Which is better, social media or blogging?
I’m going to help you break down the age-old blogging vs Instagram debate. These are trying times for artists, creators, and writers. With social media platforms and algorithms changing every week, it can be frustrating trying to figure out how to please the algorithm Gods in order for your art to be seen. What if I told you, you didn’t have to rely on making tacky reels and using trending sounds just to get someone to take a look at your work? Welcome to the world of blogging! But is it really the best option with Google updates cracking down on blogs?
What you will find here
I’ve put together all the pros and cons of blogging and using Instagram to share your work. Whether one is better than the other is ultimately your decision, but I’ve weighed everything up so you don’t have to. This is all based on my personal experience running my Instagram account A Picturesque Life and blogging on my blog, A Picturesque Life. So let’s get into it!
blogging vs Instagram
It takes 5 seconds to create an Instagram account
It takes time and effort to set up a blog. Remember the days of Myspace when we could customise our user page to reflect our personality? Blogging is like that! There are easier ways to do it, like using templates on WordPress, but it is far easier to pick a username on Instagram and verify your email than to create a website.
Blogging gives you unlimited monetising and branding potential while Instagram does not.
Just like Youtube, blogs give you the opportunity to make revenue through ads shown to your viewers. This is a great way to make money just from people reading your blog. There are so many other ways you can make money through your blog. Some options are opening a shop where you can sell physical or digital products or promoting other blogs or products on your blog (I have a shop where I sell my art prints!). Just like Instagram, you also have affiliate marketing and brand opportunities.
Instagram is not yours, a blog is.
Sick and tired of the Instagram algorithm not working the way you want it to? I hate to break it to you, but it is working exactly the way Meta wants it to. It is designed to bring them the most revenue. If you want a platform that works in your best interest, you need to make your own. It is as simple as that!
Blogs are evergreen, Instagram exposure is fleeting.
While you need to post on Instagram everytime you want people to remember you exist, blogs last forever. You can post something on your blog and it can still bring in thousands of viewers each month years down the road. Therefore it is a far more productive way to spend your time. In my experience, when reels on Instagram do go viral, most of the people that the reel was shown to were not my intended audience.
It is far easier to gain followers on Instagram than a blog, even in 2024
You often hear people complaining about how hard it is to get followers today on Instagram, but the truth is it is still easier to gain followers on Instagram than it is to get regular readers on a blog. The reason for this is because users are trained to like and follow you on Instagram, whereas you need to convince a user to sign up to an email subscription list or follow you via WordPress.
Instagram has a built in search engine and users, a blog doesn’t
When you post on Instagram, it lets its users know you have posted immediately. Analysing the initial engagement, it decides whether or not to show your post to more people. If it doesn’t do well, its a dud. With a blog, many search engines will look at your content and decide if it is worth showing their users. Based on how many users find your blog useful, your ranking will increase. If your post isn’t performing well, you can always go back and edit it and search engines will again assess who to show it to.
A blog gives you access to users all over the internet, Instagram is limited to those using the platform
Understanding who your audience is a great start to getting regular readers. So, if your audience usually hangs out on Instagram then Instagram might be a good place for you. However, many users get their information from other platforms like Tiktok, Youtube, and doing a quick Google Search. So why limit yourself to just those on the gram?
A blog lasts forever, Instagram is already faux pas
In a world where social media platforms have a lifespan of a goldfish, is it really a good idea to invest all your time into just one platform? A blog is yours to keep, unlike Instagram where the traffic to your account relies on how many users are on the platform as well as the algorithm. There are already more popular platforms like Tiktok taking market share from Meta.
VERDICT
A blog is your HQ, Instagram is just a funnel
Like with most social media platforms (and image searches like Pinterest), Instagram works best as a funnel. A funnel is a platform where users can discover your work and be led to your blog. It is far better to use a blog as your headquarters. This is the place that holds all your crucial information like your work, portfolio, and contact info. At the end of the day, your Instagram could disappear tomorrow, so it is important to not put all your eggs in one basket. If you don’t have a blog yet, I have written more about why starting a blog in 2024 is the best option for you, as well as some helpful blogging tips.
Did this article speak to you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife so feel free to reach out or use #apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!