If you’re not following the 80/20 rule, you’re missing out on massive social media growth

If you’re not following the 80/20 rule, you’re missing out on massive social media growth


I work with many clients that need help growing their social media follower counts. Most of the time I see them failing to follow one simple principle: the 80/20 rule.

What is the 80/20 rule?

Simple, 80% of the content you share on your social media channels should be focused on helping your audience. What do I mean by that? Share content that is not all about you. Share content that helps followers to dress better, cook tastier recipes, understand their finances, etc, etc. The key is to share posts, pics, and videos so valuable, so helpful, that they will a) trust you, b) want to subscribe or follow you to get even more, and c) share them with others so that they too demonstrate that they’re valuable enough to follow.

This then helps you to build a larger social network in which to then, 20% of the time, share and post content that helps you to grow your actual business. Just 20% of the content you share online should be that sales pitch, your latest press release, paid endorsement, or valuable coupon.

Too many brands have the 80/20 rule flipped. They spend so much time hawking what they offer that they just can’t grow their audience. After all, who wants to follow a social media profile that is constantly trying to get you to buy their products or services? We see enough sponsored posts in our feeds already!

The more helpful posts, images, and videos you share, the larger you will grow your audience. The larger your audience, the more business you’ll see from the 1 in 5 posts that are self-promotional.

ByAndy Beal

Andy Beal is The Original Online Reputation Expert™. A bestselling author of two critically-acclaimed reputation management books, a keynote speaker at dozens of events, and brand consultant experience with thousands of individuals and companies.