A strong social media presence is essential for automotive dealerships, but keeping it consistent can be a challenge. To save time and reduce the daily guesswork, start by building a digital marketing plan a few weeks in advance. With the right strategy and best practices in place, you can grow your audience and boost engagement without constantly wondering, “What should we post today?”

Not sure where to begin? If your dealership’s social media content is getting lost in the algorithm, the 70/20/10 rule is a simple way to bring clarity to your posting strategy. It helps your social media stand out in customers’ feeds—and keeps your dealership top of mind when they’re ready to buy.

Social Media Marketing Best Practices and the 70/20/10 Rule

What is the 70/20/10 Rule?

This social media posting strategy helps you keep your content focused and intentional across all your platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. Following best practices, 70% of your posts should build your brand and provide value, 20% should be shared content from other sources, and 10% can be promotional. It’s an easy way to strike the right balance and keep your audience engaged—without making every post feel like a pitch.

70% of Content Should Add Value and Build Brand Recognition

These types of posts might seem like the trickiest to create, but they’re often the ones that capture the most attention and drive the highest engagement. Here are a few ideas to work into your social media content calendar:

• Highlight your dealership blog content: This not only boosts engagement on social media, but also drives more traffic back to your website.
• Provide educational content: It’s a great chance to get creative while offering value. Try posts like new vehicle feature demos or service tips, such as how to check your wiper blades or tire tread.
• Spotlight your employees: Give your brand a human touch by introducing your team. Putting faces to your staff builds trust and authenticity with your audience.
• Post customer testimonials: People trust reviews. Sharing real feedback from happy customers can increase transparency and influence future buyers.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the algorithm’s preference for video, too. Capture vehicle walkarounds, team introductions, customer testimonials, or quick how-tos to boost your organic reach and visibility across platforms.

20% of Content Should Be Shared

At first glance, sharing content from other sources might seem counterproductive to your dealership’s social media goals—but it actually does the opposite. Curating relevant content helps position your store as a trusted, knowledgeable voice in the industry. Here are a few smart ways to do it:

• Share automotive news from reputable sources to keep your followers informed and up to date.
• Highlight new vehicle releases by posting press announcements or linking to official model pages on your OEM’s website.
• Repost customer experience content, especially when customers tag your dealership. It’s authentic, engaging, and builds credibility.
• Promote local partnerships by sharing posts about community events or initiatives. For example, if your dealership is working with local CPSTs (Child Passenger Safety Technicians) to host a car seat check, spread the word and show your involvement.

10% of Content Should Be Promotional

While it’s best to keep promotional posts to a minimum, you can still make them count by keeping them timely, relevant, and strategic. Use your social channels to share sales events, service specials, and sneak peeks of new vehicles or products—but do it in a way that adds value, not noise.

To boost visibility and impact, consider pairing these posts with paid ads. This can help extend your reach, drive more traffic, and turn well-timed promos into real revenue.

Tap Into Your Dealership’s Social Influence

You don’t need to follow every trend to make an impact on social media. You just need the right strategy. With a balanced mix of organic content and targeted paid posts, you can engage your audience, build trust, and turn followers into customers. Our team can help you plan and execute a high-performing content calendar tailored to your dealership’s goals. Contact us today to learn more about our social media advertising and agency solutions.