The 5:3:2 rule is one of the most straightforward, effective ways to frame your social media content. 5 parts should be curated content, meaning things that are relevant to your audience, not from your brand directly -be that an industry article or insight from an influencer- even third-party case studies add value but keep your brand involved in the wider conversation. Then, you've got 3 parts that are original content from your business. This is where your voice comes through: product updates, blog posts, customer success stories, or any content that highlights your expertise and knowledge in your field. And finally, the 2 parts should be personal content. This is what humanizes your brand. Share moments behind the scenes, shout out to employees, or give your audience a glimpse into what makes your team tick. Now, why is this so effective? If you only post about your products and services, your audience tunes out. They don't want to feel like they're being sold at all times. But when you balance it with curated content, then you look plugged into the industry, informed, in-the-know. Also, blending in personal content brings up the human side of your business, which is important in building trust. For curated content, think along the lines of articles from industry leaders, interesting reports, and even sharing contents from companies that you respect. It's a good way to tie your brand in with thought leadership. Original content should sound like your company's voice, be it through educational content, company updates, or tips that directly touch your audience's pain points. Personal content is the "real" part: those employee stories, a day in the life at your office, or showing what makes your workplace special. Exceptions to the rule? Of course. When launching a product or running a limited-time campaign, your content ratio will more than likely skew to be more promotional. But again, even then, let the tone stay authentic. Nobody wants to feel like they are being pressured into a sale.
The 5:3:2 rule in social media content strategy suggests that out of every 10 posts, 5 should be valuable, informative content from others (curated content), 3 should be original content created by your brand, and 2 should be personal or entertaining content that humanizes your brand. This balance helps keep your audience engaged without overwhelming them with self-promotional material. Sticking to this rule is effective because it fosters trust and engagement. When I first applied this strategy to a client's campaign, we saw a noticeable increase in interaction rates. By sharing relevant industry articles (the 5), insightful blog posts and case studies (the 3), and behind-the-scenes team content or light-hearted posts (the 2), the audience felt both informed and connected. This mix prevents content fatigue and positions your brand as both knowledgeable and relatable. Exceptions exist depending on the platform and audience. For example, on LinkedIn, a more professional network, I've found that original content can outperform curated content, shifting the balance closer to 4:4:2. Ultimately, while the 5:3:2 rule offers a strong foundation, it's essential to monitor engagement metrics and adjust the ratio based on what resonates most with your audience.
The 5:3:2 rule is a simple framework that helps brands balance their content mix for better engagement. At Criterion.B, we follow this approach to ensure our social media stays fresh, valuable, and human. The rule states that for every 10 posts, five should be curated content from external sources, three should be original content from our brand, and two should be personal or humanizing posts. Curated content is about sharing relevant industry insights, trends, and news. For us, that means posting the latest multifamily market reports, proptech innovations, or branding best practices. This strategy helps position our agency as a resource rather than just a brand pushing our message. It also helps spark engagement by tapping into conversations our audience is already interested in. Original content is where we showcase our expertise. This includes sharing blog posts, case studies, design work, or marketing strategies we've successfully implemented for clients. It's a chance to highlight what we do best while providing actionable insights for our audience. For example, if we launch a new brand identity for a multifamily property, we'll share before-and-after visuals and the story behind the rebrand. This content builds credibility and helps prospects understand how we can add value to their business. Personal content makes up the final two posts and gives followers a look at the people behind the brand. This could be a behind-the-scenes moment from our office, highlights from an industry event, or a shoutout to one of our amazing clients. These posts help humanize our brand, making our social media presence more relatable and engaging. People want to connect with people - not just companies - so this element is key. Sticking to the 5:3:2 rule ensures our feed isn't overly promotional while keeping content diverse and engaging. The rule isn't rigid, though. We may post more original or personal content during big announcements or events to capture the moment. The key is balance.
The 5:3:2 rule suggests that for every 10 social media posts, 5 should be curated content from others, 3 should be original content from your brand, and 2 should be more personal or entertaining. While this can be a useful guideline, it's important to understand that there are no fixed formulas in social media. What works-or doesn't-depends entirely on your strategy and objectives. At GuruWalk, we don't believe in blindly following rigid content rules. Instead, we focus on defining clear objectives first-because without knowing what we want to achieve, any strategy will lack direction. Are we aiming to increase reach and attract more travelers to discover free tours? Do we want to boost engagement and build a strong community of travelers and guides? Is our priority brand awareness, making sure people recognize GuruWalk as the go-to platform for free walking tours? Or are we focusing on driving traffic and conversions, turning social media interactions into actual tour bookings? For example, if our goal is brand awareness, we might prioritize curated travel content-sharing viral travel trends, user-generated content (UGC), and insights from local guides. If community engagement is our focus, we'll create content that sparks conversations, like interactive posts, storytelling from our tour guides, and travel polls. If our main priority is driving traffic to our website, then we'll create compelling content that educates travelers on why free walking tours are the best way to explore a city, linking directly to specific tours. Instead of following a fixed 5:3:2 ratio, GuruWalk focuses on finding the right content balance that aligns with our goals while keeping our community engaged. Social media is always evolving, and the key to success is constant experimentation, tracking what works, and adapting accordingly. What's effective today may not work tomorrow, and that's why agility and a data-driven approach are essential for long-term growth.
The 5:3:2 rule in social media content is a great guideline for keeping a balanced and engaging social content. The general idea is, that out of every ten posts, five should be curated content from external sources, three should be original content created internally, and two should be more casual, lighthearted posts. By doing this, marketers can keep audiences engaged while showcasing your company's strengths and maintaining engagement. Adhering to this principle not only fosters trust but also promotes engagement within your community. As for examples of each, curated content include pertinent articles from industry leaders, while original content could showcase detailed guides or distinct insights from your team. Personal posts, such as team highlights or fun behind-the-scenes glimpses, help to humanise your brand. Although this rule serves as a solid framework, it's important to remain flexible and adapt to your audience's preferences and current trends.
The 5:3:2 rule is a framework that sets out the ratios for each type of content. With this, you'd aim to post five pieces of curated content, three brand-owned and two very personalized. This guide gives businesses a more natural flow to their social media. Being authentic and staying on brand can be challenging, but following this rule simplifies the process, ultimately helping brands build trust and expand their reach. Sharing the right curated content is critical for this rule to work. Before sharing, ask whether it's timely and would resonate with your audience. Before sharing fact-check information, we reshare thought leadership content from experts, the latest trends, and fun stats. Short videos that educate your audience on your products or brand fit perfectly. Editing short highlights of long videos acts as a teaser. We've found showing highlights drives traffic to the full video. You're essentially showing why folks will benefit from your content, whetting their appetite, so to speak. There are times when the rule will go out of the window. Big changes in your business or industry will shift the balance and you should absolutely focus on those. With new products, regulatory requirements, or major brand announcements, certain content will naturally dominate the mix. This rule isn't set in stone; it's more of a guideline.
The 5:3:2 rule in social media content involves structuring your posts so that out of every 10 content pieces, 5 should be curated content relevant to your audience, 3 should be original content you create, and 2 should be personal or lightly entertaining content to humanize your brand. Sticking to this rule is effective as it balances providing value, showcasing expertise, and humanizing your brand, which are key in building a loyal audience. For instance, when managing Chicago Internet Marketing's social media, I incorporate insights on digital marketing trends from industry leaders (5 curated), launch insights from my team's successful campaigns like utilizing mobile marketing strategies (3 original), and then share behind-the-scenes on attempting viral campaigns or team events (2 personal). This approach keeps our content diverse and engaging, showing potential clients the depth of our expertise while also fostering a relatable company image. Exceptions may arise when launching campaigns requiring heavy promotion; however, maintaining the principles of variety and engagement is crucial. Our mobile marketing strategy, for example, sometimes demands a concentrated push, but we still intersperse with industry insights and stories to avoid content fatigue among our audience.
The 5:3:2 rule in social media content refers to a strategy for keeping your followers engaged. For every ten posts you make, five should be curated from the best relevant sources in your niche. Three should be your creative works including videos, articles, infographics, or ebooks you can use to encourage subscriptions to your email list(s). The final two posts should humanize your brand to your audience. Some brands are known for their humorous posts like Charmin. Others go viral with banter between competitors. What can your brand do to stand out? (Make sure you have a plan to deal with any fallout if you miss the mark!) Humor can be tricky, so ensure your social media managers can keep to your brand identity. Make your posts tasteful and relatable. The 5:3:2 rule ensures your brand isn't "all about you" and boring your followers. And it also encourages other brands to do some cross-promotion that will benefit your business.
5:3:2 rule divides posts into three parts. Five posts share tips, tutorials, or how-to guides. Three posts feature industry articles or expert opinions. Two posts highlight products or offers. The mix builds trust and keeps content fresh. Exceptions may happen during special campaigns or major product launches. I applied the rule for our client to plan a week of posts. One day, tips paired with industry news and a product offer boosted engagement. Use videos, images, or short write-ups for tips. Share interviews or blog links for news and customer reviews for product posts.
The 5:3:2 rule is a strategy to create balanced social media content. In my experience running Twin City Marketing, this rule helps blend content curation, brand authority, and relatability. For instance, when working with a tech blog, five posts would involve sharing relevant industry updates or innovations, three posts would feature original content like tech guides or reviews, and two posts would showcase behind-the-scenes looks at the development team or successful client stories. One tangible result of using this rule in a campaign was a 50% increase in blog traffic when we quickly adapted content to focus on a new technology trend. This approach ensures we're not only sharing our insights but also connecting personally with our audience, which is vital for building trust and engagement. If there's an exception, it's adapting to rapid market changes—during a sudden tech breakthrough, we pivoted to more informative posts, capturing increased interest and engagement. In more strategic situations, using the 5:3:2 rule allows us to maintain engagement while exploring user-generated content. By encouraging followers to share experiences related to a product, we increased organic reach substantially, an example being a travel hashtag campaign that raised engagement by 40%. This balance of curation, creation, and connection is crucial for nurturing community and authority online.
The 5:3:2 rule is a structured approach to social media that I've found incredibly effective in marketing campaigns with Market Boxx. By adhering to this framework, businesses can maintain a balance of content types, ensuring engagement without overwhelming self-promotion. Our strategy involved sharing a mix of industry insights, like digital marketing trends, alongside our successful client case studies, which helped double our engagement due to added variety and relevance. Adhering to this rule has been crucial in establishing authority while keeping our brand approachable and relatable. For example, in one campaign, the incorporation of client testimonials alongside valuable industry updates resulted in a 98% retention rate in our client base. This approach not only increases trust but also humanizes our brand effectively. Exceptions to the 5:3:2 rule might arise during crisis communication or urgent industry shifts, where a focus on informative content supersedes the usual mix. For instance, during rapid changes in digital marketing regulation, our content strategy pivoted towards insightful analyses and guidance, maintaining our clients’ trust and engagement even during turbulent times.
The 5:3:2 rule in social media content is a simple way to balance what you post, so your audience stays engaged without feeling like they're being constantly sold to. Here's how it works: for every 10 posts you share, 5 should be content from others (curated), 3 should be original content you create, and 2 should be personal, humanizing content that shows the personality behind your brand. The reason this rule works is because people don't go on social media just to see ads or promotions-they're there to learn, be entertained, and connect. By mixing it up, you're offering value beyond just selling your product. Curated content (the 5) shows that you're in touch with your industry and can offer helpful insights from other sources. Original content (the 3) highlights your expertise-this could be blog posts, infographics, or case studies. The last 2 posts are personal or behind-the-scenes, giving your brand a human touch. This might be sharing your team's story, a day at the office, or even a fun, relatable meme. Some creative ideas for each type: Curated (5): Share articles from industry leaders, insightful infographics, or relevant news that your audience would find useful. Add your take to show your perspective. Original (3): Post how-to guides, product tips, or share customer success stories that showcase how your product or service makes a difference. Personal (2): Show behind-the-scenes photos, introduce team members, or celebrate milestones. Even sharing challenges or lessons learned can make your brand feel more relatable. There are exceptions to this rule, especially if you're in industries like e-commerce or event promotions, where more frequent original or promotional content might make sense. Also, if you're running a specific campaign or product launch, you might temporarily shift to more self-promotional posts. The key is to watch how your audience responds-if engagement drops, it might be a sign to adjust your mix back towards offering more value-driven or personal content.
The 5:3:2 rule in social media content suggests that for every ten posts, five should be curated content from external sources, three should be original content from the company, and two should be more personal, humanizing content. This balance helps maintain audience engagement without appearing overly self-promotional. Sticking to this rule is effective because it fosters trust and keeps the content diverse and relatable. Sharing valuable external content positions the brand as an industry thought leader, while original content highlights expertise and offerings. The personal posts build emotional connections with the audience, making the brand more approachable and authentic. Ideas for curated content include industry news, expert articles, or tips related to self-storage, security, or business organization. For original content, companies can share updates, service promotions, case studies, or success stories of customers who benefited from using City Storage. Personal content might include behind-the-scenes photos, team member spotlights, community involvement stories, or fun company events. Exceptions to this rule may occur during major campaigns or announcements when the focus temporarily shifts to more original content. Additionally, if certain curated content becomes less relevant or fails to engage your audience, adjustments can be made to favor more original or customer-focused posts. Flexibility is key, but the 5:3:2 rule is a strong foundation for building engagement and trust.
The 5:3:2 rule is a simple yet effective guideline for creating balanced and engaging social media content. It works like this: 5 posts should be curated content from other relevant sources. This means sharing valuable, industry-related content that educates, informs, or entertains your audience. 3 posts should be original content created by your company. This could include blog posts, case studies, product updates, or insightful infographics. 2 posts should be personal or entertaining content that humanizes your brand and fosters deeper engagement. These could be behind-the-scenes looks, team highlights, fun memes, or user-generated content. From my experience, businesses that follow the 5:3:2 rule build stronger audience relationships while maintaining credibility and engagement. Instead of constantly promoting their brand, they provide value-first content, leading to higher trust, improved reach, and better audience retention. Social media isn't just about selling-it's about connection, and this approach balances promotion with engagement. Content Ideas for Each Category Curated Content (5 posts): Industry news, expert insights, trending articles, reports, or case studies from reputable sources. Original Content (3 posts): Blog posts, product tutorials, customer testimonials, case studies, company updates, or infographics. Personal/Entertaining Content (2 posts): Employee spotlights, brand culture posts, memes, inspirational quotes, community engagement stories, or user-generated content. While this rule is a great starting point, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. If you're in a fast-moving industry (like tech or finance), you may need more original content to stay relevant. Similarly, eCommerce brands might focus more on user-generated and promotional content. Always analyze your audience engagement and tweak the strategy accordingly!
The **5:3:2 rule** in social media content strategy is a guideline to help businesses maintain a balanced, engaging feed. It suggests that for every 10 posts: **5** should be curated content from others that is relevant to your audience, **3** should be original content created by your brand, and **2** should be personal, humanizing content to show the brand's personality. This mix ensures that your audience isn't overwhelmed by self-promotion, fostering trust and engagement. Sticking to this rule is effective because it focuses on **audience value first**. By sharing useful content from others (the 5), you position your brand as a resource and thought leader, not just a promoter. Original content (the 3) highlights your expertise, whether through blog posts, case studies, or product updates. The personal content (the 2) builds emotional connections, showing the human side of your brand, like behind-the-scenes moments, team highlights, or customer stories. This balance enhances engagement, builds credibility, and nurtures relationships with your followers. For **curated content**, you could share industry news, insightful articles, or trending topics. **Original content** ideas include tutorials, product launches, or unique data insights. The **personal content** could feature employee spotlights, brand stories, or fun, casual posts that resonate with your audience on a more relatable level. While effective, this rule isn't rigid. During **major events**, **product launches**, or **crisis communication**, brands may lean more on original content. Also, **platform-specific strategies** may require adjustments-for example, Instagram might focus more on personal content, while LinkedIn could favor professional, curated posts. Flexibility is key to adapting this rule to your brand's voice and goals.
The 5:3:2 rule is a social media strategy where, for every ten posts, five should come from other sources, three should be your own original content, and two should be personal insights or fun pieces. Sharing content from others builds community relationships and adds value to your audience. Your original content showcases your expertise and solutions, reminding people why your company matters. The personal or fun posts create engagement and humanize the brand, making you relatable. Experimenting with content types can make following the rule effective. Curate interesting articles or infographics for the five shared posts. For your three original pieces, post case studies or behind-the-scenes videos that show your unique offerings. The two personal insights can be informal stories or team highlights, sparking more human connections. Exceptions to this structure arise mainly in crisis management or trending hot topics, where quicker, more frequent posting takes precedence. Ensuring content variety aligns with audience interests keeps them engaged without overwhelming them with self-promotion.
I learned the power of the 5:3:2 rule when managing social media for plastic surgeons - it's like having a perfect recipe for engagement. For every 10 posts, I share 5 inspiring before-and-after transformations that really connect with potential patients, 3 educational pieces about procedures or recovery tips that build trust, and 2 promotional posts about special offers or new treatments. While this ratio works amazingly well most of the time, I've found it helpful to adjust during major events like breast cancer awareness month, where we might share more educational content.
The 5:3:2 rule is a guide for creating balanced social media content. For every ten posts: five should share relevant content from others, three should be your own original content, and two should be personal or fun, humanizing your brand. I've applied this rule in digital marketing for law firms, emphasizing a mix of legal news, original case studies showing successful strategies, and more personal content like team highlights. For instance, sharing legal updates builds authority, while client stories improve engagement—I've seen a 15% increase in engagement for the firms I've worked with by following this rule. Sticking to this rule helps maintain a well-rounded online presence, vital in my industry where credibility and personal connections are crucial. By sharing valuable external content, we foster relationships with peers. Our original content showcases expertise, while the personal posts make our firm approachable. When we shared success stories from clients we helped in LA, it resulted in a 20% increase in inquiries and more trust from potential clients. Exceptions might occur depending on urgent news or crisis situations where informational content takes priority. During the early pandemic, we responded with more firm updates and guidance on navigating legal changes, which clients valued highly and resulted in stronger brand loyalty.
The 5:3:2 rule offers a compelling framework for diverse and engaging social media content. In my experience with Scale by SEO, we've used this guideline to balance content on our platforms by curating industry insights, sharing original case studies, and incorporating human elements like behind-the-scenes glimpses of our team. These humanizing posts have led to a 30% increase in audience engagement within three months, demonstrating the power of authenticity. Leveraging this rule effectively supports a well-rounded online presence, crucial for brands aiming to connect authentically with their audience. For example, when we shared a data-driven study illustrating the impact of our SEO strategies, it not only showcased our expertise but also prompted a 25% spike in client inquiries within two weeks. The strategic blending of third-party content, original business insights, and personal touches fosters trust and keeps audiences engaged. Exceptions arise in scenarios needing immediate response, like industry changes or crises, where informative posts may take precedence. During rapid shifts in SEO algorithms, we ramped up expert analysis content, which helped maintain client trust and resulted in a notable uptick in positive feedback. Adjusting the balance according to context ensures relevance and maintains audience interest in dynamic environments.
In my experience leading Lusha's digital marketing, I've found the 5:3:2 rule incredibly helpful - it means 50% of content should be shared from others, 30% should be our original educational content, and 20% should promote our B2B tools. When I implemented this at Lusha, we saw much better engagement because it feels more natural and helpful to our audience, like when we mixed success stories from our database users with helpful tips about lead generation, rather than just pushing our product constantly.