The 80/20 Rule for Social Media Content
A common mistake businesses make on social media is posting too many promotional posts. The 80/20 rule is a simple strategy that helps keep your content engaging while still promoting your business.
The rule is simple:
- 80% of your posts should provide value
- 20% of your posts can promote your business
This balance helps build trust and keep your audience interested.
1. Focus on Value First (80%)
Most of your content should help, educate, or entertain your audience.
Examples of value-based posts include:
- Helpful tips or advice
- Educational content
- Industry insights
- Inspirational quotes
- Behind-the-scenes posts
- Memes or relatable content
- Answering common questions
These types of posts encourage engagement and make people more likely to follow your account.
2. Promote Your Business Occasionally (20%)
Promotional posts are still important, but they should appear less frequently.
Examples of promotional posts include:
- Announcing your services
- Product highlights
- Special offers or promotions
- Event announcements
- Sales or limited-time deals
Keeping promotions limited prevents your content from feeling too sales-focused.
3. Why the 80/20 Rule Works
People follow social media accounts for interesting and helpful content, not constant advertising.
Using the 80/20 rule helps:
- Build trust with your audience
- Increase engagement on your posts
- Make promotional posts feel more natural
When your audience values your content, they are more likely to support your business.
4. Example Weekly Posting Plan
If you post 5 times per week, a balanced plan could look like this:
Value posts (4 posts):
- Educational tip
- Industry insight
- Quote or motivational post
- Behind-the-scenes content
Promotional post (1 post):
- Product or service highlight
This keeps your page engaging while still promoting your business.
5. Plan Your Content in Advance
Using the 80/20 rule becomes easier when you plan your content ahead of time.
You can:
- Create a weekly or monthly content plan
- Mix different types of posts
- Schedule posts in advance
Tools like Marky can help you organize and schedule your content calendar.
✅ Tip: If your social media feels too promotional, try increasing your value-based posts. This often leads to better engagement.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out! Happy posting!
Josiah, CEO
