What if I told you that your 2026 marketing needs to start now?

You’re probably thinking “Can we please just finish 2025 first?” And believe me, I get it.

But here’s the truth: your 2026 marketing success is being built right now.

Most small businesses start planning their marketing in January…just as they’re catching their breath from the holidays. But by then, you’re already behind. The photos, the messaging, the offers, the launch calendar — all of it takes time to plan, create, refine, and roll out.

So while the rest of the world is coasting into December, this is your sign to start setting up Future You for success.

Step One: Reflect on What Worked (and What Didn’t)

Before you map out 2026, take a quick pulse on 2025.

• Which offers or launches felt effortless? Which drained you?
• What content actually connected with your audience (not just got likes)?
• What visuals felt aligned with your brand? Which feel outdated now?

This isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s about strategically evolving what is already working.

Step Two: Align Your Visuals with What’s Next

Your brand photos are the first impression your audience gets. If they don’t match where your business is headed, you’ll always feel one step behind your goals.

If you’re planning a rebrand, new offer, or website update in 2026, your visuals should be in motion before that happens…not after.

That’s why I recommend starting the planning process 8–12 weeks before any major launch. It gives you time for creative direction, strategy, and coordination so your visuals are ready to support your goals from day one.

When you start that process now, your 2026 content strategy becomes a well-oiled machine instead of a last-minute scramble.

Step Three: Give Your Visibility Some Gas

Think of your brand visuals as your marketing fuel. Photos you take now will fill your social media, sales pages, newsletters, and campaigns all through next year.

The more strategic you are about them now, the more consistent and confident your marketing will feel later. So ask yourself:

• What storylines do I want to tell in 2026?
• What offers or client support am I creating that need visuals to support them?
• What kind of energy do I want my brand to give off next year?

The answers to those questions will begin to shape everything, and give your visibility the energy it needs to propel forward.

Step Four: Take Action Now

Here’s the thing most business owners forget: growth has a lag time.

That means that what you do today doesn’t usually pay off tomorrow — it pays off 3 to 6 months from now.

Which means the strategy, planning, and decisions you make now will shape how strong your marketing feels when 2026 begins.

Even if your brand session doesn’t happen until early next year, starting now means you’ll have some ideas about the kinds of stories you want to tell, your strategy dialed in, so your visuals will be ready to roll out right when your audience is making fresh buying decisions.

Waiting until January to start the process only delays your momentum — while the businesses that began planning in November will already be showing up confidently and consistently.

The clarity starts now. The photos come next. The results follow.

How to Build Now for 2026 Success

If you’re ready to start mapping out what’s next for your brand, let’s talk. A quick discovery call is the best way to explore your goals, timing, and creative direction — so you can start the new year with a strategy (and visuals) that truly work for you.

👉 Set up your discovery call here.

Also, Power Hour sessions are a bite-sized photo sessions that I offer twice a year. Sign up for the waitlist and get more info about when those launch!