Discover the marketing trends to take advantage of in the new year
By Adam Mohrbacher
It is said that each morning we are born again and that what we do today is what matters most. From my perspective, this is the right way to greet the new year. 2025 is nearly done. But with the dawning of 2026 upon us, it’s a great moment to pursue business goals with renewed commitment and relish. Staying current with the latest marketing trends is one way to do that. Follow along and we’ll explore how to make 2026 a year of marketing and business wins.
Use artificial intelligence—intelligently
At this point, artificial intelligence is no longer the new kid on the block. Most businesses are in the process of experimenting with it in one way or another. Expect this trend to accelerate throughout 2026. Despite its widespread use, agencies can still use AI to distinguish themselves. All that’s required is deploying it smarter and more strategically than competitors by combining the best of both human and artificial intelligence.
One way to do that is by using AI for multichannel marketing. Simply take a piece of educational content you’ve created and have AI adapt it for different mediums. A blog post, for example, could be easily repackaged by AI into a short, snappy LinkedIn long-form post, a lead-generating email or even a continuing education class outline. With this approach, you maintain human oversight, expertise and creativity while multiplying efforts across your digital channels and saving valuable time and effort.
Utilize micro marketing
As we approach 2026, studies suggest we are exposed to more content than ever. One report highlighted that we now see 4,000 ads[i] and spend, on average, 2.5 hours on social media every day.[ii] The messages you see are also highly driven by algorithms, which only surfaces content deemed most relevant to your needs or interests. This means it’s time to shift your content from a generalized to granular approach. When you try to talk to everyone, you see, you wind up talking to no one. The algorithms have no incentive to put your content in front of that which is more tailored and focused.
Instead, pick several highly niche areas that are still central to your business priorities and build content around them. Whether that is farm and ranch deals, first time buyers or small builders, the trick is to get as narrow as possible while still staying aligned with what your customer base wants and/or needs to know. That way, the algorithms will have a much better grasp of what your content is and who they should present it to.
Doing this not only helps you build brand equity but also aligns your marketing with how content is discovered by customers today. Better yet, the more relevant your assets are, the better chance they will not only be found but read.
Build your “always on” digital profile
Twenty years on from the rise of Web 2.0, many agencies have not moved beyond having a basic website. While a website should still be the heart of your digital presence, it should be the beginning rather than the conclusion.
In 2026, the bare minimum for agencies must include your website, one or two social media channels, and a local listing presence centered around something like a Google Business Profile. Today’s customers demand brands have an “always on” digital presence, meaning a place where they can seamlessly gain the information they need, ask questions and get a swift response.
If you haven’t already, look on Google to see if your agency’s profile is set up, and if not, take action to build and optimize it. Add imagery, hours, contact information and other relevant data. Then, engage with your profile. Like any other place online, make consistent updates and be sure to respond as quickly as possible to any substantive stakeholder engagement. Once you have this up and running, your customers will rest more easily. They will know they have a reliable and consistent agency resource in their corner that they can access when and where they need to.
Toasting to your 2026 success
As the clock approaches midnight on December 31st, I hope that you will greet the new year with a sense of optimism on all you can accomplish in the months ahead. Carving out your place in the market is no simple matter. But if you stick to the best practices we’ve gone over here, you can ensure you put your best foot forward in 2026. And with a little luck, by the time 2027 rolls around, you’ll be able to toast yourself for a job well done.
[i] https://goadfuel.com/the-daily-ad-exposure-how-many-ads-does-the-average-person-see-each-day/
