2026 Marketing Trends: What to Hold Onto When Everything’s Evolving

Here are the top 2026 marketing trends to know—plus the human insights and strategies that make them work.

These days, most marketing conversations sound like:
Reach more. Build faster. Scale higher. 

But what no one mentions? The ground underneath us is shifting.

The tools are changing. The goalposts are moving.

AI is evolving faster than most of us can process—let alone plan for.

It’s like trying to build a skyscraper on a foundation that keeps sliding.

And still… you’re expected to grow.

That’s the pressure of marketing in 2026.

No wonder it feels overwhelming.

But here’s the reframe that turns challenge into opportunity:

You don’t have to pick between keeping up and building steadily. 

You can scale and stay centered.

It’s not either/or. It’s both/and.

Because when technological innovation is guided by human insight, your marketing doesn’t just keep up. It truly connects.

That’s why we’re taking five of 2026’s most important marketing shifts—and grounding each one in the human insight, connection and strategy that makes things stick.

This is what both/and looks like for us in 2026.

2026 Marketing Trends—And The Very Human Ways We Can Use Them

1. AI-Powered Content—Grounded In Real People

AI is helping us create more content than ever before. It can write your captions, generate blog ideas, outline videos, and even plan campaigns. But here’s the thing: AI is only as good as the direction you give it.

It can’t read the room.
It can’t tell you what matters to your audience right now.
And it definitely can’t replace your voice.

That’s why the most effective use of AI starts with a very human question:
Who am I talking to—really?

Before you open a prompt, picture your favorite client—the one who raves about your services, sends referrals without being asked, and makes you love what you do. (Let’s call her Pam.)

Now write for Pam, and let AI assist from there.

When your content speaks to one real person with clarity and care, it ends up connecting with many. Because it’s rooted in truth. It’s personal. 

So if you’re using AI to create content, read it back with Pam in mind. Would she feel seen? Would she click? Would she care?

Use your real clients as your guide, and let them shape how AI shows up for your brand.

Want help doing this well? We create custom GPTs that know your brand voice and your real clients—so AI becomes your creative partner, not your creative crutch.

2. Automate More—But Protect Your Human Touchpoints

Yes, automation can be a game-changer. You can streamline scheduling, onboarding, email follow-ups and more. Done right, it saves hours—and supports consistency across your touchpoints.

But here’s the catch: not every touchpoint should be automated.

Some moments—especially the high-conversion ones—need to be human.
Discovery calls. Strategy consults. Personal replies.
Those are the places where trust builds, objections soften and decisions get made.

So yes, automate what you can—just don’t let it replace connection.

Use AI to open the door, not end the conversation.

Let your systems support the journey—and let your presence close the deal.

3. Do More—But Start With Brand First

AI lets you scale fast—more content, more platforms, more strategy.
And when things move quickly, it’s tempting to just keep adding. More feels like progress.

Thinking about launching a podcast? Starting a TikTok? Redoing your whole website?
That might be exactly what your brand needs.
Just make sure your foundation can support it.

Do you already have content that communicates your core values and stories? 

How well does your current audience know those stories?

Do they understand you the way Pam does?

The strongest brands in 2026 aren’t the loudest; they’re the clearest.
They lead with story, values and intention.

So yes—expand your strategy.
But invest just as much in the content that grounds it:
Create a video that shares your “why.”
Update your website with real photos of your team.
Reintroduce yourself. Revisit your values. Tell the story of how it all started.

That’s the kind of foundational content that gives everything else meaning—and makes the rest of your marketing actually work.

4. Experiment With Trends—But Implement With Intention

There’s a new trending audio every week. A new platform gaining traction. A new ad type to try. It’s endless, and it feels like you need all of it to become a powerful voice in the market. 

But here’s what’s even more powerful: knowing what fits you, and what doesn’t.

You don’t have to chase every trend. You can watch first. Study what’s working. Spot the brands who do it well—and the ones who don’t. Then decide: Does this fit my brand, my voice, and my goals?

When you choose the right moment—and implement with clarity—that’s when trends become inflection points, not distractions.

It’s not about being first.
It’s about being aligned—and ready.

5. Focus On Retention—Because Loyalty Is Valuable

This year, we’re seeing more and more brands double down on retention. And for good reason.

Right now, finding new leads is more expensive and less certain than ever before. But your past clients? They already trust you. They already know the value of your work. And they’re much more likely to refer.

Retention isn’t just cost-effective—it’s deeply human.

Because it’s not built on hacks or funnels. It’s built on:

• Delivering exceptional experiences
• Following up with care
• Making people feel seen
• Creating content that reminds them why they love working with you

So if you’re wondering where to focus this year, here’s a powerful place to start:
Take incredible care of the people who already said yes.

Bonus: Search Is Changing—So Be The Answer

We’ll own it—we’re the kind of marketing nerds who actually like reading about algorithm updates. But you don’t have to be a tech wizard to understand what’s happening with search right now.

Here’s the shift:
Search is moving toward usefulness, not just rankings.

People are asking questions in complete sentences. They want clear, instant answers. And increasingly, Google gives them those answers without even requiring a click.

That means if your content reads like a sales brochure, it’s probably being skipped—by both people and AI.

The content that gets surfaced now?
✅ Clear
✅ Helpful
✅ Easy to understand
✅ Structured to answer real questions

Content that solves real problems in simple language. Think FAQs. Straightforward headlines. Useful definitions. Language that removes confusion—not adds to it. 

Ask yourself:
Would an AI assistant quote this to help someone?
If not, it might be time to revise.

In this new world of search, the goal isn’t just to get found—it’s to be genuinely helpful.
The internet rewards clarity. So do your clients.

The Shift That Matters Most

You don’t have to master every tool or trend—but you do have to know your brand, your message and your people better than your ChatGPT does. 

Because when you root your marketing in human insight, you don’t just keep up—you lead with meaning.

Innovation becomes easier to navigate.
Decisions become clearer.
And advancement feels like alignment—not exhaustion.

The future doesn’t belong to the fastest mover.
It belongs to the most intentional one.

Marketing Strategy With SchlickArt 

At SchlickArt, we believe the best marketing strategies start with real conversations, honest goals and a deep understanding of your unique business. That’s why our approach to strategy goes far beyond spreadsheets and surface-level planning. We take the time to get to know you—your story, your values and the vision driving your work—so we can craft a plan that not only performs but feels right every step of the way.

Whether you’re scaling your business, launching a new offer or simply ready to take the guesswork out of your content, our strategy services are designed to bring clarity, purpose and momentum to your marketing. From high-level consulting and quarterly planning sessions to detailed content calendars and brand messaging, we offer tailored support that meets you where you are—and grows with you.

If you’re looking for a strategic partner who listens closely, thinks creatively and plans intentionally, we’re here to help. Let’s map out a marketing strategy that reflects your goals, supports your team and tells your story with impact.

About SchlickArt 

SchlickArt, a luxury visual marketing company based in Santa Clarita, started in March 2012 with the simple idea that empowerment creates a kind of authenticity that shines through every camera lens. Built on a philosophy–rather than a product, service or person–SchlickArt has rapidly evolved, meeting fractional CMO, business and strategy planning, professional portraiture, business photo and business video needs as diverse as the community we capture. It’s the desire to take care of you, the client, that drives us at SchlickArt. 

Kirsten Quinn

A lover of strong coffee and yellowed pages, Kirsten Quinn-Smith is a professional content writer and owner of WordSmith Content Marketing here in Santa Clarita. She believes great content can forge a loyal, authentic and beneficial relationship between you and your audience – and grow your business. With each piece of writing, Kirsten's goal is to position you in the content spotlight through audience-centered, strategy-based writing that actually sounds like you. Why? Everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be heard.

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