What is the 70/20/10 Rule in Social Media?

If you're a business owner in Middletown or anywhere in New Jersey, you've probably struggled with social media. What should you post? How often? How much can you talk about your business without annoying people?

The 70/20/10 rule solves this problem. It's a simple framework that tells you exactly what types of content to share and in what proportions.

Here's the breakdown: 70% of your posts should provide value to your audience. 20% should be shared content or engaging conversations. 10% can be promotional content about your business.

That's it. Simple math that works.

The 70% – Value-First Content

This is your bread and butter. Seventy percent of everything you post should help your audience in some way.

Think about what your customers actually need. If you run a restaurant in Red Bank, share cooking tips. If you're a contractor in Monmouth County, post home maintenance advice. If you sell insurance, explain coverage basics in plain English.

This content builds trust. When someone sees your posts consistently helping them solve problems, they remember you. They start thinking of you as the expert in your field.

Examples of value-first content:

• How-to guides related to your industry
• Tips that save people time or money
• Local information that helps your community
• Educational content that answers common questions
• Behind-the-scenes looks at your expertise

The key word here is "help." Every post in this category should make someone's life a little easier or better.

Don't overthink it. A plumber sharing "5 Signs You Need to Call a Professional" is perfect 70% content. So is a bakery posting bread-making tips or a landscaper explaining seasonal yard care.

The 20% – Shared and Community Content

Twenty percent of your content should come from other sources or focus on engagement with your community.

This shows you're not just talking about yourself all the time. You're part of a larger conversation.

Share relevant articles from industry publications. Repost content from other local businesses (with credit). Participate in community discussions about Middletown events or New Jersey news.

Examples of 20% content:

• Sharing an interesting article about your industry
• Reposting customer photos (with permission)
• Highlighting other local businesses you recommend
• Commenting on local events or community news
• Asking questions to start conversations with your audience

This content type builds relationships. It shows you care about more than just your bottom line. You're invested in your community and industry as a whole.

A real estate agent might share an article about mortgage rates. A restaurant owner could repost photos from a local farmers market. A gym owner might highlight a charity run happening in town.

The goal is engagement. You want people commenting, sharing, and feeling connected to you as more than just a business.

The 10% – Promotional Content

Only ten percent of your posts should directly promote your business, products, or services.

This seems scary for most business owners. Only 10%? How will people know what I sell?

Trust the process. The other 90% of your content is already showing people what you do and how good you are at it.

Your promotional content should be strategic. Announce new products or services. Share special offers. Highlight customer success stories. Post about upcoming events or sales.

Examples of 10% content:

• New product announcements
• Special offers or discounts
• Customer testimonials and success stories
• Event announcements
• "Now hiring" posts
• Holiday hours or business updates

Keep it tasteful. Even your promotional content should provide value. Instead of just saying "Buy our product," explain why it solves a specific problem.

A landscaping company might post: "Spring cleanup special – book now to get your yard ready for entertaining season." That's promotional but also helpful.

Why This Rule Works for New Jersey Businesses

People don't follow businesses on social media to see constant advertisements. They follow for information, entertainment, and connection.

The 70/20/10 rule gives people a reason to keep following you. When 90% of your content helps them or entertains them, they don't mind the occasional promotional post.

This is especially important in tight-knit communities like Middletown, Red Bank, or other Monmouth County towns. People know each other. They talk. If you're constantly pushing sales, word gets around.

But if you're known as the business that always shares helpful information and supports the community? That's powerful word-of-mouth marketing.

The rule also helps with social media algorithms. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram favor content that gets engagement – comments, shares, likes. Value-first content gets more engagement than promotional posts.

More engagement means more people see your content. It's a cycle that builds on itself.

How to Implement the 70/20/10 Rule

Start by planning your content calendar. If you post once per day, that's about 30 posts per month.

• 21 posts (70%) should provide value
• 6 posts (20%) should be shared or community content
• 3 posts (10%) can be promotional

If you post less frequently, adjust accordingly. The ratios stay the same.

Create a content bank. Write down 50 helpful tips related to your business. Find 20 good articles or resources to share. Plan your promotional posts around your business calendar.

Batch your content creation. Spend one afternoon per month creating your value posts. Schedule them using social media management tools.

Track what works. Pay attention to which posts get the most engagement. Double down on those topics.

Common Mistakes with the 70/20/10 Rule

The biggest mistake is making your "value" content boring or too generic. Sharing the same recycled tips everyone else shares doesn't help anyone.

Your value content should reflect your specific expertise and local knowledge. A contractor in New Jersey should share tips about dealing with humid summers and cold winters. That's more valuable than generic home improvement advice.

Another mistake is being too rigid about the percentages. Some weeks you might need to share more promotional content if you have a big event coming up. Some weeks you might have more great articles to share.

The rule is a guideline, not a law. Aim for the ratios over time, not in every single week.

Don't forget to actually engage with your audience. The rule tells you what to post, but you still need to respond to comments and participate in conversations.

Making It Work for Your Middletown Business

The 70/20/10 rule works for any business, but local businesses have some unique advantages.

You can create value content around local events, seasonal changes specific to New Jersey, and community needs. That's content your national competitors can't match.

Your 20% shared content can highlight other Middletown businesses, local events, and community news. This builds strong local connections.

Your promotional content can focus on local benefits – convenient location, community involvement, local knowledge.

Start implementing the 70/20/10 rule today. Plan next week's social media posts using these ratios. Track the results. Adjust as needed.

Social media marketing doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest frameworks work best.

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