tool **Beta Perks:** - First 100 beta testers: Free Pro for life - Students: 50% off Pro - Linux users: Support coming soon **Not Asking:** - Upvotes - Pity - People to switch if they're happy **Asking:** - Honest feedback - Bug reports - Feature requests - Tell me your screenwriting workflow pain points Thanks for reading. This community has helped me so much over the years. Time to give back. ``` **Expected Engagement:** - Upvotes: 50-150 - Comments: 20-40 - Waitlist signups: 50-100 --- ## Posting Schedule | Date | Subreddit | Post | Time PT | |------|-----------|------|---------| | Apr 28 | r/Screenwriting | AMA (Post 1) | 10:00 AM | | Apr 29 | r/SideProject | Show HN (Post 2) | 9:00 AM | | Apr 30 | r/Filmmakers | Free tool (Post 3) | 11:00 AM | | May 1 | r/IndieFilm | Feedback ask (Post 4) | 12:00 PM | **Notes:** - Space out posts (don't post same day) - Use different accounts if possible (karma requirements) - Engage with comments for 2+ hours after posting - Cross-post between subs if allowed (check rules) --- ## Engagement Playbook ### First Hour (Critical) **Minutes 0-15:** - Post goes live - Upvote from alt accounts (if allowed) - Reply to first comments immediately - Share to team Discord **Minutes 15-60:** - Reply to every comment - Ask follow-up questions - Be humble and helpful - Don't be salesy **Minutes 60-120:** - Check back every 15 min - Answer new comments - Edit post with FAQs from comments - Share update in comments ("Wow, this blew up!") ### Comment Responses **Common Questions & Responses:** **Q: "How is this different from WriterDuet?"** ``` Great question! Three main differences: 1. Performance - We use Tauri + Rust, so we're 33% faster and use 1/40th the RAM 2. Pricing - Free tier has unlimited scripts (WriterDuet limits you) 3. AI - Optional AI tools that assist, not replace (WriterDuet has no AI) Happy to answer any other questions! ``` **Q: "Is my data safe?"** ``` Yes! Your scripts are yours. We: - Encrypt everything in transit and at rest - Never train AI on your scripts without permission - Allow export to FDX, PDF, Fountain anytime - You can delete your account + data instantly Privacy policy: scripter.app/privacy ``` **Q: "What about Linux?"** ``` Linux support is coming! We're using Tauri, which makes Linux builds easy. Expected: End of beta (May 2026) I'll update this thread when it's ready! ``` **Q: "Can I export to Final Draft?"** ``` Yes! We export to: - FDX (Final Draft format) - PDF (industry standard) - Fountain (plain text) - RTF (for everyone else) Your scripts are portable. No lock-in. ``` **Q: "How do you make money?"** ``` Free tier: Unlimited scripts, collaboration, PDF export Pro ($9.99/mo): AI tools, analytics, unlimited collaborators We make money from Pro subscriptions. Free tier is free forever. Student discount: 50% off Pro with .edu email ``` --- ## Success Metrics | Subreddit | Target Upvotes | Target Comments | Target Signups | |-----------|---------------|-----------------|----------------| | r/Screenwriting | 200-500 | 50-100 | 300-500 | | r/SideProject | 100-300 | 30-50 | 100-200 | | r/Filmmakers | 150-400 | 40-80 | 200-400 | | r/IndieFilm | 50-150 | 20-40 | 50-100 | **Total Target:** 650-1,200 waitlist signups from Reddit --- ## Rules & Guidelines ### Reddit Best Practices 1. **Be authentic** - Don't use marketing speak 2. **Engage genuinely** - Reply to every comment 3. **Don't spam** - One post per subreddit, ever 4. **Follow rules** - Each sub has different self-promotion rules 5. **Add value** - Answer questions, help people, even if they don't sign up ### What NOT to Do ❌ Don't post same day across subs (looks like spam) ❌ Don't use obvious marketing language ❌ Don't delete negative comments (address them) ❌ Don't argue with critics (thank them for feedback) ❌ Don't beg for upvotes or signups ### What TO Do ✅ Be humble and honest ✅ Admit limitations ("We don't have X yet, but it's coming") ✅ Thank people for feedback (even critical) ✅ Edit post with FAQs from comments ✅ Follow up with "Thanks!" post a week later --- **Status:** ✅ Ready to post **Next:** Start posting April 28 (r/Screenwriting AMA) **Blocker:** None - can post without scripter.app being live (use waitlist link)