80/20 rule in business: How to apply it to your business

Ever feel like you’re doing everything and getting almost nothing in return?

If you’re a business owner, a freelancer, a creator, or just someone trying to build something meaningful, you’ve probably experienced this frustrating cycle: long days, endless to-do lists, and still feeling stuck in place.

Here’s a secret that’s not really a secret: You don’t need to do more to earn more. Focus on whats more importatnt.
At its heart, the 80/20 Rule shows that a small portion just 20% of your efforts or inputs usually drives the majority around 80% of your outcomes. And once you grasp this concept, it’ll completely shift the way you think about and run your business.

What Is the 80/20 Rule, Really?

The 80/20 Rule, at its foundation, suggests that a small portion around 20% of your efforts or inputs are responsible for roughly 80% of your results.

Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto developed the concept after noticing that a mere 20% of Italy’s population held ownership of approximately 80% of the country’s land.

In business, this plays out similarly around 80% of your revenue usually comes from just 20% of your most dedicated customers.

Similarly, about 80% of a website’s traffic tends to be driven by just 20% of its content.
80% of complaints come from 20% of users.

In your everyday schedule, it’s likely that just 20% of your tasks are responsible for producing 80% of your overall progress.

This principle isn’t just an interesting fact,it’s a strategy for working smarter.

Why the 80/20 Rule Matters in Business (Especially in 2025)

With the rise of AI tools, remote work, digital entrepreneurship, and fast-paced marketing shifts, you can’t afford to waste time. Time is no longer just money,it’s leverage.

In a fast-paced world filled with distractions and intense competition, the ability to eliminate the unnecessary and concentrate on what truly matters is a powerful advantage.

Here’s how to wield it.

6 Powerful Ways to Apply the 80/20 Rule in Business

1. Identify Your Profit Hotspots

Look at your revenue streams. Which products or services are truly bringing in the bucks? You might find that only 2 out of 10 offerings account for most of your income.

Action Step:

Log into your payment dashboard or spreadsheet. Sort products by revenue. Circle the top 2 or 3. Double down on those.

Smart Move: Bundle them. Upsell them. Improve them. And promote them more.

2. Find Your MVP Customers

Not all customers are created equal. Some just buy once and disappear, while others keep coming back, tell their friends, and trust you with higher-value purchases.

Action Step:

Build a VIP list featuring your most valuable 20% of clients, and show appreciation by giving them early access or special rewards.
Pro Tip: Treat them like royalty. They’re helping you build your kingdom.

3. Focus on the High-Return Tasks

You might be doing 10 things in your business every day—but only two or three are truly moving the needle.Ask Yourself: What tasks generate leads, sales, or growth? What could you automate, outsource, or simply delete?

Example: You might find that 80% of your brand awareness comes from just one marketing channel like TikTok or your email list. Focus there.

4. Apply It to Your Content Strategy

If you’re creating blogs, videos, or social content, check your analytics. You’ll likely see that a small handful of posts are doing the heavy lifting.

Action Step:

Find your top-performing content. Repurpose it into reels, email tips, YouTube Shorts, or even a mini-course. Why it works: Content that already resonates is easier to scale than starting from scratch every time.

5. Use It to Improve Your Team or Workflow

If you manage a team, look at which team members or roles are driving real value. No, this isn’t about overworking people. It’s about identifying strengths and aligning roles with impact. You can also use 80/20 to optimize meetings, project timelines, or even business tools. Ask:

Which meetings are actually necessary?

What apps or processes are slowing us down? The goal: Cut the fluff, keep the flow.

6. Simplify Customer Service and Feedback Loops

When you get complaints or customer issues, track them. Often, a handful of issues account for the majority of your support tickets.

Fixing those core issues will instantly reduce workload, improve satisfaction, and save you from constant firefighting.

Bonus: Add a feedback form and track repeated keywords. Fix once, benefit forever.

Real-Life Example: Meet James, the Tired Creator

James was a content creator juggling YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, a blog, and a small coaching program. He was burnt out and barely making rent.

He applied the 80/20 Rule:

Realized 80% of his leads came from one viral blog post.

That post promoted his email list and mini-course.

He stopped wasting energy on the platforms that weren’t working.

He tripled down on blog content and email marketing, refined his offers, and within 6 months, he 4x’d his income.

Lesson: Less effort. More intentionality. Better results.

80/20 Isn’t Just a Rule—It’s a Mindset

When you look at business through the lens of 80/20, you stop being busy for the sake of being busy. You begin turning down every opportunity that comes your way and start saying yes only to the ones that truly align with your goals.
You make decisions with clarity, not chaos.

So whether you’re a solopreneur, content creator, freelancer, or startup founder, here’s your challenge:

This week, find ONE area in your business where the 80/20 Rule is hiding.Double down on what works. Cut the rest.

Thank me later

Final Thoughts on the 80/20 rule in business

Embracing the 80/20 Rule encourages a strategic approach to decision-making, ensuring that efforts are concentrated where they matter most. By recognizing and acting upon the vital few, businesses and individuals alike can achieve greater efficiency and success.