The Marketing Wrap Up You Shouldn’t Skip
It has been a busy year for your business and your marketing efforts. Before you close out 2025 and flip the calendar page, there is real value in taking stock of what worked, what did not, and what you will take into 2026 with intention. This checklist brings together best practices from industry leaders so you can finish strong and set yourself up for momentum right out of the gate next year.
1. Review Your Data
Gather your key metrics from across channels. Look at website traffic, social media engagement, email open rates, and ad performance. Understanding what drove results and what did not gives you direction instead of guesswork. Tools like Google Analytics make this easier. (Amp’d Local)
2. Audit Your Content and Campaigns
Identify your best performing content and make notes on why it resonated with your audience. Update content that may still be useful but is outdated. This sets a strong foundation for your 2026 editorial calendar. (AEBLI Group)
3. Refresh Your Website and Profiles
Your website is often the first point of contact with a potential customer. Check that all links work, pages load quickly, contact info is visible, and your SEO is solid. Update business listings on major directories to ensure consistency. (Amp’d Local)
4. Gather Customer Feedback
Ask your customers for feedback through surveys or reviews. This gives you insight into what your audience values and can boost your online credibility when you share positive feedback. (Entrepreneur)
5. Plan Early for Next Year
Use what you learned from your data review to set clear, measurable goals for 2026. Establish what you want to achieve and outline the themes and campaigns for the first quarter. Waiting until January means you lose precious time. (Miss Ink)
6. Set Your Budget
Look at your actual spend versus your goals. Allocate budget by priority, whether that is ads, automation tools, or new content initiatives. Setting this now helps avoid scrambling later. Amp’d Local
7. Celebrate and Connect
Take a moment to recognize wins with your team and thank your customers. Whether it is a simple thank you email or a highlighted post of accomplishments, closing with gratitude builds connection. (Miss Ink)
Wrap up this checklist with purpose. Finishing strong now will make January feel like a launch, not a cleanup. Treat this as time invested in a calmer, more strategic 2026.
