What Will Matter In Marketing In 2026

Tis the season. The season for everyone to start sharing their predictions for the coming year. Let’s hope my predictions for what will matter in marketing is 2026 will be more interesting than Pantone choosing white as the Color of the Year for 2026.

So where is marketing going in 2026? Ultimately, none of know. But I can use my 20+ years of experience to give you my perspective on what I think will matter in marketing in 2026.

Not to toot my own horn, but my 2025 predictions were pretty spot on. So, toot, toot. 

One disclaimer before we get to the predictions:

None of us can predict the twists and turns that marketing, our lives, or the world will take. Things are always changing and the future is more unknown now than ever. So take these predictions with that in mind. None of these are things you have to do or embrace. Take what works for you, and don’t stress about the rest. And remember, that no matter what, good marketing will always be good marketing. So if you ever get overwhelmed with all the new stuff, just go back to basics and double down on what’s working. 

Now that we got that out of the way, I put together 7 trends I think are worth keeping an eye on in 2026. 

The Overall Theme

If 2024 and 2025 were the years of chasing trends, trying to keep up with every new feature, and questioning whether the algorithm secretly hates us… 2026 is the year we collectively exhale.

This is the year marketing becomes more grounded, more human, and more effective.

Here’s what’s actually going to matter in marketing in 2026—the trends worth paying attention to, and the shifts that will help you create sustainable marketing that feels good and works well.

1. The end of courses

I’ve never been a course girl because of how fast things in my industry change. I’d have to update the course every month to keep it relevant and valuable. I think that’s why a lot of people are steering away from courses. The other reason for the change is just how many courses there are out there. I see things shifting more heavily to memberships for those who want to go the one-to-many route instead of 1-to-1.

2. Personal branding becomes less about you and more about your perspective 

In 2026, personal branding shifts from “Here I am!” to “Here’s how I see the world.” Your audience doesn’t need a highlight reel—they want your lens. Your lived experiences and your unique point of view is what sets you apart. People want to hear your perspective, your interpretation, and they way you think. That’s what makes your branding personal and human.

3. Email re-enters her main character era 

Email is done being the consistent, reliable supporting character in your marketing strategy. She’s back, she’s thriving, and she’s reclaiming the spotlight in 2026. With algorithms getting noisier and social feeds feeling more chaotic by the day, people crave direct connection—a message delivered straight to their inbox, not buried in a feed. Email is where intimacy happens, where your perspective lands without distraction, and where consistent, sustainable relationship-building actually works.

4. Slow marketing isn’t an indulgence. It’s a necessity 

Slow marketing is a strategic, long-term approach to marketing. It’s not about doing less—it’s about doing what matters. Things like:

• Choosing longevity over trends
• Quality over quantity
• Mindful storytelling
• Centering community and valued connections
• Prioritizing authenticity

Slow marketing leaves room for creativity, experimentation, and clarity. It gives you space to build trust instead of chasing trends and burning yourself out. In 2026, slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind. It’s about focusing on what works, what feels like you, and what you enjoy. That’s where the ease comes in.

5. People want real more than ever

AI is amazing and we are finding new creative ways to use it responsibly and effectively. But when it comes to connection and building relationships, people want to feel confident what they see is real. Because of that, realness is becoming more valuable. In 2026, people want to feel confident that what they’re seeing is genuine: real stories, real voices, real behind-the-scenes, real perspective. It’s not about rejecting AI. It’s about using it responsibly instead of relying on it for everything. The more that technology evolves and advances, the more we crave authenticity. Real is the new differentiator.

6. Simplification is the name of the game

I’ve seen so many people talking about streamlining their businesses. Whether it’s reducing the number of offers, or taking things off their plates and outsourcing them. Everyone is overloaded, overstimulated, and overwhelmed. Which means we are craving simplicity. Businesses that simplify their messaging, their offers, their marketing channels, and their customer journey are going to shine in 2026. Simple doesn’t mean basic—it means intentional and focused. Complexity is chaotic. Simplicity leads to confidence and easy yeses.

7. Engagement become more private

One of the biggest shifts we’ll see in 2026 is that engagement is becoming more intimate. While the public feed is still where discovery happens, connection is happening behind the scenes — in DMs, voice notes, private groups, and broadcast channels.

People are tired of shouting their thoughts into comment sections that feel chaotic. They want real conversation. Real connection. Direct access. And brands who lean into private engagement — even in small, simple ways — will stand out in a massive way.

Things like:

• Sending a voice note instead of a typed reply
• Answering DMs with genuine connection (not copy/paste scripts)
• Using broadcast channels as a casual, lower-pressure way to nurture your audience
• Letting engagement become a dialogue instead of a performance

Private interaction feels more human. More trustworthy. More meaningful.

In 2026, your public content will attract people, but your private engagement will keep them. The connection is the conversion.

The Bottom Line: 2026 Marketing Is Simpler, Slower, and More Human

Marketing in 2026 won’t reward the loudest or the busiest.
It will reward the businesses that show up with clarity, perspective, intention, and humanity.

The businesses who thrive in 2026 will be the ones who know who they are, know what they stand for, and know how to connect in a way that actually resonates.

If you’re tired of guessing, chasing trends, or constantly feeling behind… this is your year. And I’m here to help you do it.

2026 is the year marketing gets to feel good again. It gets to feel doable. It gets to work in a way that actually supports your goals and you as a person.

Ready? Let’s go!