5 Steps to Maximize Your Social Media Results: The CRAVE Principle (2026)
Posting on social media every day but getting little back? Guest author Mike Stenger, a social media consultant, came up with a simple five-step principle in 2010 to maximize social media results. He called it CRAVE: Create, Reiterate, Authenticity, Value and Engagement. Platforms have changed enormously since then, from Twitterfeed auto-posting to Reels and AI feeds, but CRAVE is still a useful checklist in 2026.
Quick answer: To maximize social media results, create your own content instead of only sharing links, reiterate your best ideas in different formats, be authentic and human, give real value in every post, and engage by replying and starting conversations. Focus on one or two platforms, measure what works and post consistently.
Table of Contents
The CRAVE principle
C: Create
Accounts that only share other people’s links or auto-post headlines rarely grow. Create your own posts, videos, carousels and blog articles so people associate the ideas with you. Platforms also favour native content over plain links.
R: Reiterate
Most followers miss most of your posts. Share your best ideas more than once, in different formats: a blog post can become a short video, a carousel, a thread and a newsletter item. Repetition with variety is how ideas stick.
A: Authenticity
People follow people. Show your face, share lessons and mistakes, and write in your own voice. In a feed full of AI-generated content, real personality stands out.
V: Value
Every post should teach, help, entertain or inspire. Ask yourself: would I save or share this? If not, rework it.
E: Engagement
Social media is a conversation. Reply to comments quickly, ask questions, comment on others’ posts and connect with peers in your niche. Relationships turn followers into customers and collaborators.
A simple weekly CRAVE routine
- Monday: create one substantial piece, such as a blog post, video or guide.
- Tuesday to Thursday: reiterate it as two or three native posts in different formats on your main platform.
- Every day: spend 15 minutes replying to comments and joining conversations in your niche.
- Friday: share something personal and authentic, like a lesson learned or behind-the-scenes moment.
- Monthly: review your insights, keep what earned saves, shares and clicks, and drop what didn’t.
Extra tips for better social media results
- Pick your platforms: LinkedIn for professional topics, Instagram and TikTok for visual ones, YouTube for tutorials, Pinterest for evergreen ideas.
- Use short vertical video: Reels, Shorts and TikTok reach new audiences fastest.
- Post consistently: a steady schedule beats bursts.
- Measure: check reach, saves, shares, profile visits and link clicks in each platform’s insights.
- Drive people to owned channels: invite followers to your newsletter so you’re not dependent on algorithms.
Learn more in our guides to Facebook marketing, how to become a recognized expert with blogs and social media, and how to connect your website to social media.
FAQ
How often should I post on social media?
It depends on the platform, but consistency matters most. Several good posts a week usually beat many rushed ones.
Should I automate social media posting?
Scheduling saves time, but don’t automate engagement. Replies and conversations need a human.
Which metric matters most?
The one tied to your goal: link clicks for traffic, saves and shares for reach, messages or sign-ups for business.
Originally written by guest author Mike Stenger, a social media consultant who wrote about success, business and social media strategy. Image by luc legay under a CC licence. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.
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Thanks David! Sorry for taking so long to reply back. Been busy but hope all is well with you :-)
Great article, because it’s all true. You can re-post content to the heavens, but if you’re not putting out original content, it’s all for naught.
Yes I am Interested.
Thanks for sharing the tips, Social bookmarking is the best way to increase traffic
Thanks for sharing the tips.. I think Engagment: ” Social media in its simplest form is a communication platform.” is critical to the success of CRAVE.
Absolutely! It sounds very cliche at this point but it really is about talking with people and building relationships. That’s how some of the best businesses are built and some of the happiest customers come from those who care about them and are genuinely there to help.
Thanks for sharing the tips.. I think Engagment: ” Social media in its simplest form is a communication platform.” is critical to the success of CRAVE.
to get success in blogosphere you must have a social media network and a community so that they will help you out in bad times
I’m working on a project which is actually using social media at the core. And for the most part, I think I stick to these principles. And I think they’re really good principles to stick to.