Going Into 2026: Getting Through the Holidays with a Clear Vision and Strong Goals

As the holidays approach and 2025 winds down, it’s easy to get swept up in year-end chaos - client deadlines, holiday campaigns, and juggling projects while trying to enjoy the season. But this is also one of the best times to pause, reflect, and recalibrate your strategy for the year ahead.

Whether you’re an agency managing clients on retainer or hourly, or a product-based business preparing for Q1 launches, now’s the time to revisit your goals, pricing structure, and go-to-market strategy. Entering 2026 without clarity on these areas is like stepping into the new year without a map - you might move, but not necessarily forward.

Revisit Your Goals and Strategy

Start with an honest look at 2025: what campaigns, products, or client strategies brought the highest ROI? Where did you spend the most time for the least return? Are your offerings still aligned with your audience’s needs - or have expectations shifted?

Set SMART Goals

Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) for 2026 that are rooted in real data. Every business, no matter the size, should have a clear growth strategy supported by marketing, sales, and operations.

Reevaluate Your Pricing Structure

 Costs change, consumer habits shift, and your pricing should reflect that. For agencies, now might be the time to rethink retainer rates, adjust project pricing, or refine hourly structures to reflect the value you provide.

For product-based businesses, check margins, shipping, and costs. Small adjustments - bundled offers, seasonal pricing, or loyalty perks - can make a big difference in profitability.

Refine Your Go-to-Market Strategy

 How you go to market is just as important as what you’re selling. Standing out in today’s digital age takes intentional, creative storytelling and a strong presence across every channel.

If your 2025 marketing felt reactive, make 2026 the year of strategy. Refresh your messaging, refine your audience targeting, and invest in consistent content creation - because consistency builds trust, and trust drives results.

Marketing: A Non-Negotiable Investment

 Marketing isn’t just an expense, it’s an investment in visibility, credibility, and growth. In a crowded digital landscape, the businesses that win are the ones staying strategic and consistent.

As a rule of thumb, businesses should spend 7–10% of revenue on marketing, with higher-growth brands often spending 12–15%. That includes digital ads, content creation, social media, email campaigns, influencer partnerships, and brand development. It’s not just about how much you spend—but making sure every dollar helps you reach your bigger goals.

Other areas to consider before 2026: audit your tech stack, evaluate client relationships, plan for scalability, and build in rest. Strategic downtime during the holidays isn’t a luxury - it’s necessary for clarity and creativity.

Going into 2026 with a clear vision means being intentional about where you’re headed and confident in the strategy to get you there. Whether you’re an agency, a brand, or a business owner wearing both hats, clarity and consistency will be your best tools for growth.

Let’s toast to 2025, and get ready to hit the ground running in the new year together. Learn more at peachiie.com