Will blogs eventually be the only worthwhile social channel?

Blogs are becoming increasingly popular in today’s world. With all the major corporations and brands all over the world getting involved, eating up their slice of the ‘blogosphere’. The statistics for 2013 show that social channels such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are increasingly on the rise becoming the first line of communication for most people. However, Blogs are vastly approaching this excessive popularity. For example 6.7 million people blog using blogging sites such as Medium, Svbtle, Blogger and Tumblr 
however 12 million people blog via social networking sites according to social media today whom also state that small businesses that embark on using blogs generate 126% more leads. As far as reach is concerned when it comes to blogs ‘Blogger’ which is one of the most popular blogging sites in the USA, has around 46 million unique visitors not each year but each month! 
‘Tumblr’ is another blogging site which is becoming increasingly popular as it is designed and used linking blogging to social media. This just goes to show that blogging is a very important social channel for both personal and professional use. 

But how worthwhile is blogging and will it become more so than social networking?

When it comes to blogging, in order for your blog to become the least bit effective you have to get it known and you have to generate content which people find interesting, but that doesn't mean writing for the sake of writing! Blogging enables bloggers to write about topics informing and enlightening people on what they might not know or what they need to know. Allowing other people to comment, ask questions, voice their own opinions and share the content of the blog in an interactive, chatty way via their own social networking pages. 

Soon there will be no need for face to face communication...

Wasserman-The Boston Globe by Tribune Media Services

So how do you get your blog out there? How does your blog become popular, a people port of call? Well that is where social networking comes into play. Unless you are a well known individual with an already booming fan base or a worldwide brand which people automatically recognise, there has to be another connection.

Unless people are looking for the information the blog ceases to exist unless you decided to write purely for enjoyment, but come on, be realistic, most people want their blog to be seen and want people to interact with them. 

“If no one see’s my blog does that mean they don’t see me?”

David Horsey- Blogging Cartoon

Since the boom of the internet, even people who you would never have guessed would are embarking on what they see as an intimidating and scary conquest of venturing out into the unknown. But now, people are finding that it is more impossible to succeed in life without doing so. The technology boom seems to have been the spark with there being so many different ways of accessing the internet; Netbooks, Tablets, phones etc. You have to keep up to date and that isn't cheap...

How far are you willing to go and pay?

Nate Beeler- Cost of technology

You can download social media apps; For example bloglovin.com which has an app so that people can follow popular blogs. Most blogs you come across are linked to that person or brands social networking pages of which also have downloadable apps. Unless your blog is linked to social media channels, it is much harder to spread the word and get people interacting with you.

I believe that blogs and social media channels hold their own purpose and both reflect off each other, neither being more worthwhile than the other but for now social media having that stronger hold over the world. 

But what do you think?