by Frank Vella, CEO of Fixed Contact
When instances get robust, the previous playbook says to tighten your belt and minimize prices wherever you may. However small companies in 2026 are flipping the script.
For Fixed Contact’s newest Small Enterprise Now report, we surveyed greater than 1,500 small enterprise homeowners to grasp their issues and techniques round advertising and marketing for 2026. Whereas they see the present financial hurdles loud and clear, the overwhelming majority are refusing to hit the brakes. As an alternative of chopping again, they’re doubling down.
As an alternative of shrinking their advertising and marketing budgets, small companies are hitting the accelerator: 68% of small enterprise homeowners count on their advertising and marketing budgets to extend in 2026, whereas 74% count on the time they spend on advertising and marketing to extend this yr.
The message is obvious: the successful technique isn’t to cover out till the storm passes. It’s to speculate your money and time into the expansion driver of your online business — your advertising and marketing — to come back out stronger on the opposite facet.
Investing in What Already Works
So the place is all that funding going? It’s flowing immediately into the confirmed, high-impact digital channels that small companies consider in most.
After we requested which channels they count on to supply probably the most worth this yr, the reply was decisive: 68% count on social media (each natural posting and paid advertisements) to be their most precious channel, with e mail advertising and marketing following at 41%.
The takeaway is easy. The neatest companies are concentrating their efforts on a powerhouse duo of social media and e mail — channels they belief to ship measurable outcomes.
AI Turns into a Sensible Development Software
And there’s a brand new instrument within the toolbox serving to them do extra with much less. Fifty-four % of small companies are already utilizing AI and one other 27% plan to start out this yr, counting on it for duties like analyzing pattern knowledge (45%), writing emails or different content material (44%), and creating photos (40%). Companies aren’t changing their technique — they’re enhancing it.
Your 2026 Playbook: Learn how to Double Down the Proper Approach
You’ve seen what different small companies are doing. Right here’s find out how to flip these insights into your individual motion plan.
Tip #1: Grasp Your Excessive-Worth Channels to Be Seen.
Small companies are placing their religion in social media and e mail advertising and marketing as a result of they consider these channels will ship probably the most worth. The transfer isn’t simply to make use of them — it’s to grasp them.
Don’t simply put up — join. Don’t simply ship emails — construct relationships. That is the place your advertising and marketing funding will work the toughest, so make each greenback (and each minute) rely by focusing your power on what works and get your online business seen.
Tip #2: Make AI Your New Assistant.
One of many largest hurdles for any small enterprise proprietor is the endless must create contemporary content material. We all know the ache of observing a clean web page when you will have one million different issues to do.
Think about becoming a member of the 81% of small companies which might be already embracing or planning to make use of AI this yr, and use it to deal with the “clean web page” downside for good.
Ask it to investigate traits to search out out what your viewers desires to listen to about. Or let AI compose a primary draft of your subsequent e mail e-newsletter, turning an hour of labor into 10 minutes of enhancing.
Consider AI as your assistant releasing you from time-consuming handbook duties so you may deal with big-picture technique.
Tip #3: Put Your Advertising on Autopilot.
Working more durable isn’t the reply; working smarter is. With 50% of small companies prioritizing effectivity, the purpose is to get extra carried out with much less handbook effort.
Which means having a system that works for you even while you’re not working. Use a single platform that may streamline and automate your high-value channels. As an alternative of leaping between instruments, handle your social media and e mail advertising and marketing in a single place.
Then use automation to deal with repetitive duties. Arrange a welcome collection for brand new subscribers, robotically ship deserted cart reminders, or schedule a month’s value of social posts in a single sitting.
Realism Meets Strategic Resolve
Whereas small companies are feeling financial strain, they aren’t simply hoping for one of the best; they’re actively planning for achievement. Fifty % are prioritizing “bettering effectivity,” and 36% are creating or refining their advertising and marketing technique to make sure they succeed within the yr forward.
What does this inform us? Small enterprise homeowners have a wholesome dose of realism — however a good greater dose of strategic resolve. They know the surroundings is hard, however they’re betting on their skill to work smarter as a way to succeed.
2026 Is Not a 12 months to Sit on the Sidelines
The message from small companies is loud and clear: 2026 will not be a yr for sitting on the sidelines. Regardless of financial challenges, the overwhelming technique is investing strategically as a substitute of pulling again.
In case you’re feeling the strain of rising prices, know you’re not alone. However extra importantly, know that you simply’re in good firm while you select to face these challenges head on and spend money on your online business’s development.
Frank Vella is the CEO of Fixed Contact, the main digital advertising and marketing and automation platform for small companies and nonprofits. Frank’s earlier successes stem from a ardour for constructing customer-centric companies. He has constructed efficient groups at tech companies of various sizes globally, together with Microsoft, GE Capital, Virtustream and BlueJeans, amongst others.
