Short blog series (part 39) 5 3 2 rule for social media

Manyanshi Joshi
4 days ago
3 min read

The 5–3–2 rule is a simple guideline for maintaining a healthy, engaging social-media content mix—especially for personal brands or businesses.

What the 5–3–2 Rule Means

Out of every 10 posts you publish:

5 posts — Curated Content (from others)

Share valuable, relevant content created by other people or brands.
This shows you’re connected to your industry and interested in more than just promoting yourself.
Examples: articles, videos, infographics, quotes, industry news.

3 posts — Original Content (created by you)

These posts should showcase your own expertise, insights, creativity, or brand personality.
Examples: your tips, blog posts, product updates, behind-the-scenes content, thought leadership pieces.

2 posts — Personal/Humanizing Content

Content that makes you more relatable.
These aren’t necessarily private or overly personal—just “human.”
Examples: team photos, funny or inspiring posts, personal reflections, hobbies, celebrations.

Why It Works

Builds trust: You’re not only talking about yourself.
Increases engagement: People respond to a mix of value + personality.
Positions you as a curator: You become a go-to source for industry-relevant info.
Keeps content fresh: Helps avoid being repetitive or overly promotional.

Here’s how to apply the 5–3–2 rule specifically for brands and industry accounts — with examples and a ready-to-use content framework.

✅ How Brands Use the 5–3–2 Rule

For every 10 social posts, follow this mix:

5 — Curated Industry Content (Share From Others)

Purpose: Position your brand as an expert while showing awareness of your industry landscape.

Types of posts:

Industry news or market updates
Expert articles or whitepapers
Relevant case studies published by others
Trending topics or insights from thought leaders
Influencer or partner content

Examples (Industry: Tech, Fitness, Food, Real Estate, etc.):

“Here’s a great breakdown on the future of AI in retail.”
“Sharing this report on 2025 fitness trends—worth the read.”
“Loved this insight from @IndustryLeader on sustainable packaging.”

Why it matters: Brands that mix curated content avoid looking self-centered and become trusted sources in their space.

3 — Original Brand Content (Created by You)

Purpose: Showcase authority, what you offer, and how you solve problems.

Types of posts:

Educational posts (tips, how-tos, insights)
Product demonstrations or feature spotlights
Brand announcements—events, launches, milestones
Case studies or success stories
Behind-the-scenes of your team or processes

Examples:

“3 reasons our CRM helps teams close deals 2× faster.”
“Here’s how our coffee is roasted each morning.”
“A micro case study: how we helped Brand X cut costs by 18%.”

Why it matters: These posts reinforce brand value and expertise without overwhelming the feed with sales content.

2 — Human / Personality Content (Brand Culture)

Purpose: Make the brand relatable and emotionally engaging.

Types of posts:

Team highlights
Company culture moments
Celebrations (wins, anniversaries, customer stories)
Fun, light-hearted content
Community involvement or philanthropy

Examples:

“Meet our design team! They’re the magic behind our new app UI.”
“We surprised our CEO with a birthday plant—he’s obsessed.”
“Volunteer day at the local food bank—our favorite day of the month.”

Why it matters: People connect with people, not logos. These posts build loyalty.

🎯 Sample 10-Post Schedule for a Brand

Here’s one cycle of 10 posts using the 5–3–2 rule:

Post #	Type	Example
1	Curated	Share industry report on 2025 trends
2	Curated	Repost analyst insight about market changes
3	Curated	Share partner company’s case study
4	Curated	Post an infographic from a thought leader
5	Curated	Link to an expert interview
6	Original	Product feature breakdown video
7	Original	Behind-the-scenes of production process
8	Original	Blog post summarizing your top tips
9	Human	Team photo + story
10	Human	Fun, lighthearted or celebration post

Conclusion

The 5–3–2 rule provides a balanced, human-centered approach to social media content. By sharing five pieces of valuable curated content, three pieces of original brand content, and two personal or humanizing posts, brands can maintain an engaging presence that informs, connects, and builds trust with their audience. This mix prevents overly promotional feeds, strengthens industry authority, and highlights the people behind the brand. When applied consistently, the 5–3–2 rule helps create a social media strategy that feels authentic, relatable, and genuinely valuable to followers.

Thanks for reading!!!