{"id":171,"date":"2026-04-20T06:03:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T06:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kinsta-stag-advertisingweek.md-staging.com\/?p=171"},"modified":"2026-04-21T05:48:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T05:48:54","slug":"in-the-current-economic-uncertainty-small-businesses-are-investing-in-marketing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kinsta-stag-advertisingweek.md-staging.com\/aw360\/podcast\/in-the-current-economic-uncertainty-small-businesses-are-investing-in-marketing\/171\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Current Economic Uncertainty, Small Businesses Are Investing in Marketing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Frank Vella, CEO of Constant Contact<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When times get tough, the old playbook says to tighten your belt and cut costs wherever you can. But small businesses in 2026 are flipping the script.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Constant Contact<\/a>\u2019s latest Small Business Now report, we surveyed more than 1,500 small business owners to understand their concerns and strategies around marketing for 2026. While they see the current economic hurdles loud and clear, the vast majority are refusing to hit the brakes. Instead of cutting back, they\u2019re doubling down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of shrinking their marketing budgets, small businesses are hitting the accelerator: 68% of small business owners expect their marketing budgets to increase in 2026, while 74% expect the time they spend on marketing to increase this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The message is clear: the winning strategy isn\u2019t to hide out until the storm passes. It\u2019s to invest your time and money into the growth driver of your business \u2014 your marketing \u2014 to come out stronger on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investing in What Already Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So where is all that investment going? It\u2019s flowing directly into the proven, high-impact digital channels that small businesses believe in most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we asked which channels they expect to provide the most value this year, the answer was decisive: 68% expect social media (both organic posting and paid ads) to be their most valuable channel, with email marketing following at 41%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The takeaway is simple. The smartest businesses are concentrating their efforts on a powerhouse duo of social media and email \u2014 channels they trust to deliver measurable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI Becomes a Practical Growth Tool<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And there\u2019s a new tool in the toolbox helping them do more with less. Fifty-four percent of small businesses are already using AI and another 27% plan to start this year, relying on it for tasks like analyzing trend data (45%), writing emails or other content (44%), and creating images (40%). Businesses aren\u2019t replacing their strategy \u2014 they\u2019re enhancing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your 2026 Playbook: How to Double Down the Right Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve seen what other small businesses are doing. Here\u2019s how to turn those insights into your own action plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #1: Master Your High-Value Channels to Be Seen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small businesses are putting their faith in social media and email marketing because they believe these channels will deliver the most value. The move isn\u2019t just to use them \u2014 it\u2019s to master them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t just post \u2014 connect. Don\u2019t just send emails \u2014 build relationships. This is where your marketing investment will work the hardest, so make every dollar (and every minute) count by focusing your energy on what works and get your business seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #2: Make AI Your New Assistant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest hurdles for any small business owner is the never-ending need to create fresh content. We know the pain of staring at a blank page when you have a million other things to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider joining the 81% of small businesses that are already embracing or planning to use AI this year, and use it to tackle the \u201cblank page\u201d problem for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask it to analyze trends to find out what your audience wants to hear about. Or let AI compose a first draft of your next email newsletter, turning an hour of work into 10 minutes of editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of AI as your assistant freeing you from time-consuming manual tasks so you can focus on big-picture strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #3: Put Your Marketing on Autopilot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working harder isn\u2019t the answer; working smarter is. With 50% of small businesses prioritizing efficiency, the goal is to get more done with less manual effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means having a system that works for you even when you\u2019re not working. Use a single platform that can streamline and automate your high-value channels. Instead of jumping between tools, manage your social media and email marketing in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then use automation to handle repetitive tasks. Set up a welcome series for new subscribers, automatically send abandoned cart reminders, or schedule a month\u2019s worth of social posts in one sitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Realism Meets Strategic Resolve<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While small businesses are feeling economic pressure, they aren\u2019t just hoping for the best; they\u2019re actively planning for success. Fifty percent are prioritizing \u201cimproving efficiency,\u201d and 36% are creating or refining their marketing strategy to ensure they succeed in the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this tell us? Small business owners have a healthy dose of realism \u2014 but an even bigger dose of strategic resolve. They know the environment is tough, but they\u2019re betting on their ability to work smarter in order to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Is Not a Year to Sit on the Sidelines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The message from small businesses is loud and clear: 2026 is not a year for sitting on the sidelines. Despite economic challenges, the overwhelming strategy is investing strategically instead of pulling back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re feeling the pressure of rising costs, know you\u2019re not alone. But more importantly, know that you\u2019re in good company when you choose to face these challenges head on and invest in your business\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Vella is the CEO of <\/em>Constant Contact<\/em><\/a>, a small-business-focused digital marketing and CRM platform that has helped millions of small businesses and nonprofits.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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