Today the match will be between the older, reliable, growth driven strategy, Email Marketing and the savy, new comer, expensive Social Media Marketing strategy. Which one will win? Which one will be the big looser or, will it be a split decision? Read on to find out!
If you're a business owner or entrepreneur trying to stretch your marketing dollars, you’ve probably wondered:
Should I invest more in email marketing or social media marketing?
At iT-werX, we hear this question all the time, and for good reason. Both channels offer powerful ways to connect with your audience, but they work very differently.
So which one actually delivers the best return on investment?
Let’s break it down with real-world examples and stats, so you can make an informed decision for your business.
Email Marketing: High ROI and Direct Conversions
Despite being one of the oldest digital tools in the box, email marketing is still one of the most effective.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- According to Litmus (2024), email marketing delivers an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent.
- Campaign Monitor found that emails with personalised subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened.
Real-World Success
- Airbnb tailors email recommendations based on user behaviour, leading to 3x higher click-through rates.
- BuzzFeed drives over 20% of its traffic through newsletters alone—showing how well email can nurture and convert.
What to Watch Out For
- Emails can land in spam if your list isn’t maintained properly.
- Poorly designed emails on mobile = lost customers.
- Over-sending can cause list fatigue or unsubscribes.
Social Media Marketing: Visibility, Virality, and Engagement
Social media is your brand’s megaphone to the world. It's ideal for reaching new audiences, building awareness, and staying top of mind.
By the Numbers
- According to HootSuite, there are over 5 billion active social media users globally in 2025.
- Sprout Social says that consumers are 43% more likely to buy from brands they follow on social media.
Success in Action
- Wendy’s saw viral growth from clever Twitter banter, generating over 300K retweets and a massive engagement spike.
- Glossier, the skincare brand, built an $80M+ business relying on user-generated Instagram content and community interaction.
Social Media’s Shortcomings
- Organic reach is declining! Facebook’s average is just 2.2%.
- It’s increasingly pay-to-play. Ad costs can rise quickly with competition.
- Content gets buried fast! You need consistent posting just to stay visible.
Which One Is Best for Your Business?
If you’re looking to nurture leads, boost conversions, and drive long-term growth, email marketing is hard to beat. You own your list, and the ROI is consistently higher.
If you are launching a new product, growing a community, or increasing brand awareness? Social media is your stage.
The smartest move? Use both strategically.
At iT-werX, we help businesses like yours combine email and social media into one powerful, results-driven system.
Let’s Grow Together!
Need help building a marketing strategy that actually delivers? Whether you want to boost your email engagement or supercharge your social media, we’ve got your back.
Which platform has worked best for your business so far, email or social media? We’d love to hear your experience! Leave a comment or, let’s talk! Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.