7-11-4 Rule
A marketing principle stating that a buyer needs 7 hours of interaction across 11 touchpoints in 4 different locations before making a purchase.
Also known as: Seven Eleven Four Rule, Marketing Touchpoints Rule
Category: Principles
Tags: marketing, sales, businesses, content-strategy, customer-acquisition
Explanation
The 7-11-4 Rule is a marketing and sales framework that quantifies the level of exposure and engagement typically required before a prospect becomes a customer. It emphasizes that purchasing decisions rarely happen after a single interaction.
**The Three Numbers**:
- **7 Hours**: A potential buyer needs approximately 7 hours of total interaction time with your content, brand, or message before they're ready to buy
- **11 Touchpoints**: These 7 hours should be spread across at least 11 separate interactions or touchpoints
- **4 Locations**: The touchpoints should occur across at least 4 different channels or platforms
**Why This Matters**:
1. **Trust takes time**: People need repeated exposure to build trust and familiarity with a brand or product
2. **Multi-channel presence**: Being visible in multiple places reinforces credibility
3. **Different content types**: Various touchpoints allow you to address different concerns and learning styles
4. **Top of mind**: Regular touchpoints keep you present when the buying decision is made
**Practical Applications**:
- **Content strategy**: Create enough diverse content to provide 7+ hours of value
- **Channel diversity**: Be present on multiple platforms (blog, social media, email, video, podcast)
- **Nurture sequences**: Design marketing funnels with multiple touchpoints
- **Patience**: Understand that conversion takes time—don't expect instant results
**Types of Touchpoints**:
- Blog posts and articles
- Social media posts
- Email newsletters
- Videos and webinars
- Podcast episodes
- Case studies
- Free resources and downloads
- Comments and engagement
This rule helps marketers set realistic expectations and design comprehensive strategies rather than relying on single-shot campaigns.
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