Over the past decade, the world has evolved into a global village, buzzing with billions of interconnected users worldwide. With the rise of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, social media has now become a go-to spot for people to connect, entertain and even shop online!
According to the Datareportal January April global overview, approximately 5.07 billion people use social media aka 62.3% of our global population! Now that is a massive audience for any business looking for ways to advertise their products and services!
While advertising on social media can be a lucrative opportunity for brands and businesses there’s still a catch. Being a marketing powerhouse, social media attracts customers and sellers alike making it quite a competitive arena to win at.
However, that’s where a killer social media strategy comes in. Wanna know the one secret weapon that many marketers swear by? The 80/20 social media rule!
What is the 80/20 Social Media Rule?
The 80/20 social media rule is a widely recognized marketing strategy, derived from the famous Pareto Principle. According to this principle, 80% of results in any given situation come from 20% of causes.
When applying the 80/20 rule to social media, it suggests that 80% of your social media content should provide value, solve problems, or engage your audience, while the remaining 20% should explicitly promote your products and/or services.
Think of it like maintaining a well-balanced diet. The nutritious combinations of everyday meals represent the 80% value-driven content that feeds your audience and keeps them hooked, while the occasional treats symbolize the 20% promotional content that entices them to take action and buy your products.
The 80%
The Value Feast (40%)
- Industry Insights: Share the latest news and updates in your field. Keep your followers informed and show them you’re on top of your game.
- How-To Helpings: Offer tutorials, guides, and insights related to your brand’s expertise. Think of it as free advice that positions you as a thought leader.
- Insider Specials: Give your audience a peek behind the curtain! Share glimpses into your company culture or the creative process.
The Engagement Zone (30%)
- Spark Conversations: Get the conversation flowing with thought-provoking questions. Encourage your audience to chime in and share their thoughts.
- Fan Fare: Feature user-generated content and stories from your customers. It shows appreciation and builds a sense of community.
- Interactive Fun: Spice things up with contests, challenges, or polls. This is a great way to boost engagement and get people interacting with your brand.
The Entertainment Corner (10%)
- Laughter is the best medicine! Share funny memes, lighthearted videos, or content that resonates with your brand’s personality. It’s a great way to break the ice and build a connection.
- Themed Treats: Celebrate holidays or special occasions with creative posts. Show your audience you’re in tune with the world around them.
The 20%
The Promotional Plate (20%)
- New Arrivals Alerts: Announce new products or services and get your audience excited about what you have to offer.
- Special Offers: Who doesn’t love a good deal? Share exclusive discounts or promotions to incentivize your followers.
- Success Stories: Showcase testimonials and case studies that highlight your brand value. Social proof is powerful!
Remember, the key to social media marketing is to create a diverse and engaging content mix that offers something for everyone. This approach will keep your audience returning for more and help you build stronger connections with them. For more guidance regarding social media marketing, make sure to check out our social media marketing guide.
On Which Social Network Should You Share Content Most Frequently?
Now that you know what do we mean when we say you should post an “80/20 mix” on social media, you must be wondering on which social network should you share content most frequently?
The platform you select for social media marketing depends heavily on your target audience and niche. To know on which social network should you share content most frequently, you must first understand your target audience, determine their age, gender, routines, and other factors that influence a person’s social media usage.
Here is a breakdown of demographics on different platforms to help you understand and reach your audience better.
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LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the undisputed king of B2B marketing. Here, you’ll find a sea of well-educated users aged between 25 and 34, with a slight skew towards males. Lawyers, accountants, financial institutions, and tech companies – all can thrive here by sharing industry reports, thought leadership articles, and networking with potential clients and partners.
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Twitter
Twitter is all about quick updates, bite-sized news, and engaging conversations. It’s a fantastic platform for B2B companies to share industry news, participate in discussions with influencers, and build brand awareness. The demographic here leans towards a younger crowd, aged 18-34, with a slight male majority. They’re news-hungry and love staying in the loop.
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Instagram
If your brand is all about aesthetics, decor, beauty, or fashion, then Instagram is your best bet. This platform is a visual paradise, full of fashionistas, millennial moms, and Gen Z trendsetters, aged 18-34. Here you can showcase your products in all their glory, creating captivating lifestyle imagery that resonates with your target audience.
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TikTok
Did you know over 61% of TikTok users discover new brands and products through the platform? Tiktok has probably become a household staple at this point. Here, you’ll find a younger demographic, mostly aged 13-24, with a slight female skew. Phone, car accessories, fashion, makeup, skincare, and other similar brands can use TikTok to demonstrate products and feature user-generated content. They can also tap into trending challenges to connect with a younger audience.
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Facebook
Facebook, while not the shiny new toy anymore, is still a dominant force for local businesses. From over 3 billion people who use facebook, 50.3% are between the ages of 25-44 years old. Restaurants, cafes, and retail stores with a physical presence can leverage Facebook to share local news, announce events, and run special promotions to reach their neighbors.
Decoding the Buyer Brain: How Social Media 80/20 Rule Hacks Buyer Psychology
Constantly nagging buyers with sales pitches and boasting about your products can be quite an annoying experience. Most of the time, it’ll only result in the buyer blocking or removing your page from their feed.
That’s why marketing gurus came up with the 80/20 social media rule – a secret weapon for influencing how you think about brands. People don’t want to be constantly sold to. They crave information, entertainment, and a sense of connection before they consider whipping out their wallets. This is where the 80/20 rule in social media shines. Here’s how it taps into your buyer’s brain:
Builds Trust Like a Boss
By providing valuable content 80% of the time, you become a helpful friend to your followers, not the pushy salesman. You share educational posts, industry secrets, or hilarious memes. This builds trust and positions your brand as an expert, not just someone trying to make a quick buck.
Excellent Conversation Starters
Interesting content keeps everyone hooked. A user is more likely to follow a brand that shares things you find genuinely informative or entertaining. This keeps the conversation flowing and makes the brand easy to remember. It’s like having a friend who always knows how to lighten things up at the party.
Knows What To Say, When To Say
Limiting promotional content to 20% makes you seem humble and natural. After multiple value-added posts, when your brand finally mentions its products or services, it feels like a natural extension. It’s like your friend finally mentioning their new salon, but only after you’ve been raving about how desperately you need a good haircut. Suddenly, you’re all ears!
Addressing Your Needs
The 80/20 social media rule lets you subtly address different stages of your buyer’s buying journey. Informational content educates them about their needs and challenges. Entertaining content keeps them engaged and helps them associate the brand with positive feelings. Promotional content highlights how the brand’s product or service solves its problems – the perfect call to action at the end of the night.
The Psychology of Reciprocity
Social media 80/20 rule plays on the idea of reciprocity. By providing value upfront (the 80% entertaining, engaging and informative content), you’re giving buyers something before asking for anything in return (the 20% promotional content). This triggers a feeling of obligation, making them more receptive to your message and more likely to consider you when they’re ready to buy.
Leverage The Power Of Social Media Marketing With Advertyzed
Creating the ideal social media mix to resonate with your target audience can feel overwhelming. But fret no more! At Advertyzed, we’re a team of social media wizards, all set to do our magic for you!
With the help of our secret weapon- the 80/20 social media rule we can craft a winning strategy that educates, entertains and subtly promotes your brand – all while keeping your audience glued to your feed.
Leave your brand’s social media marketing to us, the experts. We’ll help you connect with your target audience and achieve your marketing goals, so you can focus on what you do best.