Marketing Channels I’ll Be Focusing on in 2026
There are endless ways to market a business, but not all of them are worth your time or energy. Over the years, I’ve paid close attention to what actually helps businesses get found, build trust, and stay connected to the people they want to reach. As I look ahead to 2026, these are the channels I’ll be continuing to focus on, because they work.
Social Media
Instagram and Facebook are still heavy hitters for small businesses, especially when they’re used with intention. They give you a way to show your face, share your voice, and build familiarity over time. People want to know who they’re buying from, and social media is often the first place they go to get that feel.
One thing I’m paying close attention to right now is how social content is showing up in Google search results. Posts are no longer just living inside the app. They’re becoming another way people discover your business online. When you combine that with the fact that most people will check your social presence before reaching out, it’s clear this is still a space worth investing in.
Email Marketing
If social media is how people find you, email is how you build a relationship. When someone signs up for your list, they’re choosing to hear from you, which makes email one of the most valuable tools you can have.
What I love about email is its reliability. There’s no guessing about whether an algorithm will show your content. Your message lands directly in someone’s inbox. Whether you’re sharing updates, offering something helpful, or simply staying in touch, email is how you keep your business top of mind in a way that feels personal and consistent.
Website and Blog Content
Your website is the foundation of your online presence. It’s the one place you fully own and control, and it should clearly communicate who you are, what you do, and how someone can work with you.
Adding a blog to that mix makes your website work even harder. Blog content allows you to answer real questions, share your perspective, and show up in search results over time. Every post you publish is another opportunity for the right people to find you and get to know your approach before they ever reach out.
Print Collateral
Even with everything being digital, I still believe print has a role to play. A well-designed business card, brochure, or postcard creates a different kind of connection. It’s tangible, personal, and often sticks around longer than a quick scroll on a screen.
Print works especially well when it supports your other channels. It gives people something to take with them, share, or come back to later, and it reinforces your brand in a quiet but powerful way.
The Bottom Line
These are the channels I keep coming back to because they balance visibility with real connection. Social media helps people find you, email helps you build trust, your website and blog establish credibility, and print adds a human touch. Together, they create a marketing mix that feels sustainable, authentic, and effective. Not just for 2026, but for the long haul.
