How To Use the 80/20 Rule to Grow Faster on Social Media

The 80/20 Rule in Content Making In Blogging

I’ll be real with you.
Most people post content that no one cares about.
They sell too hard.
They push too much.
And then they act surprised when nobody watches, comments, or buys.

So today, I’m breaking down the 80/20 rule, the one strategy that helped me grow Myke Educate without becoming a walking billboard.

And if you’re wondering why your posts get ignored, or why your engagement looks like a graveyard, keep reading — this will fix it.

What the 80/20 Rule Really Means in Content Marketing

The 80/20 rule — also called the Pareto Principle — shows up everywhere.
20% of your friends bring you 80% of your peace.
20% of your clients bring you 80% of your revenue.
20% of your habits give you 80% of your results.

 

Same thing with content.

In content marketing, the 80/20 rule says:

• 80% of what you post should give value
• 20% of what you post should sell something

Simple.
Clean.
And the reason most creators fail?
They flip it.

They sell 80% of the time.
They educate, entertain, or inspire only 20% of the time.
And then they wonder why people run away the moment they post.

Look.
When people open their phones, they’re not thinking,
“Oh wow, I hope someone sells me something right now.”

No.
They want to escape.
Learn.
Laugh.
Find answers.
Feel something.

The 80/20 rule ensures you respect that.

Why the 80/20 Rule Works (And Why People Hate “Salesy” Content)

Here's the truth nobody wants to say:
People don’t avoid your content because you're bad.
They avoid your content because you feel like an advert.

Every time someone scrolls, they’re subconsciously asking:

• Does this teach me something?
• Does this entertain me?
• Does this make my life easier?
• Does this give me a quick win?

If the answer is “no,” they scroll past.

But when 80% of your content hits those four points, something crazy happens:

• People start liking your posts.
• People start sharing your content.
• People start trusting you.
• People start coming back.
• People eventually buy — because they feel safe with you.

That 20% sales part becomes effortless.

Value builds trust.
Trust builds sales.

That’s the whole game.

80% Content: What You Should Actually Post

This is the part where creators feel lost.
They say, “But Myke, what do I even post for the 80%?”

Let me make it simple.
Your value content should do one or more of these:

1. Educate

Teach your audience something useful.

• Tips
• Ideas
• Frameworks
• How-Tos
• Tutorials
• Behind-the-scenes
• Breaking down trending topics

Example:
“How the content algorithm actually works (and why your posts flop).”

2. Entertain

People love to laugh or relate.

• Memes
• Stories
• Relatable moments
• “Unpopular opinions”
• Industry jokes

Example:
“POV: You spent 3 hours editing a reel and it gets 12 views.”

3. Inspire

Give them hope.

• Lessons from your journey
• Mistakes you made
• Challenges you overcame
• Before vs. after transformations

Example:
“I started posting content with zero followers. Here’s what happened after 100 days.”

4. Engage

Get them involved.

• Questions
• Polls
• Fill-in-the-blanks
• “This or That” formats
• Controversial takes

Example:
“What’s the one thing you wish brands would stop doing?”

If your content hits ANY of these angles, it falls under the 80%.

The 20%: Your Sales Content Without Feeling Sleazy

Most people think selling is evil because they’ve only seen bad selling.

Your 20% sales content should feel like a natural extension of your helpful content.

Examples:

• Announce a discount or promo
• Share customer testimonials
• Share case studies or results
• Talk about your new product release
• Share positive media coverage
• Invite people to join your email list
• Promote a new service

Selling should feel like:

“I’ve been giving you value.
Here’s something else that can help you more.”
Not:
“Buy now before I disappear.”

How to Mix the 80/20 Rule Without Burning Out

Here’s where creators mess up:
They try to post new, original ideas every single day.

Bad move.

You have three content sources:

✔ 1. Original Content

Your own ideas, tips, and experiences.
This builds authority.

✔ 2. Curated Content (3rd-party)

Sharing news, trends, or great insights from others.
This shows you stay updated.

✔ 3. Hybrid Content

A mix of both.
For example:
You share an industry trend and add your take.

This is the easiest way to stay consistent.

Sustainability is the real superpower, not creativity.

Why This Strategy Keeps Your Audience Loyal

Audiences unfollow when:

• You’re inconsistent
• You’re too salesy
• You post random topics
• Your content doesn’t feel useful
• You break their trust

The 80/20 rule avoids all that.
It keeps your brand focused, approachable, predictable, and trustworthy.

If your audience knows:
“80% of the time Myke gives me value.
20% of the time he offers something,”
They stick around.

 

Because that relationship feels fair.

FAQs

1. Does the 80/20 rule work for new pages?

Yes. In fact, it works even better. New audiences need value FIRST before they care about your product.

2. What if I have nothing to sell yet?

Then do 100% value until you do.
Content builds trust before you monetise.

3. How often should I post?

Daily if possible.
But consistency matters more than frequency.

4. What if my product is content?

Still follow the rule.
Teach first.
Offer second.

5. Is the 80/20 rule strict?

No.
It’s a guide.
You can adjust to 70/30 or 85/15 depending on your brand.

If you want a content strategy that builds trust, drives sales, and grows your brand without feeling like spam, stick to the 80/20 rule — it works every single time.