Mastering Social Media: The 80-20 & 70-20-10 Content Rules

Creating engaging social media content isn’t just about posting promotions—it’s about providing value, building relationships, and evoking emotions. To strike the right balance, two essential content strategies are widely used:

1. The 80-20 Rule

2. The 70-20-10 Rule

Let’s break them down and understand how they can elevate your social media strategy.

🔥 The 80-20 Rule: Balancing Value & Promotion

The 80-20 Rule is a widely accepted guideline for social media marketing. It suggests that:

✅ 80% of your content should provide value to your audience. This includes:

• Educational posts

• Entertaining content

• Inspirational stories

• Tips & How-tos

• Industry insights

✅ 20% of your content can be promotional, meaning:

• Showcasing your products or services

• Announcing offers or discounts

• Sharing customer testimonials

Why it works:By focusing primarily on value-driven content, you keep your audience engaged and build trust—so when you do promote your brand, they are more likely to respond positively.

🎯 The 70-20-10 Rule: A Strategic Approach

Another powerful approach is the 70-20-10 Rule, which divides content into three categories:

📌 70% Informative Content

• Blog posts, guides, industry news

• FAQs & expert advice

• Case studies

📌 20% Emotional Content

• Storytelling

• Relatable memes & quotes

• Behind-the-scenes content

📌 10% Promotional Content

• Product launches

• Sales & offers

• Testimonials & brand highlights

Why it works:This strategy ensures most of your content educates or entertains while still allowing for a mix of emotional and promotional content that keeps your brand relevant and engaging.

🔑 Which Rule Should You Follow?

Both rules are effective, but your choice depends on your brand and audience:

👉 Use the 80-20 Rule if you want a simple and engagement-driven approach.👉 Use the 70-20-10 Rule if your audience prefers informational & emotional content over direct promotions.

🔹 Final Tip: No matter which rule you follow, always create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. The key to success on social media is consistency, authenticity, and value-driven storytelling.

🚀 Ready to boost your social media game? Start implementing these rules today!