Your Marketing Checklist for 2026
Let’s be honest, 2026 is already here, and if 2025 taught us anything, it’s that marketing as we knew it has changed. The overly polished, corporate-sounding brands are slowly being phased out, and in their place? Personality. Community. Humans being human.
So, before you dive headfirst into another year of campaigns, content calendars, and “should we be on this platform?” conversations, here’s your TLH Marketing checklist for 2026 — the things we truly believe brands need to be nailing next year.
1. Put the Human Back in Your Brand
If your content still reads like it was written by a boardroom, it’s time for a rethink. People don’t connect with perfection, they connect with honesty, humour, and relatability.
Show your team. Share the behind-the-scenes. Talk about what’s working and what isn’t. Founder-led content, employee faces, real conversations, it all builds trust, and trust converts.
Ask yourself: If this post landed on my feed, would I stop scrolling?
2. Build Community, Not Just an Audience
Followers are great. Community is better.
2026 is the year brands need to stop talking at people and start talking with them. That means responding to comments, listening to feedback, and actually involving your audience in your journey, whether that’s product development, content ideas, or campaign launches.
People want to feel like they’re part of something. Give them a reason to stay.
3. Create Content With Purpose
Posting “just to post” is officially out.
Every piece of content should have a reason to exist — whether it’s to educate, entertain, inspire, or convert. Short-form video is still king, but only when it adds value. Trends are fun, but strategy is better.
Before you hit publish, ask:
What is this content doing for my audience?
What is it doing for my business?
If the answer is “not much,” it’s probably time to rethink it.
4. Prioritise Brand Building Over Quick Wins
Yes, sales matter. But sustainable growth comes from strong brand building.
In 2026, brands that win will be the ones investing in long-term storytelling, consistent messaging, and recognisable visuals, not just jumping from trend to trend chasing quick results.
People buy from brands they recognise, trust, and remember. Play the long game.
5. Be Brave With Your Marketing
Safe marketing rarely stands out.
Whether it’s leaning into humour, taking a stance, or trying something a little different — brands that are brave with their marketing are the ones people remember. Not everything will land perfectly, and that’s okay. Progress beats perfection every time.
If you’re worried about pleasing everyone, you’ll probably end up exciting no one.
6. Measure What Actually Matters
Vanity metrics look nice, but they don’t always tell the full story.
In 2026, focus on the numbers that actually align with your goals — engagement quality, website clicks, conversions, customer retention. Data should guide decisions, not intimidate you.
And remember: not everything valuable is immediately measurable.
7. Stay Adaptable (Because Things Will Change)
If there’s one guarantee in marketing, it’s that things will shift — algorithms, platforms, trends, and consumer behaviour.
Have a plan, but don’t cling to it too tightly. The brands that thrive are the ones willing to adapt, test, learn, and evolve as they go.
Final Thoughts
2026 isn’t about doing more marketing — it’s about doing better marketing. More intention, more personality, and more focus on real connection.
If you tick off this checklist, you’ll already be ahead of the curve. And if you need help putting it into action? Well… you know where TLH Marketing is
Here’s to a big year ahead.
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