Email vs. Social Media: Which One Actually Grows Your Business Faster?

Michelle English
Jun 29
3 min read

If you've ever found yourself wondering, "Should I be posting more on social media or sending more emails?" — you’re not alone. As a small business owner, your time is currency. You need to invest where you’ll see the biggest return.

So, what’s better for business growth: email marketing or social media? Spoiler alert: the best strategy uses both, but let’s break down exactly why.

Social Media: The Spark That Starts the Fire

What it does best:

Increases visibility
Builds trust and brand recognition
Encourages quick interaction and feedback

With platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, your audience can engage with your brand instantly. From fun Reels to behind-the-scenes stories, social is where personality shines and relationships begin.

But let’s keep it real… social media is noisy. Your post today? It’ll be yesterday’s news by lunch. Algorithms are unpredictable, and unless you’re consistently active, your visibility tanks.

Want to take your social strategy deeper? Check out The Power of Social Media Marketing: Building Engaged Audiences for Business Success for actionable tips on standing out and connecting authentically.

Quick Stats:

Over 4.8 billion people use social media worldwide.
Instagram Reels get 22% more engagement than other videos.
But the average post lifespan? Less than 48 hours.

Translation? You need a plan that keeps you showing up—without burning out.

Email Marketing: The VIP Lounge for Your Brand

Email is like the slow burn that leads to a long-term relationship. It might not be as flashy, but it converts.

Why it works:

You own your audience (no algorithm games)
It allows for deep personalization
It has the highest ROI of all marketing tools

According to HubSpot, email marketing generates $42 for every $1 spent. That’s no typo. It’s the most reliable tool in your marketing arsenal.

But sending emails that actually get opened? That’s an art. Start with Mastering Email Etiquette: How to Write Professional, Effective Emails for tips that help you hit send with confidence.

Bonus Data:

81% of small businesses rely on email as their primary customer acquisition channel.
Personalized emails deliver 6x higher transaction rates.
Email is 40x more effective at acquiring customers than Facebook or Twitter combined.

If you’re not sending emails regularly, you’re leaving money on the table.

So, Which One Should You Focus On?

Let’s break it down:

	Email Marketing	Social Media
Ownership	100% yours	Owned by the platform
Lifespan	Days to months	Hours to a day
ROI	Highest	Medium to high
Engagement	Personal & targeted	Broad & fast
Goal	Nurture + Convert	Attract + Connect

The winner? Both- used strategically.

How to Make Them Work Together

You don’t need to be everywhere all the time. You need a workflow that makes sense for your energy and your goals.

Here’s a simple, stress-free plan:

1. Post 3–4x a Week on Social

Use short-form content (Reels, carousels, tips)
Show your face, your offers, or your brand voice
End with a CTA: “Join my list,” “Grab my freebie,” or “DM me to chat”

Not sure how to build an audience that actually engages? These two posts break it down for you:

2. Send 1 Email a Week

Repurpose your best-performing post into a deeper tip
Tell a story, share value, promote an offer
Keep it conversational (write like you're talking to your best client)

3. Build the Bridge

Use social media to grow your email list
Use your email list to sell your offers or book calls

Boom. You’ve just created a low-effort, high-impact system.

Final Takeaway: Stop Choosing. Start Strategizing.

Don’t fall into the trap of “either-or” thinking. Social gets you discovered. Email gets you paid.

If you want to grow your audience, build loyalty, and actually sell your products or services, you need both—without feeling like you're chained to your laptop.