A few weeks ago I attended a free web course on Instagram. This popular class didn't tell me much that I didn't already know. After all, it was a teaser for a new class. And my job is in marketing. But one thing I took away from the class was her statement that “blogging is dead.” She implied there is no point to keep updating your blog. Instead, she suggested focusing on Instagram.
This scared me. Made me question everything I'm doing and why I do it.
Her basic stance was that you can build a business out of Instagram alone. While that's true to some extent, I have a major problem with it.
Everyone can agree that Instagram is all the rage these days. But putting all your eggs in one social media basket isn't smart. Remember when we thought Facebook was the end all and be all of social media? While it's still an important tool, it won't necessarily make or break your blog or business. The same goes for Instagram. There will always be something new to take its place.
People are going wild for other social media tools like Snapchat and Periscope. There's even word that these will supplant Instagram. So yes, it's great to have a handle on Instagram. It can be an influential market for your business, but it shouldn't be your only opportunity for growth. Plus, you're missing a huge chunk of the market by eliminating your blog.
Your blog provides a home base — an online portfolio that you revise and build throughout the years. It's a place for your followers to land, where they get to know you. It allows you to explain what you do or who you are. You also need social media, because that's where your audience mingles, but your blog is where you get to control what people see and understand from you.
The landscape of blogging has changed dramatically since I first started. People don't interact as much as they used to on your blog. Now they tend to interact on social media. But simply dismissing your blog is not wise. If I Google something, it's not going to take me to your Instagram page, no matter how many likes or comments you get.
The other day I asked if you had any questions for me. I got over 150 responses. The main queries involved blogging and growing your following. As a result, I decided that now, rather than later, as I had planned, I would go ahead and announce my new online course. If the recent response I got is any indication, blogging is certainly not dead.
For the past few months I have been working to build a webinar. I want an opportunity to talk to people and to leverage my knowledge for the many bloggers who hope to grow their blog sites, build their following, and even make money. My goal is to help people Grow Socially (the name of the course). For a while I have offered one-on-one consultations, which has proven effective at boosting your blog. But I wanted to reach more people. A webinar is the answer.
My first webinar will be FREE! (Yep, totally free) and I couldn't be more excited about. Early access and signups will be announced first on my newsletter. Make sure you're signed up here:
#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }
/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */
I think anyone with an online presence proves that blogging is far from dead. What do you think? Is blogging dead?
