We’ve all seen it. The brand that posts a nonstop stream of sales pitches, product features, and “buy now” messages. They’re so focused on the sale that they forget the one thing that actually drives sales: value.
This is the biggest mistake you can make on social media. You’re not just selling a product; you’re building a brand. And a brand that’s constantly selling is a brand that’s constantly losing followers, engagement, and trust.
The most successful brands operate with a completely different mindset. They understand that social media is a community, not a marketplace. They understand that if you want to get something from your audience, you have to give something first.
This is where the 80/20 Content Rule comes in. It’s a simple, yet powerful, framework that will change the way you think about content creation. It’s the secret to building a loyal audience that trusts you, loves your content, and is ready to buy from you.
In this guide, we’re going to break down this simple rule, show you why it’s so important, and give you a simple blueprint for creating content that will attract a loyal audience and drive explosive growth.
The Problem: The “Me” Mentality
Why do so many brands fail on social media? It’s simple: they make it all about them.
They post a constant stream of self-promotional content that says, “Buy my product,” “Hire me,” and “Look how great I am.” They’re so focused on their own goals that they forget the one thing that actually matters: their audience’s goals.
Think about it from your audience’s perspective. When they’re scrolling through their feed, they’re not looking for a sales pitch. They’re looking for one of three things:
- To be entertained: They want to laugh, to feel inspired, or to be distracted from their day.
- To be educated: They want to learn a new skill, a new strategy, or a new way to solve a problem.
- To be connected: They want to feel like they’re a part of a community.
A brand that is constantly selling is a brand that is constantly ignoring what its audience actually wants. And in a world where attention is the most valuable currency, that’s a mistake you can’t afford to make.
This “me” mentality is why so many brands are stuck. They’re creating content that serves their own needs, not their audience’s. They’re constantly selling, but no one is buying.
The good news is, there’s a simple framework that can fix this. It’s a simple rule that will change the way you create content and help you build a brand that people actually want to follow.
The 80/20 Rule: The Foundation of a Successful Brand
This is the rule that will fundamentally change the way you think about social media. It’s a simple, yet powerful, framework that every top brand uses.
The 80/20 Rule states that 80% of your content should provide value to your audience, and 20% of your content should be openly promotional.
This isn’t just an arbitrary number. It’s a powerful principle that recognizes that if you want to get something from your audience, you have to give something first.
- The 80% (Give, Give, Give): This is where you build trust and authority. This content is all about your audience. You’re teaching them, inspiring them, or entertaining them. This is the content that proves you’re an expert and builds a loyal community. This is where you show up to serve, not to sell.
- The 20% (Ask): This is where you sell. This content is all about your products, your services, and your offers. This is the content that asks for the sale.
Think of it like a relationship. You wouldn’t go on a first date and immediately ask for a marriage proposal. You’d spend time getting to know them, building a connection, and building trust. That’s what the 80/20 rule is all about. You’re building a relationship with your audience before you ever ask for the sale.
This rule is a powerful way to build a brand that people actually love. It’s a simple shift that will help you build a loyal audience that trusts you, loves your content, and is ready to buy from you when the time is right.
The 70-20-10 Rule: Your Ultimate Content Blueprint
While the 80/20 rule is a great starting point, the most successful brands take it a step further. They understand that not all “value” content is created equal. They use a simple framework that ensures their content is not only valuable but also engaging and community-building.
This is the 70-20-10 Rule, and it’s your ultimate content blueprint.
- 70% Informative Content: This is the content that solves your audience’s problems. It’s the content that teaches them, educates them, and shows them how to do something. This is where you build authority and establish yourself as an expert in your niche. This content is highly “saveable,” which the algorithm loves.
- Examples: Tutorials, frameworks, checklists, and step-by-step guides.
- 20% Emotional Content: This is the content that builds a connection with your audience. It’s the content that evokes emotion—it makes them laugh, it inspires them, or it makes them feel seen. This is where you build a community and a loyal following.
- Examples: Behind-the-scenes content, relatable memes, inspirational quotes, and personal stories.
- 10% Promotional Content: This is where you sell. This content is all about your products, your services, and your offers. The key is to make it valuable. Don’t just say, “Buy my product.” Say, “This is how my product will solve your problem.”
- Examples: Product launches, a testimonial from a client, or a post that directly promotes your service.
By using the 70-20-10 rule, you’re not just creating content. You’re creating a powerful, balanced content strategy that is designed to educate, entertain, and inspire your audience. It’s the ultimate framework for building a brand that’s not only successful but also deeply connected to its community.
The Payoff: More Engagement, More Followers, More Profit
You’ve got the framework. You know the rules. But why does this all matter? Because a smart content strategy isn’t just about getting more likes; it’s about building a loyal audience and a profitable business.
When you switch from the “me” mentality to the “value-first” mentality, you’re not just changing your content. You’re changing your entire business. You’re building a brand that’s based on serving, not selling.
- You’ll Get More Engagement: When you consistently post content that’s valuable, emotional, and informative, your audience will be more likely to engage. They’ll save your content, share it with their friends, and tag you in their posts. The algorithm loves this, and it will reward you with more reach.
- You’ll Attract the Right People: The constant sales pitches attract people who are just looking for a deal. The value-first approach attracts people who are genuinely interested in what you have to say. This makes your sales funnels more effective and your audience more valuable.
- You’ll Make More Sales: This is the most important part. When you spend 90% of your time providing value and building trust, the 10% of the time you sell will be so much more effective. People buy from people they know, like, and trust. By mastering the 70-20-10 rule, you’re building that trust on autopilot.
This isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. It’s about building a business that’s based on a foundation of value, trust, and a loyal community.
Conclusion: Stop Guessing. Start Growing.
You now have the ultimate blueprint for a successful content strategy. It’s time to stop making the costly mistake of making it all about you and start building a brand that’s all about your audience.
By mastering the 80/20 and 70-20-10 content rules, you will not only see your numbers grow, but you will build a loyal community that you’re proud of.
Ready to start growing? Drop a “RULES” in the comments if you’re ready to master your content strategy.