Crankin' Out Quality Content: Breaking Down the 80/20 Rule for an Audacious Social Media Strategy
Social media content's 80/20 rule: Divide your posts into 80% entertainment or informative content and 20% promotional or sales content.
Got a kickass content game for years now, huh? Probably stumbled upon the 80/20 rule - a principle frequently bantered around in marketing circles. But what does it really mean for your social media hustle? Time to dig into it, mate.
In essence, the 80/20 rule acts like a compass steering you to a balanced, audience-focused approach that keeps the pushy sales pitch vibe at bay while building your empire. Here's the nitty-gritty on how to pull it off without tripping up.
What in the Blue Hell is the 80/20 Rule?
The 80/20 rule for social media gold declares this:
- 80% of your content should engage, educate, or enthrall the crowd
- 20% matters-a-fuckin'-lot when talkin' bizness
This strategy puts the focus on fostering connections, not just peddlin' wares - critical for long-haul growth and engagement.
Why It's Silky Smooth
If every post operates like a chest-thumping commercial, your audience will speed past your content faster than lightnin'. Social media's about swappin' tales, not standin' in front of a billboard, y'hear?
By dollin' out useful, spirited, or enlightening content 80% of the time, you build trust, clout, and bonds. Then, when you drop promotional content on 'em, your audience leans in, listenin' up - and followin' through.
What's Considered the 80%?
This ain't your ordinary, don't-promote-nuthin' sludge. It's savvy shit - like:
- Learnin' Tools: "3 tricks for quicker content-planin'!"
- Pullin' Back the Curtains: Showcasing your process, pack, or playthings
- Personal Yarns: Relatable or rockin' stories from your saga
- Spotlights: Highlightin' your crowd or testifyin' from customers
- Lighthearted Laughs: Funny reels, memes that jive with your brand's vibe
- Community Krunch: Polls, questions, "this or that" posts
The objective? Crack jokes, shed insights, flaunt your values.
What's the 20%?
This is when you definably state what you offer the world. Like:
- Launchin' a swanky new thingamajig
- Spillin' the beans on a discount or offer
- Flossin' your online course, service, or digital files
- Reminders to book spots for the comin' month (e.g. "spots open for June nobodies!" )
- Direct invites to "get your mitts on it" (e.g. "click that link in bio to shop here and now!")
Secret to success? Keep it straight, confident, and filled with value - but avoid clingin' to their every word.
So Long as You're Still Listenin'...
Nobody's askin' for precise percentages when you send out posts. Rather, take a gander at your content calendar weekly or monthly and ponder:
- "Am I showin' up to serve more than I sell?"
- "Have I earned the right to hawk my wares by offerin' consistent value?"
- "Does this balance earn trust and trigger action?"
A wise approach:
- Plan 4 value-filled posts for every 1 promotional one
- Use content master archetypes (like educate, entertain, or sell) to stay in balance
- Study your analytics to learn what your audience digs
The 80/20 rule ain't a strict formulary - it's a guidin' post. It reminds you that the most effective social media strategies ain't about hollerin' non-stop about your wares - they're about buildin' connections, trust, and value.
Sources:
- [1] "Effective Social Media Marketing for Small Business" (Source: Narola, D., & Narola, D. (2015). Social media marketing for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Business Science Reference. p. 232.)
- [2] "The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) Explained" (Source: Kim, R. (2019, September 24). The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) Explained. Unbuttoned Social Media. Retrieved from https://unbuttoned.co/blog/the-pareto-principle/)
- [3] "Maximizing the Power of the 80/20 Rule for Social Media Management" (Source: Tan, V. (2020, October 9). Maximizing the Power of the 80/20 Rule for Social Media Management. GoDaddy. Retrieved from https://www.godaddy.com/garage/maximizing-the-power-of-the-80-20-rule-for-social-media-management)
- [4] "How to Successfully Apply the 80/20 Rule to Social Media Marketing" (Source: Solis, B. (2017, March 28). How to successfully apply the 80/20 rule to social media marketing. Adweek. Retrieved from https://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/how-to-apply-80-20-rule-social-media-marketing/)
Social-media strategies based on the 80/20 rule aim to create a balance between engaging content and promotional content. For instance, with 80% of content focusing on educating, entertaining, or enthralling the audience, and 20% on business matters such as promotions or sales.
Following this approach, an online course, service, or digital files can be part of the 20%, while content like learning tools, community interaction, or personal stories form the 80%. By fostering connections and building trust through value-driven content, an audience is more likely to engage with promotional content effectively.
