We’ve all been there—posting on social media, hoping for that one viral hit that’ll flood our website with traffic. But here’s the kicker: If you’re relying solely on social media to drive traffic to your website, you’re missing out on a much easier, more reliable strategy—blogging.
Let me break it down for you: One late-night scroll session (3 AM, because why sleep, right?), I realized something. Last month, I spent about 20 hours on social media posts, and you know what? I got around 1,000 clicks to my website.
Not bad, but here’s the kicker: I looked at my blog stats, and just one hour of writing per post brought in 3,000 clicks. That’s three times more traffic in a fraction of the time. Wild, right?
Now, I’m not saying give up on social media. It’s important for showing up consistently and reminding people that you’re a real person. But if you’re relying on it as your main traffic source, you might want to rethink that.
Why Blogging Crushes Social Media for Traffic
Social media can be a black hole of time and energy and so many of us overthink it anyways. You spend hours crafting posts, stressing over hashtags, and trying to nail that perfect “I woke up like this” vibe. But blogging? That’s the real traffic driver.
I’m not saying social media is worthless. It’s awesome for connection and engagement, but when it comes to actually driving people to your website and making sales? Blogging is where it’s at. Imagine putting in half the effort and getting three times the results. That’s blogging in a nutshell.
Attracting Clients Through Blogging
Blogging is a game changer for illustrators and if you want to attract clients, the best way to do it is by answering their most popular questions in blog form. Most small business owners are DIY-ing everything, especially when they’re starting out. But guess what? When they try to DIY branding, design, or illustrations, they quickly realize how hard it is—and that’s where you come in.
Blog Tip: Write blog posts that answer questions your potential clients are asking, like “How to Build Your Own Logo in Illustrator” or “How to Paint Your First Mural.” By the time they’ve finished your post, they’ll realize how challenging the task is and may not want to do it themselves. And who will they hire? The person who just taught them—you.
Selling Products? Blog About Gift Guides and Roundups
If you’re selling products like prints, apparel, or home décor, blogging is a goldmine that can make you money. One of the easiest ways to attract customers is to create gift guides or product roundups based on your style. For example, if you sell prints, write blog posts like “Top 5 Prints for Maximalist Home Décor” or “Best Wall Art for Minimalist Spaces.”
The key here is to target specific keywords that match your products and style. When I noticed “mental health sweatshirts” was trending on Google Keyword Planner, I wrote an article all about alternative mental health shirts. The traffic poured in.
If you sell prints, focus on home décor content. If you’re selling apparel, create style guides and fashion posts like “How to Style Graphic Tees for a Statement Look.” And, of course, link back to your products in each post.
Why Your Blog and Newsletter Should Work Together
Start with one blog post a week and see how it goes. Don’t overcommit, but don’t disappear either.And here’s a pro tip: Tie your blog into your newsletter.
Not every piece of content your audience receives should feel promotional. Your newsletter should provide real value, whether it's tips for small business owners on how to create their own artwork or different gift guides based on your style. Your blog is where you can naturally mention your products or services, but it shouldn’t be the main draw.
For example, instead of just saying, "Click here to shop," you could offer insights like, “Here’s my latest post on how to choose the best home décor for a maximalist space. I’ve included a few of my favorite prints that fit perfectly in this style.” This way, your product or service becomes part of the content, but it’s not screaming buy me.
Why it works: Your audience will trust you more if they feel like they’re receiving useful content, not just constant promotions. When they’re ready to buy, they’ll remember who gave them valuable advice along the way.
SEO for Bloggers: Finding the Right Longtail Keywords
SEO feels intimidating until you realize it’s not. Finding the right keywords is key to getting your blog ranked on Google. Here’s the basic process:
Use Google Keyword Planner: This is a free tool that helps you search for keywords that match your products or services.
Find Longtail Keywords: Look for non-competitive keywords with 1,000–10,000 searches a month. For example, instead of just “art prints,” try “botanical art prints.”
Look for Trends: Find trending keywords that have seen a big rise in popularity, like “+900% in the last three months.” (Hint: That’s a keyword goldmine.)
Bonus Round: Turn Your Blogging Strategy Into a Social Media Strategy
Many artists focus solely on showcasing their art, but blogging allows you to reach a broader audience—people who share your style, humor, or interests. By creating valuable and entertaining content, you can build a community while subtly promoting your products.
Each blog post can be repurposed into multiple social media posts. You can create short-form videos, use green screen features, or film yourself shopping for items that align with your products.
Example: If your blog is about home décor, film yourself in-store showing how your prints fit into different styles. This way, you’re not just promoting your product—you’re creating engaging content that resonates with your audience and strengthens your brand.
Most marketers follow the 80/20 rule: 80% of content should entertain and provide value, while only 20% should be directly promotional. Artists who over-promote tend to lose followers, as no one likes to feel constantly sold to. By focusing on making most of your content enjoyable and relatable, you’ll keep followers engaged and increase the chances of turning them into paying customers.
Want to learn how to sell more products on social media? Check out my audio course for actionable tips to boost your sales and engagement.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
To wrap things up: Blogging drives more traffic than social media, hands down. So, while social media can be fun and help you connect, it shouldn’t be your only strategy. Start blogging, build trust, and watch the traffic (and sales) come in.
