People’s attention spans are getting shorter and there is more digital noise than ever. Marketers are always arguing about the best way to connect with their customers. Should you spend all of your time and energy on email marketing or social media? Both outlets have their good points, but which one really is better for getting people to interact?

Let’s break it down in a straightforward and useful way.

What Does It Mean to Be “Engaged”?

Let’s talk about what participation means before we choose a winner. It’s not just about hits and likes. Engagement is how your audience interacts with your brand, like when they open an email, share a story, click a link, respond to a campaign, or even buy something.

That being said, let’s look at both sides.

Why email marketing is important

Email might not seem as modern as Instagram Reels or TikTok, but it’s not at all out of date. Email still quietly leads the way when it comes to one-on-one conversations.

✠ More people are interested
Several studies have found that between 20 and 30 percent of email messages are opened, and between 2 and 5 percent of those emails are clicked on. That’s a lot more than the organic spread on Facebook or Instagram, which is usually less than 5%.

Get in touch with your audience directly
People check their inbox every day, which is where emails go right away. You’re not up against cat videos, jokes, or computers that decide what people see.

✠ Customization means power
You can divide your audience into groups, send personalized messages, and send content that seems like it was made just for them with email tools. When something is important to someone, they are more likely to get involved with it.

✠ More Sales Potential: Email marketing gives a return on investment (ROI) of $36 for every $1 spent, which is more than any other digital marketing medium. Emails can get people to do real things, not just click on links.

ALSO READ: Best Free Email Marketing Tools to Kickstart Your Campaign

Why you should use social media

People hang out on social media, learn about new brands, and have interactions in real time. It’s visual, you can connect with it, and it’s great for creating community and buzz.

Extra-Large Reach
Over 4.9 billion people use social media around the world. Whether your audience is Boomers or Gen Z, they’re probably on at least one site and scrolling a lot.

✠ Talking back and forth
Through comments, shares, direct messages (DMs), and stories, people can talk back to you in real time on social media, but not in emails. It’s a great way to connect with your community and earn their trust.

Potential to Go Viral
You could go viral in an instant if you have the right material. Your business can reach thousands or even millions of new people with just one clever reel or trending tweet. This is harder to do with email.

✅ Creating brands and sharing stories
Social is the place for brands to show who they are. You can make a memorable brand personality that sticks with videos, behind-the-scenes posts, or polls that people can participate in.

Which One Will Win?

Now, really? It’s up to you what you want.

Email marketing is the best way to make sales, keep leads interested, and get a good return on investment.
Twitter is your best friend if you want to get people to know about your work, get more followers, and stay current with culture.
You don’t have to pick one over the other, though. The best brands use both email and social media to connect with customers and get them to buy.

Putting together forces: the best plan

Get more people to follow you on social media.
Get people to join your email list by giving them special deals or useful information.
Email marketing is a great way to get to know your followers better, make personalized suggestions, and turn them into loyal buyers.
Like going on a date: email is the more serious talk that leads to a real friendship, while social media is the fun first date.

Last Thoughts

Social media and email marketing are both very important parts of your marketing plan. You can’t say “either/or.” You have to figure out how to use them both to get the most interest and long-term success.