17 Pareto principle examples: Content creation

Find Pareto principle examples for content creators.  This handy rule can be applied in many situations and fields.  My article focuses on bloggers and vlogger illustrations.

My self-improvement blog focuses on my readers.  These tend to be bloggers and digital solopreneurs.  Even if you’re not one of them, you’ll still gain from reading this post, and adapt the idea for yourself.

What does Pareto principle mean

What is the Pareto principle in simple words?  You can simply call it the Pareto principle or 80/20 rule.  Find more details in the quote below.

‘The Pareto principle (also known as the 80/20 rule, the law of the vital few and the principle of factor sparsity^[1][2]) states that for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes (the “vital few”)‘ – as on Wikipedia 

The principle is seen everywhere.  You take an example and see how it applies.  There’s a mathematical explanation as well.  However, I’ll leave the formula out, as it’s not my field of expertise.

How does the Pareto principle work? There are general applications of it.  It can be applied to different fields and spheres of life.  

In my article, I’ll focus on content creator examples.  Doing so is relevant to my niche, which is for bloggers and digital solopreneurs.  See how to use it to your advantage.

Related article: content creation process 

Pareto principle examples

As a general real-life example, in economics, it can be said that 20% of the population owns 80% of the land.  In business, 20% of clients bring in 80% of the total revenue.  Let’s now see how bloggers and vloggers as content creators can use it.

17 ways the 20/80 rule possibly applies:

1. Goal setting
2. Time management 
3. Find the best content published
4. Top engagement 
5. Top email subscriber behavior
6. The most crucial task impact
7. SEO analysis
8. Resource allocation budgeting
9. Find best skills
10. Niche audience interests
11. Most preferred content formats
12. Top collaborators by results
13. Top referral platforms
14. Best channels for paid ads
15. Best channels for organic traffic
16. Identify top KPIs
17. Analyze audience needs 

This list is a brief overview.  I’ll break it down further with more details.  Find out how you can apply them.

Find the rule in each example

Here’s a table with the examples and their respective description details:

Examples	Details
Goal setting and time management	When setting targets, find the top 20% that bring 80% of the desired results.  To achieve set goals, allocate 80% of your time to the top-performing 20%.  Prioritize what’s crucial and urgent, in times of urgency.
Best content, top engagement, and subscribers	This rule might apply to your top content which drives traffic, leads, and sales.  The best posts with the highest engagement are also likely to follow the rule.  Do you see that 20% of your email subscribers have an 80% open rate?  Else they might generate that much revenue.
Tasks, SEO, resources	Identify your top crucial tasks that bring the most successful results.  Find the number of blog articles that drive the most organic traffic.  Allocate a bigger portion of your limited resources and budget to what brings in the highest profit or ROI.
Skills, niche, and formats	Your top skills have the most impact on your success goals.  Your niche, for example, the top content that best solves your ideal audience issues.  Articles, videos, audio, or images… which of these are your successful formats?
Collaborators, referrals, and paid ads	Your top collaborators bring the most leads, followers, or other gains.  Platforms that attract the most referrals to your blog, sales page, or other key landing pages.  Which platforms bring the highest ROI, if you run paid ads?
Organic traffic, KPIs, audience	Which traffic sources generate the highest organic traffic?  Select your crucial key performance indicator carefully, and use the 20 80 rule.  You might have different types of audiences coming to your platforms.  Find your ideal persona needs, based on available stats, and segment them specifically.

Related article: Introvert content ideas 

Pareto principle benefits

After my examples list, I’ll highlight that there are gains that you should seize.  Where can you find your top 20% and corresponding 80%?  Pinpoint that and have a plan to take full advantage.

There are things to focus on, leverage, and prioritize.  For example, before updating my best blog articles, I choose them strategically.  I also check which brands that I work with resonate best with my readers.  The principle shows up here too.

Criticism pros and cons

Very much like with other principles, models, and methods, there are pros and cons.  While the principle gets accepted, it can also create challenges.  It’s said not to work all the time.

I note some common arguments against using it.  For example, there’s potentially a risk for oversimplification, omitting small factors, and inequity.  While focusing solely on the top ones, you miss out on the rest.

Depending on given contexts, the 20/80 rule might not be accurate.  Glorifying the top 20% might neglect other factors by overlooking them.  By prioritizing and focusing on the top 20%, you could end up neglecting the rest.

There are pros and cons, of course.  Take a mindful approach, and use the principle when relevant.  Also consider the less eminent 80%, as there could be important things there as well.

Take due advantage 

Identify your best-performing assets in the 17 different areas I listed.  Find how you can leverage them.  Have a plan to take action.

Find some examples of taking action for the better.  After I find my best posts, I repurpose them for more success.  When it comes to the crucial tasks, I prioritize them.  If need be, I eliminate underperforming ones that have become redundant.

You can replicate success, seeing what worked before.  For example, locate your best content across different platforms, based on stats.  Double down on those topics and formats.

Invest more time in your best referral platforms by posting more, strategically.  Pay attention to your best reader comments and email subscriber feedback for valuable feedback.  Send these email subscribers special offers and unique content.

Conclusion

The Pareto principle examples I listed help content creators.  Anyone else also gains from the idea.  Consider the list and see how you can leverage the rule to your advantage.