If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that even in volatile years, business goes on. People still buy.

Even when certain months bring friction and drooping conversion rates, there’s still a conversion rate. In September of this year, Strong Brand Social had its biggest revenue month in over five years of business – yes, even in 2025’s chaos!

This milestone is more than a win. It’s proof that even in volatile years, sustainable strategy creates stability and growth. The most successful entrepreneurs don’t wait for perfect conditions. We design our strategies to win in the world we have now.

That’s the energy we’re taking into 2026—and it’s shaping everything we’re building next. Here’s what we see shifting for social this year:

Prediction #1: Depth > Breadth

People aren’t disengaged—they’re protective. Of their time. Of their attention. Of their trust. 2026 is the year consumers reject surface-level marketing. 

The brands that win won’t be the loudest or the ones who post the most. They’ll be the ones willing to go deeper. This is not about doing more, but about doing more of the right stuff according to data and being diligent about blocking out the rest. In many ways, it’s about doing less.

Prediction #2: Communities > Feeds

People are tired of algorithms determining their experience on social. All the data points to people choosing smaller, safer, more intentional spaces:

• Slack groups

• Discord channels

• Substacks and email newsletters

• Paid communities

• IRL meetups

• And unique, sharply aligned content that feels made for them

Y’all, this is great news for purpose-driven small businesses. Lean into your community. 

Prediction #3: Value > Virality

Viral moments come and go. But value compounds. We saw this inside of our own business this year: the more support, education, and clarity we gave, the more stable our revenue became.

Give your people more than they need and plan for more than they ask for.

Prediction #4: Humans > Algorithms

People are fatigued. 

They’re tired of AI sameness.

They’re tired of Canva templates that all look the same.

They’re tired of brands losing their voice and values.

In 2026, brands that win will be the ones who lead with their humanity. This year, we saw conversions increase the moment we brought our team forward and spoke to our customers like humans. In an increasingly noisy and slop-filled internet, the brands that win will be the ones who sound unmistakably like themselves.

Prediction #5: Strategy wins. Always.

This one has been true, friends. Posting more stopped working in 2015. In 2026, we’re doubling down on this. If you want to make 2026 your biggest growth year yet…

You need:

→ The right message

→ The right system

→ The right execution

2026 is the year you remove everything that doesn’t tie directly to growth. Why? So that you can focus on the strategic inputs that build your business and drive a clear, measurable ROI. 

2026 is not about more content.

It’s about alignment.

And when you’re aligned AF, you actually end up doing less — but with more results.

Ready to build real growth in 2026?

Here’s how to join us this month:

• If you’re ready to build a growth-driving marketing strategy that can help you beat your goals and prepare for the future, join us at our next LIVE workshop, F* The Algorithm! 2.0

• On January 13th, we’re going live for RELENTLESS AF! Your 2026 Content-To-Customer Growth Machine , a FREE workshop where we'll break down the simple 3-step social media system (and measurement model) to install a customer-creation engine that’ll help you beat your goals in 2026 and beyond!

 

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