How to Plan Your Marketing for 2026

(That You’ll Actually Stick To)

New year, new goals, fresh notebook… and about a thousand marketing ideas competing for your attention...

Every January, business owners and marketing managers start with the best intentions - this is the year we’ll be consistent! - but by March, the plan’s buried under deadlines, client projects, and “urgent” jobs.

Sound familiar?


Let’s make 2026 different.


Here’s how to create a simple, realistic marketing plan you’ll actually follow - one that saves time, builds consistency, and gets real results.

1. Start with What Worked (and What Didn’t)

Before you start dreaming up new campaigns, take a moment to review the past year.

  • • Which campaigns performed best?

  • • Which ones fizzled out?

  • • What feedback did you get from clients or your team?

You’ll often find that small tweaks - clearer messaging, better timing, or stronger visuals - make all the difference.

Pro tip: look for patterns, not perfection. If your last event flopped, maybe the idea was great, but the execution wasn’t. That’s valuable insight for next time.

2. Map Out the Big Picture

Think of your marketing like a calendar (you know I love a good one 😉).

Map out your key dates, events, and campaigns first.

Here’s what to include:

  • • Product launches or promotions

  • • Seasonal campaigns (EOFY, holidays, industry events)

  • • Client appreciation moments (hello, branded gift season 😉)

  • • Community or charity events

  • • Business milestones or anniversaries

Once those are on the map, you can fill in smaller monthly themes around them.

Bonus: I’ve created a 2026 Marketing Planner Template to make this step easy - you can grab it free at the end of this post!

3. Keep It Simple - and Consistent

You don’t need 20 different content streams.

You need a few strategic ones you can manage consistently.

Choose 3 - 4 key channels that make sense for your business - for example:

  • • LinkedIn (build authority and B2B visibility)

  • • Instagram (show creativity and culture)

  • • Email (nurture your audience)

  • • Print or merch (tangible brand reminders)

Then, commit to posting or promoting regularly enough to stay visible.

It’s better to show up consistently in fewer places than sporadically everywhere.

4. Align Your Marketing Tools

Your marketing only works if your brand tools are up to the task. Before you launch into new campaigns, check that your visuals and materials still reflect your brand at its best.

Ask yourself:

  • • Is your logo consistent across print and digital?

  • • Are your business cards, brochures, and signage up to date?

  • • Do your branded gifts still feel relevant and on-brand?

Remember: your marketing plan isn’t just about what you’ll do - it’s about making sure you have the tools to do it well.

5. Plan for Flexibility (and Real Life)

Even the best marketing plans need breathing room.

Leave space for spontaneous opportunities - like client features, seasonal trends, or those magic moments when you just have something great to say.

Think of your plan as a framework, not a rulebook.

You’ll be far more likely to stick to it if it feels achievable and adaptable.

Because consistency isn’t about perfection - it’s about momentum.

6. Make Print and Merchandise Part of the Plan

Here’s a secret most people overlook: your marketing plan isn’t complete until it includes your physical brand touchpoints.

Branded print and merchandise can:

  • • Reinforce your campaigns

  • • Keep you top of mind with clients

  • • Add that “real world” impact digital alone can’t match

So when you’re planning your marketing, ask:

“What’s one tangible piece we can create each quarter to support this campaign?”

It could be an event giveaway, a brochure update, or a custom client gift - small touches that make a big impression.

7. Build Accountability (Without Overwhelm)

A great plan is only as strong as the system that supports it.

Try this:

  • • Schedule a 30-minute monthly “marketing check-in” (solo or with your team).

  • • Track what’s been posted, printed, or promoted.

  • • Celebrate what’s working - and tweak what’s not.

Marketing isn’t a one-time task; it’s an evolving process. The more you check in, the less likely you are to fall behind.

Ready to Make 2026 Your Most

Consistent Year Yet?

If you want to take the stress out of planning and actually enjoy marketing again, join me for a free live session: “Plan Your 2026 Marketing with Confidence.”

We’ll cover:

  • • How to set realistic goals

  • • Simple frameworks for planning campaigns

  • • How to align your design, print, and merchandise with your marketing strategy

Because when your brand and marketing work together - everything else feels easier.

You’ll also receive my 2026 Marketing Planner for Proud Brands e-book as a thank-you

Let’s make this the year you plan it, print it, and actually do it.