Hope everyone is doing ok during these turbulent times. I’m getting lots of calls and emails “what do I do now?” so thought it best to address in a note. A bit of a longer note than usual, however I think an important one.
If you’ve looked at the news cycle lately, you know the world feels a bit chaotic. It’s unpredictable out there.
But I’ve learned something vital over the years: The best way to combat chaos in the world is by building predictability in your business.
While everything else feels frantic, your brand can be the steady hand. Your competitors might be getting louder, but that doesn’t mean you need to shout. You just need to be smarter.
Here is the reality of 2026: Attention is fragmented. Algorithms change by the week. AI has completely rewritten how people find businesses like yours. Platforms come and platforms go.
But there is good news. The brands that are pulling ahead right now aren’t just spending more money. They are showing up with clarity. They are focusing on the things that actually move the needle.
Here is what I am seeing work right now, and how you can build a predictable engine for growth this year.
1. Brand Before Tactics
It is tempting to jump straight into ads or SEO. But real success starts with positioning.
We need to answer the big questions first: Who are you for? What do you stand for? Why does it matter?
When you have a distinctive brand voice, you cut through the algorithmic noise. That clarity is your superpower. Everything else flows from there.
2. Websites That Create Conversations, Conversions and Connections
Your website shouldn’t just be a digital brochure. It needs to be a conversion engine.
In 2026, we are seeing that fast, clear sites built with one goal—turning visitors into conversations—are the winners. We need to optimize for how people actually search today (yes, including AI search). And make sure there’s some way to sign up to connect (own your email list!!!) with visitors. Everyone needs to make owning their own connections a priority this year – do not rely just on social platform connections (good-bye Tik Tok, it was fun while it lasted).
3. Social That Actually Sells
Forget vanity metrics. They feel good, but they don’t pay the bills.
The platforms are rewarding genuine connection right now. We need authentic content and community building that turns a casual scroll into a loyal connection and sale. It’s about being human in a digital space. Last thing I purchased via social? A diving item I was confused about, asked in the comments of a post, and the owner answered my question himself (with a clear intro – hi, I’m the owner, this is what my wife uses and she’s your size and uses same way) and sent me a link to the product that would work for me. Yes, of course I purchased it and gave them a 5-star review.
4. Public Relations: Stay Top of Mind
Your presence in the media sets you apart as a go-to source of expertise. Make it a priority to share professional, unique, and whenever possible, hopeful and optimistic stories—journalists are always searching for positive trends and good news. It is easy to go into doom and gloom however a little extra elbow grease and creativity can help you find positive slants and stories. Plus, here’s a secret edge: strong PR boosts your visibility in AI-powered searches. In 2026, PR and AI really are best friends; every media feature helps your name rise to the top. Also, PR equals authority in your marketplace. It’s a constant effort and needs to stay fresh. This focus pays off big time.
5. Community: Real-World Connections Matter
People are more eager than ever to connect face-to-face with like-minded individuals. If your business can support it, consider hosting an open house, a mixer, or any event that brings people together offline. By creating these real-life touchpoints, you not only nurture your client relationships but help your brand become a meaningful part of their world. Create community and you will reap real riches.
What is Working Right Now?
If you are wondering where to focus your energy this month, here is the cheat sheet:
- Short-form video is dominating feeds. It’s the primary way people consume information.
- Serialized storytelling earns deeper attention. People want to follow a journey, not just see a single post.
- AI-assisted content is now table stakes. It’s a baseline expectation, not a differentiator. Your human creativity is the differentiator.
- Be real people are exhausted from B.S. and looking for real people with real content and real solutions. Bland excess is out -intelligence, temperance, wisdom, generosity, connection is needed everywhere.
The Pattern of Success
I’m seeing a clear formula for the winners so far this year:
Cohesive Identity + Conversion-Focused Website + Active PR + Social Presence = Growth.
Everyone else is left wondering where their leads went.
Let’s focus on building your stability. Let’s build your game plan so you can stop reacting to the chaos and start predicting your success.
Thanks for reading, be well my friends.
