Welcome to the jungle of marketing! A world where the rules are as endless as TikTok trends and just as crucial to survival. But don’t worry—I’ve got your back! This post isn’t just a list of “meh” principles; it’s a juicy deep dive into 10 marketing rules you need to know. Whether you’re selling mangoes in the UK or cat-shaped tea infusers online, these rules will guide you to marketing stardom.
So, grab your coffee (or chai), and let’s dive into these golden rules, complete with real-life examples and a sprinkle of sass.
1. The 7×7 Rule: How to Be Everywhere Without Being Annoying
Imagine you’re a brand, and your crush (the customer) needs to notice you. You can’t just wave once and expect them to fall in love. Nope! They need to see your message seven times in seven ways before they say, “Okay, fine. I’ll buy your overpriced organic soap.”
Example: Nike
• Billboard: “Just Do It” in your face while stuck in traffic.
• Social Media Ad: “Get 20% off running shoes, champ!”
• YouTube Pre-roll: Inspirational video of someone sweating buckets.
• Email Campaign: “Ready to crush your 2025 goals? Shop now!”
• Influencer Post: Some fitness guru running in Nike.
• TV Commercial: A montage of people smashing records (and stereotypes).
• App Notification: “Run 2 miles today and earn a badge!”
By the time you’ve interacted with Nike seven times, you’re either motivated to run or at least wear the shoes while binge-watching Netflix.
2. The 80/20 Rule: Focus on the VIPs
Here’s the tea: 80% of your profits come from 20% of your customers. Translation? Stop chasing every random shopper and focus on the ones who love you.
Example: Starbucks Rewards
• Starbucks doesn’t just make coffee; it makes you feel special with its rewards app.
• 20% of customers (loyal members) drive 80% of their sales by constantly reloading their cards for Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
• They get exclusive deals, free birthday drinks, and feel like VIPs while Starbucks laughs all the way to the bank.
3. The Rule of 7: Be Patient, Grasshopper
They’ve seen your ad once? Great. Twice? Cool. But they need seven interactions to finally buy that Himalayan salt lamp you keep promoting. Repetition isn’t annoying; it’s how you turn “maybe later” into “take my money!”
Example: Spotify Wrapped
Every December, Spotify spams us with our “Top Songs” and “Minutes Listened.”
• You get the notification.
• It shows up on your Instagram feed.
• Your friends are sharing theirs.
• Ads pop up saying, “Get Premium for better Wrapped next year.”
By the seventh touchpoint, you’ve either upgraded to Premium or deleted the app in self-defense. Either way, they win.
4. The 60-30-10 Rule: Balance Is Everything
Marketing content isn’t all about sales pitches. Keep it balanced like a millennial’s avocado toast.
• 60%: Useful, educational content. (“5 ways to clean your house using vinegar!”)
• 30%: Entertaining content. (“Watch this dog try to clean its house!”)
• 10%: Promotion. (“Buy our vinegar-based cleaning spray!”)
Example: BuzzFeed Tasty
Tasty nails this with recipe videos:
• Educational: How to make lasagna.
• Entertaining: A chef blind-tasting lasagna from 3 different restaurants.
• Promotional: “BTW, buy our Tasty cookware set!”
5. The 70-20-10 Rule: Social Media Zen
Think of social media as a party. If you only talk about yourself, you’re that guy. To be the life of the party:
• 70%: Share value (tips, memes, how-tos).
• 20%: Share others’ content (collabs, influencers, partners).
• 10%: Self-promote (your amazing product).
Example: Wendy’s Twitter
Wendy’s is a sass queen on Twitter:
• 70%: Roasting competitors and engaging with memes.
• 20%: Sharing collabs (e.g., with Rick and Morty).
• 10%: Promoting burgers and deals.
Result? Everyone loves Wendy’s, even if they hate fast food.
6. The 3-3-3 Rule: The Customer Journey
Think of your customer like a cat deciding to sit on your lap:
1. They need 3 seconds to notice your ad (hello, catchy headline!).
2. They spend 3 minutes exploring your product (great product page, BTW).
3. They take 3 days to decide to buy (because humans love overthinking).
Example: Amazon
• 3 Seconds: Amazon’s homepage catches your eye with deals like “Up to 50% off!”
• 3 Minutes: You check reviews, compare products, and question your life choices.
• 3 Days: A “Still Interested?” email reminds you. You cave. The package arrives tomorrow.
7. The 4-1-1 Rule: Don’t Be a Sales Bot
For every 6 posts you share:
• 4 should educate/entertain.
• 1 should softly promote.
• 1 should hard-sell.
Example: HubSpot
HubSpot’s blog is a content goldmine:
• 4 Posts: “How to Improve Your SEO Game.”
• 1 Post: “Why Email Marketing Tools Are Game-Changers.”
• 1 Post: “Buy HubSpot for All Your Marketing Needs!”
The strategy works because the helpful content builds trust.
8. The 3 C’s Rule: Consistency, Creativity, Connection
Consistency builds trust. Creativity grabs attention. Connection keeps them loyal. If you master these three, you’re golden.
Example: Apple
• Consistency: Clean, minimalist branding everywhere.
• Creativity: Ad campaigns like “Shot on iPhone.”
• Connection: Apple events make you feel like part of an exclusive club.
9. The Rule of One: Don’t Be Extra
Stick to one clear message per campaign. No one likes a confusing ad that’s trying to sell 12 things at once.
Example: Coca-Cola
Their campaigns focus on one idea: happiness.
• Whether it’s “Share a Coke” or holiday polar bears, you always associate Coke with joy.
10. The Rule of Reciprocity: Give Before You Take
Offer value first—freebies, insights, or samples—and watch the sales roll in. People love to reciprocate.
Example: Dropbox
When Dropbox launched, they gave free storage for every referral.
• Users happily promoted Dropbox to their friends because they got something valuable in return.
Conclusion: Marketing Rules Are More Like Guidelines
Sure, these rules are helpful, but remember: marketing is part science, part art. Test, tweak, and experiment until you find what works for you. And above all, don’t take yourself too seriously—your audience will thank you.
Now go forth and conquer the marketing world, one witty campaign at a time. And remember: marketing is like dating—be persistent but not creepy!
Honest Reviews 