Planning your 2026 marketing strategy might feel a little overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve asked our team to share their go-to tips, favorite tools, and lessons learned to help you build a strategy that actually works (and doesn’t make your head spin). Let’s dive in!
Dawn
Your 2026 marketing plan should be data driven. Whether implementing email marketing, AI technology or Google and Meta ads – the story is in the numbers. A-B testing is important to see what images and text resonates with the audience. It is also essential to run campaigns for 3-6 months before analyzing the data to give it time to work.
And finally, make sure you have the right amount of budget for your campaign.
Megan
If you haven’t already, it’s time to increase your budget. What you received for the same price before is not the case anymore. Paid media costs are climbing as major platforms like Meta, Google, TikTok, and LinkedIn become increasingly saturated. Rising cost per thousands and cost per clicks mean businesses are having to invest more just to maintain the same level of performance. As a result, marketers are reforecasting their budgets more frequently to stay agile and ensure their dollars are being spent where they’ll have the most impact.
Jen
Reddit is a platform that businesses are going to want to take advantage of in 2026. It has already started to dominate Google, with over 97% of search results containing a Reddit entry (and usually in one of the top spaces), so using it as part of a well-rounded SEO strategy will be imperative to staying ahead of the competition. There is also a lot of opportunity with Reddit Ads, especially since there currently isn’t a lot of local competition.
Tabitha
As we look ahead to 2026, one question often comes to mind: How can I improve my brand strategy? One technology that’s reached every industry and only continues to grow is artificial technology (AI). With AI’s widespread use and potential, all businesses should be thinking of ways they can incorporate it into their digital marketing strategy.
While there are several types of AI and specific use cases for each, one form that can be applied to any business is AI-driven personalization on social media platforms. New tools are constantly emerging and making it easier to deliver hyper-targeted content based on user behavior, interests, and engagement patterns.
This level of customization not only boosts content engagement, but it can also improve your return on investment (ROI) by ensuring your message reaches the right audience at the right time. As part of your 2026 marketing plan, explore different platforms and software that offer advanced targeting capabilities to stay ahead of the curve.
Jenny
AI has been such a powerhouse behind many things, especially in the design and marketing world. It’s rapidly revolutionizing branding, efficiency, and innovation. Despite this, there has been a resurgence of a new countermovement against this new era of tech, and that is nostalgia. This design trend has been steadily evolving to convey the warmth and authenticity of human connections, emotions, and that nostalgic desire to reconnect with old, but familiar aesthetics, into branded materials to offer their audience a more meaningly, lasting experience. While AI will never go away, this resurgence of nostalgia should offer many opportunities of finding a balance of honoring the past while integrating the future and utilizing its efficiency without the cost of emotional connection.
Allie
Your website is often your brand’s first handshake with a potential customer. If it hasn’t been touched in a few years, 2026 is the perfect time to refresh. Clean design, faster load times, and clear calls to action aren’t just nice to have; they’re essential for driving engagement and conversions. Whether it’s a full redesign or simple updates like new photos or mobile optimization, even small changes can make a big impact. Today’s audience expects a seamless, visually compelling experience. Make sure your site lives up to that expectation.
Bri
For creatives, AI has been a prevalent topic and will continue to be in 2026. AI is a great tool for designers when it comes to efficiency in workflow and exploring new creative approaches. While it can be helpful in assisting a designer, it’s important to note that effective and thoughtful designs come from the human touch. When considering advertising for your business in the upcoming year, remember that human-made, original advertising appears more authentic and trustworthy to your consumers and might be the defining factor in their decision-making.