Building genuine connections with your audience is essential for any content creation strategy. As a business or marketer, you understand the importance of creating engaging and meaningful content on social media. The challenge lies in striking a balance between promotional messaging and content that adds value to your audience’s lives. This is where the 70-20-10 rule comes into play.
The 70-20-10 Rule in Content Creation
The 70-20-10 rule is a widely recognized principle in content marketing that helps brands strike the right balance between delivering valuable content, engaging with their audience, and promoting their products or services. It is a content creation strategy that prioritizes value and fosters genuine connections with your audience, ultimately helping you reach new customers and build brand loyalty.
This rule serves as a guiding principle, allocating different types of content across three categories: educational (70%), engaging (20%), and promotional (10%). Let’s dive deeper into each category and explore practical ways to implement them in your content strategy.
The Power of the 70%
The foundation of the 70-20-10 rule lies in providing educational content. This category forms the bulk of your content creation efforts, accounting for 70% of your overall output. Educational content aims to offer valuable information, solve problems, and answer questions that your audience may have. It positions you as an expert in your field and helps build trust among your readers. 70% of your content should be focused on adding value to your audience’s lives. Here’s how to deliver high-value content:
- Share the Knowledge:
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- Curate informative blog posts, tutorials, or industry reports relevant to your niche.
- Answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) in clear, concise language, making you a trusted resource.
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- Become a Thought Leader:
- Offer insightful advice or host interactive Q&A sessions. Share your expertise and position yourself as a leader in your field.
- Spark Conversations:
- Encourage engagement with polls, quizzes, or challenges. This creates a sense of community and keeps your audience glued to your feed.
Nurturing Connections with the 20%
In addition to creating original content, the 70-20-10 Rule The 70-20-10 rule isn’t just about creating your own content – it’s about curating a well-rounded social media experience. Allocating 20% of your social media posts to curated content allows you to diversify your feed and offer varied perspectives to your audience. Here’s how 20% of your content can add variety:
- Fresh Perspectives:
- Share thought-provoking articles, inspiring quotes, or interesting statistics from influencers or experts in your field.
- Industry Insights:
- Showcase industry trends and keep things interesting for your followers.
- Demonstrate Expertise:
- By curating valuable content, you show your commitment to providing comprehensive and informative resources.
10%: A Touch of Self-Promotion
While it may seem counterintuitive, promotional and branded content still has its place within the 70-20-10 rule. When done tastefully, it reinforces your brand’s identity and offerings. The remaining 10% of your social media content, according to the 70-20-10 Rule, can be dedicated to promotional messaging. This is your space for strategic promotion.
By keeping your promotional content minimal, you maintain the focus on delivering value and prevent your social media channels from turning into a constant advertising platform. Remember, moderation is key.
- Highlight Your Offerings:
- Showcase your products, services, or upcoming events, but ensure it complements your valuable content, not replaces it.
- Special Offers and Contests:
- Run exclusive promotions or contests to incentivize engagement, but keep it infrequent to avoid feeling sales-y.
Building a Loyal Community with the 70-20-10 Rule
Once you have implemented the 70-20-10 rule in your content creation strategy, it’s time to focus on building a loyal community. Here are some effective tactics for cultivating a strong sense of belonging and engagement among your audience.
Connecting with Your Audience on a Deeper Level
To foster a strong community connection, prioritize building meaningful relationships with your audience. Here’s how:
- Actively respond to comments, messages, and inquiries from your audience, showing genuine care and interest.
- Personalize your communication whenever possible, addressing individuals by name and acknowledging their contributions or concerns.
- Initiate discussions and ask open-ended questions that encourage your audience to share their thoughts and experiences.
- Show vulnerability and authenticity by sharing personal stories or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your brand’s journey.
By connecting on a deeper level, you humanize your brand and create a safe space where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued.
Encouraging User-Generated Content and Engagement
User-generated content is a powerful tool for community building. It not only increases engagement but also amplifies your brand’s reach. Here are some effective strategies:
- Run contests, challenges, or giveaways that incentivize your audience to create and share content related to your brand.
- Feature user-generated content prominently on your website, social media channels, or other marketing materials to showcase your community’s creativity and enthusiasm.
- Highlight and appreciate your community members’ contributions regularly, whether through shoutouts, testimonials, or awards.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and co-creation by seeking input from your audience when developing new products, features, or initiatives.
Encouraging user-generated content and engagement empowers your community members to become brand advocates and ambassadors, strengthening their connection with your brand.
Leveraging Social Media and Influencers
Social media platforms present abundant opportunities to build and nurture your brand’s community. Consider the following tactics:
- Choose the right social media channels that align with your target audience’s preferences and behaviors.
- Consistently share valuable and engaging content on your social media profiles, including both curated and original content.
- Participate actively in relevant online communities or groups where your audience gathers, demonstrating your expertise and adding value to the conversation.
- Collaborate with influencers or micro-influencers who resonate with your audience, leveraging their reach and credibility to amplify your brand’s message.
Social media platforms and influencers can serve as powerful catalysts for community growth and engagement when approached strategically.
Putting the 70-20-10 Rule into Action
Incorporating the 70-20-10 rule into your content strategy empowers you to add value and build a robust community around your brand. By dedicating 70% of your efforts to providing educational content, 20% to nurturing connections, and 10% to promoting your brand creatively, you strike a balance that resonates with your audience.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize educational content that solves your audience’s problems and delivers actionable insights.
- Infuse storytelling elements into your educational content to make it more engaging and memorable.
- Nurture connections through social engagement, active conversation, and user-generated content.
- Leverage behind-the-scenes insights and exclusive content to cultivate a sense of exclusivity.
- Host live events and webinars to facilitate real-time interaction and foster a deeper connection.
💡 How Can You Incorporate the 70-20-10 Rule into Your Content Strategy?
Now that you understand the power of the 70-20-10 rule, take a moment to reflect on how you can integrate it into your own content strategy. Here’s a guide that will help you discover your audience’s needs, the type of content they find most valuable, and how you can foster genuine connections.
So why wait? Start adding value and building a strong community today!
