Module 5: Cadence and Ratios
How often do you give, and how often may you ask? This module turns the ledger into a weekly rhythm you can actually run.
The 7:1 Rhythm
Here's a starting ratio that works for most small businesses: the 7:1 Rhythm — roughly seven gives for every one ask. Post seven deposits, then you've earned one withdrawal. It's not a law of physics; it's a default setting that keeps the ledger visibly in the black while still letting you sell every week or two.
Why seven? It's enough giving that no follower experiences you as "that account that's always selling," and frequent enough asking that the business actually makes money. Accounts that run 1:1 (every other post is a pitch) feel like infomercials. Accounts that run 30:1 often forget to sell at all — also a failure.
Use the calculator below to translate the ratio into your actual posting schedule.
The rhythm
The 7:1 Rhythm
- Gives7
- Asks1
Build brief
How many times per week can you realistically post? At the 7:1 rhythm, how many gives and asks does that mean per month?
Saved
Give/ask cadence calculator
Play with the numbers — everything updates live.
Gives per month:0
Asks per month:0
A ratio of 5 or more keeps the ledger in the black. Below 3, you're overdrawn — add gives before your next ask.
Building your weekly rhythm
Ratios only work if they become a calendar. The simplest weekly rhythm for a busy owner: three gives, one soft ask, repeat — plus one direct ask every two to three weeks once the ledger is healthy. Assign each day a job: Monday teaches, Wednesday entertains or equips, Friday connects, and the soft ask ("follow for Tuesday's tip") rides along quietly.
Batching is what makes this survivable. Film four short videos in one hour on Sunday. Write the week's text posts in one sitting. Design carousels from a single template. An hour or two of batching covers a full week of deposits — consistency without daily panic.
Put the rhythm somewhere you'll see it: a wall calendar, a phone reminder, a simple spreadsheet. The accounts that win aren't the most talented; they're the most consistent. The ledger rewards showing up.
Build brief
Sketch your weekly rhythm: which days, which give types, and where your soft and direct asks land.
Saved
Your turn: Draft next week's posts day by day — label each one GIVE (with its type: teach/entertain/inspire/connect/equip) or ASK (soft or direct). Check the ratio.
Saved.
Adjusting for audience size
The right ratio shifts with your stage. Under 1,000 followers, you're still earning the audience itself: run 10:1 or even pure giving for the first month. Every post should make a stranger glad they found you. Asks this early convert almost nothing and cost trust you haven't built.
At 1,000–10,000 engaged followers, the 7:1 rhythm is the sweet spot: weekly value with a real ask every week or two. Above that, with a warm audience that buys, you can tighten to 5:1 or even 4:1 during launches — then deliberately return to heavier giving afterward to refill the ledger. Think of launches as planned withdrawals followed by planned deposits.
Adjust
The ratio shifts with your stage
Copy-paste: weekly give-first calendar
MON — GIVE (teach): one quick lesson from your craft TUE — GIVE (connect): reply to every comment + one story poll WED — GIVE (equip): carousel / checklist / template THU — soft ASK: "follow for Friday's breakdown" FRI — GIVE (entertain): behind-the-scenes or story SAT — rest (or reshare your best performer) SUN — batch next week (1 hour): film, write, schedule DIRECT ASK: one per 2–3 weeks, only when the ledger is black.
Cadence tracker
Mon give: ___ Wed give: ___ Fri give: ___ Monthly ask: ___ Ratio check: ___
You post 8 times a week and want to hold the 7:1 rhythm. Roughly how many asks is that per month?