It’s 2026, and the new year brings a fresh opportunity for small businesses to review, reset, and refocus their marketing strategies. A new year is the perfect time to set clear goals, refine your approach, and plan campaigns that engage your audience, drive sales, and grow your brand.

Here are Ava Rose Marketing’s tips on how to set marketing goals and plan for success in 2026.

  1. Reflect on Your Marketing from Last Year

Before moving forward, take a look back at your 2025 marketing performance. Understanding what worked and what didn’t is essential for making informed decisions in 2026.

Ask yourself:

  • Which campaigns delivered the best results?
  • What content or offers resonated most with your audience?
  • Where could you improve efficiency or engagement?

Analysing last year’s data allows you to replicate successes and avoid repeating mistakes, giving you a stronger foundation for this year.

  1. Set Clear, Achievable Marketing Goals

With reflection done, it’s time to set your goals for 2026. Effective goals are SMART -specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Examples for small businesses include:

  • Increasing website traffic by 20% this quarter
  • Growing your email list by 500 subscribers in the first half of the year
  • Boosting social media engagement by 15% each month
  • Launching a seasonal promotion to encourage repeat customers

Clear goals give your marketing direction and make it easier to track progress throughout the year.

  1. Create a Plan to Reach Your Goals

Goals are only useful when paired with a plan. Map out how you’ll achieve each objective across your marketing channels.

  • Content: Plan blog posts, videos, and social media content aligned with your goals
  • Email Marketing: Schedule newsletters, promotions, and updates to nurture your audience
  • Social Media: Decide which platforms to prioritise and what content type works best
  • Advertising: Allocate budget to campaigns that support your objectives, such as paid social ads or Google Ads

A clear roadmap ensures consistent activity, maximises impact, and keeps your marketing organised.

  1. Monitor Progress and Adjust as Needed

Marketing is dynamic, so regularly tracking your results is essential. Analyse website traffic, email performance, social engagement, and campaign ROI. If something isn’t working, tweak your approach rather than waiting until the year’s end.

Celebrate small wins along the way, they motivate your team and reinforce what works. Flexibility and consistent monitoring help you stay on track to hit your 2026 marketing goals.

Bringing Your Marketing Goals to Life

2026 is a fresh start for small businesses to elevate their marketing. By reflecting on last year, setting clear goals, creating actionable plans, and monitoring progress, your business can approach the year with confidence and clarity.

At Ava Rose Marketing, we believe small businesses have the advantage of agility, creativity, and personal connection. With the right strategy in place, 2026 can be your most successful year yet.